Off the beaten path at Stella Maris Resort, Long Island, Bahamas

Given the choice, I prefer my beach and diving vacations without the crowds, and generally the more remote the better. However, really “having a hard time” lost its appeal once I was out of my 20s. Besides the great diving, what I really like is that there are few people around and the ability to easily get out on your own. This while still having better than basic accommodation along with discreet staff to attend to things like great meals and organizing excursions.

In short, I want everything taken care of with a minimum of fuss and at a reasonable price. Usually these kinds of things are available but at a “break the bank” cost, but that’s not the case at Stella Maris Resort Club in the Bahamas. As a diver, I knew this place for as long as I can remember, I had read about it many times in diving magazines and I always wanted to go there mainly to try shark diving, but recently I finally got a chance to check it out. for me.

It is located on Long Island, which is one of the so-called “outer islands” that make up this nation of 700 islands. First mapped by Columbus in 1492, Long Island has managed to remain largely undiscovered by tourism. It is about 90 miles long but less than a mile wide in places and only has about 3,500 people scattered across the countryside or in the two dozen towns and cities.

Translation: pure unspoiled sun-kissed beauty with magnificent desolate beaches. Most of the island and its surrounding cays remain business as usual and even a handful of vacation spots like Stella Maris have made very limited intrusion by keeping building density low and complementing the landscape rather than trying to dominate it.

You can arrive by plane or boat and Stella Maris has its own airport where you can connect from places like Nassau or the Exumas. If you are a beach person and/or a scuba diver I recommend this resort for relaxation and fun under or in the water, but if you are craving some serious nightlife then look elsewhere.

As in most of the Bahamas, the diving is phenomenal with typical clear waters and permanent visibility of up to 200 feet. All the best spots are accessible on a scuba charter boat, including shark diving, which is a “must do”. These guys were one of the first to offer opportunities to dive with sharks and they never fail to have at least a dozen or two hanging around all the time.

Further on, about an hour away, Deans Blue Hole is said to have existed during two ice ages and, at 660 feet, is the deepest in the world. If snorkeling is what you want, excursions are available, but a great spot is the nearby Coral Gardens Reefs, which are just a short walk away and easily accessible from the beach. And you also have kayaks and bikes available to explore. To give an example of the ease of going out alone, we packed a box lunch for a day of cycling and hardly saw another person.

One of the best features of Stella Maris is how the accommodations are spread throughout the property, which not only makes the whole place feel empty, but also provides plenty of privacy for honeymooners or anyone looking for a romantic and secluded caribbean vacation. There are several buildings with a few rooms, each built directly into the slopes, providing beautiful ocean views, plus you’ll find plenty of bungalows for couples or those wanting to share something bigger.

There are several dining options and the food is excellent. They also have a wonderful terrace outside to relax with drinks and enjoy the sunset. However, I recommend taking advantage of the dining plans, as the a la carte prices add up quickly. Not having done so and seeing a lot of incidental costs at checkout was a bit upsetting. That being said, though, it’s a minor complaint, and while I recognize the costs the resort incurs in having to bring almost everything to the island, I still wish they would offer more all-inclusive packages.

But at the end of the day, Stella Maris largely meets my criteria for being “off the beaten path” and yet caters to the things that make vacations exceptional. I look forward to the opportunity to return for the diving, the sharks, the beaches and the solitude.