Bahamas: ​10 Attractions to Not Miss in the Bahamas

#bahamas #atlantis #harbour #andros
            Just 80 km off the coast of Florida lies the paradisiacal powdery-sand beaches of the Bahamas washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea in sublime shades of blue. This is one of the most elusive beach destinations that any beach-lover can think of going to. There are 700 islands and more than 2,000 cays that make up the Bahamas. This region was once exclusively inhabited by pirates and Loyalists- however, nowadays, it is a destination for the rich and famous and frequented by travelers looking for exciting water-based adventures such as boating, diving, fishing, sailing, and snorkeling. Here we will give you a list of some of the things that you have to do while you are exploring the Bahamas and thus plan your trip accordingly.

Nassau

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and is situated on New Province Island.  It is one of the most popular ports on the Caribbean for cruise ships. Though it is crowded by lots and lots of tourists, there is no end to the exciting things that you could be doing on this island. Cable Beach is one of the most terrific beaches that you have to visit while you are staying at Nassau. There are shops and restaurants to look through and explore in the beaches. You shouldn’t miss the chance of walking through the colonial buildings coloured like candies on Bay Street. The Nassau Straw Market is a great place to shop for souvenirs on the trip.

The Blue Lagoon Island is nearby and just a catamaran ride away from Nassau. This is a lovely place especially for animal lovers as you get a first-hand experience with dolphins! The Ardastra Gardens, Zoo, and Conservation Center is another fun place that should be on your list of top attractions in the Bahamas to enjoy some comfortable time among rare and endangered animals.

Atlantis Paradise Island

A short distance off the coast of Nassau, about 5 km away is the Paradise Island. The Atlantis Paradise Island is a one-of-a-kind salmon-pink luxury resort build in this place. The charm of the resort resides in the legendary Atlantis-like setup complete with an entertainment complex, a water park, and an aquarium.

Aquaventure, a 141-acre waterscape, is one of the most unmissable places to visit while you are in the Bahamas. Popular attractions in Aquaventure include exhilarating water-slides such as the “Leap of faith”, over 20 areas reserved for swimming activities, and the relaxing Lazy River Ride.

Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park

If you are looking forward to witnessing some of the most satisfying seascapes in the Bahamas, you’d have to head to the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. You will find beaches laid with bone-white sand and washed by electrifying blue waves! It is situated along the eastern edge of the Bahamas and is a relatively remote area. In fact, it is one of the first marine protected areas in the Caribbean region. Mostly visitors interested in diving or boating through the clear waters find their way into this amazing cay. The waters in the region are so amazingly clear that on a good day, one could get visibility of up to 30 meters underwater. Just be sure that no fishing or shelling activities is allowed in this protected area. You could get to this area on private areas to enjoy the diverse marine live and water activities.

The Exuma Cays is also home to some of the most famous people in the world such as movie stars like Johnny Depp and David Copperfield. Great Exuma is the largest while Little Exuma and Staniel Cay are popular among those interested in boating and enjoying the cool ambiance of the friendly restaurants. You should visit the Thunderball Cave in Staniel Cay which was brought to immense popularity thanks to the James Bond franchise.

Harbour Island

Harbour Island is one of the prettiest islands that you get to see in the Bahamas. The beach is covered in salmon-pink hued sand and lapped by the outstanding blue waves from the sea. It is situated to the north-eastern side of Eleuthera and has attracted many rich and famous people as a popular getaway.  It is also one of the first settlements in the Bahamas and lovingly called “Briland” by the locals. It also happens to be the place where the first Bahamian Parliament was set up.

Back in the 1700s, English Loyalists had settled down in this region. You should visit Dunmore Town to look into the bygone era through the many brightly coloured cottages that they had constructed in the region. An interesting aspect of the island is the mode of road transportation that you find here- golf carts! The interesting history and the beautiful beaches make this one of the top attractions to have on your list of places to visit in the Bahamas. Like other beach destinations, you can spend your time basking under the tropical sun, swimming in the clear blue waters, and diving, fishing, and snorkelling in the sea. If you are short on time, you can visit this place as a day trip from mainland Nassau as regular ferries are scheduled from the capital.

Grand Bahama Island

The Grand Bahama Island is located towards the northernmost part of the Bahamas and an impressive and popular destination among tourists from all around the world. Freeport is the capital city of the island and is the second largest city in the nation. However, Port Lucaya has replaced Freeport as the tourist hub for shopping, entertainment, and dining. Port Lucaya Marketplace is a remarkable place to visit if you are looking for jewellery and straw items to be collected as souvenirs from the trip.

While in the Grand Bahama Island, make it a point to visit the underwater cave system- it is one of the largest ones in the world. The Garden of Groves is an attractive spot, especially for nature lovers. There are large plantations in this region coupled with exotic species of birds that fly around in the region in different seasons. There are 3 national parks in the area where you’d find many native bird species and you could even book an encounter with dolphins.

Andros Island

Andros Island is the place in the Bahams where things start to get really exciting an thus you shouldn’t miss it for anything! This is the largest kandmass among all the islands in the Bahams and also happens to be the home to the third largest coral barrier reef in the whole world. This place has one of the most diverse marine lives to offer and there are ither exciting features such as underwater caves and freshwater holes creating an elusive underwater wonderland.

One of the most popular activities to partake in the Andros Island is bonefishing. In fact, this place is regarded as the bonefishing capital of the world because of the extremely habitable environment. There are vast wetlands spread throughout the island that makes it such a rich reservoir of marine biodiversity. The island also has 5 national parks making it the largest protected area in the Bahamas. There are mud flats, forests, and mangrove swamps in the region which are home to numerous bird species, both native and exotic, giving birders an excellent opportunity. You should also visit the Androsia Hand Made batik Factory to collect memorable souvenirs in the form of brightly-coloured fabrics which display a plethora of Bahamian motifs.

Treasure Cay Beach

The Treasure Cay Beach is located in the Great Abaco Island towards the eastern shore. It is often regarded as one of the most striking and beautiful beaches not only in the Bahamas but the nature world. You’ll be welcomed by sandy beaches which are soft as flour to touch and are washed by waters with a brilliant aqua hue. The crescent-shaped coastline only adds to the charm that tis brilliant place holds. Treasure Cay is an upscale community of resorts and of the most terrific fishing tournaments is held in this region. The region was hit by a devastating category 5 hurricane in 2019 and you should check in with the tourist amenities available before you plan a trip to this place.

Elbow Cay

The Elbow Cay is also situated among the Abacos and is accessible through the Marsh Harbour. This impressive place in the Bahamas holds all the charm that you’d find in a typical English fishing village away from home. Hope Town is the main settlement area in this island and features brightly coloured cottages lining the main street. The town center is inaccessible to vehicles as they are not permitted inside which further enhances the rustic, village-like feel in this region. One of the most famous attractions of this region are the lighthouses painted in candy hued stripes. You have to visit the Wyannie Malone Historical Museum while you are in this island region. You should also make it a point to visit the nearby Tilloo Cay Reserve which is an 11-acre habitat devoted entirely to birds. The Guana Cay is also a popular destination to visit while you are in this region. Elbow Cay was also hit by the category 5 hurricane in 2019 and you should check in abut the accommodations and amenities available before you plan a trip into this place.

Bimini

Bimini, also known as the “Big Game Fishing Capital of the Bahamas” is another unmissable place that you have to have in your Bahamas itinerary. The best time to visit this area in the Bahamas is between March to September when deep-sea fishing tournaments are hosted. This is mostly because of the closeness of this region to the Gulf Stream which welcomes a warm stream and makes it an ideal habitat to a diverse range of marine life such as marlins, mahi-mahis, and manta rays. You will also find references to Bimini in the novels by Ernest Hemmingway “The Old man and the Sea” and “Islands in the Stream”. Hemmingway had spent considerable time in this island and was drawn towards it because of the big catches that the island promises.

The entire region of Bimini includes North Bimini and South Bimini and several cays between the Pigeon Cay and the South Cat Cay. It is also the closes of the Bahamian island to Florida at just 88 km away from the US. Other than big game fishing, visitors could immerse themselves in diving, swimming, and snorkeling activities while visiting the place.  Rainbow Reef, Victory Reef, and Sapona Wreck are some of the most popular attractions that you have to cover while you are exploring Bimini.

Long Island

If you are looking for a place to get away from the daily tourists that crowds the major attractions of the Bahamas, Long Island is your best bet. Situated towards the southern end of the Bahamian archipelago, this is one of the most beautiful islands in the nation and offers visitors with untouched, unexplored nature at its finest. The island spans over a length of 130 km while being only 7 km wide and has a contrasting geography with sandy beaches on the western side lined by rocky mountains on the eastern side. The beaches are laden with white and pink sand and are a delight to lie lazily and bask under the sun. you have to visit the Dean’s Blue Hole which is the deepest saltwater blue-hole in the world yet, known to man-kind. You can enter the Long Island through Nassau through a ferry ride or you could take one of the regularly scheduled flights into the island.