RETRO FILES / COLUMBUS’ FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND

BOATERS PARADISE. The western coast is on San Salvador’s lee side and has steep drop-offs and wall reefs that make it the perfect spot for scuba divers. Riding Rock Resort & Marina has a dive staff to accommodate any level of experience. The full-service marina provides easy access to fish the deep waters for blue marlin, dolphin, wahoo, and more. Boats up to 140 feet with an 8-foot draft (at low tide) can take advantage of fresh water, fuel, electric hook-ups and the like before heading back to the mainland or cruising other islands and beyond. 

It’s Columbus Day. 

It is widely believed that San Salvador Island is where Christopher Columbus first stepped ashore in the “New World” on his first expedition in 1492. 

There have been scientific studies using notes in bottles, plus computer simulations of wind and water currents as well as scrutiny of the log’s copy and its measurements that lead to Samana Cay and Plana Cays, but without concrete evidence or actually being there when it happened, San Salvador remains the popular choice. 

Columbus & Crew made landfall in Guanahani, the island’s original name, on October 12, 1492. However, Columbus renamed the island San Salvador in thanks to the “Holy Savior.” In the 17th century, the island was known as Watling Island until 1926 when it was renamed San Salvador because beliefs at the time concluded that the island was the actual landfall location. 

In fact, Columbus gave the Bahamas their name, calling the islands “Baha Mar” which translates from Spanish to mean “shallow water”. This is probably the most significant impact that Columbus’ arrival had on the Bahamas, but monuments and memorials can be found throughout the archipelago telling the story of his voyage. Columbus San Salvador Bahamas is particularly full of these historical attractions, and you can find them dotted throughout the island. 

Modern mores have ghosted Christopher Columbus but the first island he discovered back in the day remains a popular Bahamas playground. 

Travel & Leisure magazine has a terrific what’s hot list of activities on San Salvador. CLICK HERE. 

ONE SMALL STEP. If you visit Landfall Park in Long Bay you will find a white cross, which was set in place in 1956, suggesting that this was the exact spot of his arrival. The name of this park is in recognition of Columbus’ arrival. Although Long Bay’s name may seem to reference the length of the bay itself, it is actually named after the longboats that the sailors used to come ashore. 

TRAVEL TIME. It took the Nina, Pinta and the Santa Maria nine weeks to sail from Europe to San Salvador, one of the outer islands of the Bahamas archipelago.  To get there via Florida takes an hour by air.