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.
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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. |
