The Bahamas extends 760 miles from the coast of Florida on the north-west almost to Haiti on the south-east. The group consists of 700 islands and 2,400 cays with an area of 5,358 square miles. Major islands of the Bahamas are Abaco, Acklins, Andros Island, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, New Providence, and San Salvador Island.
Animal Lover: Exuma Island
The Exuma island chain is divided into three main areas: Great Exuma (largest island with the most resorts), Little Exuma (home to Tropic of Cancer Beach), and the Exuma Cays (snorkeling and swim with nurse sharks). The Exumas are knows for their sapphire blue waters, untouched beaches, and PIGS.
Things to do:
Swim with Pigs: Big Major Cay is home to “Pig Beach” is where you will find swimming pigs. There are a few theories as to where the pigs came from, one being a group of sailors left them with intentions to come back and cook them. You can take a boat tour to swim with these sociable pigs. *Do not give the pigs alcohol*
Swim with Nurse Sharks: Swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay Marina. These bottom dwelling sharks are docile and used to human swimmers arriving by boat.
Iguana Island: Bitter Guana Cay, or “Iguana island”, is home to an endangered species of Bahamian Rock Iguana known for their thick-ringed tails. There are many beaches on the island to explore and the shallow pools allow for spectacular snorkeling.
Adventure: Andros & Grand Bahama
Andros, the largest island in The Bahamas, is virtually untouched. This heavily forested island spreads 100 miles north to south and 45 miles from west to east at the widest point. Andros Island is divided into North, South, Central Andros and Mangrove cay. Travel from one end to the other must be done by land or sea.
Things to do in Andros:
Barrier Reef Adventure: The third largest barrier fringing reef in the world, Andros Barrier Reef drops 8 feet on the island side to 6,000 ft in the ocean. The best way to appreciate the marine life among the reef is to scuba dive or snorkel.
Blue Holes: Andros has the highest concentration of blue holes in the world. Hidden in the wooded areas on the island, Andros is home to 175 inner island blue holes. These underwater cave systems, reaching 1,000 feet, are made up of limestone created by glacial runoff. These blue hole can be explored by scuba divers.
National Parks: The Andros Park System is the country’s largest protected area, and includes five national parks: Blue Holes National Park, Crab Replenishment Reserve, North & South Marine Parks, and the West Side National Park. Interested in volunteering at a national park? Contact Bahamas National Trust.
Grand Bahamas is known for its’ beaches, reef-lined coves and mangroves, all inclusive resorts and golf courses. Freeport, the largest city, is found on Grand Bahama island. Of all the islands, the second highest number of native birds is found around Freeport.
Things to do in Grand Bahamas:
Kayaking: Explore the mangroves and creeks of the Grand Bahamas’ north shore. Guides will share the local history, ecology, flora and fauna while kayaking through a mangrove creek where you are able to swim, snorkel, and relax on Gold Rock Beach.
National Parks: Grand Bahama Island is home to three national parks: Lucayan National Park, The Rand Nature Center and Peterson Cay National Park. Take a tour of the the national parks to see Ben’s Cave, the longest, underwater surveyed cave system leading to the ocean.
Fishing: Abacos
Great Abacos is the third largest island in The Bahamas. Here you will find Marsh Harbour, the third-largest city in the Bahamas and the largest naturally protected deepwater harbor in the Abacos chain. Treasure Cay to the north is an epicenter for sports fishing. North, Central and South Abacos spans 120 miles.
Fly Fishing: Abaco Lodge is the only fly-fishing operation in the Marls region of Great Abaco island. Miles and miles of shallow along the shoreline are home to numerous bonefish.
Sports Fishing: Marlins can be caught from April through summer, with the best time being May and early June. Trolling can catch grouper, wahoo, snapper, triggerfish, yellowtail and dolphin fish.
Isolation: Acklins & Crooked Island, Mayaguana
Breathtaking beaches, exotic rock formations, and scenic plant and animal life make Acklins a nature lover’s dream. Acklins Island measures 92 square miles and 4 miles across at the widest point with just over 400 residents. Acklins is among a group of islands arranged along a long, shallow lagoon called Bight of Acklins. Crooked Island is one of the largest in the northern section of the lagoon.
Mayaguana is more isolated and less developed than any other island in the Bahamas. Mayaguana is the easternmost island of the Bahamas. Mayaguana is one of the most secluded, pristine islands of the Bahamas.
Things to do:
Horse Pond Beach: Located 10 miles east of Abraham’s Island, Horse Pond Beach is known for its’ crabbing. Visitors love searching for land crabs that appear from the bushes and rock formations after dark. Horse Pond Beach
Booby Cay: This lush landscape is home to iguanas, wild goats and exotic birds. The island is named after the brown booby population. Bobby Cay is also home to a species of small rock iguanas, only found on this island.
Turtle Sound: Part of Acklins and Crooked Island, Turtle Sound is known for its’ blue-green water and abundance of turtles. Rolling hills and mangrove-lined shallows with different water depths creates a perfect natural habitat for marine creatures.
Coastal Scenery: Long Island, Eleuthera & Harbour Island
Long Island is known as one of the most scenic island in the Bahamas. It is about 80 miles long and 4 miles wide. The Tropic of Cancer runs through the northern quarter of the island. The northeast side of the island is comprised of steep, rocky headlands while the southwestern side of the island is made up of wide, white sandy beaches.
Harbour Island is a quaint seaside town with New England style houses. Eleuthera is a sprawling stretch of wild beauty. All that separates them is a five-minute ferry across sky-blue waters. Eleuthera and Harbour Island are surrounded by clusters of cays and sandbars.
Things to do:
Dean’s Blue Hole: Dean’s Blue Hole is the second deepest Blue Hole in the world. With untouched reefs, shark encounters and many swim-throughs this dive is for the more experienced diver.
Beaches of Long Island: There are MANY beautiful beaches on Long Island. Columbus Harbor is the location where Christopher Columbus hit land. The shallow inner bay makes it great for kids. Stella Maris Beach contains ironshore formations that create crashing waves and coarse pinkish sand. Pink Sands Beach Cape Santa Maria Bay and Beach, Millerton School Beach, Deal’s Beach and so many more.
Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island: This 3 miles stretch of soft pink sand makes it one of the most unusual beaches of the world. The light rose color is a result of foraminifera – a marine animal – and its red shell, which crushes and later mixes with the white sand.
Edwin’s Turtle Lake Marine Reserve, Eleuthera: This 43 acre salt water lake offers kayaking, SUP and canoe rentals. Turtle lake is an ideal spot to see the pristine & unique environment of an inland blue hole surrounded by mangroves. The lake is home to numerous bird and fish species, and green sea turtles.
Tourists: New Providence, Nassau & Paradise Island
New Providence is the most populated island of the Bahamas, containing more than 70% of the population. It is the location of the national capital city of Nassau. Paradise Island is connected by a bridge across Nassau Harbour, home to large resorts and hotels.
Things to do:
Atlantis: Atlantis on Paradise Island is an ocean-themed resort build around Aquaventure, a 141 acre water park including fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools, marine habitats, water slides, and river rides.
Clifton Heritage National Park: Here you can find remnants of the three groups that impacted this region: the Lucayans, the Loyalists, and the Africans. A walk along the winding trails throughout the park will reveal a variety of ecosystems, such as native coppice, cliffs, coastal wetlands, dunes, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and offshore coral reefs.
Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Center: Originally created as a nature preserve by Jamaican horticulturalist Hedley Edwards in the 1950’s, Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre has developed over the decades into a tropical garden, conservation centre, boutique zoo and now wildlife rescue & rehab facility. More than 4 acres of tropical gardens and animal species, including the national bird of the Bahamas, the Flamingos.
Eco Places to Stay on the Bahamas Islands
Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros Island: Small Hope Bay Lodge offers all beachfront cabins, fresh international cuisine, diving, snorkeling, fishing, nature walks, and more! Nestled on the edge of the world’s 3rd largest barrier reef, we are as remote as you can get while still enjoying the comforts of home. Unwind and enjoy the amazing variety of dives, world class fishing, rare birds, and the fine art of hammocking! Safe, tranquil, and secluded, unspoiled Andros Island is perfect for a family vacation, relaxing holiday, romantic honeymoon, or wedding. It’s simply like no place else on earth!
Abaco Lodge, Abaco: If you are into fishing this is the place for you! This is the only lodge directly on the amazing fishing spot of the Marls. Abaco Lodge supports efforts to maintain healthy flats fisheries in order to ensure great bonefishing. As a supporter of the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT), they are committed to protecting and enhancing critical flats habitats. The lodge consists of 11 rooms with a capacity of 14 anglers. There are 8 single rooms with king or queen size beds and 3 double rooms with two queen size beds. All of the rooms offer air conditioning and private bathroom. Wireless Internet will keep you connected back home.
Tiamo, Andros Island: Accessible only by boat or sea plane, Tiamo is located on the south end of Andros Island. Only 11 villas and 2 rooms for 38 guests max. This resort is perfectly placed on the tranquil South Bight of the Tongue of the Ocean for water sports like water-skiing and wake-boarding. For divers, the reef is found just offshore, while the calm, shallows are a paradise for snorkeling, paddle-boarding or a ride in a transparent canoe.
Sandals, Nassau: Sandals Royal Bahamian is a luxury, adults only all-inclusive on Cable Beach in Nassau. This is a blend of European sophistication with an exotic offshore island adventure. Experience all-new swim-up River Pool suites with butler service. Enjoy the seclusion of a private isle on an exotic offshore island, which features two breathtaking beaches—one for snorkeling and sunbathing, the other for high-energy water sports. Taste the world at 10 specialty and gourmet restaurants.
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