3 Best Hotels in Long Island, The Southern Out Islands

These quaint, self-catering full-kitchen suites sit just steps away from a quiet private beach on Salt Pond with a large grassy garden space—perfect for family picnics, naps in the hammock, and a vacation without the bustle of a busy resort. Units are simple but well maintained and nicely decorated, and include air-conditioning, cable TV, and Wi-Fi. Kayaks and beach toys/gear are available for use.

Lining lovely Millers Bay beach, this rustic, remote resort has six simple cabins on stilts right on the beach, making it a real "get-away-from-it-all" place (guests should be self-sufficient and adventurous). Room rates include two meals daily—and Chef Pierre is touted by many as the island's best. Explore nearby cays in available sea kayaks, wade the adjacent flats for bonefish, or just enjoy the peaceful solitude relaxing on a lounge chair (but bring bug repellent). Fishing guides, diving, car rentals, and airport transfers can be arranged. The oceanfront restaurant is worth dining at, even if you're staying elsewhere.

In the settlement of Salt Pond is this small private hideaway, a labor of love for owners Kris and Jean, who offer two lovely guest rooms with sweeping decks facing the ocean on the lower level of their home, along with a newer beach house that sleeps five guests. Rooms are spacious and comfortable, each with a microwave, refrigerator, and coffeemaker. This is a perfect place for water-sports enthusiasts as the owners are professional divers and can arrange all sorts of great experiences for their guests. Both have worked on underwater scenes in movies such as Sphere. Grotto Bay practically sits on top of the Salt Pond cave, one of the largest dry caves in The Bahamas, with two enormous chambers featuring stalagmites and stalactites and six documented species of bats. Guests also have exclusive use of the beach, hammocks, horseshoe pit, beach volleyball, kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and an open-air guest kitchen.