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Flights to San Salvador Island
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The island of San Salvador is one of the Bahamas’ smaller islands and it lies on the outer eastern edge of the archipelago. Widely thought to be the point at which Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World, San Salvador Island offers culture and history and some amazing beaches and diving.
Historical Attractions in San Salvador Island
There’s some debate as to the exact spot where Christopher Columbus landed, as indicated by four different monuments at points across San Salvador Island, each making their claim. However, most historians believe it was at Long Bay where a large stone cross monument stands. By all means visit the other three monuments just in case though!
In the capital of San Salvador, Cockburn, there’s a small but interesting museum where you can learn more about the history of the island. There’s a god collection of historical artefacts as well as items that pre-date Columbus’s arrival from the Lucayan Indians that previously lived here. Cockburn Town is also home to a fairly large Catholic church which has a striking whitewashed exterior.
Watlings Estate is another historical attraction on San Salvador Island. This is where Captain John Watling set up home and today just ruins remain of the 18th century Loyalist plantation house.
A major landmark of San Salvador is the Dixon Hill Lighthouse. Standing 160 feet tall, this historical landmark was constructed in 1887. It is one of only three remaining lighthouses in the world that were hand-wound.
Beaches and Water Sports in San Salvador
San Salvador Island is simply full of beaches, many of which are secluded, offering tourists a true taste of the desert island experience! The sand is gleaming white, and the water is so clear that this is a renowned diving spot because you can see so far under water. If you want to go diving there are actually over 50 diving sites off the coast of San Salvador Island.
You don’t have to go diving though; just a snorkel and mask will still reward you with great results right near the beach, or you can charter a boat and go exploring some of the remote cays and lagoons.
Flights to San Salvador Island
Flights to San Salvador Island will arrive at the small San Salvador Airport (airport code: ZSA), which is also called the Cockburn Town Airport. British Airways, Continental and Virgin Atlantic all have a 2-stop flight to San Salvador from the UK that goes via Miami and Nassau before arriving in San Salvador. Delta Airlines also has 2 transfers, but the stops are in Atlanta and Nassau. Smaller charter airlines like WestJet and CanJet also offer flights to San Salvador Island, but they only fly out of Montreal.San Salvador Island Tourist Attractions
San Salvador isn’t one of the best known or most visited of the islands in the Bahamas, but then this is part of its charm. It’s a fairly small island at just 63 square miles, with plentiful sandy beaches along its coastline, and hills and lagoons in the interior.Historical Attractions in San Salvador Island
There’s some debate as to the exact spot where Christopher Columbus landed, as indicated by four different monuments at points across San Salvador Island, each making their claim. However, most historians believe it was at Long Bay where a large stone cross monument stands. By all means visit the other three monuments just in case though!
In the capital of San Salvador, Cockburn, there’s a small but interesting museum where you can learn more about the history of the island. There’s a god collection of historical artefacts as well as items that pre-date Columbus’s arrival from the Lucayan Indians that previously lived here. Cockburn Town is also home to a fairly large Catholic church which has a striking whitewashed exterior.
Watlings Estate is another historical attraction on San Salvador Island. This is where Captain John Watling set up home and today just ruins remain of the 18th century Loyalist plantation house.
A major landmark of San Salvador is the Dixon Hill Lighthouse. Standing 160 feet tall, this historical landmark was constructed in 1887. It is one of only three remaining lighthouses in the world that were hand-wound.
Beaches and Water Sports in San Salvador
San Salvador Island is simply full of beaches, many of which are secluded, offering tourists a true taste of the desert island experience! The sand is gleaming white, and the water is so clear that this is a renowned diving spot because you can see so far under water. If you want to go diving there are actually over 50 diving sites off the coast of San Salvador Island.
You don’t have to go diving though; just a snorkel and mask will still reward you with great results right near the beach, or you can charter a boat and go exploring some of the remote cays and lagoons.