Clarence Town

Clarence Town offers several different reasons to stay: church architecture, climbable twin towers and waterside activities. Families can decide whether the holiday will focus mainly on the town’s history, panoramic views from the towers or an excursion for experienced divers. When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to keep these interests distinct: the churches are in Clarence Town, while Dean's Blue Hole is north of town.

Churches and History in Clarence Town

St. Peters & St. Pauls Catholic Church has a remarkable building history. Father Jerome Hawes designed the church in 1939; construction began in Clarence Town in 1946. The design and the start of construction are therefore two distinct milestones that can be understood as part of its history during a visit. The church also has two 40-foot towers that visitors can climb for a 360-degree view. The towers combine the church’s architectural distinction with the chance to take in the view: for visitors who enjoy seeing a place from above, this is a special attraction in its own right.

St. Paul's Church is also part of Clarence Town’s church architecture. It is one of two similar twin-towered churches in town and is considered a historic landmark worth seeing. It was built during the period when Father Jerome Hawes was an Anglican priest. The churches’ histories relate to different stages in Father Jerome Hawes’ life and work: St. Peters & St. Pauls Catholic Church is associated with his design, while St. Paul's Church is associated with his time as an Anglican priest. Major Taylor is credited with founding Clarence Town, adding the town’s history as another cultural point of interest alongside its churches.

If you would like your trip to focus particularly on churches and local history, Clarence Town is a suitable place to look for a vacation rental. If, on the other hand, you are coming mainly for a diving excursion, consider Dean's Blue Hole as a separate destination north of town. This way, your accommodation plans can reflect your preferred focus without treating the different places as a single point of interest.

Water Activities and Excursion Destinations

Clarence Town’s waterside amenities include the public dock and Flying Fish Marina. Both are available on request. If you would like to include these options in your travel plans, note that each is available on request.

Dean's Blue Hole, north of Clarence Town, is a day-trip destination for experienced divers. The Vertical Blue Free Diving Competition takes place at Dean's Blue Hole every year. The competition is another reason the site is associated with freediving. For your travel planning, the annual competition and an individual day trip are separate considerations; the former does not provide information about the date of a particular visit.

Reel Addictive Charters offers deep-sea and inshore fishing. This provides another water-based activity alongside scuba diving and freediving. If you are travelling together, these different interests can help you decide how much room to give churches, fishing or a diving excursion in your itinerary. The range of options means Clarence Town is not limited to a single type of activity: its cultural sites in town and water-based experiences appeal to different interests.

More to Discover in the Travel Area

In the wider travel area, the Long Island Library & Museum presents the history, culture and customs of Long Island. It complements the local history of Clarence Town with a broader cultural perspective. If you are interested in both, you can consider these topics separately when planning your holiday: the churches and the origins of the town attributed to Clarence Town, on the one hand, and the history and customs of Long Island, on the other.

Other places in the surrounding area to discover include Lower Deadman's Cay Settlement, Stella Maris, Seymourʼs and Cartwright Settlement.

For the wider travel guide: Long Island.