49.4 F
Santa Monica
Saturday, February 8, 2025
spot_img

12 Things To Do In The Bahamas For An Unforgettable Vacation

This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.

No doubt you already have pictures of the sparkling sand and glittering crystal clear turquoise waters of The Bahamas in your mind long before you visit, thanks to the TV adverts and global media coverage.

But beaches are not the only things to do in The Bahamas, contrary to popular belief!

From scuba diving underwater cave systems to sipping rum punch on the deck of a colonial mansion to swimming with pigs, there are so many incredible activities you can do in The Bahamas, you better make an island hopping trip a top priority this year.

If you’re not sure what to do in The Bahamas, be sure to start with…

1. Explore the Capital of Nassau, New Providence Island

colorful buildings in a row

There are few places that compare to Nassau in The Bahamas. The range of things to do here are seemingly endless.

The city of Nassau can be found on New Providence Island near the northern end of the archipelago.

Not only is its location convenient for anyone taking a trip to the Bahamas from Florida, since it’s only an hour’s flight away, but it also serves as an excellent hub for accessing the surrounding islands.

Don’t just fly into Nassau, stick around before you explore the other islands in The Bahamas.

With spectacular beaches, transcendent resorts, water sport activities, and one of the world’s most exciting cultures to immerse yourself in, Nassau is the perfect intro to The Bahamas.

Historical tour of downtown Nassau

boat at port at nassau

During your vacation to the Bahamas, you will undoubtedly come across a number of historical sites.

Nassau Bahamas is home to a number of fascinating museums, relics, and monuments that tell the story of the Bahamas of the past.

Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Bahamas in the late 15th century on his journey to discover the new world. Though his time spent here was more than 500 years ago, his influence on the country was immense.

Naming the archipelago “Baha Mar” the Spanish words for “shallow water” Columbus gave birth to the name “Bahamas.”

Take a historical tour of downtown Nassau, where you can learn about the history of The Bahamas and the significant presence of pirates in the 18th century.

Edward Teach, the infamous pirate known as Blackbeard, controlled Nassau in the 1700’s along with his band of pirate brothers known as the Privateers Republic.

It wasn’t long after colonials established the towns and cities of the Bahamas that Pirates set their sights on the land.

The location made it the most desirable to control. Naturally, this is where Blackbeard and his Privateers Republic focused their attention, taking the land in the early 18th century.

This arrangement didn’t last long though, and the land was reclaimed within a few years.

Nassau is full of pirate-related attractions, with fascinating museums packed with exciting objects from the age of pirates.

These stories, along with the fascinating relics of Columbus’s first arrival, will keep your whole family entertained.

Nassau beaches

Junkanoo Beach on Nassau Bahamas
Junkanoo Beach on Nassau, New Providence Island

Some other popular attractions in Nassau are Cable Beach and Clifton Heritage National Park, known for their unparalled beauty, crystal clear water, and powdery white sand.

If you want family friendly beaches near the resorts, consider Junkanoo Beach, a small beach lined with beach huts and with beachside resorts right behind it.

Fort Fincastle Historic Complex

If you want to see a historical landmark, climb up Queen’s Staircase, named after Queen Victoria, a historic set of 66 steps up Fort Fincastle Historic Complex.

Fort Fincastle Historic Complex is a defensive structure atop Bennet’s Hill in Nassau, built in 1793 by Lord Dunmore, the Governor of the Bahamas.

It was designed to protect Nassau’s harbor from potential threats and is unique for its paddle-wheel steamer shape and well-preserved architecture, though it never saw active combat.

Try Nassau’s famous rum

If you want to sample The Bahamas liquid icon, rum, head to John Watling’s Distillery, part of the Buena Vista Estate, for a free tour of its distillery.

Or, head to the Rum Cake Factory to sample some of the best rum cake in the world!

Mingle with flamingoes at Ardastra Gardens

The flamingo is the national bird of The Bahamas, and a symbol of the tropics. There are a few places where you can see these pink creatures from, mainly from Nassau.

Ardastra Gardens are the most accessible from Nassau, and is the only wildlife conservation center in The Bahamas. It has a Flamingo Show three times a day, where the flamingos march into a white-picket-fence enclosure so you can see them up close.

For something unique, head to Baha Mar luxury resort complex for yoga with flamingoes on a Saturday morning with Bar Mar spa.

2. Island hop the Out Islands of The Bahamas

Mom and two kids on a boat ride
Exploring the Exumas Islands

It would be meaningless to visit The Bahamas without some time spent exploring the islands. Within The Bahamas archipelago, there is a string of islands that display a natural and untouched beauty unlike anywhere else in the world.

There are 700 islands in the Out Islands, which collectively account for 84% of The Bahamas’ land mass.

Each of these islands has an entirely unique personality, with one, unmistakable theme in common: beautiful landscapes.

Whether you’re visiting the famous Exuma Islands, swimming with pigs in Staniel Cay, or admiring the magnificent Harbour Island, an island hopping trip around The Bahamas will be unforgettable.

person flying in a small plane

Many people island hop The Bahamas by boat or ferry, and while this can be a marvellous experience, there is nothing quite like seeing the islands from above.

The boundless vistas of the glittering ocean and gemlike islands during an air tour are unparalleled.

Island hopping by plane is not only exceptionally scenic, it also saves precious time.

Plane flying over islands

Every moment spent during your holidays to The Bahamas is a moment to cherish and remember – an Air Tour of the islands will allow you to make the most of your time.

Astronaut Scott Kelly once described The Bahamas as “the most beautiful place on Earth viewed from space,” so clearly, it’s a good idea to see it from above.

With airstrips on most of the Out Islands, you will be able to explore each and every beautiful island to your heart’s content.

Fly over Schooner Cays

plane flying over the ocean

Schooner Cays is an area that is made up of several long sand banks and beaches.

plane wing over the ocean
Flying over the Schooner Cays sand banks

These white streaks of sand are framed by turquoise water that gradually darkens to a deep blue the further it gets from the land.

There is nothing quite like peering out the window of a small aircraft down at a beauty so pure and natural as Schooner Cays.

3. Relax on the beaches

Two young girls standing in shallow water at the beach
Pirate Beach on Staniel Cay is incredible.

There is no doubt that, above all else, The Bahamas is known for its beaches.

These paradisiac stretches of sand surrounded by the world’s most stunning turquoise water draw in thousands of people from around the globe each year.

The gentle sound of lapping waves on the sparkling sand blends with the picture-perfect beauty of your surroundings.

Three islands we recommend for beaches are Long Island, Cat Island and Harbour Island, where you will find beaches with a unique, and stunning color to them.

Deal’s Beach, Long Island

Both Long Island and Cat Island will give you the chance to explore completely deserted beaches.

A good example of this is Deal’s Beach, which is a mile-long beach that will be almost deserted when you visit.

Think powdery white sand, an ocean teaming with marine life, and no one else around. Just the sound of lapping waves and birds tweeting.

Also on Long Island is Dean’s Blue Hole, a blue hole (large marine cavern or sink hole), that ranks as the world’s third deepest at 202 metres.

Pigeon Cay Beach, Cat Island

Though it may have a very small population, and not many visitors, Cat Island is actually the largest island in The Bahamas – meaning that you’ll have vast stretches of beach all to yourself.

Pigeon Cay Beach has gentle azure waters, sand so white you will need sunglasses to look at it, and barren white rocks and white dead trees fringing its beach – perfect spots for Instagram pics!

To top it all off, there’s no one else around!

Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island

The famous Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island Bahamas
Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island

Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island is one of the world’s most famous beaches. It’s made up of the shells of thousands of microscopic mollusks mixed with the white sand granules.

As the water washes over these shells, they emit a vibrant red hue, that when mixed with the white of the sand, creates an impressive pink colored beach.

Pink Sands Beach has become a world-renowned beauty. Not only does it have uniquely pink sand, but it’s also complimented by the glorious water and overflowing flower beds that fringe the sand with a magnificent array of colors.

Like many other beaches in the Bahamas, Pink Sands Beach offers you the chance to ride along the coastline on horseback.

This exciting activity is great for families and will allow you all to experience Pink Sands Beach in true Bahamian style.

Whether you’ve set your sights on Pink Sands Beach, or one of the many other spectacular beaches in this archipelago, your vacation in the Bahamas will ensure a fantastic time is had by you and your family.

4. Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cay, Paradise Island

man on a small boat
Boat Excursion at Staniel Cay Bahamas to visit the famous Exuma Pigs

The wildlife of The Bahamas is just as impressive as the scenery. From turtles to stingrays to sharks to sea lions, there’s so much marine life to see, within swimming distance of the shore.

You will find a range of thriving life both on the islands and beneath the water’s surface.

Hundreds of different fish species swim through these waters, accompanied by sharks, dolphins, and magnificent sea turtles.

To view a sea turtle first-hand is a truly extraordinary experience. There is such grace and elegance to the way that they glide through the water, and there is no better place to experience this than here in The Bahamas.

From Nassau, you have the opportunity to go swimming with dolphins, which is a unique experience in The Bahamas. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience can be enjoyed at the fantastic Dolphin Cay, between Paradise Island and Blue Lagoon Island (also known as Salt Cay).

It is perfect for families because the water is shallow, the dolphins are calm and there are guides present to provide you with a wealth of great information about these dolphins.

5. Swimming with Exuma Pigs

Pig at the beach with a mother and daughter looking on

While the sea creatures are fascinating, there is a rather unlikely animal that can be found in these waters.

Near the island of Staniel Cay, you will find one of the most famous attractions – the pigs of Exuma.

Some say the pigs were left on this island by sailors many years ago as a reserve source of food, while others suggest that there may have been pigs aboard a ship that sank in the area.

Whatever their origin, a visit to the swimming pigs has become the most sought after tour in the world, and for good reason.

This is one of the coolest things to do in the Bahamas – there is nothing quite like looking over the edge of your speedboat to see dozens of pigs paddling through the water beside you.

Video: Swimming with pigs

Video: Reasons to love Exuma Islands

6. See the iguanas at Bitter Guana Cay

Two iguanas on a beach
Iguana on Bitter Guana Cay

A visit to Bitter Guana Cay will provide you with sights of one of the Caribbean’s most prehistoric looking beasts. The Bahamian Rock Iguana can be found on the shores of Bitter Guana Cay, warming itself in the sun.

Since these reptiles have no natural predators, they are not nervous of visitors. What this means for you and your family is that you will have the chance to take some truly memorable pictures of the Iguanas.

A Bahamas vacation would be incomplete without some time spent enjoying the marvelous wildlife.

Dolphin Cay is not the only place to get up close to such beautiful marine animals. A visit to Compass Cay will provide you and your family with the opportunity to share the water with Nurse Sharks.

As for family activities in the Bahamas, this safe, yet thrilling activity is an excellent way to experience incredible wildlife.

Video: Iguana Island

7. Learn about slave history on Cat Island and Harbour Island

Plantation ruins on Cat Island Bahamas.
Plantation ruins on Cat Island

Just like many other destinations in the Caribbean, the Bahamas was involved in the slave trade. West African slaves were brought to these shores to work in plantations.

Remnants of the plantation buildings can still be found on select islands throughout the Bahamas.

Cat Island is one of the very best places to view these ruins. Having had one of the highest population of slaves, Cat Island’s dark past is inescapable during your visit.

Colonial style buildings surround Dunmore Town, the orginal capiotal of the Bahamas, located on Harbour Island Bahamas.
Colonial style buildings surround Dunmore Town

Dunmore Town on Harbour Island has an entirely different window into yesteryear. The well-preserved colonial buildings line the quiet lanes of Dunmore Town.

The well-preserved colonial buildings line the quiet lanes of Dunmore Town and are still very much in use.

This is one of the best places to visit in the Bahamas to travel back in time and appreciate what these islands were built on. Though there is this dark past, a wonderful and rich culture has since emerged.

The annual Junkanoo Festival displays the vibrancy of the Bahamian culture with dance, music, food, and celebration, all while commemorating the hardships of the slaves.

8. Eat at a fish fry

Visiting a fish fry during your stay is an absolute necessity. You will be given the chance to choose from a range of dishes, many of which include the Bahamian signature cuisine known as conch.

Washing this seafood down with a rum tasting or a local Kalik beer is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the culture.

9. Explore the underwater cave system of Lucayan National Park

Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island is home to one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world.

These caves were created over millennia by rainwater that seeped through the solid limestone, gradually carving out a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers.

The cave’s tunnels were also once used as ancient burial grounds, and only two caves are open to the public – Ben’s Cave and Burial Mound Cave.

10. Snorkel in Thunderball Grotto, AKA James Bond Cave

The Thunderball Grotto in the Exumas is a unique attraction that was made famous by the James Bond movie, Thunderball (1965) and Never Say Never Again (1983).

Located just a short boat ride from Staniel Cay, Thunderball Grotto is an underwater cave system that you can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in.

Below the water’s surface, the waters are teaming with colorful fish and marine life, and above your head, the cave is decorated with a tapestry of stalagmites hanging from above – it’s a sight you’ll never forget.

11. Snorkel the Andros Barrier Reef

The Andros Barrier Reef is the third largest barrier reef in the world, accessible from the east coast of Andros Island.

The reef is teaming with marine life, including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, and vibrant coral formations.

The crystal-clear waters provide excellent visibility for snorkelers, and it’s also been known to be home to sea turtles and sharks patrolling its outer edge.

12. Have a quick break in Bimini

Ok, so you want a quick break to The Bahamas? We hear you! Look towards Bimini, the westernmost district of The Bahamas made up of two islands, aptly named North and South Bimini.

They are located just 80 kilometres east of Miami, Florida, making them easily accessible from the Floridian city, with flights lasting just 45 minutes.

If you are looking for a weekend break, this is the place to go.

You can also catch a ferry from Fort Lauderdale, taking around 2 hours. Check out ferry timetables here.

Best Time To Visit The Bahamas

The best time to visit The Bahamas depends is the winter from December to April, as it offers pleasant weather with warm temperatures, plenty of sunny days, and not a lot of rainfall.

However, it is peak season to visit The Bahamas, so if you want to escape the crowds, consider late-April and early-June, which are considered the shoulder seasons.

The hurricanes tend to come in the summer, from June to November, so it’s best to avoid these months.

Best Places To Stay In The Bahamas

Aquaventure waterpark, Atlantis Paradise Island Resort

If you’re only in The Bahamas for a short vacation, stay in Nassau or the nearby Paradise Island, connected to Nassau via a bridge. Here you will find some of the world’s most renowned resorts.

The Atlantis Paradise Island Resort is by far the largest and most popular, with magnificent buildings, and transcendent amenities, your entire family will be spoiled for choice.

Whether you want to swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cay, trying your luck at the casino, visiting the fantastic Aquaventure water park, playing a round of golf on the golf course, or relax on a private beach, Atlantis Resort is for you!

We also recommend staying a while in the Exumas. Staniel Cay is a great base, and we loved our stay at the Embrace Resort.

Final Thoughts

Mom and daughter taking a photo at the beach
Pipe Creek sandbar, Exumas Islands

The Bahamas is a collection of islands that boasts immense beauty. From the historic streets of Nassau to the untouched bays of the Out Islands, there is so much to see and explore.

With a vibrant culture, delicious dishes, exotic wildlife, and some of the world’s most spectacular beaches, a Bahamas vacation has something for everyone.

Did you find some activities to do from this list? Let us know in the comments.

Bio: Mark is an Airline Pilot who is on a mission to inspire and inform you about his two passions; Flying and Travel. Having travelled across all 7 continents, he is here to help you travel the world with inspiring destinations and expert flying and travel tips. Planning at trip to Bahamas? Read my informative Bahamas Guide. Follow Mark on Social @flyingandtravel, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest & Twitter.

More Caribbean Travel Tips

While you’re in the Caribbean, why not visit Barbados? Here’s what to do in Barbados – a destination for all ages!

Pin To Save On Pinterest

Adblock test (Why?)

Ytravel Blog Original Article

RELATED ARTICLES