Places to vacation in the bahamas
Treasure Cay Beach, Great Abaco Island
Skirting the eastern shore of Great Abaco, Treasure Cay Beach is often voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This spectacular stretch of flour-soft sand and aqua water wows visitors who come here to bask on its creamy, crescent-shaped shore.
The beach lies in the upscale resort community of Treasure Cay, which hosts one of the most popular fishing tournaments in the Bahamas.
In 2019, Category 5 Hurricane Dorian devastated Great Abaco Island, including Treasure Cay. Check for the status of tourist amenities here before you visit.
Elbow Cay
Across the sheltered Sea of Abaco from the boating hub of Marsh Harbour, Elbow Cay in the Abacos exudes all the charm of a New England-style fishing village.
Colorful cottages line the main streets of Hope Town, the island’s principal settlement, and the center of town is off-limits to vehicles, lending a relaxed, village feel.
Famous for its candy-striped lighthouse, Hope Town is home to a thriving expatriate community who appreciate the island’s pretty palm-lined beaches; proximity to Marsh Harbour, the nation’s third largest town; and the excellent boating opportunities.
Wyannie Malone Historical Museum is a must, and nearby Guana Cay and the Tilloo Cay Reserve, an 11-acre bird habitat, are popular day trips. Hope Town also boasts a well-developed marina.
Elbow Cay was also hit by Hurricane Dorian in September, 2019. Check for the status of attractions and accommodations before your visit.
A ferry runs regularly to Elbow Cay from Marsh Harbour.
Green Turtle CayEditor’s Pick
Strolling the streets of Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos feels like stepping back in time to the old Bahamas. East of Great Abaco, this peaceful, five-kilometer-long island is a much-loved hideaway for serenity seekers.
Golf carts are the main mode of transport in the tiny settlement of New Plymouth, a sleepy village of picket-fenced pastel cottages, sprinkled with a few small shops and museums.
Fishing boats bob in the harbor, and visitors can watch the locals haul in their catch of crawfish and conch. Bonefishing is also one of the popular things to do here.
The island’s beautiful reef-fringed beaches and crystal-clear waters offer excellent swimming, diving, snorkeling, and boating opportunities.
In 2019, category 5 Hurricane Dorian devastated this island. Locals are working hard to reopen attractions. But the real charm of this island are the people and the stunning reefs and beaches – and they are ready and waiting for visitors. One of the island’s top resorts, the Green Turtle Club & Marina, has reopened after the hurricane.
Green Turtle Cay is a 10-minute ferry ride from Treasure Cay on Great Abaco Island.
Big-Game Fishing in the Biminis
Bimini is known as the “Big Game Fishing Capital of The Bahamas,” and for good reason. The island hosts popular deep-sea fishing tournaments from March to September, and its proximity to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream lure a dazzling diversity of marine life, including everything from marlin to mahi-mahi and manta rays.
Bimini also once lured the likes of Ernest Hemingway with the promise of big catches. He spent several summers in Bimini, fishing and finding inspiration for his novels The Old Man and the Sea and Islands in the Stream.
The fishhook-shaped cluster of islands includes North Bimini, South Bimini, and numerous cays extending south from Pigeon Cay to South Cat Cay. Bimini Island is the closest of the islands to the United States, lying approximately 88 kilometers east of Miami, Florida.
Bimini’s fish-rich waters also offer excellent opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Besides the popular shark and dolphin dives, highlights include Rainbow Reef, Sapona Wreck, and Victory Reef.
Long Island
One of the most beautiful islands in the Bahamas, Long Island lies a little off the beaten path, in the southern half of the archipelago. If you love untouched nature, you’ll love Long Island.
Almost 130 kilometers long and no more than seven kilometers wide, the island is a land of contrasts, with sandy beaches on the west coast and steep, rocky cliffs along the east.
Long Island is a haven for fishing, diving, and boating. Beach lovers can also bask on its many beautiful, unspoiled pink- and white-sand beaches. The island is also home to Dean’s Blue Hole, the deepest known saltwater blue hole in the world.
The Long Island Regatta takes place at Salt Pond in the summer.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park has some of the most striking seascapes in the Bahamas. Luminous water in shades of electric blue merges with bone-white sand, creating a dazzling backdrop for a range of water sports.
Located in the remote eastern edge of the Bahamas, the park is a no-take-zone and marine protected area, the first of its kind in the Caribbean. The area is popular with divers and boaters, who come here for the quality anchorages, abundant marine life, and crystal-clear waters. On a good day, divers and snorkelers can enjoy 30-meter-plus visibility.
Most people visit this underwater wonderland on private boats or live-aboard dive charters. No fishing or shelling is permitted within the park boundaries.
The Exuma Cays are also beautiful. Some are home to movie stars, such as Johnny Depp and David Copperfield, while others are home to exclusive resorts. Great Exuma, the largest of the Exumas, Little Exuma, and Staniel Cay are popular with boaters, who come here to enjoy the convivial restaurants.
Don’t miss Staniel Cay’s famous swimming pigs and Thunderball Cave, featured in the namesake James Bond film.
Harbour Island
Pretty Harbour Island sits northeast of its big sister, Eleuthera and has long been a hideaway for the rich and famous. Affectionately known by the locals as “Briland,” it’s one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, as well as the site of the first Bahamian parliament.
English Loyalists settled here in the 1700s, and their cute pastel-hued cottages evoke a bygone era in Dunmore Town, the island’s only settlement, where golf carts rule the narrow streets.
But Harbour Island offers more than cute cottages and a rich history. It’s picturesque pink-sand beaches, are among the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, and its chic resorts lure discerning travelers from around the world. Popular things to do include diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sunbathing along the rosy-hued shores.
Grand Bahama Island
The northernmost of the Bahamian islands, Grand Bahama Island is a popular destination for package tourists and cruise ships. The capital, Freeport, is the second biggest city in the Bahamas, though Port Lucaya has now replaced it as the tourist hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Port Lucaya Marketplace sells jewelry and straw goods, as well as other souvenirs, and the marina is a social hot spot for tourists and boaters.
Despite the island’s large all-inclusive resorts and hotels, it’s still possible to escape the crowds. Grand Bahama is home to one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems. You can also wander the lush plantings of Garden of the Groves, and nature lovers can spot many native bird species in the three national parks or book a dolphin close encounter.
In 2019, Hurricane Dorian slammed Grand Bahama as a category 5 storm, but most of the island’s top tourist attractions are now back up and running.
Diving and Fishing on Andros Island
The Bahama’s largest landmass, Andros is a haven for anglers and divers. The island is home to the third largest barrier reef in the world, as well as many freshwater blue holes and underwater caves, creating an underwater wonderland for those who love to explore under the sea.
Fly fishing is also big here – Andros is often called the bonefishing capital of the world, thanks to its ideal habitats for this prized catch. The island’s vast wetlands create channels that are prime fishing and boating areas.
Andros also has the largest protected area in the Bahamas, with five national parks. Nature lovers will appreciate the rich bird life in the mud flats, mangrove swamps, and forests, as well as the island’s eco-resorts.
Is shopping more your style? Stop by Androsia Hand Made Batik Factory, where you can buy brightly-colored fabrics featuring bold Bahamian motifs.