Bahamas paradise islands

Bahamas Island

The 'Bahamas' gets its name from the Spanish, baja mar, meaning 'shallow sea'. The turquoise waters that lap this land are as calm and warm as its people. Throughout the 700-plus islands that constitute The Bahamas, residents tend to abide by 'island time', an affectionate term used to describe the Bahamians' laidback demeanour and their slow-moving way of life. It isn't too hard to fall into this habit: many of The Bahamas' islands are either uninhabited or sparsely populated, and from beaches strewn with beautiful seashells to homes painted in soft pastel shades, serenity is easy to find on the Bahamas.

Geography

The Bahamas consist of 700 low-lying islands, mostly islets (cays or keys) and rocks. The whole archipelago extends 970km (500 miles) southeastward from the coast of Florida, surrounded by clear, colorful waters. The soil is thin, but on the more developed islands, cultivation has produced exotic flowers.

On other islands are large areas of pine forest, rocky and barren land, swamp and unspoilt beaches. The Bahamas are divided into two oceanic features, the Little Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank.

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.

Mapa de Bahamas

Royal Towers, Atlantis Bahamas

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.

Playas Bahamas

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.

Nassau, Bahamas

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.