Journey Back to the Lucayan Era

Step into a meticulously recreated Lucayan village, where history springs to life. Marvel at authentic and replicated artifacts unearthed from the soil, then paddle the turquoise waters in a traditional “canoa”—the very vessel that gave birth to the English word “canoe”. Afterward, sway gently in a “hamaca” (the origin of “hammock”) beneath the shade of swaying palms, just as the Lucayans did centuries ago.

Walk in the Footsteps of Columbus

On October 16, 1492, Christopher Columbus made landfall on Mayaguana—his first voyage in the New World and the closest Bahamian island to Spain. Today, you can follow in his wake, immersing yourself in an island that remains as captivating as it was over five centuries ago. Unlike anywhere else in The Bahamas, Mayaguana offers a rare blend of pristine nature, rich history, and unforgettable adventure.

Pirates’ Last Refuge

Long before luxury travelers arrived, Mayaguana was a haven for pirates, drawn by its hidden coves and life-saving freshwater springs. The legacy lives on in Pirates Well, one of the island’s oldest townships, named for the buccaneers who once quenched their thirst here. Take home bottles of Pirates Well water—a cherished keepsake from an island steeped in swashbuckling lore. 

Dive into Legendary Depths

For the more adventurous, Mayaguana’s crystal-clear waters reveal some of the most spectacular shipwrecks in the Western Hemisphere. Plunge into history at the wreck of the HMS Driver—a British naval sloop and the first steam-powered vessel to circumnavigate the globe in 1847—now resting silently off Mayaguana’s coast since 1861. Explore its timeworn hull, now teeming with marine life, and uncover the secrets of the deep.

Mayaguana’s Hidden Role in the U.S. Space Program

Mayaguana played a surprising—and little-known—role in America’s early space exploration efforts. During the Mercury and Gemini programs in the 1960s, NASA needed tracking stations to monitor spacecraft re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Mayaguana’s remote location in the southeastern Bahamas made it an ideal spot for one of these critical installations.  The Mayaguana Tracking Station was established as part of NASA’s helping to track astronauts during their descent.

Mayaguana isn’t just a shore excursion —it’s a voyage into the heart and history of the western hemisphere. Whether you’re tracing the steps of Columbus, gliding in a Lucayan canoe, relaxing in a hammock, diving into maritime history, sipping from a pirate’s spring, or touring the NASA tracking station, this is where legends come alive.