Things to do in The Islands
The islands of the Bahamas are alive with marine life, culture, and beauty. The only difficult decision is which island visitors should choose! Apart from the tourist stalwarts mentioned below, the Bahamas boasts many other island gems.
The Ragged Island chain is an enduring favourite with fishermen in search of prey such as barracuda, tuna, snapper and king fish, as well as travellers seeking unspoiled, empty coastlines. The little Rum Cay, in the south of the archipelago, offers pristine coral reefs, good surf and even some historical ruins.
San Salvador is known for its Christopher Columbus memorials and shipwrecks, while Inagua is a flamingo hotspot home to more than 80,000 of the bright and beautiful birds. Cat Island remains a virtually untouched slice of Bahamian paradise.
Many travellers choose to explore the islands by chartered boat or cruise ship. Others settle at a resort on one of the popular, more developed islands and take excursions to nearby cays from their home base. The resorts and cruise liners offer many excursions and activities to patrons as part of package deals, but it is easy to travel more independently and organise trips to various islands on a whim.
Bimini Islands
The Bimini group of islands in the Bahamas is 50 miles (80km) east of Miami and spans an area no larger than 10 square miles (26 sq km). The main island, North Bimini, is barely se…
Berry Islands
The Berry Islands are among the least busy in the Bahamas, and the perfect destination for those looking for the ultimate escape. In part because of the difficulty involved in gett…
Paradise Island
Connected to New Providence Island by a bridge, Paradise Island, formerly known as Hog Island, is one of the most popular destinations in the Bahamas. The island used to be private…
Grand Bahama Island
Approximately fifty miles (80km) from Miami, Grand Bahama is an idyllic island of white beaches and aquamarine seas beneath which vivid coral reefs teem with life. Most visitors to…
Andros Island
Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas and is a favourite for scuba divers and fishermen. The island is largely undeveloped, so the atmosphere is very casual and hotels tend t…
Exumas Islands
The Exumas Islands include a myriad of islands and cays that stretch for hundreds of miles. Although historically the home of the Lucayan people, who were captured and sold into sl…
Long Island
Long Island, often said to be the most scenic of all the Bahamian islands, is 80 miles (129km) long and four miles (6km) across at its widest point. Like most Bahamian islands, Lon…
Abaco Islands
The tiny Abaco Islands cover 649 square miles (1,681 sq km) and form the most northerly part of the Bahamas. Located only 200 miles (322km) from Miami, they are a popular holiday d…
Eleuthera Island
Only 14 of Bahama's Out Islands are inhabited, leaving the rest largely free from resorts, cruise ships, and crowds. Eleuthera, which stretches for almost 100 miles (161km) but is …
Half Moon Cay
This island is a private paradise reserved for passengers who are tendered ashore by cruise ships. Those who have paid for the pleasure will not be disappointed. Half Moon Cay (pro…
Dolphin Encounters
Dolphin Encounters affords visitors to Salt Cay a particularly special experience: a chance to swim with the local bottlenose dolphins, get a kiss, or just watch from the side. The…
Mayaguana Island
As one of the most isolated islands in the Bahamas, Mayaguana is also among the least developed (relying on a weekly mail boat for outside communication) and least visited by touri…