Getting Around Cat Island: Rental Cars, Taxis, Airports & Transportation Tips
Cat Island is long, lightly developed and composed of small settlements and attractions spread across different parts of the island. That geography makes transportation an important part of trip planning. Unlike Nassau, visitors should not arrive expecting an extensive public transportation network. Independent road travel and locally arranged transportation are generally much more useful.
The island has two principal passenger airports: Arthur's Town Airport (ATC) in northern Cat Island and New Bight Airport (TBI) in the central part of the island. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism identifies Arthur's Town Airport as serving the northern end, while New Bight Airport is located near Mount Alvernia and has Customs and Immigration facilities.
Once on the island, travelers primarily rely on rental cars, taxis and transportation arranged through accommodations or local providers. Cat Island's road network connects communities such as Orange Creek, Arthur's Town, Bennett's Harbour, Smith's Bay, New Bight, Old Bight and Port Howe.
For travelers planning the rest of their trip, this transportation article should link naturally to the Ultimate Cat Island Travel Guide, which remains the primary resource for accommodations, beaches, attractions, dining and island-wide planning.
IS THERE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON CAT ISLAND?
Cat Island does not have the kind of scheduled public transportation network travelers may expect in a city or heavily developed tourist destination. Independent travel information consistently notes the absence of conventional public transport on the island.
This has an important practical consequence: transportation should be arranged before or alongside accommodation planning, particularly if you intend to explore multiple parts of Cat Island.
The main options are:
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Rental cars
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Local taxis
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Pre-arranged airport transfers
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Transportation organized by accommodations
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Private drivers or locally arranged tours
Walking can work within individual settlements or around a resort, but it is not a realistic primary transportation method for exploring the island.
WHY A RENTAL CAR IS USEFUL ON CAT ISLAND
For travelers who want to explore independently, renting a vehicle is usually one of the most practical solutions.
Cat Island's attractions are geographically dispersed. A visitor might spend one day around Arthur's Town and northern beaches, another near New Bight and Mount Alvernia, and another exploring settlements and coastlines farther south.
Having a car makes these journeys considerably easier because you are not dependent on arranging a driver for every stop.
Current local-search data identifies several car-rental businesses operating in different parts of Cat Island, including Gilbert's Car Rental in the Freetown area, 3J’s & S Rent-A‐Car in Old Bight and Ocean Rock Enterprise Liquor & Car Rental in Orange Creek.
Availability can be limited compared with Nassau, so reserving a vehicle before arriving is preferable, particularly during busy travel periods.
DRIVING QUEEN’S HIGHWAY
Queen's Highway is the primary road connecting Cat Island's settlements.
Official Bahamian taxi-zone regulations describe routes from Arthur's Town Airport and New Bight Airport along Queen's Highway through numerous communities, including Orange Creek, Arthur's Town, Bennett's Harbour, New Bight, Old Bight, Port Howe and other settlements.
For visitors, this creates a relatively straightforward north-south travel pattern.
However, straightforward navigation does not mean travelers should drive without preparation. Cat Island is rural, and road conditions, lighting and services can vary.
Allow extra travel time rather than calculating journeys solely from mileage. Drive cautiously around settlements, pedestrians, cyclists and animals, and exercise additional care after dark.
Downloading an offline map before exploring is also useful.
DRIVING RULES VISITORS SHOULD KNOW
Traffic in The Bahamas travels on the left side of the road.
This can require additional concentration for travelers accustomed to driving on the right, particularly when turning onto quiet roads where the absence of other vehicles provides fewer visual reminders.
Before accepting a rental vehicle, check:
Ask the rental provider about current road conditions if you plan to visit more remote beaches or less-developed access roads.
Fuel planning is also important. Rather than assuming another station will be available farther along your route, refill when convenient.
USING TAXIS ON CAT ISLAND
Taxis provide an alternative for travelers who do not want to drive.
Current local data identifies C & O Taxi in the New Bight/Freetown area, demonstrating that local taxi service is available in central Cat Island.
The Bahamas also maintains official taxi-zone regulations covering both Arthur's Town Airport and New Bight Airport. The regulations define zones extending along Queen's Highway through communities across the island.
Taxis can work particularly well for:
airport transfers, restaurant transportation, one-way trips, travelers staying primarily at one property and visitors uncomfortable driving on the left.
For longer sightseeing days, discuss the itinerary, waiting time and total fare with the driver before departure.
Because Cat Island is lightly populated, it is better to arrange important rides in advance rather than assume a taxi will always be immediately available.
ARTHUR’S TOWN AIRPORT
Arthur's Town serves northern Cat Island.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism describes Arthur's Town Airport as a regional airport serving the northern end of the island.
It can therefore be particularly convenient for travelers staying around:
Arthur's Town, Orange Creek, northern Cat Island and accommodations or beaches in the northern portion of the island.
Your choice of airport can significantly affect ground transportation requirements. A traveler staying in northern Cat Island may find Arthur's Town Airport geographically more convenient than arriving farther south and driving back north.
Confirm transportation from the airport with your accommodation or rental company before arrival.
NEW BIGHT AIRPORT
New Bight-Freetown Settlement Airport serves the central portion of Cat Island.
The official Bahamas tourism site describes New Bight Airport as being near Mount Alvernia and notes that the airport has Customs and Immigration services for international travelers.
New Bight is particularly useful for travelers staying in or exploring central Cat Island, including areas around:
New Bight, Smith's Bay, Old Bight, Fernandez Bay and Mount Alvernia.
Visitors interested in The Hermitage may also find New Bight particularly convenient because Mount Alvernia is nearby.
As with Arthur's Town, rental-car pickup or a pre-arranged transfer should ideally be organized before arrival.
WHICH CAT ISLAND AIRPORT SHOULD YOU USE?
The best airport depends largely on where you are staying.
Arthur's Town Airport (ATC) is positioned for northern Cat Island, while New Bight Airport (TBI) provides access to the island's central region.
Rather than choosing solely according to airfare, consider:
your accommodation location, rental-car availability, flight schedules and how much driving you want to do after landing.
If you plan to explore the entire island by rental car, either airport can form part of a broader itinerary. If you are staying primarily in one region, choosing the geographically closer airport can reduce unnecessary road travel.
Always confirm current flight schedules directly with airlines because routes and frequencies can change.
GETTING FROM THE AIRPORT TO YOUR ACCOMMODATION
Airport transportation should ideally be arranged before you land.
Travelers renting a vehicle should ask whether the rental company offers airport delivery or pickup. Visitors using taxis should ask their hotel, resort, vacation rental host or guesthouse to recommend or arrange transportation.
This is especially important for evening arrivals.
Unlike a major airport, travelers should not build their plans around the assumption that multiple transportation options will always be waiting outside the terminal.
Keep the phone number of your accommodation and transportation provider available offline in case mobile connectivity is limited after arrival.
GETTING TO MOUNT ALVERNIA AND THE HERMITAGE
Mount Alvernia is one of the easiest major attractions to combine with central Cat Island transportation planning.
At 206 feet, it is the highest point in The Bahamas, and its summit is crowned by The Hermitage, built by Father Jerome. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism places New Bight Airport near Mount Alvernia.
A rental car or taxi can take visitors to the access area, after which the final approach to The Hermitage is made on foot.
Travelers specifically researching the climb, history and architecture should continue to the The Hermitage Guide rather than relying on this transportation article for the full attraction experience.
GETTING AROUND NORTHERN CAT ISLAND
Northern Cat Island includes Arthur's Town, Orange Creek and several smaller communities and coastal areas.
Arthur's Town Airport provides the main aviation gateway for this portion of the island.
A rental car is particularly useful for travelers who want to combine multiple northern stops rather than remain around one accommodation.
For example, a visitor interested in Sidney Poitier's Cat Island roots may want to explore the Arthur's Town area while also visiting beaches and settlements farther north or south.
Northern Cat Island should therefore be treated as a region rather than a single walkable destination.
GETTING AROUND CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CAT ISLAND
New Bight provides a useful transportation reference for central Cat Island.
From this region, visitors can access Mount Alvernia, The Hermitage, Smith's Bay, Old Bight and other communities along Queen's Highway. Official taxi-zone documentation demonstrates how the road network extends south through settlements including Old Bight, Port Howe, McQueen's and Devil's Point.
Travelers heading into southern Cat Island should plan fuel, water and return transportation before setting out.
Distances may appear modest on a map, but sightseeing stops and road conditions can make an island-driving day longer than expected.
CAN YOU EXPLORE CAT ISLAND WITHOUT RENTING A CAR?
Yes, but the trip requires more planning.
Travelers staying at a resort or accommodation that provides transfers or helps arrange taxis may not need a vehicle every day.
A no-car itinerary works best when:
your accommodation provides transportation assistance, most of your time will be spent near the property, you are comfortable arranging taxis in advance, or you only plan a few organized sightseeing trips.
For travelers who want to independently visit numerous beaches, settlements, restaurants and historical sites, a rental vehicle generally provides greater flexibility.
IS CAT ISLAND WALKABLE?
Individual settlements and accommodation areas can be explored on foot, but Cat Island as a destination is not realistically walkable.
The island's communities and attractions are distributed over considerable distances. Independent travel information describes one principal road running along the island and connecting its scattered villages.
Walking is therefore best viewed as a local activity—for example, exploring around an accommodation or visiting nearby points within a settlement—not as an island-wide transportation strategy.
Heat and strong sun should also be considered before walking long distances.
TRANSPORTATION TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS
Cat Island rewards travelers who organize transportation before arrival.
Reserve rental vehicles early, especially during popular travel periods. Confirm where the vehicle will be collected and returned and whether airport delivery is available.
If using taxis, arrange important airport and departure transfers ahead of time.
Choose the airport that makes geographic sense for your accommodation rather than assuming both airports are equally convenient.
Keep fuel levels comfortable, carry drinking water during longer drives and download offline directions.
Most importantly, allow extra time. Cat Island is better suited to relaxed road exploration than tightly scheduled sightseeing.
FAQS ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ON CAT ISLAND
IS THERE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON CAT ISLAND?
Cat Island does not have a conventional scheduled public transportation network. Visitors generally use rental cars, taxis or transportation arranged through accommodations.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET AROUND CAT ISLAND?
A rental car provides the greatest flexibility for travelers who want to independently explore multiple settlements, beaches and attractions.
WHERE CAN I RENT A CAR ON CAT ISLAND?
Car-rental providers operate in different parts of the island, including the Freetown/Old Bight and Orange Creek areas. Because availability may be limited, arrange a vehicle before arrival when possible.
CAN I USE TAXIS INSTEAD OF RENTING A CAR?
Yes. Taxis are an option for airport transfers and sightseeing, and official taxi zones exist for both Arthur's Town Airport and New Bight Airport.
ARE THERE TWO AIRPORTS ON CAT ISLAND?
Yes. Arthur's Town Airport serves northern Cat Island, while New Bight Airport serves the central part of the island and has Customs and Immigration facilities.
HOW DO I GET AROUND CAT ISLAND WITHOUT A CAR?
Arrange taxis, airport transfers or transportation through your accommodation. Pre-booking is particularly useful for airport arrivals, departures and longer sightseeing trips.
IS DRIVING ON CAT ISLAND DIFFICULT?
Driving is relatively straightforward along the primary road network, but visitors unfamiliar with The Bahamas should remember to drive on the left and use extra caution on rural roads and after dark.
WHY SHOULD I ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION BEFORE ARRIVING?
Cat Island has a much smaller transportation network than Nassau. Pre-arranging a rental car or transfer reduces the risk of arriving without convenient onward transportation.
EXPLORE MORE CAT ISLAND GUIDES
LOCAL & DESTINATION CONTEXT
Transportation on Cat Island reflects the island's long, lightly developed geography. Arthur's Town Airport connects travelers with northern Cat Island, while New Bight Airport provides access to the central region near Mount Alvernia. Queen's Highway then connects settlements including Orange Creek, Arthur's Town, Bennett's Harbour, Smith's Bay, New Bight, Old Bight and communities farther south. This road-based pattern distinguishes Cat Island from the denser transportation environment of Nassau and reinforces its character as one of The Bahamas' more independent, self-drive-friendly Out Island destinations.
CONCLUSION
Getting around Cat Island requires more advance planning than transportation in Nassau or other heavily developed Bahamian destinations. With no conventional public transit network, visitors typically rely on rental vehicles, taxis and transfers arranged through accommodations.
For travelers who want to explore beaches, settlements and heritage sites independently, a rental car offers the greatest flexibility. Travelers staying mainly at one resort or in one area can often rely on pre-arranged taxis and transfers instead.
Understanding the roles of Arthur's Town Airport, New Bight Airport and Queen's Highway makes it much easier to choose accommodations and build an efficient itinerary.
For complete island planning beyond transportation, continue to the Ultimate Cat Island Travel Guide.
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Updated as of August 2026.