Cape Santa Maria Beach

Cape Santa Maria runs along the northwestern tip of Long Island, a curve of powder sand about six kilometres long with water that shades from clear to deep turquoise and a shelf shallow enough to wade a long way out. There is a resort at one end and essentially nothing along the rest of it. The cape is named for one of Columbus's ships, and a monument at the point marks the traditional landing claim for this part of the island.

What you actually see

• The beach - about six kilometres of powder-white sand in a single curve.
• The shallows - warm clear water walkable far out from shore.
• The monument - the Columbus marker at the northern point.
• The emptiness - a beach this size with almost nobody on it outside the resort.

When to go

November to April is the dry season and the peak. Winter fronts can bring wind and surf to the exposed end. Summer is hot and hurricane season runs June to November.

Honest expectations

There are no public facilities: the resort serves its guests and everyone else brings their own water and shade. The road out to the point is rough in places. Sandflies are active at dawn and dusk.

Nearby

Stella Maris is south, and Clarence Town is further down the island.