These 10 Small Bahamas Resorts Take You Across the Islands, From Marina Retreats to Quiet Beach Vacations
In The Bahamas, some of the most memorable stays begin far from the largest resorts. A beachfront bungalow on Cat Island, a marina cottage in The Exumas, and a historic room in downtown Nassau each offer a different way into the islands, with swimming, boating, local eateries, and long stretches of white sand close by.
Summer brings warm water, quieter beaches, and an easy reason to explore beyond the best-known addresses. Across Eleuthera, Andros, San Salvador, Abaco, Harbour Island, and Great Exuma, these small hotels turn a Bahamas vacation into something more personal, with fewer rooms, attentive owners, and days shaped by the island outside your door.
Some place you beside a marina, where fishing boats leave early for reefs and deep water. Others have cottages above nearly empty beaches, restaurants serving fresh catch, or docks where a skiff waits for a day among neighboring cays.
Here are 10 of our favorite small hotels for an authentic vacation in The Bahamas right now.
Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina, Eleuthera
The southern end of Eleuthera has deep-water fishing grounds, broad beaches, rocky coves, and thousands of acres with very little development. Cape Eleuthera Resort and Marina places you close to all of it, with cottages, villas, beach bungalows, and a full-service marina facing the Exuma Sound.
The 2-bedroom villas include full kitchens, separate bedrooms, and private outdoor areas, making them a strong choice for families or friends planning a longer stay. From the marina, you can arrange offshore fishing, diving, snorkeling, and boat trips along the southern coast.
The best option? The Sunset Beach Suites, full-fledged toes-in-the-sand bungalows.
Several beaches give you room to swim, paddle, or spend an afternoon under the palms. The property also has kayaks, paddleboards, and easy options for exploring nearby creeks and coves. You can fish one day, take a boat to a sandbar the next, and return to a villa with enough room for everyone to settle in comfortably.
