Bahamas
The Bahamas is the most popular vacation destination in The Caribbean. One visit and you will know why. With 700 islands and cays, surrounded by some of the most beautiful water on earth, there is enough to do and explore to keep you coming back for more. From the excitement of deep-sea fishing, diving with sharks and world class casino gambling to enjoying a Bahama mama in a swim-up bar. Tour historic Nassau, shop duty-free Bay Street or just relax on the beach and bask in the sun (don't forget to bring sunscreen). There is something for everybody, no matter what your preferences.
This out-island is quiet and peaceful. The lush, thick vegetation provides healthful, unpolluted air and the glistening waters on every hand makes all so nice and wonderful. There are no dangerous animals on land ? no poisonous snakes, no alligators, etc. The island?s economy is generated mainly by sheep farming and fishing as well as modest tourism, for visitors who prefer to avoid big hotels and casinos. The Bahamas remain a part of the British Commonwealth and celebrate Independence Day on 10 July every year.
The Bahamas island chain stretches from just east of Florida down into the Caribbean, but all locations provide warm sun and refreshing winds. On many of the Bahamas' most unspoiled coastal stretches, empty beaches offer total tranquility with the occasional squawking of an exotic bird and gently lapping waves the only distraction.
There’s sailing to Abacos. Diving Andros' blue holes. Kayaking the countless cays around Exumas. Lounging on Eleuthera's beaches. Pondering pirates in Nassau. Indeed, there’s a Bahamian island to match most every water-and-sand-based compulsion. Each of them framed by a backdrop of gorgeous, mesmerizing blue.
You can also visit our native forests and shores for the best birding in the Bahamas with Certified Bahamian Birding Guide, Ron Pagliaro, for resident and migrating birds year round. Sail the Abacos along with a couple who have been sailing the beautiful Bahama islands since 1968. Endless beaches, fishing, diving, Sun and fun are awaiting you.
Once your batteries are recharged though, the Bahama Out Islands are ready to bring you back to life, to engage you in the natural environment by putting some of the world’s finest snorkeling, diving, fishing, kayaking, nature hiking, flying, golfing, bird-watching, boating and sailing at your fingertips.
In a place as happy as The Bahamas, it’s no surprise that the good times flow into the night. Everyone’s in a great mood, so any night can turn into a party night! Whatever floats your entertainment boat, from fine dining and casinos to nightclubs and beach bars, and from limbo dancing to karaoke, you’ll find it all here - with a big grin on its face.
When To Go
The southern Atlantic high-pressure system and constant trade winds make Bahamian weather consistent throughout the year, with temperatures averaging 24ºC (75ºF) during the dry winter season from December to May, and 5-8 degrees warmer in the summer rainy season. Just as a steady cooling breeze moderates the hottest hours of the day, nights in the Bahamas are temperate and, in the northern islands, even cool. Late summer and fall comprise hurricane season, delivering the occasional menacing tempest as well as less destructive tropical storms. Luckily, the Bahamas are rarely in the direct paths of hurricanes, which usually bypass the islands to the south before hitting mainland North America directly.
Bahamian foliage Predictably, winter travel is a major draw, with December-to-May prices as much as 25 percent higher than during the rest of the year. Late spring and early summer travel are popular with bargain hunters, divers, and anglers and sailors drawn by the summer round of fishing tournaments and regattas. Traveling during the Christmas holiday season can be bustling and wearisome, with tourists thick on the ground and many locals taking trips to the North American mainland. Likewise, college students often crowd the major resorts during Spring Break in February and March, while other travelers escape to the Bahamas during late summer and autumn to enjoy a respite in that relatively tranquil period, the odd hurricane notwithstanding.
Where To Go
The islands' most popular destinations are New Providence - site of the capital Nassau - nearby Paradise Island , and Grand Bahama and its vacation towns of Freeport and Lucaya . Both New Providence, with its Cable Beach and South Beach resort areas, and Grand Bahama offer glamorous accommodations, enticing nightlife, fine restaurants and shopping and, of course, great beaches.
Some travellers, however, may prefer the quiet, remote charms of one of the so-called Out Islands such as Abaco, Andros , the Exumas or Cat Island , where the accommodations are more rustic and the beaches and reefs virtually deserted. Offering savings of 30-50 percent below international retail prices, duty-free shopping is a popular way to find bargains for jewellery, perfume, watches, china, crystal and liquor, with the tourist zones of Nassau and Freeport providing particularly good buying opportunities.
Nassau Harbour Nassau's Bay Street is famous for its Straw Market , offering a wide array of mats, baskets, hats, dresses, T-shirts and hand-crafted items at bargain prices. While many items at the market are cheap imports, others may be genuine, so a close inspection of the merchandise is usually worthwhile. As one of the better shops, Nassau's Plait Lady (tel 242/356-5584) guarantees its items are 100 percent Bahamian-made. While Straw Market purchases are subject to negotiation, bargaining is not a typical Bahamian custom.
The Bahamas are also known for their Androsian batik fabrics made by a small operation in Andros Town on a remote Out Island. Although the factory is fascinating to visit, batik items are available at many outlets in Nassau, Freeport and major Out Islands like Abaco and Eleuthera.
Cigars and local art are often worthwhile purchases as well, with Bahamian painters, water-colourists, woodcarvers and jewellers creating original works for sale in galleries throughout Nassau and Freeport.
Plan your Bahamas vacation: Find plenty of useful information by The official tourism site of the Islands of the Bahamas. Search for Bahamas travel info among hundreds of getaway ideas, Bahamas travel tips and individual island destination guides for all Islands of The Bahamas. Resources feature activities, hotels, rental accommodations, airlines, air charters and family travel resources for all the most popular islands.
You'll find carefully selected Bahamas resources. Things to-do, restaurant listings, hotel info, accommodations, pictures and more. Explore colorful maps for Nassau, Grand Bahama, Paradise Island, New Providence, Freeport / Lucaya and the Out Islands, including; Abaco, Harbour Island, Bimini, Exuma and Eleuthera.