Sixteen main islands make up The Bahamas, although hundreds more cays and islets, many of which remain largely unexplored, make this archipelago an island-hoppers dream.
12 Things To Do In The Bahamas
There is no shortage of options when it comes to choosing how you get about The Bahamas.
You can take a day trip before heading back to your own private piece of heaven, or take in as many of the islands as possible. Each one has its own character, the atmosphere and culture changing from one to the next.
The Bahamas has seven stunning golf courses, but if it's more than golf on your itinerary, here are 12 things to do in The Bahamas...
Climb the Queen’s Staircase
If you’ve overindulged, combine a spot of exercise with a history lesson. ‘The 66 Steps’ were hewn out of solid limestone rocks by slaves in the late 18th century. The steps were renamed in honour of Queen Victoria, who reined in Britain for 64 years, between 1837 and 1901.
Harbour Island and Rose Island
If you have only one day to spare then ferry across to the pink sand beach of Harbour Island, where you wander by foot or golf cart through the picket-fenced streets.
Or head over to the exclusive, uninhabited Rose Island.
The excursion is a mini holiday in itself, one in which you can relax on its stunning private beach, learn how to snorkel and spot the latest family of swimming pigs (more on those below).
Water sports and cultural tours
The islands offer something for everyone, from diving and snorkelling at the forest-like coral reefs to sailing and dolphin spotting. If you prefer to stay on dry land, there are fabulous shops to explore and all manner of cultural tours.
Fishing, spas and more...
Whether you’re a first-timer or a deep-sea fanatic, the waters are full of fish, from bonefish in saltwater flats to prized marlin in the deep seas. Or, for a change of pace, visit one of the many spas offering treatments and wellness activities for individuals and couples.
Enjoy local life
Tour the hidden gems with the people who know them best. From restaurants to secret beaches and secluded sunset views, the residents know their home turf better than anyone. Sign up to The Bahamas’ brilliant People-to-People Experience for free! For 40 years, Bahamians have been volunteering as ambassadors, helping you tap into the fascinating culture and way of life.
Sample the local rum
Try the ‘Spirit of The Bahamas’ at John Watling’s Distillery, located on the historic Buena Vista Estate in the Downtown Nassau area, and enjoy a traditional Bahamian cocktail in the Red Turtle Tavern.
Explore The Exumas
While it’s hard to resist the lure of lazing on the white sand beaches or exploring the little shops of George Town it is adventure that is very much the order of the day in The Exumas.
Guided sailing and boat trips are one of the best ways to explore The Exumas, floating around on the clearest water in the world is sure to enhance your Bahamian adventure.
No trip to The Exumas is complete without visiting the swimming pigs, which you can also do by powerboat from Nassau. ‘Pig Beach’ is famous for its porcine residents, who are the star attractions on Big Major Cay where they paddle in the shallows – a quite surreal sight, as are the iguanas on Allan’s Cay, another popular boat stop.
Sun seekers shouldn’t miss the chance of a trip to Three Sisters Beach, while canoeing, windsurfing and stand-up boarding are all on offer.
Diving is also an option, with some of the very best sites in The Bahamas located here.
Lucayan National Park
You'll find Lucayan National Park on the Grand Bahama Island, which is also home to The Reef Golf Course. Lucayan National Park is a 40-acre site that features one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world. You can also go diving and bird watching.
Expand Golf In The Bahamas
Our guide to the seven stunning golf course…
Largest casino in the Caribbean
You’d be forgiven for feeling lucky as soon as you set foot in The Bahamas. You can take that luck to the new, state-of-the-art casino at Baha Mar or simply marvel at its design, the centrepiece of which is a crystal chandelier, custom designed for the casino floor. All this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Visit the capital, Nassau
Often viewed as the alter ego to the easy-going character of most of The Bahamas, the hustle is captivating, with the constant stream of cruise-ship passengers colliding head on with local life to create a buoyant, and quite unique, atmosphere.
Nassau/Paradise Island is a shopper’s dream, with fine fashions and designer boutiques at Crystal Court and Marina Village.
It’ll leave you with a healthy appetite, which is no bad thing because the dining options are plentiful, ranging from Mediterranean and Asian-fusion to traditional Bahamian cuisine, with its British influences and a combination of tastes from Spain and West Africa.
Whether you opt for casual or fine dining, you’ll be ready to go again, and there’s no better place to be for adventures after dark than Nassau, where you can party with the locals until dawn.
Great and Little Abaco
Great and Little Abaco, and their offshore cays, form a 320km crescent of sand; it’s stunning beauty. But the sublime beaches – one of which, Treasure Cay, features in the world’s top ten – are far from the only attraction.
The land here is heavily forested and home to some extraordinary wildlife. The Red Mangrove creeks, rich in life and colour, play the role of nursery to coral reefs.
At Great Guana Cay, you can snorkel one of the largest barrier reefs in the western hemisphere.
New Plymouth
History buffs can lose themselves for hours in New Plymouth. This historical town is one of the most charming in The Bahamas, and there’s no better place to learn how British Loyalists left the United States after the American Revolution.
Getting there
British Airways offers four non-stop flights a week from London Heathrow, plus there are multiple flight and ferry options from the US.
For more information visit Bahamas.com
Do it all or nothing at all – find out for yourself why It’s Better In The Bahamas.
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