Beautiful Bahamas

The Bahamas is a coral-based archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. There are over 700 islands, many offering fantastic resorts.

The capital of The Bahamas is Nassau on the island of New Providence. It is a popular cruise ship stop.

Visitors can enjoy Atlantis, a luxury hotel, aquarium, water park, and entertainment complex. It is a true fantasy world with many interesting decorations. It has one of the largest outdoor aquariums in the world, specializing in native tropical species and tanks that include the ruins and sculptures of Atlantis. You can swim with dolphins or join the Ultimate Trainer for a day program at the resort’s Dolphin Cay.

Atlantis makes its home on what was formerly known as Hog Island and now is the tourist hub of Paradise Island, running parallel to the northern edge of New Providence Island. It is connected to the mainland by two bridges and forms the harbor at Nassau. Hog Island Lighthouse at the western tip of the island marks the entrance to the harbor.

Blue Lagoon Island is also referred to as Salt Cay. It is a private island about 5km from Nassau. It offers visitors a choice of water sports and encounters with dolphins and sea lions.

You can enjoy the Dolphin Encounters program at the marine mammal facility. Taking a day trip you can relax on the palm-lined beach, snorkel, and swim in the lagoon and children enjoy the water park with inflatable toys.

The Ardastra Gardens Zoo & Conservation Center offers four acres of tropical gardens. Flamingos entertain visitors. This zoo specializes in the conservation of Caribbean species among them the endangered Bahama Parrot and several species of iguanas. There is a petting zoo for children and hand-feeding the friendly rainbow lorikeets.

The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas has found its home in the restored Villa Doyle, a large neo-Classical mansion. The oldest section looks out on the harbor to the north. The impressive collection includes paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, and textiles from Bahamian artists from the early 20th century to today.

The Queen’s Staircase was cut by slaves into solid limestone in the late 18th century. These are 66 steps that gave troops protected access to Fort Fincastle. They were named to honor Queen Victoria and her role in abolishing slavery in the Bahamas.

Visitors can climb the stairs to Fort Fincastle, the highest point on the island. The fort was built by Lord Dunmore in 1793 and is shaped like the bow of a boat, offering panoramic views of Nassau and the ocean.

The Governor’s Mansion was built in 1801. It is a lovely conch-pink mansion that sits on top of Mount Fitzwilliam and is the official residence of the Governor General of the Bahamas. It is constructed of stone and supported by ionic columns. At the entrance stands a statue of Christopher Columbus. Visitors can walk about the complex, enjoying the views of the bay and Paradise Island. Twice a month there is a changing of the guard ceremony.

Exploring The Bahamas

The Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park is located on the remote eastern edge of The Bahamas. It is a marine protected area which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. It has the most striking seascapes with luminous water in electric blue and bone-white sand. It is a popular place for divers and boaters.

The Exuma Cays are lovely and some are home to movie stars like David Copperfield and Johnny Depp. There are also exclusive resorts. The largest of the Exumas is Great Exuma.

You can enjoy Staniel Cay’s famous swimming pigs.

Thunderball Cave was featured in the James Bond movie “Thunderball”.

The sister islands Harbor Island and Eleuthera are beautiful. Eleuthera is one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas and the site of the first Bahamian parliament. It is known for its pink sand beaches and resorts. The locals refer to it as “Briland” and it has long been a hideaway for the rich and famous. On the street golf carts are the mode of transportation. The island’s only settlement is Dunmore Town. Visitors enjoy snorkeling, diving, fishing, and relaxing on the beaches.

Grand Bahama is the northernmost of the Bahamian islands. It is a popular destination for package tourists and cruise ships. Its capital, Freeport is the second biggest city in The Bahamas. The tourist hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment is Port Lucaya. There are large all-inclusive resorts and hotels. Grand Bahamas is also home to one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems. Bird lovers enjoy the three national parks.

Andros is the largest landmass in The Bahamas and has the third- largest barrier reef in the world. There are many freshwater blue holes and underwater caves. It is a popular destination for divers. There are vast wetlands that create channels that are great for boating and fishing. Andros is often referred to as “the bonefishing capital of the world”. It also has the largest protected area in The Bahamas with five national parks. There is rich bird life in the mud flats, mangrove swamps, and forests.