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MAYAGUANA HISTORY

The Lucayans were the first settlers

Mayaguana is the most easterly island in the Bahamas archipelago. The first inhabitants of these islands were the Lucayan Indians, peaceful hunters and gatherers also known as the Arawaks. Mayaguana remained largely uninhabited until 1812, when people began to migrate to this 27-mile-long by six-mile-wide dot of land from the nearby Turks Islands.

IIn later years, the U.S. Air Force operated a missile tracking service on the island during NASAs Apollo and Mercury space programs. Although the operation is now defunct, a small airfield remains. Electricity and full telephone service didnot arrive on Mayaguana until 1997. Mayaguanas residents still rely on the weekly mail boat from Nassau for supplies and communications. It is also possible to use the mail boat for transportation to Nassau, but most people opt for a seat on one of the thrice-weekly flights operated by Bahamasair.

Mayaguanas relative inaccessibility and distant location have made it a well-kept secret among the traveling public. Many travel guidebooks to the Bahamas do not even mention the island. Until now, this ruggedly beautiful island outpost was too far off the tourist track and offered too few amenities to appeal to most travelers. The lack of modern roads and airport facilities deterred those seeking to build a vacation home on a sun-drenched Bahamian island.