The indigenous Lucayan people called the island Guanima, meaning "middle waters land".

The island may have been named after Arthur Catt, a pirate, or may be a reference to its one-time large population of feral cats.

An economic crop is Croton eluteria (called also cascarilla) bark,[4] which is gathered and shipped to Italy where it becomes a main ingredient in medicines, scents and Campari.

Cat Island, Tea Bay is also the birthplace of Bahamian musician Tony McKay,[7] better known as Exuma, and MMA fighter Dada 5000.

This small stone monastery built by hand by the architect hermit, Father Jerome,[8] is at the peak and accessible by a trek up a steep rocky incline.

One of the major attractions in Cat Island Bahamas is the Big Blue Hole near Orange Creek at Dickies Road.

Sitting atop a ridge alongside the road in the settlement of Old Bight is St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, built by Father Jerome, with frescos, engravings and sculptures.