Also, many of the are uninhabited and so small they're not much more than sandbars. For outdoor adventure closer to major tourist resorts, try Grand Bahama Island. But there are dozens of other secluded cays where you can go snorkeling, sport fishing, and diving at shipwreck sites. Some of your best opportunities for having the sand and surf all to yourself are located in the southeastern corner of the archipelago. In quiet fishing villages, you can get to know them over fresh seafood dishes like cracked conch and bonefish caught nearby.
Cat Island —which was named after pirate Arthur Catt, not felines—is recognized as the birthplace of Bahamian rake-and-scrape music. This lively, homemade art form was created by locals using whatever instruments they had around accordions, banjos, goatskin drums or could improvise from handsaws, washtubs, and fishing line. The undisputed scene stealers of Bahamian tourism in recent years have been a small herd of swimming swine on Big Major Cay in the Exumas.
If swimming with pigs is a dream of yours, you might want to make it happen as quickly as possible: Access could soon be restricted, following the deaths in early of several pigs that had ingested too much sand while snorting up snacks thrown to them on the beach.
For birders, meanwhile, a must-see spot is the Bahamas' southernmost island, Inagua , which is home to more than avian species, including rare parrots, ducks, hummingbirds, and a huge flock of flamingos. Calm waters, protected harbors, and a number of full-service marinas attract those with their own yachts and motorboats, as well as lubbers opting for fishing charters, sunset cruises, and island-hopping excursions. Popular things to do include diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sunbathing along the rosy-hued shores.
Accommodation: Where to Stay on Harbour Island. The northernmost of the Bahamian islands, Grand Bahama Island is a popular destination for package tourists and cruise ships.
The capital, Freeport, is the second biggest city in the Bahamas, though Port Lucaya has now replaced it as the tourist hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Port Lucaya Marketplace sells jewelry and straw goods, as well as other souvenirs, and the marina is a social hot spot for tourists and boaters.
Despite the island's large all-inclusive resorts and hotels, it's still possible to escape the crowds. Grand Bahama is home to one of the world's longest underwater cave systems. You can also wander the lush plantings of Garden of the Groves , and nature lovers can spot many native bird species in the three national parks or book a dolphin close encounter.
In , Hurricane Dorian slammed Grand Bahama as a category 5 storm, but most of the island's top tourist attractions are now back up and running. Andros Island. The Bahama's largest landmass, Andros is a haven for anglers and divers. The island is home to the third largest barrier reef in the world , as well as many freshwater blue holes and underwater caves, creating an underwater wonderland for those who love to explore under the sea.
Fly fishing is also big here — Andros is often called the bonefishing capital of the world , thanks to its ideal habitats for this prized catch. The island's vast wetlands create channels that are prime fishing and boating areas.
Andros also has the largest protected area in the Bahamas, with five national parks. Nature lovers will appreciate the rich bird life in the mud flats, mangrove swamps, and forests, as well as the island's eco-resorts. Is shopping more your style? Accommodation: Where to Stay in Andros. Aerial view of Treasure Cay and its stunning beach. Skirting the eastern shore of Great Abaco, Treasure Cay Beach is often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
This spectacular stretch of flour-soft sand and aqua water wows visitors who come here to bask on its creamy, crescent-shaped shore. The beach lies in the upscale resort community of Treasure Cay, which hosts one of the most popular fishing tournaments in the Bahamas.
Check for the status of tourist amenities here before you visit. Accommodation: Where to Stay in Treasure Cay. Elbow Cay. Colorful cottages line the main streets of Hope Town, the island's principal settlement, and the center of town is off-limits to vehicles, lending a relaxed, village feel.
Famous for its candy-striped lighthouse, Hope Town is home to a thriving expatriate community who appreciate the island's pretty palm-lined beaches; proximity to Marsh Harbour , the nation's third largest town; and the excellent boating opportunities. Hope Town also boasts a well-developed marina.
Elbow Cay was also hit by Hurricane Dorian in September, Check for the status of attractions and accommodations before your visit. Strolling the streets of Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos feels like stepping back in time to the old Bahamas. East of Great Abaco, this peaceful, five-kilometer-long island is a much-loved hideaway for serenity seekers.
Golf carts are the main mode of transport in the tiny settlement of New Plymouth, a sleepy village of picket-fenced pastel cottages, sprinkled with a few small shops and museums. Fishing boats bob in the harbor, and visitors can watch the locals haul in their catch of crawfish and conch. Bonefishing is also one of the popular things to do here. The island's beautiful reef-fringed beaches and crystal-clear waters offer excellent swimming, diving, snorkeling, and boating opportunities.
In , category 5 Hurricane Dorian devastated this island. Locals are working hard to reopen attractions. But the real charm of this island are the people and the stunning reefs and beaches — and they are ready and waiting for visitors. Mahi Mahi caught off Bimini. Plus, the waters are teeming with wildlife such as seahorses, rays and turtles.
Andros, Bahamas. Spreading over 40 acres 16ha on the south coast of Grand Bahama, Lucayan National Park was created to protect one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world. Elsewhere, the park is a patchwork of mangroves and boardwalks that drift down to Gold Rock Beach — an untamed band of brilliantly white sand. High Rock, Bahamas. The history of Nassau is saucier than a soap opera. Founded in , the capital of the Bahamas was once a pirate stronghold.
Families will also enjoy the interactive Pirates of Nassau Museum. Fort Fincastle, Bahamas. The islands of the Bahamas are belted by more than 2, beaches. For something a little different, go to the Love Beaches on Long Island, where coral gives the sand a tutu-pink hue. New Providence, Bahamas. Visit Website.
Food plays a huge role in the lives of Bahamians. The waters are filled with seafood like rock lobster, snapper and grouper, while fresh tomatoes, hot peppers, mangos and avocados grow on land here. Here, you can tuck into national dishes like conch fritters alongside mountains of rice and peas.
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