As you gaze upon Inagua’s bright pink expanse of West Indian flamingos, it’s hard to believe they were nearly hunted to extinction for food and feathers. 

 

As the southernmost island, Inagua is prized as the Bahamas “best kept secret.” Inagua is the third largest island in the Bahama archipelago, boasting 600 square miles and is home to an abundance of wildlife. The name Inagua originates from the Spanish meaning “water is found here” or “in water.” The island is known for its endemic species, especially plants and reptiles. Lake Rosa, which is situated in the center of the island, is home to more bird life than anywhere else in the Bahamas. This includes the national bird of the Bahamas, the flamingo. 

 

In the early 1950s, Henry Nixon’s father and uncle led Audubon Society Director of Research, Robert Porter Allen, in search of the world’s last breeding colonies of West Indian flamingos.

 

Through their efforts, the Bahamian government created Inagua National Park in 1965 and the Nixons were named the caretakers. Today, this 183,740-acre wildlife sanctuary encompasses more than 50 percent of the island and Henry Nixon is the senior warden. There are approximately 60,000 flamingos and more than 140 other bird species living on the island.

 

The Fabulous Flamingos

 

Inagua is home to the largest colony of West Indies flamingos in the entire world. These flamingos display a natural deep pink color due to their daily diet: brine shrimp. Inagua possesses a large concentration of brine shrimp because of its high salt content. Morton salt factory, on Inagua, is one of the largest solar salt factories in the world producing more than one million pounds of salt per year. This is the true definition of #saltlife. The mutual relationship between the Morton salt factory and the flamingos makes Inagua a birders paradise. 

 

The national park, Morton salt and rich historical landmarks like the Inagua Lighthouse are the main attractions. The national park, operated by the Bahamas National Trust, is internationally renowned for its flamingos. 

 

Inagua is a bird watching paradise. Along with the flamingos, Inagua is home to more than 140 different species of birds like the Bahama Parrot, the endemic Bahama woodstar hummingbird, now known as the Inagua woodstar, Bahama pintails, Brown pelicans, Tri-colored herons, Snowy egrets, Reddish egrets, Stripe-headed tanagers, cormorants, roseate spoonbills, American kestrels, burrowing owls and so much more. 

 

Union Creek Reserve is another ecotourism destination. The reserve primarily focuses on the preservation and growth of green sea turtles, which are also raised and released there. Green sea turtles were once on the brink of extinction, but once again, with the help of the Bahamas National Trust, they have made a recovery.

                    

Visit Inagua and explore this biodiverse paradise.