The National Parks of The Bahamas
National parks are one of the greatest legacies to be left to future generations. Their tremendous value to The Bahamas spans economic, ecological and social realms.
The Bahamas National Park System is at the heart of the Trust's mandate. Within our parks are many unique features, critical habitats and endangered species. Bahamian Parks are treasure-troves of biodiversity as well as areas of pure aesthetic beauty. The system protects the world's largest breeding colony of West Indian Flamingos, one of the world's longest underwater cave systems, a critically important sea turtle research facility and one of the most successful marine fishery reserves in the Wider Caribbean.
The global conservation community recognizes the establishment and management of national parks and protected areas as the "pinnacle" of a country's efforts to protect its biodiversity. In 2002 the National Park System of The Bahamas was doubled in size, an unprecedented accomplishment in protected area history. Ten new National Parks were created, protecting both marine and terrestrial territories, bringing the total acreage of the national system to more than 700,000.
This accomplishment was as a result of years of preparatory work and cultivation in local communities, with government and with other stakeholders.
Non-consumptive use of natural resources within park boundaries can provide significant economic contributions to communities near national parks. Many organizations charged with National Park management report a significant multiplier effect for new jobs in the wider community for each job established within the park.
In addition, the tremendous replenishment value of marine protected areas in The Bahamas to national fishery resources has now been well documented (see the success story of the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park), spawning national efforts to duplicate such areas in strategic locations throughout the Bahamian archipelago.
Effective management and protection of national parks and protected areas, on-going expansion of the system to include appropriate representation and protection for Bahamian biodiversity and an active nation-wide membership support base remain key objectives for the Bahamas National Trust.
Bahamas National Park System
- 25 National Parks
- More than 700,000 Acres protected
- Marine and terrestrial sites
- New areas being developed
- Walker's Cay National Park
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Walker's Cay National Park
Established: 2002 Size: 3,840 Acres
The northernmost island in the Bahamas. Walker's Cay is fringed by its own barrier reef. The stunning coral formations and surrounding marine environment host schools of pompano and amberjack, large marine predators, such as sharks and barracudas, multitudes of colorful tropical fish, turtles and eagle rays. Renowned for underwater cathedrals teeming with unprecedented concentrations of fish, visibility that reaches 100feet and an endless variety of marine life, this underwater paradise is a mecca for divers
- Black Sound Cay National Reserve
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Black Sound Cay National Reserve
Established: 1988 Size: 2 Acres
Located off Green Turtle Cay in Abaco, this miniature park comprises a thick stand of mangrove vegetation and is an important habitat for waterfowl and Other avifauna which winter in the region.
- Tilloo Cay National Reserve
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Tilloo Cay Reserve
Established: 1990 Size: 11 Acres
Eleven Acres of wild and pristine natural environment that provides nesting for Tropicbirds as well as other seabirds.
- Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park
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Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park
Established: 1972 Size: 2,100 Acres
Located 8 miles north of Cherokee Sound, Great Abaco, this 2,100 acre land and sea area is a sister park to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. It contains beautiful undersea caves, extensive coral reefs and abounds with terrestrial plant and animal life.
- Abaco National Park
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Abaco National Park
Established: 1994 Size: 20, 500 Acres
Established on May 9, 1994, the Abaco National Park comprises 20,500 Acres in Southern Abaco. Included in this area is 5,000 Acres of forest, the major habitat of the Bahama Parrot.
- Lucayan National Park
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Lucayan National Park
Established: 1977 Size: 40 Acres
East of Freeport, Grand Bahama, this 40 acre park encompasses the longest known underwater cave system in the world with over six miles of caves and tunnels already charted. Above ground it exhibits every vegetative zone found in the Bahamas.
- Rand Nature Center
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Rand Nature Center
Established: 1992 Size: 100 Acres
Acquired by the BNT in 1992 the Rand Nature Centre comprises 100 Acres of natural beauty in the heart of downtown Freeport, Grand Bahama. The Rand Nature Centre boasts a resident flock of West Indian Flamingos and a two thousand foot trail, which winds through natural coppice and pine barrens. The Centre is now the home of the administrative office of the BNT in Grand Bahama.
- Peterson Cay National Reserve
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Peterson Cay National Park
Established: 1968 Size: 1.5 Acres
A one and half acre geological wonder, being the only cay off Grand Bahama's leeward shore. This beautiful park is one of Grand Bahamas most heavily used getaway spots. The surrounding marine area is ideal for snorkeling.
- The Retreat
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The Retreat
Established: 1977 Size: 11 Acres
An eleven acre garden of rare and exotic palms and native coppice in residential Nassau. It houses one of the largest private collections of palms in the world. The Administrative headquarters and educational center of the Bahamas National Trust is located at The Retreat on Village Road.
- Central Andros National Parks
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Central Andros National Park Areas
Established: 2002 Size: 286,080 Acres
The first phase of park designation focuses on Central Andros - North Bight, Fresh Creek, Blanket Sound, Young Sound and Staniard Creek. These five areas contain pine forests, blue holes, coral reefs, wetlands and mangroves. Their designation paves the way for additional protection in the North and the South.
- Bonefish Pond National Park
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Bonefish Pond National Park
Established 2002 Size 1, 280 Acres
Bonefish Pond lies on the south central coast of New Providence. It is an important marine nursery area for the island, providing a protective, nutrient rich habitat for juvenile stocks of fish, crawfish, and conch. This area supports a wide variety of waterfowl and an important variety of Bahamian flora. The wetland itself provides critical protection for storm surges to communities along New Providence's southern shore. The Educational and ecotourism potential of this wetland area is significant.
- Harrold and Wilson National Pond
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Harrold and Wilson Ponds
Established: 2002 Size 250 Acres
Located in South Central New Providence, Harrold and Wilson Ponds encompasses 250 Acres. More than 100 avian species , including the island's highest concentration of herons, egrets, ibises and cormorants have been identified there, providing confirmation that the area is indispensable habitat for birdlife in New Providence. An exceptional educational and ecotourism site, a stone's throw from the nations capital and tourism hub, these areas are an invaluable addition to the country's national park system.
- Primeval Forest
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Primeval Forest
Established 2002 Size: 3 Acres
Entering this area is a step back in time. Remarkably undisturbed, this old-growth forest is representative of the early evergreen tropical hardwood forests of the Bahamas. Located in the southwest protion of New Providence, this area features dramatic sinkholes- unique limestone "caverns" up to 50 feet long, 30 feet wide, and in some cases 30 feet deep. Similar features elsewhere in the Bahamas have provided fossil and subfossil remains of Bahamian fauna as well as Lucayan and Bahamian artifacts. The Primeval Forest supports a diverse collection of plant life, as well as various species of wildlife.
- Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
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Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
Established: 1958 Size: 112,640 Acres
Created in 1958 this 176 square mile park was the first of its kind in the world and is famous for its pristine beauty, outstanding anchorages and breathtaking marine environment. It is the first marine fishery reserve established in the Caribbean.
- Conception Island National Park
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Conception Island National Park
Established: 1971 Location: North of Rum Cay
An important sanctuary for migratory birds, sea birds and green turtles. It also has great historical importance being one of the islands in the Bahamas on which Christopher Columbus was known to have landed.
- Moriah Harbour Cay National Park
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Moriah Harbour Cay National Park
Established: 2002 Size: 13, 440 Acres
Moriah Harbour Cay and its marine environs area a vital part of the ecosystem between the Great and Little Exuma. It encompasses pristine beaches, sand dunes, mangrove creeks, and sea grass beds. A variety of birdlife nests there, including the gull-billed and least terns, nighthawks, plovers, oystercatchers and resident pair of ospreys. The mangroves are a vital nursery in their own right for juvenile crabs, crawfish, conch, gray snappers, yellowtails and groupers. Landward, palmettos buttonwoods, bay cedar, and sea oats work in concert , providing stability, nutrients and beauty to the ecosystem. Moriah Harbour Cay is an outstanding example of the Bahamian coastal zone and is an important addition to the park system.
- Marine Farm
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Marine Farm
- Hope House
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Hope House
- Inagua National Park
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Inagua National Park
Date Established: 1965 Size: 183,740 Acres
287 square miles of Great Inagua Island, now internationally known as the world's largest breeding colony(approx. 50,000) of West Indian flamingos. In 1997 the Inagua National Park was recognized as a wetland of International Importance as the Bahamas became a signatory of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Inagua's interior gives way to Lake Windsor and it is here among the cays and mangrove stands that Tri-colored Herons, Great Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Brown Pelicans, White Cheeked Pintails and West Indian Whistling Ducks can be found. A multitude of avifauna reside and/or winter in Inagua and the island is truly a birdwatcher's haven.
- Union Creek National Reserve
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Union Creek
Date Established: 1965 Size: 4, 940 Acres
Seven square miles of enclosed tidal creek on Great Inagua serves as a very important research site for sea turtles, especially the Green Turtle.
- Little Inagua National Park
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Little Inagua National Park
Established: 2002 Size: 31, 360 Acres
Remote inaccessible and with no fresh water. Little Inagua is by far the largest Uninhabited island in the Wider Caribbean. The island exists in a natural undisturbed state and the biodiversity implications and values of this are enormous. Ocean currents flow through the Bahamas from southeast to the northwest. As a result, Little Inagua is upstream of the rest of the country. Its surrounding waters contribute to the supply of fisheries, eggs, larvae and sub adults that are swept into the other parts of the Bahamian marine territory. Park designation increases the percentage of marine ecosystem under protection for fishery replenishment purposes. Additionally, Little Inagua is a documented nesting location for critically endangered sea turtle species.
- Atlantic Ocean
- Florida
- Cuba