San Salvador Island Bahamas (Cockburn Town)

San Salvador Island is also a district of The Bahamas (officially Commonwealth of The Bahamas/one of the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean). It is believed that San Salvador (called "Watling's Island" until 1925) was first discovered during the first New World voyage (1492-93) of Christopher Columbus (1492-1499) who landed here in October 1492 and named it after Christ the Saviour. The native inhabitants (Lucayans) called the island Guanahani.

Like all The Bahamas, San Salvador Island's economy is based on tourism. Of the isle's total population (under 1,000), around 300 live in Cockburn Town (main seaport, district's principal town and government's seat). Close to Cockburn Town (to the north) is Columbus Isle (private resort owned by Club Med SAS/1950-founded, French travel and tourism company). Gerace Research Centre (fka Bahamian Field Station) is at Grahams Harbour (San Salvador Island's north end). The Station specializes in studying tropical marine studies (geology, biology, archaeology) and here annually work 1000+ students and scientists.

The island is surrounded by shallow coral reefs and 50+ dive sites making snorkeling and scuba diving the most popular tourist activities. San Salvador Airport (aka Cockburn Town Airport) serves regularly scheduled flights linking year-round with Quebec Canada (Montreal), Florida USA (Miami), and the Bahamian Long Island and New Providence Island (Nassau). Seasonal flights (offered by Air Caraibes) connect to France (Paris) and Dominican Republic (Punta Cana).

Following the Coronavirus crisis (2020-2021), in mid-March 2021, the ultra-luxury brand Crystal Cruises announced plans to restart passenger shipping with "Bahamas Escapes". Between July 4 and November 7, for the Crystal Serenity ship were scheduled a total of 38x 7-night roundtrips - from both Nassau and North Bimini Island (Bailey Town).

Next table shows the 7-night/8-day Nassau roundtrip itinerary (named "LUXURY BAHAMAS ESCAPE") as call ports and times.

Prices started from USD 2000 per person (EUR 1680 / GBP 1445 pp) with double occupancy.