Bahamas Guide

Riding Rock Inn Resort And Marina
ResortSan Salvador

Located on the small island of San Salvador in the Bahamas 360 miles southeast of Miami -- sits one of the premier scuba diving resorts and fishing Meccas of the world. Perched on a pinnacle and washed by warm breezes and clear azure waters, the Riding Rock Inn Resort and Marina offers you all of the excitement and adventure or rest and relaxation you've been searching for.

Club Med Columbus Isle
ResortSan Salvador

Set on the Atlantic side of the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas, 199 miles southeast of Nassau, a 1-1/2 hour flight from Miami. This Refined, stylish, colorful and decorated resort is like no other, with original artifacts from the far east, Columbus Isle is a haven for scuba divers, beach lovers and honeymooners with miles of pure white sand and crystal waters. It has 282 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, telephone, cable television, mini-fridge, personal safe. It has Three restaurants: main restaurant with varied buffets and 2 specialty restaurants located at the "Sea Center." 3 bars*. Boutique*, film developing*, laundry service*, coin-operated washing machine and dryer*, beach towels, wetsuit rental for scuba diving*.

New Columbus Tavern
RestaurantSan Salvador

Owned by Birthel and Sadie Lightfoot, in Victoria Hill features fine food and pizzas. It features....crack conch, steam or fry fish, mince lobster, B. Q. Ribs and much more. Their pizza selections include: Pepperoni, Deluxe with sausage, mushrooms, etc, and their specialty....Extravaganza Pizza: ham, sausage, mushrooms, black olives, onions and much more. They also offer pizza delivery, but not to Sandy Point.

Three Ships Restaurant and Bar
RestaurantSan Salvador

The restaurant is located in Cockburn Town and is owned and operated by Faith Jones. 3 Ships has been the restaurant of choice for many years and continues to serve great food. It is open for breakfast and lunch and sometimes for dinner....call for info.

Riding Rock Inn
RestaurantSan Salvador

Part of the Dive Club serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a spacious dinning room. The Driftwood bar is adjacent. Although they serve all the divers each day, everyone is welcome.

Columbus Isle (Club Med)
RestaurantSan Salvador

Great place to visit for dinner. Call ahead for reservations. The cost can be $80 per person. You receive a high quality buffet, fantastic food display, wine, beer, and all you can eat. After dinner go to the terrace lounge and have a tropical drink. Then on to the exciting stage show...fun, showy, colorful, entertaining. Then move on to the late night/early morning disco.

Harlem Square Club
RestaurantSan Salvador

Bahamian and American cuisine; disco on weekends.

The Seafront Restaurant at Riding Rock Inn Resort
RestaurantSan Salvador

Specializes in scrumptious Bahamian and American cuisine. Conch chowder is featured daily, along with specials for lunch and dinner. Sandwiches can also be prepared upon request. The view from the restaurant's dining room or deck is quite breathtaking.

Store Hours: 7:30am - 8:30 pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Beaches
Beaches & ParksSan Salvador

The beaches of San Salvador are secluded and expansive. They include:
. Bonefish Bay, at Club Med, known for its abundant bonefish
. Long Bay, at the Columbus Monument site
. Grotto Beach, at Sandy Point, which has a little grotto
. Snow Bay, near the entrance to Pigeon Creek, where the sand is fine like snow
. Dim Bay Beach, near the original Columbus Monument (now Chicago Herald Monument)
. East Beach, a three-mile beach near United Estates, where there is good snorkeling right off the beach
. North Victoria Hill, a two-mile beach with nice clear water, located three miles north of Club Med

Boating & Sailing
Boating & SailingSan Salvador

Since the day they were first discovered by ship, the 700 islands in The Bahamas have increasingly become a magnet for sea vessels. Fuel up. Chart a course. Uninhabited cays, hidden coves, annual regattas, and modern marinas will sweeten the voyage.

Riding Rock Inn Resort
Marinas & Harbours (Marinas)San Salvador

The full-service marina offers protected deep water dockage; draft at the marina entrance is six and a half feet at low tide.

Air Transportation
Scheduled Air ServiceSan Salvador

The airport in San Salvador has been designated a "Code 4-E" status to accommodate large air busses, such as those that will be flying in weekly from Paris. Civil Aviation purchased two new fire trucks, hired eight fireman and 10 security officers to carry out passenger screening. Director of Civil Aviation said he was given the impression that American Eagle operations would like to increase their flights to San Salvador on the weekend to four flights daily. Passenger screening is done in a security trailer for all outgoing passengers.

Spirit Airlines
Scheduled Air ServiceSan Salvador

Beginning in May 2005, Spirit Airlines has started direct flights from Ft. Lauderdale to San Salvador. These flights are Saturday only. Consider that you don't have to stop in Nassau, spend a night, pay for taxis to and from the airport and meals. The time saving and cost saving could be very important.

Bahamasair
Scheduled Air ServiceSan Salvador

Florida (800) 222 4262
Nassau (242) 322 4727

The national airline continues to service San Salvador. Bahamasair has two flights per day to and from San Salvador on SOME days of the week. Not everyday. Check directly with the airline or your travel agent. Bahamasair also has flights from Nassau connecting to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Orlando. Contact them directly in Florida for schedule and rates.

West Jet
Scheduled Air ServiceSan Salvador

From Montreal Canada only on Friday arriving in San Salvador at 1pm and leaving San Salvador at 2pm.

Stars
Scheduled Air ServiceSan Salvador

From France (Club Med) only on Wednesday arriving in San Salvador at 1pm and leaving San Salvador at 2pm.

Twin Air
Scheduled Air ServiceSan Salvador

A 9 seat Charter that do not have a set time when they fly to San Salvador usually they do when they have students traveling.

AOM
Scheduled Air ServiceSan Salvador

Paris to Nassau, weekly

Chartered Air Service
Chartered Air ServiceSan Salvador

M/V Lady Francis
Mailboat ServiceSan Salvador

Service to: Cockburn Town, San Salvador & Rum Cay
Departs Nassau: Tuesday
Time of Departure: 6pm
Day/Time of Return: Friday
Frequency: Once a week
Sailing Time: 12 hours Fare: $40

C & E Car Rental
Car RentalSan Salvador

C & S Car Rental
Car RentalSan Salvador

D & W Rent-A-Car
Car RentalSan Salvador

Granville Walker's Rental Car
Car RentalSan Salvador

Nat Walker's Car Rental
Car RentalSan Salvador

K's Scooter Rentals
Car RentalSan Salvador

Located close to Club Med and Riding Rock Inn, we provide fully-automatic 100 cc scooters. We are open seven days a week, and hourly and daily rates are available. A deposit of $100 and a driver's license is required. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. We specialize in escorted sightseeing tours by scooter and other tours custom tailored to your needs. Our experienced tour guides can take you to visit historical sites, picnicking or shelling on a number of different beaches, or line fishing from all of the "hot" spots usually frequented by locals.

Fernander Tours
Taxi ServiceSan Salvador

Livingston Williams Taxi
Taxi ServiceSan Salvador

Nat Walker's Island Adventures
Taxi ServiceSan Salvador

Activities
ActivitiesSan Salvador

San Salvador may be a small island, but the opportunities for travelers to relax, explore, and take it all in are disproportionately large. Miles of beaches offer seclusion and snorkeling sites. Reefs and wrecks provide rewarding diving sites. And the flats circling the island offer hours, if not days, of game-fishing action. Visitors are also welcome to tour the old plantation ruins, explore historical Lucayan Indian sites, and climb up the old kerosene-operated lighthouse.

New World Museum
AttractionSan Salvador

Located at Cockburn Town, the Museum is housed in a 1910 building formerly used as the government's administrative offices and jail. This traditional museum contains many important artifacts and a display of the life of Christopher Columbus, which was developed under the auspices of Italian Senator, Paolo Emilio Taviani. It also houses the Sebastian Malta Ceramic Panel "VERBO AMERICA," in honour of the Lucayan people's contact with Christopher Columbus and donated by Nuova ERI of Italy - the other five panels were at the entrance to the World Fair in Seville Spain in 1992.

Bahamian Field Station
AttractionSan Salvador

The Bahamian Field Station, occupying an old U. S. Navy base, has been operating for many years as a centre for academic research in the areas of Archaeology, Biology, Geology and Marine Sciences. It provides accommodations and air transportation arrangements for professors who wish to teach their students in this unique environment.

Pigeon Creek Site
AttractionSan Salvador

Archaeological excavations, conducted by the Bahamian Field Station, have shown that the peaceful indigenous people of The Bahamas, the Lucayan/Taino Ameridians, had villages here.

Cut Cay
AttractionSan Salvador

Columbus referred to Cut Cay (the island that is not an island) in his journal. It is the small island across a shallow channel off North Point. At low tide, you can wade across to Cut Cay. Columbus thought that it would be a good site for a fortress.

Watling's Castle/Sandy Point Estate
AttractionSan Salvador

Watling's Castle, the ruins of a late 18th century Loyalist plantation house, was named after George Watling, a buccaneer who frequented the place. The substantial ruins at Sandy Point, including the three storey "Great House," kitchen, slave quarters, barns and boundary walls, were studied by the Bahamian Field Station. The Lookout Tower, which overlooks French Bay, has been restored.

Big Fortune Hill Plantation
AttractionSan Salvador

Mr. Burton Williams, a Loyalist, maintained a cottage plantation at Fortune Hill in the late 1780's. The ruins of the "Great House" and slave quarters can still be seen here.

Dixon Hill Lighthouse
AttractionSan Salvador

Built in 1887 on a former plantation owned by John Dixon, this 400,000 candle powered lighthouse has a visibility of 19 miles. Standing 163 feet above sea level, it maintains four-hour watches nightly, giving a double flash every 10 seconds. This kerosene lit, hand-operated lighthouse is the last of its type in The Islands of The Bahamas.

The Landfall Park
MonumentsSan Salvador

The Landfall Park (at the Long Bay Site), a ten-acre site rich in archaeological artifacts, is the first landfall of Christopher Columbus in the "New World." On October 12,1492, after 33 days at sea, Columbus landed probably at beautiful Fernandez Bay (Long Bay). A simple white cross, erected in 1956 by Mrs. Ruth D. Wolper, commemorates the historic event. Also on this site is the Mexican Monument which housed the Olympic flame in 1968 on its journey from Greece to Mexico City.

UNESCO Monument
MonumentsSan Salvador

On August 2, 1991 the Director-General of UNESCO, in the presence of the Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, declared San Salvador a "Monument of the Quincentennial," acknowledging it as the geographical starting point of the "new American epoch" commencing October 12, 1492.

Chicago Herald Monument
MonumentsSan Salvador

The 1892 World's Fair, held in Chicago, celebrated the 400th Anniversary of the "discovery" of the "New World." In 1891, the Chicago Herald, an American newspaper, erected this sphere (hewn from native limestone) in commemoration of Columbus' landfall (but on the wrong site).

Nao Santa Maria Monument
MonumentsSan Salvador

A commemorative monument by The Nao Santa Maria - a Japanese effort to recreate Columbus' Flagship, symbolising Columbus' original intention to reach Japan and promote harmony among nations.

Riding Rock Inn Resort
Diving (Diving Operation)San Salvador

Club Med Columbus Isle
Diving (Diving Operation)San Salvador

Set on the Atlantic side of the island of San Salvador in the Bahamas, 199 miles southeast of Nassau, a 1-1/2 hour flight from Miami. This Refined, stylish, colorful and decorated resort is like no other, with original artifacts from the far east, Columbus Isle is a haven for scuba divers, beach lovers and honeymooners with miles of pure white sand and crystal waters. It has 282 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, telephone, cable television, mini-fridge, personal safe. It has Three restaurants: main restaurant with varied buffets and 2 specialty restaurants located at the "Sea Center." 3 bars, Boutique, film developing, laundry service, coin-operated washing machine and dryer, beach towels, wetsuit rental for scuba diving.

Caves
DivingSan Salvador

. Movie Caves, near Fernandez Bay
. Sandy Point Cave, near Grotto Beach
. Double Cave, near Sandy Point

Reefs
DivingSan Salvador

. Pillar Reef, near Riding Rock Point
. Sponge World, near Rocky/Polaris point
. Vicky's Reef, near Cockburn Town

Walls
DivingSan Salvador

. Cockburn Town Wall, near Cockburn Town
. Devil's Claw, near Long Bay
. Grouper Gully, near Fernandez Bay
. Hole In The Wall, near Long Bay
. Riding Rock Wall, near Riding Rock Marina
. Shark Alley, near Long Bay
. Stewpot, near Riding Rock Marina

Wrecks
DivingSan Salvador

. Brig Enterprise Wreck, near Green Cay, sank 1832
. Columbian Wreck, near North Point, sank December 25, 1980
. Frasgate Wreck, off Bonefish Bay, sank January 1, 1902
. Hinchinbrook Wreck, near High Cay, sank July 19, 1913
. Schooner Wreck, near East Beach
. Unknown Wreck, near Low Cay
. Yacht Wreck, near Nancy Cay, sank 1977

Great Lake Preserve
DivingSan Salvador

San Salvador is also known as the "Land of Lakes." In the centre of the island, the Great Lake, which served as the major means of transportation in days past, has been protected to preserve this natural pristine wonder for future generations.

Fishing
Fishing (Deep Sea Fishing)San Salvador

Island Venture Charters offers some of the best bottom, reef and deep-sea sport fishing excursions on San Salvador. Daily half-day or all-day deep sea/sport fishing charters take you to waters just off San Salvador and to nearby cays. Yellow Fins, Mai-Mai, and Wahoos are in abundance, plus groupers, jacks, snappers, barracudas, and a variety of other species for your fishing pleasure. We can also arrange picnics and custom-made trips that you design yourself. Located, Cockburn Town, San Salvador, The Bahamas, Phone: 242-331-2306, Mobile: 242-464-9037

Water Sports
Water SportsSan Salvador

With water temperatures averaging about 80 °F year-round throughout The Bahamas, water sports are naturally a popular vacation activity. Throw on a swimsuit. Grab a towel. Explore the emerald-green, turquoise, and crystal-blue waters one sport at a time.

Snorkling
Water Sports (Snorkling)San Salvador

Snorkeling is the best way for the inexperienced ocean swimmer to become acquainted with the stunning beauty of the Bahamian reefs. During your adventure, get ready to view caverns, unique ocean life (such as bonefish, barracuda, and the spotted eagle ray), and coral clusters. Island operators can take you out on an organized trip; if you want to venture out on your own, just head to the water from the beach at your hotel or any public beach.

The Driftwood Bar and Lounge at Riding Rock Inn
NightlifeSan Salvador

The place is named for the pieces of driftwood that decorate its ceiling and walls. Starting in the late 50's and early 60's, visitors began autographing the pieces of wood they found on the beach and leaving them behind as mementos. Those who couldn't find wood began leaving whatever swept up on the beach - net floats, pieces of buoys and ship's glass; others leave more personal items, such as T-shirts and business cards. Beer, wine, sodas and a wonderful variety of blended island drinks are available from the Driftwood's expert local bartenders. You can also enjoy sports games via cable TV, try the ring toss game or relax on the open air patio and enjoy great views of San Salvador's western shoreline and beach. The bar is open from 11am to midnight daily. Wednesday is Disco Night, featuring a variety of dance music and a Limbo contest, beginning at 8:30 pm The management sponsors two cocktail parties for guests each week.

Harlem Square Club
NightlifeSan Salvador

Bahamian and American cuisine; disco on weekends

Shopping
ShoppingSan Salvador

Today's Bahamians continue the tradition of the early Lucayan and Taino Indians by producing distinctive arts and crafts that reflect the skill and artistry of their heritage. Bahamians utilize local resources to create unique foods, spices, ceramics, crafts, art, and music. The shopping experience in San Salvador includes a variety of homemade breads, cakes and pastries, in addition to unique straw creations and woodcarvings inspired by the island's wildlife.

Fernander Tours
Tours San Salvador

Provides air-conditioned cars and buses for up to 25 passengers. Services include round-trip airport transfers, island tours, visits to local attractions and outlying settlements. The experience of this father and son team is evident in the knowledge that they share about their home, San Salvador. The Fernanders' island tours include visits to local attractions and outlying settlements. You will definitely leave their tour with a hunger to learn more.

K's Scooter Rentals
Tours San Salvador

Located close to Club Med and Riding Rock Inn, we provide fully-automatic 100 cc scooters. We are open seven days a week, and hourly and daily rates are available. A deposit of $100 and a driver's license is required. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. We specialize in escorted sightseeing tours by scooter and other tours custom tailored to your needs. Our experienced tour guides can take you to visit historical sites, picnicking or shelling on a number of different beaches, or line fishing from all of the "hot" spots usually frequented by locals.

Nat Walker's Island Adventures
Tours San Salvador

Provides air-conditioned cars and buses for up to 25 passengers. Services include round-trip airport transfers, island tours, shopping trips, private beach picnics, visits to local attractions and outlying settlements.

Your tour guide, Nat Walker, is the island's Warden for the Bahamas National Trust, and has a unique understanding of the islands nature and history. Tours include:

Island Tour This tour follows the island's only road, covering 36 miles of history and Bahamian culture. Your tour guide will point out Farquharson's Castle, the beach where Christopher Columbus first made landfall in the New World, the Club Med resort, Low Cay which is home to the endangered iguanas, and more. You'll also visit the working lighthouse, one of only three remaining hand-wound lighthouses in the world. Your tour can be customized to include horseback riding along the beaches or lunch in a local Bahamian restaurant.

Lakes Nature Tour This morning nature tour, includes boating within untouched miles and miles of salty inland lakes which make up the majority of San Salvador. You will have perfect photo opportunities for white egrets, cormorants, iguanas, and the classic San Salvador lighthouse. Giant cactus, palm trees, and mangrove swamps are alive with wildlife. You'll see how the mail boats used to bring supplies to the lighthouse, and where the British constructed rock canals for boat traffic. Lunch can be a shore picnic on the unique beaches made from millions of tiny shells, or a delicious conch meal served at a local restaurant after the tour.

San Salvador Medical Clinic
Hospital (Clinic)San Salvador

Bank of the Bahamas International
BankingBankingan Salvador

Internet
CommunicationSan Salvador

San Salvador Cyber Center - Cost to visitors for Internet services is $10 for the first 30 minutes / $20 for an hour. Other Services: Training programs for children and adults, printers, copiers, scanners, digital and video cameras, magazine subscriptions, local newspapers, meeting room available at $20 (seating for ten).

Store Hours: Mon - Thu, 10am - 9pm (students welcome until 7:30pm, then adults only); Friday 10am - 6pm; Saturday 9am - 5pm; Closed on Sunday.

Mail & Packages
CommunicationSan Salvador

Bahamasair
CommunicationSan Salvador

Provides "Quikpak" express mail and package service throughout The Islands of The Bahamas.