Ten miles from the nearest resort development and accessible only through a 40-minute connecting flight to Deadman’s Cay Airport, Morris Settlement on Long Island delivers the Caribbean’s rarest treasure: sandbanks that extend hundreds of yards offshore where you can walk through ankle-deep turquoise water. This ultra-remote corner of the Bahamas transforms twice daily as tides reveal shifting sand islands, creating temporary archipelagos visible only to the few travelers willing to venture beyond Nassau’s crowded shores.
10 ultra-remote bays where sandbanks stretch further than most beaches
Morris Settlement anchors Long Island’s collection of pristine bays where geography itself filters crowds. Semidiurnal tidal cycles create two daily transformations, revealing carbonate sediment flats that stretch offshore like natural highways through crystal water.
Local fishermen describe November 27, 2025 low tide at 5:06 PM as optimal for sandbar exploration. The 2.03-foot tidal differential exposes vast flats where visitors discover why Long Island receives only 30,000 annual visitors compared to Nassau’s 1.8 million.
Morris Settlement Beach: where families walk 300 yards offshore
This “sandy beach with amenities, relatively uncrowded and very clean” maintains its reputation through deliberate remoteness. Sandbanks extend 100 yards offshore at low tide, creating natural pools perfect for children.
Vacation rentals here include “7+ kayaks, life jackets, and snorkel gear” because guests quickly learn the magic happens beyond the shoreline. Water temperature holds steady at 78°F through November, ideal for extended sandbar exploration.
Tropic of Cancer Beach: two miles of untouched perfection
Stretching two miles of “pure white sand and turquoise glistening waters,” this protected beach prohibits development. Sandbar extensions reach 150-200 yards offshore, with water depths under one foot for the first 100 yards.
Located within a “2-minute walk” from Morris Settlement properties, the beach averages just 15-20 daily visitors across its entire length. Unlike Grace Bay’s $650 nightly suites and packed shores, here accommodation costs $350-600 nightly with beaches to yourself.
Lazy River Sand Flats: nature’s disappearing act
Accessible only by 15-minute kayak journey from Morris Settlement, these remarkable tidal flats create temporary sand islands during low tide. The phenomenon extends 300 yards offshore with water depths under one foot across most areas.
According to local fishing guides, these flats shift daily, creating ephemeral “river channels” through sandbanks where kayakers explore in complete silence. Visitor counts remain minimal at 2-3 groups daily, preserving the pristine ecosystem.
Poseidon’s Point: dramatic cliffs meet shallow paradise
This location combines limestone cliffs with protected shallow bays where sand channels cut through coral formations. The underwater topography creates natural swimming areas during low tide, averaging 10-15 daily visitors.
Marine conservation data shows these sand channels function as fish nurseries, explaining the remarkable marine life visibility. Snorkeling conditions remain optimal from November through April when water clarity peaks.
Deal’s Beach and Forbes Hill Beach: local secrets revealed
Deal’s Beach offers “stunning views perfect for swimming, shade, and peaceful sunsets” while maintaining low visitor counts of 20 people daily. Unlike Barbados where beaches crowd with cruise passengers and hotels cost $400 nightly, these locations preserve authentic Caribbean tranquility.
Forbes Hill Beach, located “within 5-10 minutes” of accommodations, features sandbar formations extending 125 yards offshore. Visitor surveys show fewer than 10 people daily even during peak season, making family exploration remarkably private.
Gordon’s Beach and Love Beaches: southern sanctuary
At Long Island’s southern tip, Gordon’s Beach provides basic amenities (beach chairs and washrooms) while preserving remoteness. Sandbar extensions reach 150 yards offshore with consistently calm conditions.
The Love Beaches present four connected beaches with pink sand from foraminifera, creating a “natural swimming pool” effect during mid-tide. Similar to Martinique’s undeveloped coastlines, these beaches see fewer than 15 daily visitors across the entire four-beach complex.
Salt Pond Flats: community tradition meets visitor discovery
Located 9 miles from Morris Settlement, Salt Pond Beach maintains local traditions of low-tide sandbar picnics. Community gatherings during winter months create authentic cultural encounters for respectful visitors.
The sandbar extensions here create perfect family gathering spots, with local residents sharing stories of generations who’ve used these shifting sands for celebrations. Unlike Seychelles beaches requiring 45-minute hikes, these spots offer easier access while delivering comparable solitude.
Watermelon Beach and Shipwreck Beach: the island circuit
Long Island’s 4.5 miles of “almost uninterrupted sand” includes Watermelon and Shipwreck beaches, accessible via island circuit drives on gravel roads. These locations offer different access points to continuous sandbank systems.
Car rental costs $50-70 daily but proves essential for exploring multiple bay systems. Road conditions vary but remain “navigable with standard cars,” though visitors should expect potholes and gravel surfaces throughout the island.
Dean’s Blue Hole: dramatic depth meets shallow paradise
Twenty minutes from Morris Settlement, this world-renowned blue hole plunges 663 feet deep while surrounded by shallow sandbank systems. The contrast creates unique snorkeling conditions where deep blue meets turquoise shallows.
Free diving competitions utilize this site, but casual visitors explore the shallow edges where sand meets the circular blue hole. Beach access remains free, and surrounding sandbars provide safe areas for families while advanced swimmers explore deeper sections.
Your questions about Morris Settlement Beach answered
How do I reach these remote beaches from the United States?
Nassau to Deadman’s Cay Airport requires 40-minute domestic flights costing $150-250 roundtrip. From Deadman’s Cay, Morris Settlement sits 10 minutes by rental car. Major US cities connect to Nassau: Miami (1 hour), New York (3-4 hours), Chicago (3-4 hours).
What makes these sandbanks different from other Caribbean destinations?
Long Island’s carbonate sediment platforms create unique tidal flat systems extending up to 300 yards offshore. The semidiurnal tidal cycles (two high, two low tides daily) reveal temporary sand islands twice daily, unlike static beaches elsewhere in the Caribbean.
How does visitor density compare to popular Caribbean destinations?
Long Island receives 30,000 annual visitors total, with Morris Settlement capturing roughly 25% of that number. Nassau/Paradise Island welcomes 1.8 million annually, creating a dramatic solitude differential where Morris Settlement beaches average 5-25 daily visitors versus hundreds at mainstream destinations.
November sunset paints the emerging sandbars gold while gentle waves create the only sound across miles of empty coastline. These temporary sand islands disappear with the rising tide, taking with them footprints and evidence of human presence until tomorrow’s low tide reveals them again, pristine and waiting.