Clarence Town: twin towers, a harbor, and island history

Make it a day out, not a race

Clarence Town is in southern Long Island and serves as the island’s administrative center. From Cape Santa Maria, getting there is a substantial part of the outing. The drive passes small settlements, stretches of scrub, and turnoffs toward the water. Do not plan around highway speeds: narrow sections, uneven pavement, and limited sight lines call for attention. We suggest leaving early and keeping enough daylight in reserve for the return journey.

The town’s appeal is not a long checklist of major attractions. Two distinctive churches, the harbor, and an unhurried atmosphere together offer a different view of island life. Architecture enthusiasts may want a generous window for the buildings. Families may prefer shorter visits with a proper lunch break. Treat our suggestions as a framework rather than a schedule that must be completed, and let conditions on the day shape your choices.

Father Jerome Hawes and two traditions

St. Paul’s and St. Peter & Paul are associated with John Cyril Hawes, the priest and architect known as Father Jerome. His life took him from the Anglican tradition into the Catholic Church. In Clarence Town, two buildings therefore reflect different chapters of his religious and architectural work. Their twin towers are a shared visual signature, but the churches are not interchangeable and do not belong to the same denomination.

Look beyond the photograph when you arrive. The proportions, pale walls, and towers change character as the light moves. These are places of worship within a living community, not simply monuments arranged for visitors. A slow walk outside can reveal differences in each building’s composition without requiring specialist knowledge. For detailed architectural interpretation, bring additional reading rather than expecting a guide to be available whenever you happen to stop.

St. Paul’s Anglican Church

St. Paul’s belongs to the Anglican tradition and to the earlier part of Hawes’ work in the Bahamas. Begin with the exterior and give yourself a moment to understand its setting. Park without obstructing an entrance or access road, then approach on foot. Services take priority over sightseeing. If the doors are closed, the outside view still makes a worthwhile stop; an interior visit should be a welcome possibility, not the condition on which your day depends.

St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church

St. Peter & Paul is the town’s Catholic church, also recognized for its two towers. Seen alongside St. Paul’s, it adds another chapter to Hawes’ unusual story as both architect and priest. Ask locally about current access and worship times before building a tight itinerary around a visit. We cannot promise an open interior or permission to climb a tower. An unlocked door is not, by itself, an invitation to enter every part of a building.

Visiting with consideration

Light clothes suit the island climate, but covered shoulders and knees are a considerate choice inside churches. Carrying a thin shirt or wrap makes this easy without adding much to your bag. Keep voices low, and ask before photographing people or a service. Someone from the congregation may be happy to talk, but a spontaneous conversation is different from an organized tour. A donation is a kind gesture, not permission to go beyond a barrier.

• Check current access before making the long drive when possible.
• Stay off closed stairways and towers, even if an entrance appears accessible.
• Ask about photography before taking pictures inside.
• Carry drinking water and allow breaks in the shade between stops.

A different perspective at the harbor

After the churches, look toward the harbor for a more everyday picture of Clarence Town. Boats, supplies, and people going about their work are part of the scene. Activity varies with weather and the day’s business, so do not expect a staged waterfront experience. Remain on public routes and ask before stepping onto marina docks. Lines, equipment, wet surfaces, and working areas are reasons to keep children close rather than let them explore independently.

For lunch, choose somewhere currently open in town or nearby. Hours, menus, and kitchen availability can change, so a quick check helps, especially with children or dietary requirements. Keep a small backup snack supply in the car. We would rather pause while everyone is still comfortable than reach the point where hunger dictates the rest of the trip. Harbor time can be a simple break, not another attraction to complete.

Pair the visit with Dean’s Blue Hole

Dean’s Blue Hole is near Clarence Town, making it a logical addition geographically. The contrast is part of the pleasure: island architecture at one stop and an extraordinary natural marine formation at the next. Allow extra time for the approach road, finding your bearings, and sitting on the beach. Check local road conditions, particularly after heavy rain, and do not assume the last part of the journey will be as straightforward as the main road.

The pale sand does not remove the main hazard: the bottom drops very abruptly into deep water. You do not need to swim to appreciate the site. Looking from a safe position on shore may be the right choice for your group. Keep children within direct supervision near the water, avoid jumping, and never treat freediving as an activity to improvise on vacation. Weather, currents, and individual ability must govern any decision to enter.

One possible sequence

• Leave Cape Santa Maria in the morning with water and snacks.
• Visit the churches first if their current access arrangements suit that order.
• Pause around the harbor and reassess your remaining time.
• Add Dean’s Blue Hole only when weather and daylight leave a comfortable margin.

Practical preparation for the island drive

Refuel in good time, charge your phone, and save the route for offline use. Traffic drives on the left in the Bahamas. Pull over only where you can do so without obstructing other vehicles, and aim to return before dark. The distances and driving times here are rough planning estimates rather than navigation instructions. Ask about current conditions before leaving and shorten the outing instead of feeling pressured to rush home along unfamiliar roads.

Back at Villa Serenity, keep the evening simple: the terrace, the sea, and a chance to talk about what you noticed. Browse our activities or the wider guide for other days. If you would like to discuss whether this outing suits your group, send an inquiry. As the Klainguti family, we are happy to help you put the options in perspective, without promising fixed opening hours or particular conditions on the day.