BahamasTravel Guide
Dreaming of a beach break in the beautiful Bahamas? Our Bahamas travel guide outlines everything you need to know about these fabulous Caribbean islands.
Bahamas quick facts
Language
National language
English
Beverages
Bottle of Coke/Pepsi (330ml)
GBP £1.79
Local time
Monday
2:37am
Currency
Bahamian dollar
GBP £1.00 = BSD $1.27
Eating out
Restaurant meal (casual dining)
GBP £19.67
Electricity
Plug type: A
2 or 3 pins • 120V
Explore Bahamas
Where to stay in Bahamas?
From glitzy beach resorts where the rich and famous hang out to what-more-could-you-want-hotels, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the Bahamas, because luxury accommodation can be found everywhere. But if you like your stays a bit more private and low-key, there’s also self-catering accommodation available.
Here are our top picks:
Looking for a place where you can have it all? Put Sandals Royal in Nassau at the top of your list. This sophisticated, adults-only beach resort offers everything from two sky-sized pools and luxury swim-out suites to a whopping 12 dining options. The cherry on top? Your own private beach – need we say more?
For privacy with a capital ‘P’ Tiamo on Andros Island is it. You can only get there by boat or seaplane and there are only 11 upmarket eco villas to choose from at this award-winning boutique resort. An on-site spa, plenty of water sports and opportunities to explore the interior with a guide means remote is definitely not boring.
There are plenty of self-catering places across the Bahamas. Pick an island and you’ll find what you’re looking for! You can be central in Nassau at the cute and colourful Studio Candy at Viking Hill, just 1.6km from Love Beach or opt for a quieter stay at 8 Villa Martinique in the Williams Town district of Freeport, with its swimming pool, garden, terrace, plus free bikes – bonus!
Not sure where to stay in the Bahamas? Get some accommodation ideas right here!
Situated on Paradise Island, Atlantis Paradise Island is a must if you’re travelling with your family. Aside from comfortable accommodation, it boasts a wide variety of outdoor (and child-friendly) activities. There are dolphin interactions, charter boat tours, plenty of swimming pools, and the ocean right on your doorstep. There’s also the Aquaventure water park.
Believe us when we say, this is just the start. Book your accommodation today!
Things to do in Bahamas
So many glorious beaches, so little time! But there are many other wonderful things to do in the Bahamas. Need a nudge in the right direction? Here’s what our travel experts suggest.
If you’d like to add some culture to your Bahamian holiday, time your visit with the Junkanoo, a local festival occurring on Boxing Day (December 26th) and New Year’s Day (January 1st). The main festivities take place in the capital of Nassau and involve traditional Afro-Bahamian street parades, calypso-style music called Goombay, dance and art.
What lies beneath the shimmering waters of the Bahamas is what makes this destination truly exceptional. Book with an accredited scuba diving operator to discover gems such as Nassau’s treasure trove of sunken wrecks, the beautiful black-coral garden just off Bimini and convoluted undersea caves surrounding Stocking Island. The Bahamas is also known for shark diving! Grand Bahama Island’s Tiger Beach is where you can dive with tiger sharks without a cage (eek!)
One of the world’s best snorkelling and diving spots is Dean’s Blue Hole off the coast of Long Island. It’s the second-deepest saltwater blue hole (underwater cavern) in the world at 202m (663ft) and is said to be one of the most beautiful, with fabulously clear water.
The Bahamian capital of Nassau is where most locals live and the majority of cruise ships dock. With its fine assortment of restaurants, bars, shops and casinos, it’s easy to see why it gets a large number of annual visitors. If you want to learn more about the country’s swashbuckling history of pirates and plundered loot, a visit to the Pirates of Nassau Museum is a must.
Situated 5km from the capital of Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island is one of the most popular destinations for cruise passengers and those with the little ones in tow. From dolphin encounters to snorkelling with stingrays, this private island has many supervised activities to choose from. The facilities are top-notch, and there’s also a private beach to enjoy.
Ready to find your very own paradise island? Check out these sweet bundles and offers!
In the Bahamas, Big Major Cay, also known as ‘Pig Island’, is renowned for its swimming pigs. Yes, you read that right! These ocean-loving porkers can be seen living the easy life, wallowing in the calm, shallow waters. Whether they were originally left there by sailors or swam ashore from a shipwreck, no one knows. What we do know, is that these hightide hogs remain a constant delight for visitors.
Bitter Guana Cay is also called Iguana Island and for good reason. Many huge, endangered rock iguanas hang out on the beach there, suntanning all day. These brown and pink Jurassic-looking lizards are not found anywhere else in the world, so a day trip to see them is well worth it!
The Bahamas is one of the most popular destinations for cruise holidays, with several lines operating to private island retreats, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruise Line and Disney. If you love the idea of a no-frills holiday with everything included, speak to our travel experts about what’s on offer.
Looking for an immersive experience? Then a tour is the way to go.
Bahamas food and drink
Cuisine in the Bahamas is a fine blend of local seafood, tropical produce with influences from Africa and Europe. From seaside cafés and roadside vendors on Grand Bahama to high-end restaurants dotted across Nassau, you can expect plenty of freshness and flavour. Don’t skip that traditional and iconic conch (sea snail) salad!
For an elevated five-star dining experience, head to The Graycliff, tucked into an 18th century mansion in Nassau. Aside from its distinctive menu, which changes seasonally, it also boasts an award-winning wine cellar stocked with exceptional wines from across the globe.
On the prowl for a plate of authentic island fare? Make your way to Fish Fry, a collection of open-air eateries where you can rub shoulders with the locals and quench your thirst with an ice-cold Kalik beer. If you can, go on a Sunday when they crank up traditional Bahamian music. It’s guaranteed to get your feet tapping.
Should you find yourself close to Governor’s Harbour on Eleuthera Island, snap up your seat at the renowned and oft-reviewed Tippy’s Restaurant, Beach and Bar. The restaurant and bar combo is nestled right on the beach and features a wrap-around veranda where you can lie back and soak up the views. The menu offers a fun fusion of Italian and Bahamian cuisine, so you can expect to munch on anything from shrimp pizza to conch fritters.
If you count cocktails as lunch, don’t skip a pitstop at John Watling’s Distillery. Based in Nassau and founded in 1789, this historic haunt is well worth a visit, and not just for its tasty tipple but for the vibey atmosphere too. Don’t forget to sign up for the rum tour, but make sure you do it before working your way through the tasting list.
Salivating for some Bahamian cuisine? Explore our tour options to get you to its foodie hotspots.
Get a real taste for the local cuisine by booking a tour.
Bahamas through your eyes
Where to shop in Bahamas?
You won’t find much in the way of world-class fashion in the Bahamas, as most travellers don’t come here to shop. But that’s not to say you can’t pick up a few signature luxury-label items. Shopping on the islands is mostly about finding unique handmade treasures and souvenirs to take home.
Nassau is a fun place to just browse around, particularly along Bay Street, where you can pick up a range of locally crafted souvenirs. At the Craft Cottage on Village Road, you’ll find all sorts of eye-catching trinkets like bubble shell necklaces, pearl earrings and coconut shell serving dishes. The best part? Everything sold here is handmade by local crafters.
The Nassau Straw Market is open daily and features a range of inexpensive handicrafts, including dresses, sarongs, shells, beaded jewellery and woven straw creations. If your heart is set on taking a traditional woven basket home with you, this is the place to go. You’ll find ladies sitting in front of their stalls plaiting palm leaves.
The Port Lucaya Marketplace on Grand Bahama, is especially good for snapping up local knick-knacks from a combination of standalone shops amid the stalls. Here, you can find items from India, Africa, South America, Asia and Europe. But most importantly, you’ll discover a bounty of enticing ice cream parlours.
The island of Andros is well-known for producing colourful batik-dyed Androsia fabric, which has been made here since 1973 at the Androsia Batik Factory. Hot pink and purple are the most popular shades!
Wherever you find yourself shopping in the Bahamas, a Flight Centre Travel Money Card is the easiest and safest way to blow that holiday budget!
Looking for a safe and simple way to bring your money when you travel? Our Travel Money Card has you covered!
When is the best time to travel to Bahamas?
The tropical climate here can be divided into two main seasons: hot and wet (May to November) and warm and dry (December to April). During the dry season you’ll be able to avoid the rain and high humidity, so aim to visit between December and April. The temperatures average around 26-28°C (79-82°F) but keep in mind, this is peak season, with hotel rates at their highest. A heads up: American students arrive in their droves throughout February and March to celebrate spring break.
Although the wet season is hotter, with the thermometer reaching the low 30s°C (86+°F), holiday deals are easy to find, and bad weather rarely spoils an entire day. Hurricane season runs from June to November, with storms commonly occurring from August to October. Arguably, the best time to travel in the Bahamas is late April when you can avoid high season rates while benefiting from decent weather conditions.
Now that you have an idea of the best time to travel in the Bahamas, let’s get your flights booked!
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What are the best beaches in Bahamas?
With multiple islands, the Bahamas boasts a variety of beaches popular for water sports, such as Surfer’s Beach and Fortune Beach, and family-friendly adventures in the Exuma district. There are also plenty of spots for you to simply relax and enjoy sun and surf or listen to music at a beach bar like on Junkanoo Beach.
Ever seen a pink beach? You’re in luck! Harbour Island features three miles of the most extraordinary rose-coloured shoreline. This beautiful beach, aptly named Pink Sands Beach, tops many travel lists. But the reason for its blushing hue, you ask? Scores of broken seashells blended perfectly with powdery white sand.
If you arrive at Providence Island via cruise ship, chances are you’ll find yourself at Cable Beach. Although a popular stretch of shimmering sand, it’s long enough that you won’t feel like you’re right on top of everyone. Situated west of Nassau, this slice of paradise offers a bounty of water-based activities.
Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island may not have pink sand but it is pristine and very popular, so you have to be prepared to brave a few crowds. Most folk meander towards the western end, leaving the eastern side quite empty (how’s that for an inside scoop?). Great for daytime lounging, sunset strolls and full-moon gazing, this beautiful beach hams it up 24/7.
Another one on our list of favourite beaches is Gold Rock Beach on Grand Bahama Island. What we love most about it is how it magically transforms into a massive sandbar during low tide. It’s the perfect beach for playing with little ones who can splash in the shallow waters. There are hammocks for Mom and Dad with a range of vendors packing all sorts of summer snacks. Ice cream, anyone?
Now that you have an idea of the best beaches in the Bahamas, pack your sunscreen and sandals, and don’t forget that travel insurance!