Where History Meets the Horizon: Exploring Long Island’s Wild North End

On our second day of exploring Long Island, we hopped in the car and headed north toward the far end of the island. Our first stop was the Columbus Monument and Lucayan Memorial. Perched on the northernmost tip at Cape Santa Maria, this is more than just a stunning viewpoint; it is a place where two worlds collided. Standing on dramatic white cliffs overlooking the meeting of the bright turquoise Exuma Sound and the deep indigo Atlantic, you can truly feel the weight of history beneath your feet.

The towering stone Columbus Monument marks the site where Christopher Columbus is believed to have made his third landfall in 1492. He named the island Fernandina in honor of King Ferdinand of Spain, famously describing it as the “most beautiful island in the world.” However, that beauty is shared with a more somber history. Just steps away lies the Lucayan Memorial, featuring a simple stone canoe dedicated to the indigenous people who called these islands home for centuries before European arrival. Standing between the two monuments, it’s impossible not to reflect on the immense changes that began on these very shores—a quiet, windy spot that forever altered the course of history.

After taking in the monuments, we hiked over to a nearby bay to let the kids run and play. There is something special about listening to their conversations as they imagine and create in the sand.

Once the kids had their fill of the beach, we stopped at a restaurant on the eastern side of the island. It was a sight to see a cruise ship in the distance, navigating the wavy, windswept waters. After lunch, we explored a rocky section of the eastern coastline to get a closer look at the power of the elements. The deep crevices carved into the rock by years of waves and rain were a spectacular reminder of nature’s force.

As the afternoon heat set in, we stopped at Aggie’s for ice cream. The kindness and generosity of the people on Long Island are incredible. Life slows down here; the shopkeeper took the time to chat with the boys and ask them questions as she scooped their treats. While we were there, a man walked in with a box. At the shopkeeper’s request, he showed the boys what was inside: a dozen crabs he had found crawling across the island the previous night! She explained that she feeds them for a couple of weeks to “detox” them before eating them, ensuring they are clean after scavenging across the island.

Our final stop was Morris Blue Hole. It was a rugged ride as we left the main road and snaked through winding, rocky jungle paths. We eventually found the blue hole, sunken about twenty feet below the road level. The boys naturally started throwing every rock they could find into the depths. We tried to find another vantage point, but the jungle was so thick we decided to simply enjoy the view from where we were.

Overall, we had a wonderful time exploring Long Island. While we planned to head to Conception Island next and even topped up the boat with fuel, the weather has other plans. With high winds and large seas in the forecast, we’ll be hanging out in Thompson Bay for a few more days. We’ll wait for the “blow” to settle down before continuing our adventure!