What a great question! On its own, The Bahamas are impressive. You have 700 islands and over 2,000 cays spread across 100,000 square miles in the Atlantic Ocean. There are iconic locations like Nassau which is famous for its pirate history, and Grand Bahama Island where spanish ships of gold once landed. Water adventures and nature activities abound at locations like Bimini, Eleuthera, Inagua and Andros. It is time to see why nearly 12 million people decide to visit The Bahamas each year, and where they go. Let’s review common questions, and then see which one you should visit. Or the better question, how to see them all!

Where are The Bahamas, and How Can I Get There?

Just off the coast of Florida in the Atlantic ocean, you will find the string of islands called The Bahamas. With nearly 12 million visitors a year, the ways to access the islands is quite impressive. There are actually 20 International Airports stretched along the islands. The most common one is Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, which offers U.S. pre-clearance. Most major airlines service Nassau, with flight times ranging from over four hours Denver and beyond, to under an hour out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale. And for private planes, you will have plenty of ease arriving at the #1 location for private plane pilots. Once on the islands, inter-island connections exist in a wide range of options. From regional carriers to private charters, access is available to you while visiting The Bahamas.

When Is Hurricane Season in The Bahamas?

You will see hurricane season from June until November. You may see “Deals” during that time, but our preference is to enjoy the Caribbean during a non hurricane season like December into May.

What Famous People have Enjoyed The Bahamas?

Astronauts up in space have remarked how blue the water is from their viewpoint. And they are right! So much so that many people have enjoyed The Bahamas. Icons like Ernest Hemingway, Adam Clayton Powell and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have enjoyed their time here. Pirates have also called on the Bahamas like William Catt for whom Cat Island is named after. That island is home to Sir Sidney Poitier, the first Black man to receive an Oscar! Talk about legendary.

Which Islands are Most Well Known?

With 700 to choose from, it can seem overwhelming. However the most common locations can bring out the very best of fun. The Bahamas has organized them into 16 locations to look at. The below “dives in” to the various locations, their famous calling cards, and highlight on why you should visit them. The beaches are just the sampler, because they each offer so much more. Let’s visit The Bahamas and make our choices!

Nassau, Paradise Island & Cat Island

The island of New Providence holds Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. And just north of it is the hotel resort zone of Paradise Island. These are often the launching points into The Bahamas for travelers to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine that grace the islands. Pirate pasts come to life here with plenty of tours and trinkets to be found. With multiple beaches, famous lunch spots like Fish Fry, and boat charter adventures, you will find plenty to do in Nassau & Paradise Island. Just 130 miles southeast is Cat Island named after a famous pirate. Divers find plenty of fun here with historic shipwrecks around. The island is also home to Mount Alvernia, the tallest point in The Bahamas.

Eleuthera & Harbour Island

If you have pictured tranquil waters along white sand beaches in The Bahamas, you have just pictured Eleuthera. Now, add in pineapple plantations and some of the friendliest people you have ever met. You may run into them at the annual Pineapple Festival! Perhaps have a Pineapple Tart with a local and enjoy the good times. You cannot forget about Harbour Island either. At 3.5 miles long, it hosts one of the most impressive features on earth, a Pink Sand Beach! The island has a luxurious and exclusive feeling to it as you explore this natural wonder. When looking for a beach, and not sure what to think, my go to is “Think Pink!”.

The Abacos

Known as a boating capital for The Bahamas, you will find 120 mile long chain of islands with mangroves, beaches and some of the world’s best boating. It is almost like a “mini Bahamas” all on its own, with the Great Abaco Island & Little Abaco as the hosts. Famous cays include Man-O-War Cay and Green Turtle Cay, while Hope Town hosts a sweet inspiring lighthouse famous throughout the islands.

Acklins & Crooked Island

With only 92 square miles and only 400 residents, Acklins provides a natural escape to visitors. There is a rugged style of terrain that blends perfectly with vibrant waters. Perfect for diving, snorkeling and fishing, you should not take Acklins for granted. After all it has over 1,000 miles of knee-deep waters to wade and wander into. Crooked Island shares similar qualities with its shallow waters from the Bight of Acklins. From birdlife alone limestone cliffs and caves, to gardens of coral, Crooked Island has a great many wonders to find.

The Exumas

Did you know over half of the Islands of The Bahamas belong to The Exumas? With 365 islands, and just 50 miles from Nassau, there is one for every single day of the year. You will find three major areas here like Great Exuma, Little Exuma and of course the Exuma Cays. Great Exuma has the city of George Town as the capital with plenty of Bahamian restaurants to enjoy. Little Exuma is just south of here with historic settlements and possibly the longest beach in the chain, Tropic of Cancer Beach. Finally, the Exuma Cays are often privately owned and have luxury results. Celebrities from Johnny Depp to Faith Hill have homes along here, making this a glamorous place to see and be seen. And of course, see the swimming pigs greet visitors at Big Major Cay.

Berry Islands

With just 30 cays, this has a near perfect and untouched feeling in The Bahamas. Plenty of fishermen enjoy these grounds while snorkelers and divers find the reefs to be some of the best. Chub Cay known as the Fishbowl of The Bahamas as it sits on a trench known as Tongue of the Ocean. Because of this, plentiful amounts of fish call this location home. You will find local residents at Great Harbour Cay with a luxury yacht marina, 18-hole championship golf course, and 7 miles of white sand beaches.

Andros

We have come to the largest and least developed island. Andros, or Big Island, has plenty of natural landscape to enjoy. As home to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, it is heavily protected with the West Side National Park taking a vast majority of the island’s land. Fishermen will find plentiful of fun while Naturalists will enjoy the serene peace that can be found here by its species who call it home. Don’t forget to check out Androsia! This handmade batik fabric is famous in The Bahamas and is the perfect gift for a loved one, or your yourself. Happy shopping!

Bimini

As the closest islands to the United States, it is often a stop for American travelers. Though small with just North Bimini, South Bimini, and smaller cays, it holds a large impact still. It was a run-running sector during Prohibition, and you can visit a ship from that time that ran aground. Bimini is also well known for its aquatic life with marlin, dolphins, turtles and plenty of tropical fish to explore as you snorkel, dive, or enjoy a day on the water. Be sure to check out the Dolphin House during your visit.

Freeport & Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama is the furthest north and can be accessed by air, cruise and even ferries from Florida. Only 50 miles from the coast and containing 43 beaches, it is the quickest way to see The Bahamas. The island is divided into three main sections. East End is known for its natural beauty and hidden away beaches like Deep Water Cay. Freeport & Lucaya contain the more tourist s ections like Port Lucaya Marketplace. You can still find nature activities like kayaking through the mangroves and water encounters. West End has a historic center with the capital of Grand Bahama. It comes with plenty of bars, restaurants as well as ecology tours for the nature lover. Don’t forget Gold Rock Beach or the Lucayan National Park!

Inagua, Mayaguana & Ragged Island

In both Great Inagua and Little Inagua, you have plenty of excitement here as you venture into a birdwatching capital of The Bahamas. Ecotourists really enjoy the Inagua National park with 45% of the island’s mass being a part of it. It is where you can find 80,000 West Indian Flamingos. And Little Inagua as the largest uninhabited island has become a shelter for sea turtles. Mayaguana is the only island with its original Arawak name and has quiet natural tranquility to it with only 300 residents. Ragged Island has what many consider to be the best fishing around. Sailing along the tranquil and untouched coastlines while your fishing reel lounges in the water until the perfect catch sounds like a wonderful relaxing day.

The Southern Bahamas of Rum Cay and San Salvador

History was made on San Salvador with Christopher Columbus setting foot here in 1492. Well, at least it is highly believed to be so. Cockburn Town has boat access to head into snorkel and dive sites around the island. Rum Cay is just 20 miles away and provides a look into the Arawak and Lucayan ways of life. You will also find Port Nelson here.

Long Island

Take one look at Long Island and you can understand how it got its name. 80 miles long and yet different landscapes on either side. The eastern side has cliffs and caves in a rocky formation that faces the rising sun. The western side has the exact opposite with calm and gentle waters. You will find Conception Island National Park here as well as Dean’s Blue Hole, the deepest blue hole in The Bahamas. With miles of beaches to enjoy, Long Island lets you relax for as long as you’d like.

What Bahamian Experiences Should Not Be Missed?

Dance With Junkanoo!

Stunning outfits, bright colors, and amazing music await you as you see experience Junkanoo. The parade brings out The Bahamas in a unique way. It’s history dates back to when slaves celebrated during time with no work around Christmas. Junkanoo has since grown to become a cultural and national icon. No longer just during the holidays can you find Junkanoo, because it is now throughout the year on every island chain in The Bahamas!

Experience The Bahamas Natural Wonders!

Select island chains have some of the most amazing sites to see and experience, and not just her white sandy beaches. The Abacos have become known for Fowl Cay National Reserve and Pelican Cays National Park. With divers, snorkeling, and even underwater cave exploration awaiting visitors like you. Harbour Island is known for its Pink Sand Beaches, and has stunning reefs sitting right along these gorgeous shorelines.

Eleuthera contains one of the most photographed spots in The Bahamas. Known as the Glass Bridge, it showcases the dark blue atlantic sitting peacefully next to turquoise clear waters. And we cannot forget the iconic Swimming Pigs of The Exumas! In Big Major Cay, they greet you upon arrival and welcome you to this beautiful chain of islands. Not to be missed as well is the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. It was the first of its kind to combine the land and the sea together into one park to enjoy.

Enjoy Cultural Cuisine!

There are two amazing styles to enjoy here, and it is the sweet, and the savory. The Bahamas is known for its desserts. Tarts of pineapple or coconut, cassava or potato bread and flour cake, and cakes of peanut, coconut or benny (sesame). Your sweet tooth will not want to leave after trying this all! And of course, we cannot forget the iconic Conch (said “Konk”). A staple of the islands, enjoy it in fritters, salads, breads, or on its own steamed or stewed. As someone who has savored the Conch, try it with a spicy sauce! Be sure to try the Conch, no matter which route you go.

If you desire relaxing drinks, then there are also two special go-tos… a Tea and a Cocktail. Bush Tea is almost like a morning “must have” in The Bahamas. You will find this tea, made from natural island ingredients, throughout your stay. You may even find Afternoon Tea Times posted! For a more “exciting” endeavour, the Bahama Mama cocktail is waiting for you. With coconut and white rums mixed with fruits like pineapple, and a topped with little grenadine and orange juice… Order for one please! Trying local drinks goes hand in hand with local food. It is time to enjoy tea and cake in the afternoon, followed by a cocktail and conch treat in the evening. Cheers!

Explore More of the Atlantic Islands

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