Something shifts when you land in the Bahamas. The air feels warmer, the sky stretches wider, and time slows down—almost like the islands are gently inviting you to breathe again. Whether I was floating in the turquoise shallows of the Exumas or eating grilled fish on a dock in Long Island, I kept thinking, “This is the kind of calm I didn’t know I needed.”
Each island offered something different: luxury and fun on Paradise Island, wild natural beauty in Andros, soft pink sands in Eleuthera, and playful, barefoot charm in Bimini. Some moments were postcard-perfect; others were quiet and personal. But all of them left me feeling more connected—to nature, to culture, and to myself.
If you’re dreaming of warm water, slow mornings, and sunsets that don’t need filters, this list of islands is the perfect place to begin.
Best Things to Do in the Bahamas
Savoring the luxe side of island life on Paradise Island
Everything on Paradise Island shimmered just a little brighter. The beaches were soft and white, the water that perfect Bahamian blue, and the vibe? A little bit glam, but still easygoing. I wandered the paths around Atlantis, then found a quiet stretch of beach to let it all sink in. I remember thinking, “This is where indulgence meets exhale.”
What I Loved Most: Watching the day fade into sunset from The Dig at Atlantis—shadows dancing through ancient-themed aquariums and coral-lit tunnels.
My highlights? Dinner at Café Martinique, where I had buttery lobster ravioli in a saffron cream sauce, paired with a glass of chilled white wine. Elegant, slow-paced, and rich in every sense.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Resort lovers, families, couples wanting luxury with a beach
- Top Experiences: Atlantis Aquaventure, marine exhibits at The Dig, snorkeling at Cabbage Beach
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-December to April
- Getting There: Fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) and take a taxi or shuttle across the bridge
- Local Vibe: Polished, family-friendly, high-energy by day, romantic by night
Swimming with pigs and grinning the whole time in the Exumas
The moment a pig swam toward me in crystal-clear water, I started laughing—and never really stopped. The Exumas felt wild and playful, with secret beaches, untouched cays, and a kind of raw beauty that stays with you. I hopped between islands on a boat tour and thought, “Every stop feels like a secret the ocean is letting me borrow for the day.”
What I Loved Most: Floating in the Thunderball Grotto, sunlight streaming through rock, and fish darting past like confetti.
My highlights? Lunch at Chat 'N' Chill on Stocking Island. I had grilled conch straight from the sea, paired with a rum punch and my toes in the sand. Zero pretense, maximum flavor, and a vibe that defines island life.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Adventurers, boat lovers, anyone who dreams in turquoise
- Top Experiences: Swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, Thunderball Grotto, snorkeling in the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park
- Best Time to Visit: December to April for dry, sunny weather
- Getting There: Fly into George Town (GGT) or take a boat from Nassau
- Local Vibe: Unfiltered, playful, untouched
Slowing down on Long Island, on purpose
Long Island didn’t ask me to do much—just to notice. The waves were quieter here, the people warmer, the pace deliciously slow. I stood at the edge of Dean’s Blue Hole, peering into the deepest sinkhole in the world, and thought, “I’ve never felt this peaceful and awestruck at the same time.”
What I Loved Most: Watching fishermen clean their catch by the dock as the sun slid down, while someone played soft rake-and-scrape music nearby.
My highlights? A home-style dinner at Max’s Conch Bar. I had spicy cracked conch with rice and peas, chased by a local Kalik beer. It was casual, full of soul, and honestly one of the best meals of my whole trip.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Peace-seekers, divers, travelers craving authenticity
- Top Experiences: Dean’s Blue Hole, Clarence Town churches, bonefishing, beach picnics
- Best Time to Visit: November to May
- Getting There: Fly from Nassau to Deadman’s Cay (LGI) or Stella Maris (SML)
- Local Vibe: Quiet, sincere, slow in the best way
Finding a little bit of everything on Grand Bahama Island
Grand Bahama felt like a sampler platter of the Bahamas—sunny markets, wild dolphin swims, and quiet stretches of beach just a few minutes apart. I walked through the Port Lucaya Marketplace, music in the air, pastel buildings all around, and thought, “This island knows how to mix joy with ease.”
What I Loved Most: Kayaking through the mangroves in Lucayan National Park—just me, the birds, and the hush of paddles slicing through shallow water.
My highlights? Lunch at Banana Bay Restaurant right on the beach. I had grilled grouper with fresh pineapple salsa and coconut rice, followed by a piece of rum cake. The sea breeze and ocean view turned lunch into a memory.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: First-timers, families, beach-goers who want variety
- Top Experiences: Lucayan National Park, Gold Rock Beach, dolphin encounters
- Best Time to Visit: December to April
- Getting There: Fly into Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO)
- Local Vibe: Welcoming, well-balanced, festive with quiet corners
Getting lost in nature on Andros Island
Andros didn’t try to dazzle me—it just drew me in. The blue holes, the silence, the untouched paths through pine forests and creeks—it all felt incredibly alive. I stood at the edge of a hidden inland pool and thought, “This is what it means to disappear in the best possible way.”
What I Loved Most: Snorkeling in a blue hole surrounded by nothing but trees and birds, feeling like I was the only person on Earth.
My highlights? A rustic, satisfying dinner at Hank’s Place. I had baked snapper with a side of crab rice and homemade slaw. Simple, bold, and full of the flavors Andros is known for.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Nature lovers, divers, off-the-grid explorers
- Top Experiences: Blue holes, Andros Barrier Reef, fly fishing, inland hikes
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-November to April
- Getting There: Fly from Nassau to Fresh Creek (ASD) or San Andros (SAQ)
- Local Vibe: Wild, remote, deeply soulful
Falling for pink beaches and island calm in Eleuthera
There was something about Eleuthera that just made me breathe easier. Maybe it was the empty stretches of pink sand or the breeze that always seemed to show up right when I needed it. I remember walking the length of French Leave Beach and thinking, “This is the sound of stillness.”
What I Loved Most: Swimming in the Glass Window Bridge inlet where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet—and you can see the colors clash below you.
My highlights? Brunch at 1648 Bar & Grille. I had crab eggs Benedict with guava pancakes and a mimosa, all served with a view that made me linger long after my plate was clean.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Couples, beach dreamers, slow travelers
- Top Experiences: Pink Sands Beach, Glass Window Bridge, Queen’s Bath
- Best Time to Visit: December through May
- Getting There: Fly into North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) or Governor’s Harbour (GHB)
- Local Vibe: Serene, scenic, quietly captivating
Island-hopping in the peaceful chain of the Abacos
The Abacos felt like a string of sleepy pearls—each island with its own personality, all tied together by impossibly clear water and a sailing culture that made time feel optional. I took a ferry to Hope Town, wandered through pastel cottages and narrow lanes, and thought, “This is what it means to live by the tides.”
What I Loved Most: Climbing to the top of Elbow Reef Lighthouse, one of the last manually operated lighthouses in the world, and watching boats glide below.
My highlights? Grilled grouper tacos at Firefly Bar & Grill on Elbow Cay. Paired with their house rum cocktail and a hammock view of the harbor, it was effortlessly perfect.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Boaters, sailors, relaxed island-hoppers
- Top Experiences: Hope Town, Elbow Cay, snorkeling at Mermaid Reef, Green Turtle Cay
- Best Time to Visit: December to April
- Getting There: Fly into Marsh Harbour (MHH), then ferry or charter to outlying cays
- Local Vibe: Nautical, quiet, made for barefoot days
Letting time stretch on Cat Island
On Cat Island, I finally let my schedule go. No crowds, no cruise ships—just quiet beaches, gentle hills, and friendly waves. I hiked to Mount Alvernia, the highest point in the Bahamas, and sat near the stone monastery at the summit thinking, “I’ve never felt this far away from busy—and I love it.”
What I Loved Most: Watching the ocean shift color hour by hour from Old Bight Beach, with no one else in sight.
My highlights? Dinner at Da Smoke Pot in Bennett’s Harbour. I had grilled snapper with peas and rice and sweet corn fritters, served family-style under the stars. It felt like home—even though I’d just arrived.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Off-the-grid travelers, writers, slow souls
- Top Experiences: Mount Alvernia, Old Bight Beach, diving/snorkeling offshore reefs
- Best Time to Visit: Late fall through spring
- Getting There: Fly from Nassau to New Bight Airport (TBI)
- Local Vibe: Remote, peaceful, soul-cleansing
Wading into island lore in Bimini
Bimini had an edge to it—part mystery, part charm. I explored the Bimini Road, rumored to be part of Atlantis, then spent the afternoon with a local guide learning Hemingway stories and conch shell secrets. I remember thinking, “There’s more magic here than I expected.”
What I Loved Most: Taking a glass-bottom boat tour over reefs so vibrant it felt like someone had turned up the saturation.
My highlights? Cracked conch and Bimini bread at Big Game Club Bar & Grill. Served with spicy aioli and a tropical fruit salad, it was a bold, beachy plate I’ll be thinking about for a while.
Plan your vacation:
- Best For: Weekenders, boaters, quick escapes from Miami
- Top Experiences: The Bimini Road, shark diving, Hemingway hangouts, island biking
- Best Time to Visit: March to May or September for quiet waters
- Getting There: Fly from Florida or ferry from Fort Lauderdale (about 2 hours)
- Local Vibe: Quirky, storied, a little wild
Final Thoughts on the Bahamas
The Bahamas isn’t one experience—it’s many. It’s sun-kissed relaxation and deep-sea adventure. It’s resort pools and conch shacks, blue holes and pink beaches. What unites it all is a sense of welcome that’s easy, genuine, and unforgettable.
Whether you’re planning a quick weekend escape or a slow island-hopping journey, you’ll find the Bahamas ready to greet you with turquoise water, island music, and meals that taste better with your toes in the sand.
Here are a few more guides to help you plan your Bahamian getaway:
- Things to Do in Nassau, Bahamas
- Time to Visit Nassau, Bahamas
- Places to Visit in the Caribbean
- Beaches in Nassau
- Restaurants in Nassau
Wherever you choose to go, let the islands lead. They have a way of showing you exactly what you need.