The purpose of this thesis is to explore the relationship of cruising tourism to sustainable development by exploring the balance between economic, cultural, and environmental factors required for development of local Caribbean coastal communities. A resource systems framework outlines the appropriateness of a trans-disciplinary theoretical approach and models the interrelated factors present in a coastal community. The presented resource systems framework functions as a tool for developing, managing and monitoring tourism projects. A literature review outlines the effects of mass tourism on coastal areas in the Caribbean and highlights the main components associated with small boat cruising tourism. Fieldwork, using qualitative methods, in George Town, Exuma, Bahamas, highlights the many issues present in an area reliant on tourism, as well as effective options for sustaining the future of the community. The compiled information from the fieldwork combined with the theoretical background help to propose appropriate options for tourism management in the Caribbean. This thesis highlights the benefits of resource systems frameworks in combination with the principles present in rural tourism, community based participation, and community economic development as they relate to cruising tourism. In addition, the coming together of the whole Caribbean as a cooperating unit instead of a competing one would aid in the formation of greater controls and profits by the Caribbean communities themselves through the implementation of natural resource techniques. Creating, managing, and monitoring sustainable tourism options requires continued time and effort by the residents of the community with the cooperation of the local, regional and national governments.