The Bahamas: Islands You Must See Before You Die (5th Number is Best)

The 700 islands of the Bahamas have something for everyone, from tiny islands with no people to fancy resorts. This tropical paradise is a great place to relax because the water is crystal clear, the sand is sugary white, and the average temperature is in the 80s all year. To help you pick the best island in the Bahamas for your tropical vacation, US News looked at things like clean beaches, unique things to do, and fun water sports to come up with a list of the best islands in the Bahamas.

Best Islands in The Bahamas

Harbour Island

Harbour Island is the place to go for a fairy-tale vacation. This dreamy oasis has cottages in pastel colors, swaying palm trees, and pink sand that looks good enough to put on a postcard. Spend a day driving around Dunmore Town in a golf cart, which is the top way to get around the island, and then eat a delicious lunch of conch fritters (shellfish that is battered and deep-fried with vegetables and seasonings). When you want to go to the beach, Harbour Island’s famous Pink Sand Beach is a great place to swim and snorkel, and the Lone Tree at Girl’s Bank Beach is a must-see for photographers.

How to get there

Golf cart rentals are the best way to get around the island, making it fun and easy to see everything there is to see. You can rent a car from a lot of different companies. The people are friendly, and getting around the island is easy. Unlike Eleuthera, the island does not need cars at all.

Nearby Restaurants

It is the best place in the Bahamas to find some of the best restaurants. There are many places to eat, and the menus range from high-quality food at The Landing, Runaway Hill, and Valentine’s Marina to tasty local food at Queen Conch. Most have a casual Bahamian vibe and amazing views of the island and the tropical area. Remember to grab a few drinks at one of the beachside resort bars. Bring a lot to eat!

New Providence

 One of The Bahamas’ best islands is New Providence. Most people who visit the archipelago start their trip there. It is where Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, is located. This busy city is known for its many resort casinos, high-end restaurants, and exciting museums. The Queen’s Staircase, built in the 18th century, is a must-do. It leads to Fort Fincastle, the highest point on the island, and has beautiful views.

Many glass-bottom boats leave from Nassau’s harbour to take people to the natural reefs in the archipelago. There are a lot of golden sand beaches on the island of New Providence. Cable Beach, Caves Beach, and Delaporte Beach are some of the best. 

The Exumas

The Exumas are a chain of islands within the Out Islands that is 120 miles long. From Great Exuma, the Exuma Cays spread out in a long line that goes north toward New Providence. The Cays are the most unique of the Out Islands. They appear to be a cluster of tiny jewels set in the most exquisite aquamarine and sapphire water.

One of the top ten things you must do in the Caribbean is fly down the Exuma Cays and look at the tiny jewel-like islands. And every shade of blue where the tropical Atlantic pours over the sandbars that are constantly shifting and resemble meditative sand paintings while cutting deep between the cays. The Sea Park and Exuma Cays Land, one of the most successful marine parks, is located on 176 square miles of pristine reefs and island environments.

Many of the Exuma Cays are private. Some are luxury private island resorts, while others are the homes of celebrities like Johnny Depp, Tyler Perry, David Copperfield, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill. Staniel Cay is the centre of the Exuma Cays. Boaters gather at the bar and restaurant of the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, and a landing strip lets people from Nassau and Florida get to the northern stretch of Cays. The famous Thunderball Grotto is within sight of the Club. It appeared in Never Say Never Again Splash, Into the Blue, and the exact name of the James Bond film. You can snorkel if you put on a mask and swim into a small hollow cay filled with fish used to being fed by hand. And right next to Thunderball, you’ll find the famous swimming pigs.

 The largest island in The Exumas is called Great Exuma. Here you’ll find the laid-back capital, George Town, and many casual Bahamian restaurants like Iva Bowes, Eddie’s Edgewater, Big D’s Conch Shack, and Peace & Plenty. There are five-star resorts like the Grand Isle & Spa and all-inclusive resorts like Sandals Resort. There are also condo resorts and fishing lodges that locals own.

A barrier cay protects the main island of Great Exuma from the Atlantic Ocean. Great Exuma is only a short boat ride away. Stocking Island has a high bluff with great views and some beautiful beaches separated by limestone outcroppings. On the lee side, the Chat & Chill is a classic beach bar with great food, like their signature conch burger, that seems to draw every boater in the area.

The Exumas are a dream place for boaters, flats, reefs and offshore fishermen, divers, snorkelers, and kayakers because there is water everywhere, and it is a beautiful blue. People make private islands because they want to escape it all. And the new levels of luxury in the Cays and Great Exuma are a big draw for lucky couples who want to get married or honeymoon on an island.

Eleuthera

Eleuthra is a free-spirited island in the Bahamas. Eleuthera is ranked and reviewed by Bing Travel as one of the “Sexiest Beach Escapes.” It is also high on ForbesTraveler’s list of the “25 Sexiest Beaches in the World,” Travel and Leisure named it the “Best Secret Island on Earth.” Eleuthera is known for its beautiful beaches and easygoing Bahamian style. This 100-mile-long strip of land is surrounded by turquoise and blue waters that are so clear that they look like glass. Diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, and boating are just the start of a great adventure on an island. Putting your feet up is always a good idea.

Eleuthera Bahamas is a long, thin island with the best of two oceans: a calm Caribbean Sea shore called the Exuma Sound and a lively Atlantic Ocean shore called “Surfers Beach,” known worldwide for surfing. There are many beautiful views of the island’s shoreline, from soft pink sand beaches to beautiful cliffs that rise. Locating a beach that meets your needs is simple because this tiny piece of paradise is only a few miles wide on average. People don’t go to miles and miles of beautiful, quiet beaches as much as the sun and waves do. “Eleuthera is for beach bums,” said the New York Times.

Grand Bahama Island

Grand Bahama is surrounded by miles of sandy beaches and clear ocean water, making it an excellent place for various water sports. There are lots of things for tourists to do, like scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, fishing, glass-bottom boat tours, banana boat rides, and parasailing. Some beaches, like Gold Rock Beach, look like they belong on a postcard. They have a lot of beach bars and restaurants and soft, sugar-white sand. You can purchase handicrafts and souvenirs in the area and enjoy live music at the Port Lucaya Marketplace.

The dolphin swim is a popular activity that will leave a lasting impression. Animal and nature lovers can also visit Garden of the Groves, a wildlife center that takes visitors to a tropical oasis teeming with native birds and other creatures. Several tour companies offer ecotourism trips, such as hiking in Lucayan Nation Park, kayaking in Peterson Cay National Park, or exploring some of the island’s famous blue holes and caves.

You can dance and sing around the bonfire on the beach in the evening, a local tradition. With so many choices, 10Best.com went through the most popular ones to list the ten best things to do and see on Grand Bahama Island.

The Abacos

The Bahamas’ Abacos is world’s one of the best places for boating and sailing.

The Abacos are one of the best places to sail and boat. It has golf courses, small colonial towns, and miles of the world’s most stunning beaches, so it is an excellent place to vacation. With a great range of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and bars, you can be pampered or live alone in the Out Islands, where you can fish and dive.

Many think of the 120-mile chain of islands comprising The Abacos as mini-Bahamas. Great Abaco Island and Little Abaco make up the “mainland,” separated from the Atlantic by a chain of barrier islands.

Marsh Harbour

Marsh Harbour is the big city of the Out Islands. It has one traffic light and has the most lights and people. In The Bahamas, you can choose from a wide range of hotels, restaurants, bars, and things to do. You can rent a boat or dock your own in several full-service marinas. Both sailboats and powerboats with living quarters are available.

Treasure Cay

Treasure Cay is a hotel, golf course, marina, and real estate development north of Marsh Harbour. It’s built around the whitest, softest sand you’ve ever seen. In Little Harbour, a beautiful bay to the south, the Johnston family and Pete Johnston’s Pete’s Pub are the centres of a small group of artists.

Leave Great Abaco, cross the Sea of Abaco, and head toward your desired island. This is a paradise for island hoppers and where artists and romantics go to escape it all. On our Where to Stay page, you can find a list of Treasure Cay hotel and flight packages to the Bahamas.

 The Abaco Cays

English colonists were the first to settle the Abacos, who remained devoted supporters of the monarchy after the American Revolution. This is why New Plymouth on Green Turtle Cay and Hope Town on Elbow Cay resemble New England fishing towns, with picket fences and gingerbread trim but with the Bahamian touch of pastel colors.

Hope Town

The well-known candy-striped lighthouse is in Hope Town. It was a popular place to take pictures that caused quite a stir when it was built in 1863. Before that, the people on the island made a good living by saving things from ships that ran aground on offshore reefs.

Man-O-War Cay

North of Elbow Cay is the “dry” island of Man-O-War, home to another loyalist settlement. This safe harbour is known as the boat-building center of The Abacos. It is lined with shops that fit boats and sell sails. The next island in the chain is Great Guana Cay, which has a beach and is known for the Sunday barbecues at Nipper’s Bar.

The ferry service on the Abacos makes it easy to get to the Out Islands, all the way up to Great Guana Cay. Consider the ferry a local bus, only friendlier and with a much better view. To get to Green Turtle Cay, to catch a boat for the quick hop, travel north on Great Abaco to Treasure Cay. You’ll find a small town with hotels, a full-service marina, and places to dive and snorkel.

The Abacos are a great place to dive and snorkel, especially in protected areas like Pelican Cays National Park and the Fowl Cay National Reserve. Silver baitfish live in massive reefs with caves you can swim through. They are everywhere. Even better, there are places to dive where you almost always see Caribbean reef sharks.

The Abacos have a lot of great places to fish, from the marls and bonefishing in Cherokee Sound to the big-game marlin and tuna in the Atlantic. All of these places can see the Out Islands. The Abacos should be at the top of every list of places to visit in The Bahamas.

Andros

Andros Island is the most oversized island in the West Indian country of The Bahamas. It is about 125 miles (200 km) east-southeast of the US state of Florida and about 40 miles (25 km) west of New Providence Island.

At its widest point, Andros is about 45 miles (70 km) long from east to west and about 100 miles (160 km) long from north to south. It is flat and has a lot of trees. The island has a precise shape but is broken into many bays, inlets, lakes, cays, and channels. It is technically an archipelago, even though it has a precise shape. One of the world’s most extensive barrier reefs is off the east coast. Andros has a small population and not a lot of tourists. Most people live in small towns, with Nicholls Town, Andros Town, and Kemps Bay, all on the east coast, being the largest. The island’s leading sources of income are growing and fishing for fruits and vegetables, a growing tourist industry and a few packinghouses. Andros Town has a business that makes batik. Area 2,300 square miles (5,957 square km). Pop. (2000) 7,686; (2010) 7,490.

Cat Island Of The Bahamas

Cat Island is quiet and doesn’t look like it has much to offer, but it does. Anchored by The Bahamas’ highest point, Mt. Alvernia, its untouched landscape is excellent for diving, kiteboarding, and walking along miles of rolling hills, nature trails, and an eight-mile pink sand beach.

Cat Island only needs 50 miles to make a mark that will last forever. Find out about a place with old traditions, quiet beaches, and some of the best activities in the Bahamas.

Beachside bars and restaurants on Cat Island serve fresh seafood and a laid-back island vibe. At New Bight, the Fish Fry is an excellent place to start.

Long Island Of The Bahamas

Long Island differs significantly from the most popular tourist spots, such as Nassau and Paradise Island. It gives you a chance to see the Bahamas more naturally. It has beautiful oceans and sandy beaches, and many activities involve being on the water and through the island’s caves, cliffs, and other beautiful places. Here are some of the best ways to find the hidden gems in the area and take a break from your routine.

Best Options For Staying Here

Stella Maris Resort Club & Marina

The Stella Maris Resort has rooms and villas with an ocean view for families and couples. There are four-bedroom villas, one-bedroom cottages, private villas, and rooms that look like apartments. In the middle of the resort, there is a big pool. You can also book activities directly through the hotel, like scuba diving, fishing, boat tours, and snorkeling. Visit the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism website for a complete list of Long Island options and how to contact them. You can also get more information about the island and where to stay by calling the Long Island Tourist Office.

How to get there

The Queen’s Highway is a major road that goes from the northern end of Long Island to the southern end. This makes it easy to get around the island. This list from the Ministry of Tourism of taxi and car rental services gives you a lot of choices. Plus, you can find rentals at Unique Wheels.

Contact info: 242-337-3088 / email: [email protected]

San Salvador Island Of The Bahamas

The island of San Salvador is about 640 km southeast of Miami. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas includes it. About 1,000 people live here, and Cockburn Town, the capital, is on the west coast, near the top left corner of the picture. The Atlantic waters around San Salvador are more than 4000 meters deep and border beautiful beaches and reefs. This makes it a popular place for divers.

This pod-shaped island is about 19.25 km long and 11.2 km wide, covering an area of 94.9 km2. Dune ridges make up most of the island, and salty lakes, nearly a third of the total area, fill the spaces between them. San Salvador Island is sometimes called “the Land of Lakes” because of this.

The land looks dark green, and Pigeon Creek is a tidal inlet. It is the long, light blue water on the island’s each side. Offshore, the light-blue water is a sign of underwater reefs. For example, French Bay in the south and Snow Bay in the southeast corner of the island are both in this area.

The island was called Watling Island until 1925. It was named after the late-1700s pirate George Watling, who used it as a base. It was changed because historians knew where Christopher Columbus landed on October 12, 1492, and was named “San Salvador.” In his logbook, he wrote that it was flat and had a lot of trees and lakes.

Best Time to Visit The Bahamas

The Bahamas’ peak season is from mid-December to mid-April. This is the best time to go there. Even though the weather is great here all year (temperatures rarely drop 60 degrees below), the islands are in the hurricane belt, so hurricanes may be a problem from June 1 to November 30. (the Atlantic hurricane season). Most of these months (except for May) are also during the rainy season, so you might not have as many days to enjoy outdoor activities on the islands. But keep in mind that the great weather from mid-December to mid-April brings in a lot of tourists, so prices and crowds will be at their worst during these months.

shajiaferdous

Hey, lovely folks out there! This is Shajia Ferdous, a traveller. Last few years I have been travelling with my partner or friends.
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