The Bahamas supply a bit little bit of every part, together with distant fishing, world-class diving, beautiful crusing, recent seafood, and pleasant locals, all in a soothing island paradise.
However not each island has these crystal-clear waters, vibey seashore bars, and unbelievable snorkeling. I sailed a very good little bit of the archipelago and put collectively every part it’s worthwhile to know to plan a visit to one of the best islands within the Bahamas.
Issues to Know Earlier than You Go:
- You don’t must get Bahamian forex. They settle for US {dollars} all over the place, and the trade is 1:1. However on many islands, it’s a good suggestion to make use of money moderately than a card.
- The official language of the Bahamas is English.
- Vehicles drive on the left aspect of the highway.
- Public transportation and automotive and golf cart leases exist on among the extra touristy islands. For the extra distant islands, you should have no drawback hitchhiking with pleasant locals. Be certain you tip for his or her time and fuel.
- Tourism is an enormous a part of the Bahamian economic system. Be at liberty to barter with distributors.
When to go to
Spring: The nor’easters have died down however hurricane season hasn’t but arrived. Charges are cheaper, the crowds are smaller, and the climate is gorgeous. It’s all-around the greatest time to go to the Bahamas.
Summer time: Hurricanes are attainable, and it’s the most popular time of 12 months, however the wind and seas are calm. There are only a few crowds, and costs are at their lowest. It’s one of many riskier instances to trip, but in addition one of the crucial peaceable by way of clear, calm days and fewer vacationers.
Fall: Hurricanes are nonetheless in full-swing till the top of November, however the climate will begin to settle down. Nor’easters will start to blow by means of, and crowds will begin to develop. Charges will nonetheless be reasonable. It’s an honest time to go to.
Winter: One of many busiest instances of 12 months to go to. Charges will likely be excessive. The nor’easters will likely be in full swing, which implies cooler temperatures and windier days. Regardless of winter being a preferred time, it’s positively one of many worst seasons by way of climate.
What to carry
It doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to, you’ll need to carry the next:
- Hat
- Sun shades
- Reef-friendly sunscreen
- Swimsuits
- Water footwear
- Mild clothes
- Sweater for the cooler evenings
- Underwater digital camera
The Finest Islands within the Bahamas
In terms of selecting the greatest island, all of it depends upon what sort of trip you need to have. There’s an island for nearly every part, together with the celebration scene, fishing, pure wonders, and off-grid adventures.
The Abacos
I didn’t try the Abacos as a result of I had been in Florida for a really very long time and I didn’t need to see any extra mangroves! The Abacos are very like the Florida Keys: there are many bars, eating places, and motels; quaint colonial cities; world-class golf programs; and likewise glorious deep-sea fishing. In case you’re searching for a romantic expertise within the Bahamas, put the Abacos on the prime of your listing.
How one can get there: fly direct from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, or take the Balearia Caribbean quick ferry from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama after which a small ferry to Little Abaco.
The place to remain: Discover a place to remain right here.
How one can get round: Lease a automotive or golf cart.
Issues to do: I’d discover one of many charming cities, like Marsh Harbour and Hope City, go snorkeling or fishing, and chill out at a seashore.
The Berries
The Berry Islands have been considered one of my favourite little chains out of your entire archipelago due to the locals, the mountaineering alternatives, the seashores, the caves, the meals, and a lot extra. There are such a lot of alternatives right here to expertise the pure and cultural great thing about the Bahamas with out the vacationer crowds.
How one can get there: Fly direct from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, or take a sea aircraft.
The place to remain: Discover a place to remain right here.
How one can get round: Lease a automotive or golf cart, or lease a motorcycle on the Nice Harbour Cay marina.
Issues to do: A few of my favourite issues included mountaineering the ghost city of Cistern Cay, exploring the outdated Rat Pack Membership Home, climbing within the caves at Sugar Seashore, strolling the low-tide flats, and having fun with recent conch salad from Steve’s Conch Shack.
Nassau
Nassau is a poppin’ island with an infinite cruise-ship terminal, busy straw market, numerous eating places, sunny seashores, snorkeling and jet ski excursions, and naturally the unbelievable Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. It’s additionally the capital of the Bahamas, so that you’ll get a style of “the town” (try this culinary and rum tasting tour) and energetic nightlife. At night time, you’ll need to stick with the downtown space, particularly for those who don’t know your approach round and are alone.
How one can get there: Take a cruise ship, or fly direct from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, or take the Balearia Caribbean quick ferry from Fort Lauderdale.
The place to remain: Discover a place to remain right here.
How one can get round: Stroll, take public transportation, or lease a golf cart.
Issues to do: I visited Nassau to take a look at the underwater statue known as Ocean Atlas and climb into the Nassau Caves, stroll the Queen’s Staircase at Fort Fincastle, and sit within the large gold chair on the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
Bimini
Bimini is an up-and-coming vacationer vacation spot. There’s a brand new cruise ship terminal, and North Island is getting developed right into a resort. South Island is the place the locals reside and likewise the place you could find the Fountain of Youth. The islands are proper off the Gulf Stream and solely 60 miles from Miami, making it a straightforward vacation spot for weekend fishing journeys.
How one can get there: Take a cruise ship, fly direct from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, or take the Balearia Caribbean quick ferry from Fort Lauderdale
The place to remain: Discover a place to remain right here.
How one can get round: Lease a golf cart.
Issues to do: My favourite elements of Bimini have been the Dolphin Home and snorkeling the Street to Atlantis (e-book these two excursions right here); snorkeling the Arch on the Three Sisters, and the Sapona Wreck; and getting a tour of South Island by a neighborhood, which included consuming from the Fountain of Youth (a small properly crammed by a pure freshwater spring).
Eleuthera
Eleuthera is a northern island, and one which I regretfully missed on my journey south as a result of it was a bit out of my approach. That stated, it’s top-of-the-line islands to go to within the Bahamas due to its pink seashores, unbelievable views, nice procuring alternatives, stress-free resorts, and enjoyable excursions.
How one can get there: Fly into Nassau and take a connecting flight, or take the ferry from Nassau.
The place to remain: Discover a place to remain right here.
How one can get round: Lease a automotive.
Issues to do: I’d try the Glass Window Bridge, the Queen’s Tub, Sapphire Blue Gap, and Preacher’s Cave. You may do all this and extra on this tour.
Cat Island
In case you’re searching for untouched paradise however with high quality facilities, take into account Cat Island, one other place I want I’d visited. It’s off the crushed path however nonetheless gives beautiful mountaineering trails, pristine seashores, gin-clear waters, and thriving reefs for snorkeling. Cat Island can also be dwelling to the Bahamas’ highest level, Mount Alvernia.
How one can get there: Fly into Nassau and take a connecting flight.
The place to remain: Discover a place to remain right here.
How one can get round: Rent a taxi or lease a automotive.
Issues to do: I’d hike Mount Alvernia and take a look at the Hermitage monastery on the prime, discover uninhabited close by islands, go mountaineering and snorkeling, chill out on the seashores, and eat at one of many a number of eating places.
The Exumas
If, once you consider the Bahamas, you think about crystal-clear waters, pristine seashores, and exquisite snorkeling, you’re most likely pondering of the Exumas. They’re a hundred-mile island chain that many sailors will island-hop, stopping at in style locations alongside the way in which, just like the Exumas Land and Sea Park, Staniel Cay, Blackpoint, and Georgetown. It’s the last word winter island paradise.
How one can get there: Fly direct from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, or take a connecting flight from Nassau, or take a ferry from Nassau.
The place to remain: Discover a place to remain right here.
How one can get round: Lease a golf cart or automotive, take a taxi, stroll, or take a small boat from island to island.
Issues to do: Should-sees whereas right here embrace the aircraft wreck at Norman’s Cay, Boo Boo Hill at Warderick Wells, Rachel’s Bubble Tub and the Rocky Dundas Caves at Compass Cay, Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay, Lorraine’s Cafe at Blackpoint, and Chat n Chill at Georgetown. Additionally: swimming with the OG pigs at Huge Majors Cay.
Lengthy Island
Lengthy Island is among the most underrated islands within the Bahamas on the subject of tourism, however paradoxically it’s one of many richest by way of experiences. First, there’s Dean’s Blue Gap, which is among the deepest blue holes on this planet, at over 600 toes. Then there’s additionally the Shrimp Pond and the Christopher Columbus Monument. Plus, the locals are the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet, and the spearfishing is among the greatest on the archipelago, apart from the Jumentos and Ragged Islands (see beneath).
How one can get there: Fly into Nassau or Exumas and take a connecting flight.
The place to remain: Discover a place to remain right here.
How one can get round: Hitchhike or stroll.
Issues to do: I’d return simply to swim in Dean’s Blue Gap, try the Shrimp Gap, hike across the Columbus Monument, chill out at Calabash Seashore, take pleasure in completely satisfied hour at Sou’Aspect Bar & Grill, snorkel the islands in Thompson Bay, and hitchhike the island simply to talk with the locals.
The Jumentos and Ragged Islands
These islands are distant — and once I say distant, I imply distant. The one city is Duncan City on the very southern tip of the Ragged Islands, and the one individuals who populate it are the 30 staff who’re rebuilding the infrastructure after Hurricane Irma hit in 2017. If you need footprint-free seashores and unbelievable spearfishing, then gear up for an off-grid journey to an island chain so small that it hardly reveals up on the map.
How one can get there: Personal boat or constitution boat
The place to remain: On the constitution boat that brings you right here
How one can get round: Stroll, or take a small boat from island to island.
Issues to do: The one purpose to go to the Jumentos and Ragged Islands, apart from getting away from all of it, is to spearfish (I did so at Flamingo and Johnson Cays), stroll by means of Duncan City, try the cruiser’s Hog Cay Yacht Membership, and have a bonfire and barbecue on a seashore.
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It’s straightforward to see how every island and chain within the Bahamas has its personal attraction, however I’m certain there’s an island calling your title!
Why do you need to go to the Bahamas, and which island do you suppose would fulfill your starvation?
