The Bahamas, or to give it its full name, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an extraordinary place. A sprawling group of over 700 islands spread over 100,000 square miles of crystal clear azure ocean. Technically, it's not in the Caribbean but where it meets the Atlantic and Florida. That makes it super interesting geographically. So beautiful, in fact, that it's often the first photo that NASA shows us when they want to demonstrate the beauty of our planet.
It's better in the Bahamas
We’re just arrived at our latest destination – The Bahamas. Whether you're looking to escape on your next adventure, explore a new corner of the world or just want to relax in paradise, you're going to love stepping off our aircraft into this spectacular and sunny island nation.
The Bahamas is a destination for those looking to relax, but it also cries out to be explored. It would be impossible to list all the islands and things to do here, but this is our rundown of some of the bigger islands to give you a taste of the natural beauty, the diversity and the activities you can experience at our latest destination.
The Islands
New Providence and Nassau. Before heading off to the islands and everything they have to offer, a quick tour of the capital city of Nassau on the island of New Providence is recommended. This is a historical and beautiful city that also tells the story of slavery, smuggling and pirates. There are forts that date back to the early 1700s and colourful streets lined with pastel buildings that hark back to the days of British colonial rule. Nassau is a city that can easily be explored on foot, with plenty of places to stop for food and drink. The island is also where you'll find the famous mega-resort Atlantis, several hotels in a large complex that includes casinos, a giant aquarium and a waterpark with 18 slides.
The Queen's Staircase, one of the Bahama's many historical sites, is also known as the 66 steps, can be found at Fort Fincastle in the north of the island. The steps were carved from limestone by slaves between 1793 and 1794.
San Salvador is one of the smallest inhabited islands and the place where, in 1492, Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the new world. Alongside inland lakes and secluded beaches, there are a number of historic monuments.
Rum Cay named after the cargo of its most famous shipwreck the HMS Conqueror that deposited barrels of rum on the island. Home to historical ruins, vivid coral reefs, miles of white sand beaches, and a great place for surfing. It also boasts abundant marine life making it a world-class destination for fishers, divers, and snorkelers.
Acklins and neighboring Crooked Islands, with crystal clear shallow waters, these islands define unspoiled. They are separated by a huge lagoon known as the Bight of Acklins, both islands are a haven for boating, fishing, snorkelling, and diving.
Cat Island and Mayaguana for those looking to experience beautiful unspoiled beaches overlooked by Mount Alvernia, The Bahamas' highest point. As well as diving and kiteboarding it is known for its nature trails and eight mile pink sand beach.
Inagua, pristine and largely uninhabited, is the southernmost island in The Bahamas and popular with eco-tourists and known for its resident seabirds and a population of flamingos.
The Exumas are a group of coral islands. A premier scuba destination and home to the land and sea park. Great Exuma in the island group is where you'll find George town and places to stay to suit all budgets. This collection of over 300 islands is where you'll find true seclusion, deserted cays, and the really exclusive resorts.
Abacos has a different vibe to the rest of the Bahamas with fishing and boatbuilding providing a greater part of the local economy than tourism. It's still a great place to island-hop and explore and there's a deserted beach with your name on it waiting to be discovered. Inland there are charming towns to explore as well as championship golf courses, and countless hotels, restaurants, and bars.
Andros is the biggest island in The Bahamas is also one of its most untouched. Andros is as wild as it is beautiful. A place for nature lovers, for anyone who enjoys fishing, for eco travellers looking for small seaside resorts and adventurers. The island is home to the Blue Holes National park, where you'll find hundreds of these mysterious water-filled entrances to underground cave networks. There are creeks and mangroves to explore and when you've done all that, time to kick back, relax and enjoy a local rum and try the islands dish – land crab!
Eleuthera is unusual insofar as it's over a hundred miles long but only two miles wide. And most of that is beaches. 110 miles long and one to two miles wide, and with that shape comes a lot of beaches. It's also home to some interesting natural formations and elevated viewing points. Gregory Town on the island is where you'll find the restaurants, shops and nightlife, but the joy of Eleuthera is the number of smaller resorts and cottages to stay near the beautiful pink sand beaches.
Long Island is a place to consider if you're looking for a quiet getaway in nature with brilliant coral reefs, pristine flats and serene beaches. Considered one of the most beautiful islands, it boasts some of the best watersports in the world including the legendary Dean's Blue Hole - one of the deepest underwater sinkholes in the world.
Bimini, actually two islands, is known throughout the world as the place where Ernest Hemingway had his favourite hideaway and the rumoured location of the Lost City of Atlantis. These two islands are tiny, just seven miles long and 700 yards wide, yet have their own airport and a global reputation as one of the best places to go shark diving and big game fishing.
Something for everyone
Underwater wonderland with shark diving that is on every divers wishlist
The Bahamas is one of those destinations that will keep your excitement levels dialled up to maximum during the time between booking and travelling. A time to research and plan your visit because this sprawling nation has so much to offer. For nature lovers, there are 200 species of bird to find and tropical gardens to explore. Foodies are taken care of with the freshest seafood and locally grown produce. Conch (a shellfish dish pronounced 'conk'), served with peas and rice, is the national dish. For carnival fans, Boxing Day is when the celebration of Junkanoo takes place. This is when Bahamians dress in elaborate costumes and fill the streets of Nassau, dancing to a lively and inviting Bahamian beat. The procession concludes with a competition on Bay Street, where judges award winners in three main categories: best music, best costume and best overall group presentation.
Make sure you check out the Bahamas National Trust, which has 32 National Parks scattered throughout the islands. The variety of these parks is matched only by their beauty and their importance. Places like Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, which overs over 110,000 acres of land and sea. Established in 1958, it's renowned for its breathtaking beauty, above and below the waves. It's a great place to explore coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses, stroll along pristine beaches, go on one of several hiking trails, and observe the rich diversity of wildlife, including birds, fish, turtles and iguanas. Or how about the Primeval Forest Park, located in southwestern New Providence, a tiny park where you can experience undisturbed, evergreen tropical hardwood forests and sinkholes that can be explored by boardwalks, steps and bridges.
