Crooked Island

In the Southern end of the Bahamas is Crooked Island, with a cumulative area of 92sq.mi/238sq.km., 30mi/48.4km long, Crooked Island includes Long Cay and is separated from Acklins Island to the south by the Crooked Island Passage.

The surrounding waters are a good area for deep-sea, tarpon and bonefishing, while 45mi/73km of barrier reefs surrounding the island are ideal for snorkeling and diving. Beaches are abundant on the island as well.

The Bird Rock Lighthouse (1872) and the Marine Farm fort were built by the British to protect and guard Crooked Island Passage from pirates.

Columbus led his fleet through the Crooked Island Passage in 1492, which later became an important route from the Old World to the West Indies. North American Loyalists settled Crooked Island in the 19th C in hopes of farming cotton. More than 1,000 slaves worked about 50 plantations, however they were mostly unsuccessful. The emancipated slaves remained and made their living through fishing and farming.

One airport, the CRI, serves Pitts Town on the northern tip of the island.