Mayaguana is the only Bahamian island that still bears its original Arawak name, which is said to refer to a specific species of iguana found nowhere else in the world. The island was a favored base for pirates before residents began migrating from nearby Turks and Caicos in 1812. Today, it’s home to just 300 locals who live in three main settlements—Abraham's Bay, Pirate's Well, and Betsy Bay. The villages are quaint, rustic and located no more than 15 minutes from each other, making Mayaguana a very close-knit community. Most residents make a living by fishing for conch and farming the land. Visitors looking for adventure can dive through sea caves at Northwest Point, go "crabbing" at Horse Pond Beach, reel in a bonefish, or take a guided tour of the three main settlements.
Located 10 miles east of Abraham's Bay, it is a perfect spot for "crabbing," hunting for land crabs that live in the bushes and crevices within the limestone rocks, and go walking late at night. Their meat is used in a variety of local dishes.
This cay, located east of mainland Mayaguana, gets its name from the flock of brown boobies that call it home. It is also a habitat for small rock iguanas, only found there, and descendants of wild goats left behind by early settlers.
The Bahama hutia (aka Ingraham's hutia) is a plump, brown, rabbit-sized member of the rodent family that was thought to be extinct until seen again in the 1960s. They are nocturnal and are the only land mammal that is native to The Bahamas.
The stretches of picturesque sandy beaches on Mayaguana are perfect for picnicking, sunbathing, shelling, and strolling. With unbelievable aquamarine water, you can snorkel just offshore to see coral heads, sand dollars, and starfish.
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