The Bahamas is planning a brand-new cruise port on a tiny, remote island called Mayaguana — and it could soon become one of the most interesting new ports of call in the Caribbean.
If it moves forward, it could become one of the most unique and least crowded ports of call in the region. That means quieter beaches, fewer tour buses, and a very different experience from the usual high-traffic Caribbean stops.
Where Exactly Is Mayaguana — and Why Does It Matter?
Mayaguana sits at the far southeastern edge of the Bahamas, about 350 miles (563 km) southeast of Nassau, roughly halfway between Florida and Puerto Rico, and just 66 miles (106 km) west of Turks and Caicos. It’s only about 110 square miles (285 sq km) in size and has fewer than 300 residents.
That remoteness is exactly why cruise lines are interested.
Because Mayaguana sits at the eastern edge of the Bahamian chain — roughly halfway between Florida and Puerto Rico — many ships on longer Caribbean routes naturally pass relatively close to the island’s waters.
Turning Mayaguana into a port of call lets cruise lines add a fresh destination without dramatically changing itineraries — and gives guests something they don’t get from Nassau: quieter beaches, healthier reefs, and the feeling of being somewhere genuinely off the cruise mainstream.
The Plan: A Three-Phase Rollout (Not a Rushed Tourist Drop)
The government is being careful not to overwhelm the island. Instead of building everything at once, the development — called “The Port at Mayaguana” — is structured in three phases through a public-private partnership between the Government of The Bahamas, Global Lead Consultant Group Limited, and the Mayaguana Island Development Fund.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Phase 1:
A temporary marine offloading facility and a deep-water port will be built. This supports construction and allows cargo and service vessels to start using the island safely.
Phase 2:
A dedicated cruise terminal will be added — Mayaguana’s first real cruise facility — designed to handle visitor arrivals and basic port operations.
Phase 3:
Expansion to accommodate larger ships, plus landside development to improve the arrival experience and support local businesses.
That phased approach is important because Mayaguana simply isn’t built for mass tourism yet — not in terms of power, water, housing, or basic services. Taking it slowly gives the island a chance to adjust, rather than being flooded with visitors before it’s ready.
Which Cruise Ships Could Use the New Port?
While nothing is finalized yet, officials have hinted that the port is being designed with flexibility in mind — meaning it could eventually host large modern ships like Royal Caribbean’s Oasis or Icon class, Carnival’s Excel class, and MSC’s World class, while still being suitable for smaller vessels.
There’s also discussion around making the port future-proof with environmental features like shore power hookups and possibly LNG fueling to meet evolving sustainability standards.
For cruisers, that means Mayaguana won’t just be a niche stop for small luxury ships — it could become part of mainstream Caribbean itineraries too.
Read more: 11 Things Small-Ship Cruisers Hate About Big Ships
Mayaguana’s Appeal for Cruise Travelers
This is where Mayaguana becomes interesting.
Unlike Nassau or Cozumel, there’s no big downtown shopping strip or dense tourism infrastructure. The appeal is the opposite: white-sand beaches, clear water, healthy reefs, wildlife, and a very local feel.
You can expect shore excursions to lean into:
- Snorkeling and reef exploration
- Beach days that don’t feel overrun
- Nature and wildlife tours
- Cultural experiences with local artisans and small businesses
There will likely be some shopping and dining near the port, but the intent is not to turn Mayaguana into another concrete cruise mall. The goal — at least on paper — is to preserve what makes it special.
The Economic Side (And Why Locals Care)
The project is expected to create over 2,000 jobs during construction and early operations — a huge number for a community of only a few hundred people.
What’s unusual (and encouraging) is the structure: part of the port will be owned by the Mayaguana Island Development Fund, and the government has said the community will be involved in deciding how those funds are used — whether that’s housing, education, utilities, or business development.
So instead of cruise money just passing through, there’s an attempt to anchor benefits locally.
When Will This Actually Happen?
Not anytime soon.
The project is still in planning, with environmental studies, regulatory approvals, design work, and community consultations still underway. Officials have said it will likely be several years before the first cruise ship docks — assuming everything moves forward as planned.
But the important part is that this isn’t a rumor anymore. The partnerships are in place, the structure is defined, and the island’s transformation is officially underway.
Why This Matters for Cruisers
For many travelers, Mayaguana represents something the Caribbean doesn’t offer very often anymore: a destination that still feels undiscovered.
If it’s done well, it could become a rare kind of cruise stop — one that offers modern port comforts without losing that quieter, old-school Caribbean feel. Less congestion, more nature, fewer souvenir megastores, and more “I can’t believe we found this place.”
That’s the kind of experience a lot of cruisers say they miss.
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