Port information & tips for Northwest Point Beach (Great Inagua)
Great Inagua is the southernmost and most pristine island in the Bahamas, a true paradise for nature lovers and explorers. The secluded wilderness at Northwest Point Beach impresses with its crystal-clear, turquoise water and offers impressive peace and quiet far from the tourist track thanks to its untouched sandy beaches. The island's fascinating highlights include the famous Inagua National Park with the world's largest colony of West Indian flamingos, the historic Great Inagua Lighthouse, and the extensive salt pans of Morton Salt. Since there is no fixed pier, arrival usually takes place by tender boat directly at Northwest Point Beach, from where charming Matthew Town is about twelve kilometers away and can also be easily explored as part of organized tours.
Northwest Point Beach on Great Inagua is an exceptional cruise port, primarily visited by expedition cruises and characterized by its untouched nature. Direct travel from the DACH region is only possible by plane with stopovers, with passengers tendering in Matthew Town.
Airplane
For travelers from the DACH region, the journey begins with an international flight to a major hub, typically Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. From Nassau, there are regular domestic flights with Bahamasair to Matthew Town Airport (IGA) on Great Inagua several times a week. The flight time from Nassau to Great Inagua is approximately two hours. For additional flexibility, private charter flights from Nassau or other southern islands are also a comfortable option.
Transfer & Shuttle
Upon your arrival at Matthew Town Airport (IGA), which is conveniently located about 3 kilometers northeast of the main settlement of Matthew Town, taxis are usually waiting and timed to coincide with flight arrivals. It is recommended to organize a taxi in advance through your accommodation, as transport on the island is informal and available on request. The short drive to the anchorage in Matthew Town, from where embarkation to the cruise ships takes place via tender boat, is convenient and straightforward.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Given the long international flights and the limited, irregular domestic flight connections to Great Inagua, arriving at least one day before the scheduled embarkation is strongly advised. An overnight stay in a pre-cruise hotel, preferably in Nassau, allows you to bridge any flight delays in a relaxed manner and start your onward flight to Great Inagua well-rested. Alternatively, there are a few accommodation options directly in Matthew Town.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time—depending on the cruise line and destination—is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the latest announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
Northwest Point Beach on Great Inagua is an exceptional cruise port, primarily visited by expedition cruises and characterized by its untouched nature. Direct travel from the DACH region is only possible by plane with stopovers, with passengers tendering in Matthew Town.
Airplane
For travelers from the DACH region, the journey begins with an international flight to a major hub, typically Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. From Nassau, there are regular domestic flights with Bahamasair to Matthew Town Airport (IGA) on Great Inagua several times a week. The flight time from Nassau to Great Inagua is approximately two hours. For additional flexibility, private charter flights from Nassau or other southern islands are also a comfortable option.
Transfer & Shuttle
Upon your arrival at Matthew Town Airport (IGA), which is conveniently located about 3 kilometers northeast of the main settlement of Matthew Town, taxis are usually waiting and timed to coincide with flight arrivals. It is recommended to organize a taxi in advance through your accommodation, as transport on the island is informal and available on request. The short drive to the anchorage in Matthew Town, from where embarkation to the cruise ships takes place via tender boat, is convenient and straightforward.
Pre-Cruise Hotel
Given the long international flights and the limited, irregular domestic flight connections to Great Inagua, arriving at least one day before the scheduled embarkation is strongly advised. An overnight stay in a pre-cruise hotel, preferably in Nassau, allows you to bridge any flight delays in a relaxed manner and start your onward flight to Great Inagua well-rested. Alternatively, there are a few accommodation options directly in Matthew Town.
Check-in & Embarkation
Please note that your travel documents will usually provide you with a fixed time slot for check-in, which is mandatory for your embarkation. Plan sufficient time for your journey to the port accordingly and keep in mind that the latest embarkation time—depending on the cruise line and destination—is generally scheduled about one hour before the planned departure.
The same applies during the voyage: for shore excursions, you should be back on board at least one hour before departure. Always pay attention to the latest announcements and the notices on board, as mooring and departure times can change at short notice.
The natural landing point at Northwest Point Beach offers an ideal starting point for exploring the surrounding area and the island's main town thanks to its quiet location.
Taxi and Shuttle Service
Local taxis and minibuses wait for guests at the landing area, providing a comfortable 15 to 20 minute ride to Matthew Town. The drivers are also excellent guides and will take visitors directly to the sights or to Inagua National Park.
Organized Nature Tours
Specially provided off-road vehicles are available for bird watching and visiting the famous flamingo colonies. These tours are perfectly timed to the ship's layover times and offer a comfortable way to safely discover the island's interior as well as the vast salt pans.
On Foot
The immediate surroundings of the beach and the picturesque coastline can be explored excellently on a walk. Within a few minutes of the landing site, you can reach untouched stretches of coast and viewpoints that are ideal for observing seabirds in their natural environment.
To make the most of your stay on Great Inagua, we recommend focusing on the impressive wildlife and the untouched natural landscapes in the immediate vicinity of the port.
Northwest Point Beach
This pristine stretch of coastline impresses with its crystal-clear turquoise water and fine white sand, and thanks to its direct accessibility, it immediately invites you to relaxing hours of swimming and snorkeling adventures in a paradisiacal setting.
Inagua National Park
The extensive protected area is home to over 80,000 West Indian flamingos and, thanks to guided tours, offers the unique opportunity to observe these magnificent birds in their natural environment while discovering the island's fascinating biodiversity.
Matthew Town & Great Inagua Lighthouse
The island's charming main town delights with its historic white lighthouse from 1870 and allows visitors an authentic insight into local life as well as a wide panoramic view over the coast and the glittering salt fields.
Inagua National Park
Inagua National Park is located about twenty minutes' drive from Northwest Point Beach and is home to the world's largest colony of West Indian flamingos, making this location an incomparable highlight for nature lovers. The vast landscape, characterized by glittering salt pans, provides an impressive backdrop for sightings and is also perfect for high-quality photography of the pink-feathered birds in their natural habitat. Thanks to experienced local guides, you will gain fascinating insights into the island's sensitive ecosystem and enjoy absolute peace and quiet far away from the usual tourist crowds. Ideally, plan your visit for the early morning to experience the flamingos' peak activity, and return to the port relaxed about two hours before departure to enjoy the sailing in peace on deck.
Returning to the landing stage at Northwest Point Beach is easy thanks to the manageable distances and leaves you plenty of time to observe the famous flamingos.
Taxi and Local Drivers
In Matthew Town, taxis are available at the small pier or near Inagua Airport and will take you reliably along the coastal road to the ship. Thanks to personal arrangements with the friendly island residents, the journey is both customized and very safe.
Shuttle Offers
Since Northwest Point Beach is located a bit further out, local shared transfers are often organized directly from Matthew Town. These buses use the central village square as a meeting point and transport you comfortably and directly back to the tender boat landing site.
Orientation on Site
The paths at the beach are flat and allow for a carefree walk directly to the meeting point for the return journey. Thanks to the good visibility of the tender boats and the support of the ship's staff, you will find your way back to the departure point at any time without any trouble.
