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an Salvador is a fairly small island at 12 miles long and 5 miles believed that during Christopher Columbus’ first expedition to the
New World, San Salvador Island was the first land he sighted and
S wide. The island itself is actually an exposed peak of a sub- visited on 12 October 1492; he named it San Salvador after Christ
the Saviour. Columbus’ records indicate that the native Lucayan in-
merged mountain that goes down about 15,000 feet. The coastline habitants of the territory, who called their island Guanahani, were
consists of both rocky shores and miles of secluded beaches. The “sweet and gentle”. In the 17th century, San Salvador was settled
island is very laid back and largely undeveloped with a permanent by an English Buccaneer, John Watling (alternately referred to as
population of approximately 1,000 people. This is a place to get George Watling), who gave the island its alternative historical name.
away from it all. The island consists largely of dune ridges. There The United Kingdom gained control of what are now the Bahamas
are also quite a few brackish (hypersaline) lakes on the island which in the early 18th century. In 1925 the name “San Salvador” was of-
comprise a significant part of the terrain (nearly one third of the ficially transferred from another place, now called Cat Island, and
total area; Source: Unesco.org). The island is surrounded by fring- given to “Watlings Island,” based on historians believing this was
ing reefs, making it an excellent dive location. The main town on a more likely match for Columbus’ description of Guanahani. The
the island is Cockburn Town. This town is located right about in the island is home to many shallow-water reefs, where snorkelers can
middle of the west coast of the island. San Salvador is one of the observe hundreds of fish species without the use of scuba equip-
Out Islands of the Bahamas. It is near the southern end of the Baha- ment. It is also known for its quick drop in the submerged platform
mas chain, on the east side. The island is only 400 or so miles from of the island, allowing for numerous dive sites. The western coast
Florida and is less than a 1 1/2 hour flight. Spirit Airlines flies di- has many wall reefs, with steep drop offs, while the northern coast
rectly from Ft. Lauderdale to San Salvador International. That means has many shallow barrier reefs, particularly surrounding Grahams
you can avoid having to stopover of going through Nassau to get Harbor, a large shallow lagoon. The Dixon Hill lighthouse is located
to San Salvador! You can also get there from within the Bahamas via on the island south of Dixon Hill Settlement on the east side of the
Bahamasair. There are a wide variety of Bahamian private charters island. It is approximately 160 feet tall, and was constructed in 1887
companies who will also take you there. Club Med also has flights by the Imperial Lighthouse Service.
into San Salvador from Paris, New York and Miami.
S an Salvador Island (known as Watlings Island from the 1680s
until 1925) is an island and district of the Bahamas. It is widely
