Blue Lagoon Island

Blue Lagoon Island, properly Salt Cay, lies about five kilometres northeast of Nassau and operates as a private day-trip island: beaches, a sheltered lagoon, hammocks, inflatables and a large marine mammal facility running dolphin and sea lion encounters. It is a standard cruise excursion and a standard Nassau day out, sold as packages that bundle the boat, lunch and whichever activities you choose. The beaches themselves are genuinely good.

What you actually see

• The lagoon - a sheltered shallow inlet that gives the island its marketing name.
• The beaches - several sheltered strands with calm clear water.
• The boat crossing - half an hour across from Nassau with the skyline behind.
• The marine mammal facility - the dolphin and sea lion programmes the island is built around.

When to go

November to April is the dry season and the peak. Cruise days are the busiest by far. Crossings are cancelled in rough weather, which happens in winter norther fronts.

Honest expectations

The captive dolphin and sea lion programmes are the island's core business and are criticised by animal welfare organisations; it is reasonable to visit for the beach and decline them. Everything is priced as an add-on and the total mounts quickly. It gets very crowded on multi-ship days.

Nearby

Nassau and Paradise Island are across the water to the southwest.