Experience the Bahamas
New Providence and Paradise Islands
Grand Bahama Island
The Abacos
Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands
Eleuthera and Harbour Island
The Exumas
The Southern Out Islands
New Providence and Paradise Islands. Nassau and nearby Paradise Island are the most action-packed places in the Bahamas. From flashy megaresort Atlantis to fine dining and high-end shopping, development here is unrivaled on any of the other islands.
Grand Bahama Island. Urban and deserted vibes mix to create a quieter alternative to fast-paced Nassau. Lucaya has great shopping, gambling, golfing, and beach parties, but old-island fishing settlements and vast expanses of untouched nature appeal to adventurous travelers.
The Abacos. Shallow, translucent waters, top-notch marinas, and idyllic, historic settlements spread over 120 miles of cays (some uninhabited) give the Abacos the apt title of Sailing Capital of the Bahamas.
Andros, Bimini, and the Berry Islands. In the northwest corner of the Bahamas, these islands share many characteristics, most notably their reputation for excellent fishing and diving. Each exudes a casual, old-island atmosphere and abundant natural beauty.
Eleuthera and Harbour Island. The Nantucket of the Bahamas, Harbour Islandrimmed by its legendary pink-sand beachis the most chic Out Island. Eleuthera is the opposite, with historic churches and pretty fishing villages, unpretentious inns, and a few upscale, intimate beach resorts.
The Exumas. Hundreds of islands skip like stones across the Tropic of Cancer, all with gorgeous white beaches and the most beautiful water in the Bahamas. Mainland Great Exuma has friendly locals and great beach parties.
The Bahamas southernmost islands have so few visitors and so many natural wonders. These islands are also known as the Family Islands, since many Bahamians have roots on these smaller and less populated cays.
Like much of the world, the Bahamas has had to put big development plans on the back burner as the country rides out the economic recession. The largest project, the Baha Mar overhaul of the Cable Beach strip, is finally underway, but is years behind schedule. Bahamians have used this situation as an opportunity to spruce up existing properties and improve an infrastructure that was starting to show signs of age and neglect. Once the tide turns and tourism picks back up, the Bahamas will be better than ever.
Todays Bahamas
is still very British. From driving on the left side of the road (albeit mostly in left-hand drive cars) to tea parties to wig-wearing lawyers strolling into court, the Bahamas still has a decidedly British air about it. The country gained independence from England in 1973, but old colonial habits die hard. Bahamians learn British spelling in school, and the country still uses the Westminster style of government. That said, a constant diet of American media has had an impact on the country. Bahamians measure temperature in Fahrenheit instead of Celsius, and although the English gentlemans cricket is the national sport, youll be hard-pressed to find a local who understands the game, much less plays it.
is a playground for the rich and famous. With its near-perfect year-round weather, modern infrastructure and amenities, and proximity to the United States, its no wonder that the Bahamas is a home away from Hollywood for many celebrities. Sean Connery lives behind the gates of the exclusive Lyford Cay community on New Providence Island. Johnny Depp owns his own private island in the Exumas, as do Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, David Copperfield, and Nicolas Cage, who also owns a home on Paradise Island. Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon got hitched on the grounds of her private Eleuthera estate; the island is also home to Lenny Kravitz, whose mother, actress Roxie Roker, grew up there.
is many different destinations. The majority of the 4 million tourists who visit the Bahamas each year experience only Nassau, Paradise Island, or perhaps Grand Bahama. But with more than 700 islands, theres so much more to see and do. Each island offers a different flavor and none of them have the hustle and bustle of big-city life experienced in the capital. The farther south you venture, the slower the pace. Locals have distinct looks, dialects, and surnames on each island. White Americans and British settled in the Abacos and north Eleuthera, and their strong accentsputting an h where there isnt one and omitting one where there should behelp tell them apart from expats. Long Island is home to a large conchy joe population, white Bahamians who might have had a black great grandpa. Tell someone youre a Knowles and theyll want to know if youre a Long Island Knowles or an Eleuthera Knowles.
is getting spruced up. After 10 years of temporary tent quarters, the Nassau straw markets magnificent $11 million new home opened in 2011. Bay Street, once Nassaus Madison Avenue, is on the road to recovery after years of neglect. The Lynden Pindling International Airport is now a modern gateway that truly welcomes visitors. And following a number of false starts, the multibillion-dollar Baha Mar transformation of the Cable Beach strip is well underway. As Nassau continues to develop, the Out Islands remain untouched, preserving the quaint nature that attracts adventure travelers each year.
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