Acklins/Crooked Islands, Undiscovered Paradise

Two of the least known islands in Bahamas, Acklinsthe southeast part of New Providence at about 240
and Crooked Island are located in the southern andmiles , the two islands are surrounded by splendid
southeastern part of the bahamian arhipelague ,beaches , in some parts the sand being still
about 280 miles far from Nassau. Due to their roughuntouched for quite many years.
terrain with unusual forms of rocks, hidden coves ,Being so perfect preserved in time , Acklins and
unexplored beaches and a variety of plants andCrooked Island are the ideal nest place for many
fauna,especially the island's "vip" , the swamp turtle.birds . The ocean's clear waters provide snorkelers
Also untouched by modern hands, the villagesand divers the perfect atmosphere to enjoy their
impress by their tiny and colourfull cottages along thevacation. Also on land , for true explorers there are
coast. These islands history dates long time ago,some interesting caves , remains from the pirates
since 1783 when american Loyalists settled in thesesuch as connons. Getting hungry it is not a problem,
parts of Bahamas. The land was proper to start acause despite their inhabitance , there are some small
cotton industry , so they brought with them slaves, authentic restaurants that have preserved the local
and amounts of money to start this business. By thecuisine in time. Tired of an island it is also not a
19'th century the plantations owners achived moreproblem in Bahamas, especially on these appropiate
than 40 plantations and around 1200 slaves.islands , a ferry can get you from Acklins to Crooked
Unfortunately dued to soil depletion and theIsland and backwards. To take each island appart ,
Emancipation , this business became uneconomicalthere are some particularities to be shown and
and they orientated to water sponges, a businessrevealed to some of you who have never put feet
that also declined becouse of a fungus that affectedon these bahamian lands. So, known in Bahamas for
them. Nowadays the islands main activity and earnessits natural beauty, Crooked Island has many quaint
is fishing . The most known place for diving andvillages, the weather is perfect for cruises and tarpon
fishing is the lagoon that encloses Acklins withfishing , and of course its most famous particularity
Crooked Island named the Bight of Acklins. But thesecould attract you, cause the island has been called for
two islands are part of a group of four that togetheryears the bonefish paradise.Along with Long cay ,
form an atoll that hugs the waters of the Bight ofCrooked Island forms the NW part of the lagoon,
Acklins. The other two islands are Castle Island andoffering a very naturistic peisage.Secret caves ,
Long Cay, that border Acklins and Crooked Island ,hiddend into the rocks, coral gardens, shelves, reefs
and despite time flowing they are as natural as theyare the ideal resources for divers .
were when Columbus first discoverede Bahamas.The local fauna formed by native plants and flowers
Legends say that being that unhabitated and isolatedgain this island its first name, "Isabella" as Columb
they were a really refugee for pirates that usednamed it after his queen, then the second name
these shallow waters to attack mercendize shipsgiven by the Arawaks "Samoete" and third and final a
through a narrow Crooked Island passage. Located inmore functional descriptive name "Crooked Island".