What to do, How to Get There, & More
Visitor’s Guide to the Best of the Bahamas 2025
The Bahamas may only be 50 miles off the Florida coast at their closest point, but being on these islands will make you feel a world away. There are more than 3,000 islands, cays, and islets that make up this country, making up 97% of the Lucayan Archipelago.
Every winter, millions of North Americans escape their cold winters to this idyllic archipelago. Some come to enjoy watersports on the warm, azure water, like scuba diving and fishing. Others come to do nothing at all, laying under a palm tree for a few days to recharge their batteries.
Families, couples, friends, and every kind of traveler in between can have this kind of fun in the Bahamas, with whatever balance of relaxation and adventure they seek.
With so many islands, resorts, and activities to choose from, it’s important to get it right when you plan your Bahamas vacation. We’ve put together our best tips below to help with that. But be warned – once you’re there, you’re surely going to want to plan to come again, no matter how great your itinerary is.
In this guide to the Bahamas
When to Go to the Bahamas
It never gets cold in the Bahamas, so if that’s your concern, you’re safe. People come here for consistently sunny and hot days and pleasant nights.
However, it may be worth focusing on the November to April high season for your trip to be sure. This is when most people come anyway to escape the northern cold, but it’s also outside of the summer hurricane season window. You don’t want to be hunkering down for a few days in such a beautiful place, and you definitely don’t want to be forced to evacuate.
Of course, the high season brings higher prices and bigger crowds as well. This is especially true around the year-end holidays and the spring break weeks – choose your resort carefully if you want to avoid the latter. Most people find that the slightly milder temperatures, lack of rain and hurricanes, and relief from the cold at home are worth it.
April and October are actually the rainiest months in the Bahamas, so going for the shoulders of the season isn’t a great idea in this case. Late spring to late fall does bring the risk of hurricanes and hotter days. But bargain hunters usually find the best deals around this time, and you’ll have fewer tourists to share the beach with.
If you’re coming to the Bahamas for fishing, there will be at least a few species biting at any given time of the year. Divers will be pleased with year-round warm water.
Things to Do in the Bahamas
The islands of the Bahamas don’t have rugged mountains or bustling cities on them. This is a place where people come for the beach. You can expect powdery-white (or even pink) sand, ridiculously warm and clear water, and palm tree-lined shores to be the main attractions.
Watersports and related activities are abundant in this natural playground. Resorts also cater to those who would rather simply enjoy the pool, spa, or luxurious guest room. But here are some of the biggest ideas to consider for your trip.
Top Activities in the Bahamas
Diving & Snorkeling
Great visibility and warm waters make the Bahamas a fantastic diving destination. Both beginners and experienced divers can descend into one of the mesmerizing blue holes, such as Dean’s Blue Hole or Lost Blue Hole. There are many places to get up close and personal with sharks, like Victory Reef and Shark Rodeo.
More experienced spots include several wrecks, walls, and even caves, especially in Lucayan National Park. Snorkelers aren’t left out, as many colorful reefs host exotic sea life in shallow waters – Andros Barrier Reef is great for that. Free divers will be pleased to know that the Bahamas is one of the top places in the world to descend to great depths without a tank.
Sport Fishing
Fishing in the deep sea, salt flats, and shallow reefs is one of the Bahamas’ most popular activities. There is always one or more species biting at any given time of the year. The big trophy catches like marlin, tuna, and swordfish are most active in the summer months, though, so you may have to risk storms if you want one of these.
The Bahamas is a major destination for bonefishing, and even if you’ve never tried it, the country is beginner-friendly for this type of fishing. You can easily find a specialized guide to take you to the right spots, and some find it easier to hook one in the Bahamas.
Relax and Play on Amazing Beaches
Almost any resort you find will be set on a beautiful white-sand beach – they are basically on every shoreline in the country. Lounging around, swimming, and enjoying water sports like jet skiing and parasailing are all givens. But there are some very special beach experiences besides the quintessential ones.
For example, while black-sand beaches are awesome and found in many parts of the world, the Bahamas are home to a few very unique-looking pink-sand beaches. The most famous one is on Eleuthera. Or, take a sail to one of the several swimming pig beaches, like Big Major Cay, where these friendly “locals” like to take dips in the sea right alongside tourists.
Enjoy the Activities of Paradise Island & Nassau
Many Bahamas visitors find themselves on the island of New Providence for their whole trip, as this is where the main airport is, as well as the famous Paradise Island. There is so much to do and see here, even besides laying and playing on Cabbage Beach.
The Atlantis resort offers a diverse set of activities that are available to outside guests. This includes encounters with dolphins, walking through a giant glass tunnel through shark habitats, gaming in the casino, and partying in the nightclub. Furthermore, you can cross the bridge to Nassau to see historic places and other monuments, such as the Queen’s Staircase and the pink parliament building.
How to Get to the Bahamas
It’s easy to get to the Bahamas. Most visitors will fly into the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau (NAS), the main gateway to the country. The major US and Canadian carriers serve Nassau from both large and small cities all over the continent. Other local airlines connect the islands to others around the Caribbean, while there are trans-Atlantic services to the UK, the Bahamas’ former colonial power.
There’s another, smaller airport on the island of Grand Bahama that offers a handful of flights to certain US and Canadian cities. Interestingly, this island is also connected to Fort Lauderdale by ferry, as is the much smaller island of Bimini. The journeys take about 4 and 3 hours, respectively.
Many tourists choose to remain on Grand Bahama or on New Providence (where Nassau is located), as these islands have large tourist areas, great resorts, and beautiful scenery. However, some of the best resorts are found on the outer islands, which will require a domestic flight or speedboat ride to reach. Private charters can also be arranged for this purpose.
Finally, cruising is a popular way to see the Bahamas. Because of their close proximity, tons of the ships that depart from Florida ports will have one or more stops in the Bahamas. Just keep in mind that you’ll have more limited time in each place with this method.
Where to Rest your Head in the Bahamas?
Where to Stay in the Bahamas
There are important considerations when deciding where to stay in the Bahamas based on both the resort itself and the island that it’s on. Therefore, we’re going to break it down by islands or areas and throw in our suggestions for the best of each.
Nassau & Paradise Island
As mentioned, the “main island” of New Providence, which is where the city of Nassau and Paradise Island are located, is a very popular place to stay, as it’s simple to reach and has everything a tourist would want. However, if you’re looking for an escape to pure relaxation, you may find this part of the Bahamas a bit too “busy.”
One of the most popular resorts in the Bahamas is here – Atlantis Paradise Island. This mega-resort is an entire destination itself and is appropriate for families and adult travelers alike. Hotel Riu Palace Paradise Island is our top choice for an adults-only all-inclusive resort here, while Breezes Resort Bahamas is a great choice for budget travelers.
Grand Bahama
Another simple-to-reach island with many resorts and infrastructure is Grand Bahama, one of the two reachable by ferry from Florida. It is a bit quieter than Nassau and Paradise Island, so this may be a good compromise for visitors who find those to be a bit too much but also don’t want to go too off-grid.
A great family resort here is Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, thanks to a fantastic kids club and many on-site activities for the whole family. It also has a dive center on property for anyone looking to explore the underwater world. Golfers should look to The Grand Lucayan, which has access to the island’s best course and a more upscale feel in general.
Exuma
Sometimes referred to as The Exumas, this district of the Bahamas is made up of long and narrow islands that stretch over a hundred square miles. They have small local populations and a generally more remote feel, with unbelievable beach scenery and shallow, clear water. This is a good place for visitors to look if they want to really escape from the world.
Our top choice for an ultra-luxe, all-inclusive getaway is Fowl Cay Resort. When you reserve one of its six villas, you also get a small powerboat and a golf cart to use during your stay. Sandals Emerald Bay is another great option for couples only who want luxury, scenery, and entertainment along with their picture-perfect setting.
Andros Island
While it’s just referred to singularly, Andros is actually made up of many islands and counts more area than all the other Bahamas islands combined. Even if it’s large, Andros is sparsely populated and still an other-worldly escape. On its east side is the Andros Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world and great for snorkelers and divers.
One of the island’s most prestigious resorts is Kamalame Cay, which is made up of a handful of luxury beach villas. The on-site dive center can take you to the best spots on the barrier reef, which sits just offshore from the resort, and fishing equipment is available for borrowing. Small Hope Bay Lodge is another great choice at a lower price point.
Other Outer Islands
While the above islands are the major ones for tourists to the Bahamas, there are more. Most are rather rural, with small populations and not much tourist infrastructure; some have a large resort or two. If you don’t mind this, the more minor Bahamian islands are home to some of the country’s most unspoiled beaches and natural wonders.
San Salvador Island, which is the furthest east in the country and is believed to be where Christopher Columbus first sighted land, has Club Med Columbus Isle. There are actually some great entertainment options at this resort, and the rest of the rugged island offers hiking, blue holes, and deserted beaches. On Bimini, the other island connected to Florida by ferry, there’s the Hilton at Resorts World Bimini, along with some of the country’s best bonefishing.
Where to Eat and Drink
If you like fresh seafood, you’ll be very happy in the Bahamas. But thanks to the tourism industry, there are all kinds of restaurants here to suit every palate, from hole-in-the-wall burger shacks to fine dining establishments. Note that if your resort is on a remote island, it may be impractical or impossible to eat off-property – but here are some of the best dining choices in the busier parts of the Bahamas.
Fish Fry Street: This is not a restaurant, actually, but a small street with a bunch of really great local food stands. You can’t go wrong, but Twin Brothers is a great choice for Bahamian conch dishes.
Flying Fish GastroBar: One of Grand Bahama’s most popular spots for casual seafood dishes with a view, plus weekend brunch.
DUNE by Jean-Georges: A fine dining experience of the Caribbean creations of Jean-Georges Vongerichten, a Michelin-star chef, at the Four Seasons Ocean Club on Paradise Island.
Nightlife in the Bahamas
The Bahamas isn’t exactly the nightlife capital of the Caribbean, so look to Cancún or the Riviera Maya for that. However, there are a few places to enjoy drinking, dancing, and good music after the sun disappears. Here are some of the good ones.
Aura: This is the nightclub of the Atlantis resort and where most tourists come to dance and drink; it combines nicely with a night at the attached casino as well.
Xscape Lounge & Nightclub: One of the most popular places for tourists and locals alike to drink and dance until the wee hours.
Nippers Beach Bar & Grill: This one is on Great Guana Cay and is not where you’ll find all-night partying, but rather, you’ll find rum cocktails and ocean views in a laid-back beach shack.
What to Know Before Going
As you can tell, it’s not very complicated to plan a Bahamas vacation: basically, just book, fly, and relax. But to be a respectful, safe, and prepared visitor, be aware of some basic facts about life and travel in the Bahamas.
A Short History
The Bahamas has an interesting past. The many islands of the Lucayan archipelago, which is mostly made up of the Bahamas but also Turks and Caicos, were inhabited by the indigenous Arawak and Lucayan people. It was here that Christopher Columbus landed in 1492 and, unfortunately, introduced them to disease.
Forced relocation to other places for labor also contributed to the native population’s decimation. The British took the Bahamas as a colony and resettled American loyalists there during the American Revolution, and their descendants make up the small white population of the islands today. But the country was also a haven for escaped or freed slaves in America, and it is the descendants of these African-origin peoples that make up the vast majority of the population today.
Independence from the British came in 1973. The Bahamas was a tourist destination far before that, appealing to sun-seekers as early as the 1850s. This is what has driven the country to become the richest in the West Indies today.
Current Travel Information
All that said, the Bahamas is a safe, well-developed, and popular tourist destination today. English is the official language, and although you may hear a Creole version of it sometimes, you will be able to communicate with the locals just fine. Bahamians are known to be extremely friendly, welcoming, and happy people.
The local currency is the Bahamian dollar. Interestingly, it’s pegged to the US dollar 1-to-1, meaning there is no conversion needed – the value is exactly the same. Because of this, payments are usually accepted in either currency, so there’s no need to exchange your money if coming from the US. However, their cash is very pretty, so you might want to!
The US Department of State classifies the Bahamas as a “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” country, and it’s generally quite safe. Most crime occurs, unsurprisingly, in the more built-up areas of Nassau and Grand Bahama, where you might encounter theft and perhaps gang violence in the wrong neighborhoods. They also caution tourists to be vigilant about unlicensed or unsafe water sports vendors.
If possible, travel to the Bahamas outside of hurricane season, as the country is prone to some devastating storms. If you must travel during those months, whether it’s for better deals or great fishing, watch the weather closely and don’t hesitate to make the call to be safe rather than sorry.
Tips for Travel
- English is the official language of the Bahamas, and you don’t need to worry about communication barriers
- US dollars can be used for most things, as the Bahamian dollar is equivalent in value; credit cards are widely used at hotels and restaurants but not always at informal activity vendors
- Wall outlets in the Bahamas are the same as those in North America: two parallel flat prongs
- They drive on the left-hand side of the road in the Bahamas, so use caution when renting a car if you’re not used to that
→ And even if you are used to that, it’s not uncommon to find left-hand drive vehicles on the road (rather than right-hand drive in left-side countries); this can add an element of unfamiliarity for anyone
- America-bound passengers have the luxury of pre-clearing US immigration at the airport in Nassau: you will go through US customs before boarding your flight, not when you arrive, saving time, as you land as a “domestic” flight
→ Note that this is not optional; it applies to all passengers on the flight
→ Because of this, consider arriving at the airport earlier than usual
→ If you have a connecting flight in the US, you don’t need to pick up and re-check your baggage, as you would have to on a traditional international flight
What We Loved and Didn’t Love
The Bahamas is an amazing country for beach people. We loved the other-worldly beaches that are accessible via a quick flight, or even ferry ride, from the United States. Warm water, extreme visibility, and soft sand are all basically givens here.
We loved the variety of resorts available around the Bahamas, as everyone can find something their style here (unless you really don’t like beach vacations). There are large resorts in busy areas, small lodges on quiet cays, budget-friendly escapes, and ultra-luxe getaways.
We really loved the friendly people of the Bahamas, who are happy to share their beautiful country with visitors. Who wouldn’t be happy with those views from their office, anyway?
We didn’t really love the “tourist premium” you pay for many things in the Bahamas, especially in places like Paradise Island, where things are far more expensive than they have to be just because people will pay it.
That’s just sort of the way it is in beautiful, touristy places, though. You can still find fair prices in the Bahamas if you know where to look, and all-inclusive packages can help with that.
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