Bahamas Islands

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Why visit the Bahamas Islands?

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Scattered like dabs of silver and green paint on an artist’s palette, The Bahamas are ready- made for exploration. So, what’s in it for travelers? There is sailing around the Abacos’ history- filled Loyalist Cays; partying till dawn at Paradise Island’s over-the-top Atlantis resort; diving the spooky blue holes of Andros; kayaking the 365 Exuma Cays; lounging on Eleuthera’s pink-sand beaches; pondering pirates in Nassau...There is a Bahamian island to match most every water- and-sand-based compulsion, each framed by a backdrop of gorgeous, mesmerizing blue.

What does Bahamas Islands bring in mind?

Beaches of the Bahamas

The Bahamas is known for its stellar beaches. With over 2000 breathtaking islands and cays, and the clearest water on Earth, it’s no wonder visitors come from all around to sink their toes into miles of pure white, and in some places pink, sand. Many of the beaches have been voted “best in the world” by numerous publications, and it’s not uncommon to find a celebrity or two strolling along our shores.

Boating in the Bahamas There is no finer journey than the one that leads you to paradise. The fish are more colorful, the coral reefs are brighter and the water clearer. Everyone from Blackbeard to Ernest Hemingway has made the voyage. Whether you’re planning a quick getaway to The Bimini Islands or a weeklong voyage to Nassau Island, the waters of The Bahamas are waiting for you.

Port Lucaya Marketplace

A bustling marketplace along the waterfront filled with colorfully painted huts that house vendors selling all kinds of riches, from Bahamian baskets and handbags to couture dresses and oil paintings. Strolling musicians and steel-drum bands keep the marketplace lively. After shopping, rest your feet at a waterfront café and count the yachts moored out in the harbor.

Lucayan National Park It may already be on your list of top things to do in the Bahamas, but Lucayan National Park still deserves plenty of time. Stroll down the wooden path that winds through fragrant mangrove, palm, and pine trees and you will uncover a lovely secluded beach fronting crystal clear water. Snorkelers should bring their gear to glimpse the kaleidoscope of colorful sea life that flitter and glide over the offshore coral reef.

National Art Gallery of the Bahamas Housed inside a stunning mid-19th century Italianate-colonial mansion, with double-tiered verandas with elegant columns, Nassau’s National Gallery of The Bahamas is a great showcase of Bahamian art. Inside you can explore religious and folklore paintings, which are divided into historical and contemporary collections.

Atlantis Paradise Island Resort & Casino

Across from Nassau on Paradise Island, this fantasy megaresort is a destination all its own. The glitzy casinos of Atlantis are the big draw, but the resort is also filled with high-end couture emporiums, stunning restaurants and cafes, and a rejuvenating spa. Kids of all ages can’t get enough of the water park, which holds such water-filled attractions as the wild water slides of Paradise Lagoon and labyrinth of streams and waterfalls at Aquaventure. For a break from the fun, head to the Marina Village and browse the shops and bars; live musicians keep it lively.

Snorkeling at Peterson Cay Jump in a kayak and take a day-trip to Peterson Cay, a tiny sun-drenched island just a mile offshore from Barbary Bay Beach on Grand Bahama. A half-hour trip across the calm waters takes you to the cay, where you will spend the day snorkeling among the coral gardens and shallow limestone reefs, spotting flittering tropical fish in all colors.

Blue Lagoon Island

Located off the eastern end of Paradise Island, Blue Lagoon is beautiful private island oasis with seven beaches and lush natural beauty. Relaxing is key here, with ample spaces for sunning or swaying in a hammock under a coconut palm tree. If you want to dip in the crystal-clear waters, you can swim with dolphins, float in a sea kayak, or snorkel the coral reefs. A short ferryboat ride takes you there.

Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Park One of the highlights of visiting the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Park is the parading flock of elegant pink flamingos, which is national bird of the Bahamas. Three times a day, you can watch these magnificent birds perform on command: a thrilling sight. The zoo is fascinating, as well, with an eclectic wildlife collection of iguanas, lemurs, macaws, and many other rare and endangered species. In the gardens, you can get up close to the islands exotic flora, including coconut palms, vibrantly-colored bougainvillea, and orchids.

Diving in Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Forgo the reefs on New Providence, Paradise Island, and Grand Bahamas and hire a boat to take you to Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. This remote paradise stretches some 35 km, with some of the most colorful sea gardens, caves, and coral reefs in the Caribbean just offshore. Diving is spectacular here, and you will uncover a rich underwater world of abundant marine life. Wandering the unspoiled beaches also reveal such treasure as the endangered Bahamian iguana and ruins of an 18 th century settlement.

Cable Beach

A long, curved white-sand beach and sparkling turquoise sea is linked to downtown Nassau by a 5km (3mi) long stretch of coastline. The beach is named for the undersea telegraphic cable laid from Florida in 1892 that came ashore here. Cable Beach's resorts seem to have derived from the Floridian peninsula as well.

Things you SHOULD do in Bahamas

• Visit Atlantis

• Diving at Andros Island the largest landmass in the Bahamas, boasts the third largest barrier reef in the world, as well as many freshwater blue holes and underwater caves.

• Visit the Grand Bahama: Grand Bahama is the closest major island to the United States and a popular destination for package tourists and cruise ships.

• Fishing in Bimini: Known as the "Big Game Fishing Capital of The Bahamas", Bimini Island is the closest of the islands to the U.S. mainland, lying approximately 45 miles east of Miami, Florida.

• Visit Harbor Island: Famous for its pink sand beaches and chic resorts

• Visit Elbow Cay Famous for its candy-striped lighthouse, Hope Town is home to a thriving expatriate community who appreciate the island's pretty palm-lined beaches; proximity to Marsh Harbor, Bahamas's third largest town; and the excellent boating opportunities.

• Visit Green Turtle Cay where golf carts are the main mode of transport in this tiny settlement of New Plymouth. A sleepy fishing village of picket-fenced pastel cottages sprinkled with a few small shops and museums.

• Fishing, Diving or Boating at Long Island: Known as one of the most scenic islands in the Bahamas, Long Island lies a little off the beaten path, in the southern half of the archipelago.

• Attend Festivals or Cultural Events: Grand Bahama Island hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year. Plan your vacation around some of the island’s well-known festivals and you will end up with a one-of-a kind Bahamian experience. From the biggest cultural events to the local festivities in neighboring towns, there is always something happening on Grand Bahama Island.

• Golfing: Grand Bahama Island is a golfer’s paradise. Golf enthusiasts of all levels will enjoy incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean in a tropical setting and feel challenged by the 18 and 9-hole courses available on the island.

The most popular tourist destinations of the Bahamas

Nassau, New Providence

Nassau is the capital city of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. It is on New Providence Island, a 21-mile long stretch of paradise influenced by West African, English and Haitian cultures. It is connected by a bridge to Paradise Island that is generally thought of as part of Nassau. This is the most populous and most popular port of call in the Bahamas. The Bahamas best luxury resorts are located here, including the stunning Atlantis Resort, and the city streets are filled with horse-drawn surreys, brightly clothed policemen and lots of duty-free shopping. And on the outskirts of the city at the edge of the island soft, white-sand beaches and sparkling ocean waters are always a major draw.

Lucaya, Grand Bahama

The second most popular port of call in the Bahamas is Grand Bahama Island. The tourist center of this large island is occupied by the city of Freeport and Port Lucaya, which are located side by side along the island's coastline. Freeport/Lucaya is a modern planned city with the Freeport area being the center of the resort properties, and Lucaya having the local flavor and marketplace. It all blends together to make for an inviting destination.

Matthew Town, Great Inagua

On the far eastern end of the Bahamas, the island of Great Inagua is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of Nassau or Freeport. This unspoiled paradise is home to only 1,200 people. There is no population density to speak of here, so if you are looking for serenity in a beautiful place, this could be the ideal setting for at least part of your Bahamian getaway. The island is home to the Morton Salt Crystal factory, where it has stood since 1800. It is also the home of the largest flamingo nesting ground in the Western Hemisphere.

Alice Town, Bimini

The tiny island of Bimini was one of Ernest Hemingway's favorite spots on earth. He loved it in Bimini because of the big-game fishing. Today, it is still touted as the big-game fishing capital of the world, although over harvesting has thinned the populations a bit. Being one of the closest points in the Bahamas to Florida, just 50 miles away, this little island is overrun with tourists in the summer and is a frequent hangout for the yachting crowd.