re: Bahamas - Long island arrival by water

Sorry let me clear this up. If you want a larger plane fly a carrier from Nassau to Deadman's Cay. Avoid Southern Air. That will leave likely only Bahamasair as your choice. Sometimes Flamingo air will fly that route too. Bahamasair will likely be flying an ATR42. Google it as it's a pretty large plane that your wife should be fine with.

Joel and Marty Fox will fly real small planes but they are top notch pilots, but you will pay a premium compared to Bahamasair.

If you want to go out on a boat sight seeing/fishing/sandbar hopping call Captain Yan Turnquest who owns Jus 1 Danz. Great person and you will never forget a day on the water with him.

For places to stay honestly I would stay away from Cape Santa Maria if you plan to leave the resort at all. It's very isolated on the north end of the island, and as you know its a longgggg island. Look at renting a bungalow at Tiny's Hurricane Hole. They have three and all are amazing. Right outside your door will be the bar/restaurant. Don't be alarmed, they are only open a few nights a week, but you also get to meet a lot of locals there when they are open. Last trip we met a captain who took us out fishing the next day for free as he was already going. A time before got invited to a locals birthday party the next night which was amazing food and drinks. The owner of Tiny's is a woman named Michelle and her husband. Nicest people youll ever meet and can arrange a car rental for you, pick you up, whatever. Tiny's will put you mid island which lets you explore easier. Also, hillside food supply is close which is one of the few grocery stores.

A few beaches you must hit:

-Dean's Blue Hole (of course...) which is not far from Tiny's
-Compass Rose (very protected and looks out of a movie)
-Gordon's (very southern tip of the island so it's a haul, but its beautiful and guy named Ernest runs a beach bar/grill there which is great for fresh seafood and cold drinks. Watch out as his rum punch is deadly)
-Stella Maris at Galliot Cay (Far north, but almost a perfect beach. Soft sand and the bluest water. It's in a richer area of vacation homes, but the owners of Stella Maris resort own a small plot of land that they let anybody use to access the beach.)

Eat:
-Tiny's when open
-Max's Conch Bar (roadside joint, just look for the million flags along road. Max is a legend and good guy)
-Chez Pierre if you want a nice sit down meal
-Lighthouse Point if you venture into the city of Clarence town
-Letta's. As most are, another road side joint. Top notch food. Next door is a kinda gift shop run by an English ex-pat named Debbie. Debbie is a local you might run into time from time and her group of friends are great to join up with bar hopping from beach to beach

Let me know what else you have questions about.

LI Beach Map/Descriptions
(good website to see layout/pictures/discriptions of beaches on the island)