Life in the 700 Islands of The Bahamas just keeps getting better. And it's easy to see why. With world-class diving, snorkeling and fishing, miles of picture-perfect beaches, and gorgeous turquoise water, visitors have the opportunity to do everything or nothing at all. From the peaceful Out Islands, including Abaco, The Exumas, and Eleuthera, to exciting Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama, this tropical paradise is as culturally diverse as it is vibrantly beautiful.
Abaco
It's easy to lay low in Abaco, a 120-mile-long necklace of unspoiled islands and abandoned cays. Subject of many a song, these sun-kissed islands simply inspire. Great Guana Cay boasts powder-white beaches, colorful New England-style clapboard cottages, friendly residents, and the famous Nippers Beach Bar and Grill, an Abacos institution for lunch, dinner, and dancing. "Traffic" here is an occasional golf cart. Green Turtle Cay is an 18th-century storybook village that pays homage to its Loyalist history with a sculpture garden, the Albert Lowe Museum, and Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar. When in Hopetown, climb to the top of the legendary candy-striped lighthouse for a breathtaking view and fabulous photo op.
Eleuthera
At 110 miles long and a mere two miles wide, Eleuthera's mesmerizing pink and white sand beaches range from secluded coves to endless strands. Together with Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, Eleuthera charms travelers with colonial villages and pineapple fields. Don't be surprised if you see stars off the north coast at Harbour Island; it's a popular celebrity hideaway. Many A-list notables additionally own homes there, Bill Gates among them. Nearby Spanish Wells is a tiny gem just two miles long and a half-mile wide with pastel homes, colorful flowers, and fishing fleets harbored in sparkling turquoise waters. Despite its diminutive size, the island has earned its moniker, The Fishing Capital of The Bahamas. Bahamian lobster is the main catch and a specialty of island eateries.
Exuma Islands
Strung together like cultured pearls, the Exumas are an exotic cluster of tiny islands spanning 120 miles. These sun-swept cays, hidden coves, and sapphire waters make for some of the most spectacular sailing in The Bahamas. The area is also a coveted diving destination, with its vast beds of undisturbed coral teeming with brightly colored fish. Together with the Exuma Cays, Great Exuma Island offers a fantastic variety of vacation possibilities, from resorts and hotels with luxury amenities to basic fishing lodges. Exuma's primary watersport is snorkeling, which you can do right off the beach, from a glass-bottom boat, or off one of the many cays. Stocking Island is a popular place for shelling, beachcombing, and picnicking.
Nassau/Paradise Island
Perched on 21-mile-long New Providence Island, bustling Nassau is the capital city of The Islands of The Bahamas. There are several must-see landmarks here, including Rawson Square, directly across from Prince George Wharf, the cruise dock. The fine harbor of Nassau is protected by tiny Paradise Island for a three-mile stretch. Historic, entertaining and cultural, Nassau/Paradise Island offers fun for the entire family. Paradise Island is home to the magnificent Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, a sprawling ocean-themed resort that captivates kids of all ages.
Grand Bahama Island
Grand Bahama Island appeals to both seekers of the cosmopolitan and lovers of nature alike. It is home to one of the world's largest underwater cave systems, three national parks, endless beaches, and gin-clear water with intriguing marine life. You can play golf on a championship course, take a Jeep safari tour around the island, or go horseback riding on the beach. Find a casual beach bar where you can toss back Bahama Mamas and munch on conch fritters or head for a sizzling nightspot with non-stop casino action and dancing 'til dawn.
The moment your toes touch sand and your gaze meets water, you know you're in the islands of The Bahamas. It's the comfortable ease, the instant sense of belonging. It's finding that your departure from everyday life is also your arrival at an extraordinary place. Relax - and set your watch to island time!
Originally published on Coast to Coast Grand Getaways' blog.
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