There are over 700 islands making up the beautiful Bahamas, which are one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. Millions of visitors from all around the world flock to this little location off the coast of Florida. Breathtaking beaches are my favorite. Warm waters and coral reefs are perfect for snorkeling and cooling off.
Bahamas Islands Highlights:
- For Couples: Escape to Harbour Island’s Pink Sand Beach – Stroll hand-in-hand along rose-tinted shores with pastel sunsets and boutique resorts.
- For Families: Swim with pigs at Big Major Cay (Exuma)
- For Adventurous Travelers: Dive the blue holes of Andros
- For History Buffs: Visit Nassau’s Queen’s Staircase
- For Shoppers: Browse the Straw Market in Nassau
Best Time to Visit the Bahamas
The best time to visit the Bahamas is in the dry season (December to April). Hurricane season runs from June through November. Summer offers deals and fewer crowds.
How to Get to the Bahamas
- By Plane: Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau and Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) offer direct flights from major U.S. cities and international destinations.
- By Cruise: Many cruise lines stop at Nassau, Freeport, and private islands like CocoCay or Castaway Cay.
- By Boat: Private yachts and ferries from Florida can access several islands including Bimini and the Berry Islands.
Where to Stay in the Bahamas
- Atlantis Paradise Island – Iconic mega-resort
- The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort – perfect for couples
- Exuma Palms Hotel – Charming and casual
Best Things to Do in the Bahamas
1. Start on Paradise Island, home to the enormous Atlantis resort
Rating: ★★★★★
Paradise Island is one of the top spots for food and nightlife in the Bahamas. This island is connected to the city of Nassau by two bridges, providing easy access the Bahamas' capital city. While some of the islands around the Bahamas are relatively untouched, Paradise Island is home to the enormous Atlantis resort. With dozens of restaurants and bars to enjoy, along with casinos and water rides, there's a lot to do on Paradise Island. All kinds of tasty seafood can be gobbled down at Paradise, with a whole range of unique cocktails available as well. There’s a lot of great food to be found all around the Bahamas, including tasty fish fry stands on many beaches, but Paradise offers more variety than most other islands.
2. Enjoy near-total intimacy on Exumas Island
If you're a loving couple looking for a romantic getaway, or maybe even searching for the ideal honeymoon destination, the Bahamas are a great place to be, and Exumas Island is one of the top locations to visit. Offering breathtaking views and near-total intimacy, this island isn't one of the top tourist spots, so the only way to get there is by private charter or hitching a ride on a yacht. Exumas is uninhabited, letting you and your partner enjoy total freedom and feel like you have your own private island all to yourselves. All sorts of reefs, caves, wrecks, and more can be found at Exumas too.
3. Relax on stunning stretches of coastline on Long Island
Picking the best Bahamas island in terms of its beaches is an almost impossible decision, as nearly every single island has stunning stretches of coastline for all to admire. However, Long Island is often regarded as having some of the best beaches of all. This island features a surprisingly wide array of landscapes, including cliffs, ruins, caves, and more, and that variety extends to the beaches of Long Island too. Some parts of the coast offer long, uninterrupted banks of sand, while others will feature little coves and caves to explore and even warm pools of water to soak in.
4. Best for wildlife lovers: Grand Bahama Island
If you’re looking to explore, Grand Bahama Island is the place to be. The northernmost island of the Bahamas, Grand Bahama is a paradise for wildlife lovers. An enormous amount of birds can be found living on this island, which also has three different national parks to discover, with Lucayan National Park offering some particularly beautiful hiking trails. Not only that, but there are plenty of old wrecks and coral reefs for divers to take a look at, along with dozens of underwater caves. Many of the caves are closed off, but some, like Burial Mound Cave, are open for exploration, making Grand Bahama the place to be for people with a sense of adventure.
5. Best for fishing: Andros Island
For fishing at the Bahamas, there's one clear option that stands out above the rest: Andros Island. Any keen angler in the area can be found at this location, with Andros being regarded as the bonefishing capital of the world. A huge network of streams and waterways can be found all around the island, offering countless opportunities to reel in a big one. The island itself also provides a beautiful backdrop for fishing trips, with hundreds of bird species and beautiful mangroves to explore.
Plan Your Trip