The Islands There are more than 700 islands in The Bahamas, many of which have escaped the notice of tourists. The islands offer clear warm water and sandy beaches. Several are relatively large – see individual entries for a description of some of these – but others are tiny and uninhabited. All the larger islands offer a high standard of accommodation and leisure facilities.
Nassau The capital of The Bahamas, Nassau, stands on New Providence Island. In the capital, tourists can shop in the bustling ‘straw market’, where local vendors create unique
straw goods on the spot, or the more sophisticated shops in Bay Street. The 18th-century Fort Charlotte on West Bay Street has a moat, open battlements, dungeons and a magnificent view of the harbor. The nearby Ardastra Gardens have tropical flowers and pink flamingos. The Queen’s Staircase, at the top of Elizabeth Avenue, is a 40m- (102ft-) climb up steps carved into the limestone leading to Fort Fincastle and the Water Tower. Built in 1793, Fort Fincastle is in the shape of a ship’s bow. The Water Tower is the highest point on the island, 85m (216ft) above sea level. An elevator takes visitors to an observation deck for panoramic views. Many bars, restaurants and discos can be found along Cable Beach, a 2.5 mile-long stretch of golden sand, located just 3 miles outside the city. Paradise Island boasts some beautiful beaches, a 14-acre aquarium, 34 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, the Caribbean's largest casino and a multitude of resorts. Sunbathing, diving, fishing and boating are the main daytime amusements on these islands. The Bahamas National Trust is based here.
The Main Islands Grand Bahama Island Only 52 miles off the Florida coast, this island is perennially popular. Lucayan National Park (there are 40 acres to sample here) and Peterson Cay National Park are both worth visiting. The main towns are Freeport/Lucaya, which has an airport, and West End. The island offers wide white sandy beaches, two casinos and good shopping facilities, entertainment and restaurants at the International Bazaar and Port Lucaya. The Rand Memorial Nature Center offers an excellent nature walk and the Garden of the Groves has exotic flowers, waterfalls and colorful birds. A highlight of any trip here will be to watch the semi-wild dolphins gliding and soaring in Sanctuary Bay. There are also 8 acres of pristine white sand for the traveller to recline upon and observe the waters lapping this versatile island.
The Out Islands These stretch across a huge area of clear ocean and are fringed with hundreds of kilometers of white sandy beaches, and peppered with authentic fishing villages. This is a mammoth archipelago twice the size of Spain. The islands have resort facilities for groups of up to 200 people and are ideal for a relaxing, secluded holiday. Though secluded, the islands are not isolated. They are served by the national flag carrier, Bahamasair, from Nassau and Freeport. The main Out Islands are described below.
Andros The largest but probably the least known of the bigger islands. Laced with creeks and densely forested inland, the interior is still largely untouched and natural. Off the eastern shore is the 224km- (140 mile-) long coral barrier reef – the world’s third longest. Beyond the reef, the ocean floor drops away steeply to a depth of more than 1.5km (1 mile); called the Tongue of the Ocean, deep-water fishing is a major attraction here. Captain Bill's Blue Hole is an attraction, 180ft deep, 440ft wide in diameter. In Congo Town is the world-famous StarGate Blue Hole where Indian skulls were discovered in the early 1990s.
The Abacos A 120 mile-long, crescent-shaped necklace of islands to the north of New Providence, where many of the towns have the atmosphere of New England fishing villages. The islands are particularly noted for their tradition of shipbuilding, the original 200-year-old practice that can still be observed in Man-O-War Cay. Treasure Cay has an excellent golf course and here, as in the other major islands, there are excellent leisure facilities. Other attractions include Alton Lowe’s Museum in New Plymouth, Green Turtle Cay, Elbow Cay and Marsh Harbour, the bare-boat charter center of the northern Bahamas. Scuba-divers are drawn to Pelican Cay National Park, an underwater preserve where night dives can be arranged.
Eleuthera A narrow island 177km (110 miles) long but seldom more than 3km (2 miles) wide. Attractions include the Ocean Hole, Glass Window Bridge, Harbour Island (with Dunmore Town, one of the oldest settlements in The Bahamas), Spanish Wells, off the northern tip of the island, Preacher’s Cave and the underwater caves at Hatchet Bay. Harbour Island itself is three miles long by a half-mile wide, boasting pink sandy beaches. It is an upscale part of Eleuthera that usually attracts newlyweds and couples in love seeking privacy. There are chic restaurants and good but not frenetic nightlife, geared towards those who enjoy sipping rum cocktails while overlooking the ocean. The scuba diving from Eleuthera is particularly superb. The island is characterized by colonial villages and pineapple plantations.
The Exumas The waters surrounding this 160km- (100 mile-) long chain of islands have been described by yachtsmen as being the finest cruising region in the world. There are also pristine cays and spectacular reefs protected by the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, accessible by boat only. It is a 176-mile park of beauty, with outstanding marine life. Inland, several once-great plantation houses now stand ruined and deserted, although the names of their owners still live on in many local family surnames. In April, Elizabeth Harbour is the setting for the Family Island Regatta.
Cat Island One of the eastern bulwarks of The Bahamas, Cat Island has 60m (200ft) cliffs (a rare height for The Bahamas), dense natural forest and pre-Columbian Arawak Indian caves. On Mount Alvernia is the Hermitage built by Father Jerome. The Cat Island Regatta takes place here during the August bank holiday. This is the destination for total seclusion, surrounded by cerulean waters and pink sand beaches.
Bimini Lying between Andros and Florida, with the gulf stream running either side, Bimini is widely regarded as one of the best fishing centers in the world. Hemingway used to live in Alice Town in Blue Marlin Cottage, and mementos of his life can be seen in the local museum.
Berry Islands Popular with fishing enthusiasts and also noted for its serene landscapes and white sand beaches, every visitor here probably thinks of it as their own private paradise. Great Harbour Cay has a championship golf course and a marina. Scuba-divers can admire the underwater rock formations and 5m (15ft) staghorn coral reefs off Mamma Rhoda Rock.
Blue Lagoon Island An exotic lagoon where visitors can enjoy close encounters with friendly bottle-nosed dolphins. Regular 45-minute sessions include an educational talk and about 30 minutes of swimming in the water with the dolphins.
Long Island This island certainly lives up to its name, being almost 100km (60 miles) long but rarely more than 5km (3 miles) wide. The landscape consists of rugged headlands dropping sharply down to the sea, fertile pastureland, rolling hills and sandy beaches washed by surf. At Conception Island, divers can explore over 30 shipwrecks and tours are arranged from the Stella Maris Resort Club at the north end of the island. The Long Island Regatta at Salt Pond takes place here in May. Attractions include Hamilton's Cave, and the deepest blue hole around, Dean's Blue Hole, at 600 feet into the ocean floor, lying just offshore. For those seeking refreshments, Max's Conch Bar & Grill has become a kind of tourist attraction in its own right. And remember - this is the land of that tasty tipple, the Long Island Iced Tea.
San Salvador This was Columbus’ first landing place in the New World and is truly one for the nature enthusiast - for those who enjoy birdwatching, a variety of birds populate this island. Cockburn Town is the main settlement, which is not far from the spot where Columbus is said to have landed, although other sites also claim this distinction. Game fishing and diving are the most popular pastimes.
