Conception Island

Conception Island lies between Long Island, Rum Cay and Cat Island, about twelve square kilometres of low scrub, beach and mangrove creek, uninhabited and protected as a national park since 1964. It is one of the most important seabird nesting sites in the Bahamas, with brown boobies, tropicbirds and frigatebirds, and green turtles use the mangrove creek system as a nursery, gathering in numbers in the shallow water where a dinghy can drift among them. The beaches are among the finest anywhere in the country and there is nothing on them. Cruising sailors anchor in the western bight; there is no other way to arrive.

What you actually see

• The mangrove creek - green turtles in the shallow nursery water.
• Nesting seabirds - boobies, tropicbirds and frigatebirds on the cliffs.
• The beaches - empty white sand with no development at all.
• Southampton Reef - the wreck-strewn reef off the northern end.

When to go

December to May is the dry season with the calmest anchorage. Turtles are in the creek year-round. Seabird nesting peaks in spring and summer, when disturbance matters most. Access is entirely by private or chartered boat.

Honest expectations

There is no scheduled way here at all: you arrive by your own boat or a charter, and the anchorage is exposed in some wind directions. Nothing may be taken from the park and landing is restricted in nesting areas. There is no water, shade, shelter or help of any kind on the island. Turtles must not be touched or chased.

Nearby

Long Island is the usual departure point; Rum Cay and Cat Island are nearby.