The Bahamas Islands

Country Statistics

Location

Chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba.

Time

GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from first Sunday in April to last Sunday in October).

Population

305,655.

Capital

Nassau. Population: 331,000.

Geography

Comprising 700 low-lying islands, mostly islets (cays or keys), atolls, and rocks, the Bahamas archipelago extends 970km (500 miles) southeastward from the coast of Florida. Sparkling, clear waters are home to vibrant underwater gardens on the world's third longest barrier reef, which contains about 14.5% of the coral on the planet. Fertile marine plains are split between two oceanic facets, the Little Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank, where visibility of around 60m (197ft) is the norm. Exotic flowers, pine forest, rugged shoreline, barren savannahs, marshlands, and sandy beaches typify the landscape, on a bed of limestone and coral rocks.

Electricity

120-volts AC, 60Hz. US-style plug sockets and outlets are standard.

Bahamas Overview:

The quiet coves, sheltered bays, and crowd-free beaches of the Bahamas offer visitors the intimacy of a secluded retreat within a surprisingly expansive archipelago. Twice the size of Spain, the Bahamas is actually made up of over 700 palm-fringed isles.

Totally tropical
Named from the Spanish baja mar, meaning “shallow sea,” the Bahamas is blessed with clear, turquoise waters that are home to ancient shipwrecks and a rainbow of coral reefs teeming with fish. Pastel-colored seashells and clapboard houses painted in bubblegum hues sit amidst a tropical landscape dotted with vibrant blooms. On many of the Bahamas' most unspoiled coastal stretches, empty beaches offer total tranquility with the occasional squawking of an exotic bird and gently lapping waves as the only distraction.

Plenty to do
For a change of pace, head to one of the islands’ bustling straw markets to haggle over spices, ceramics, handicrafts, and local art. Enjoy diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and parasailing or take to the fairways of a world-class golf course for ocean-facing holes.

Bahamian beats   
Umpteen Bahamian bars and clubs pulsate with island rhythms, from pumping goombay and calypso to Junkanoo beats. Discover riotous dance festivals that mix African slave-trade rituals with Bahamian tempo and American hip-hop twists. Or experience the age-old traditions and legends of the islands at local cultural celebrations amidst costumes, food, and song.

Bahamas: Tourist Information:

Getting here:

There are airports located on several of the islands of the Bahamas. Nassau International (NAS) is located 16km west of the city. Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) is located 5km from the city of Freeport. The Exuma International Airport at Moss Town, Exuma (GGT), also offers a runway.

Of the many reasons why one should visit the Bahamas, here are a few:

Swimming and scuba-diving
Sharks lurking in the warm waters off Long Island are amenable to swimmers but if teeth aren’t your thing, you can explore shipwrecks or discover the stone ruins off Bimini, said to be the remains of the lost city of Atlantis. The underwater preserve of Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park are also open to divers.

Shopping
The dozens of colorful stalls at Nassau's bustling straw market are a perfect place for you to barter over local goods. For a sophisticated shop, splash some cash in the swish stores at Bay Street, a haven of designer brands.

Golf
Bahamas’ oldest golf course, at Cable Beach, has beautifully kept fairways, or there are five other world-class courses on Grand Bahama Island to choose from. Exuma’s course was designed by golfer Greg Norman, while the Abaco Club boasts a Scottish links-style course.
Blue Lagoon Island
At Blue Lagoon Island you can interact with sea-lions displaced by Hurricane Katrina and frolic with bottle-nosed dolphins in waist-high pools; many played starring roles in the movie Flipper.

Fishing
Fishing trips to Bimini’s world-class sport-fishing waters run regularly, or you can search for the elusive bonefish in Andros. At 1,800m (6,000ft), the fertile deep water trench dubbed Tongue of the Ocean is a prime deep-water spot for a major haul.

Sailing
 

The picture-perfect pristine cays and spectacular reefs of the Exumas archipelago are perfect for a leisurely sail. There’s also an upscale boating scene in the marinas, bays, and regattas of Nassau/Paradise Island to enjoy.

Junkanoo festivities
Street processions and dance bands fill the streets, along with a lively party crowd, at the Bahamian Junkanoo festivities on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. At the Junkanoo Summer Festival in June and July island music rages for days on end.

Rum cocktails
There are few pleasures in life as simple as sipping rum-laden cocktails on Abaco Beach at sundown, watching the golden sky turn a dramatic pink-crimson. To add to the magic, fairy-lights illuminate the shore as dozens of boats gently bob out in the harbor.

Get married
Couples can tie the knot on the sands, atop a wooden jetty, in a church, aboard a yacht, amidst tropical gardens, or wearing full scuba gear underwater.

Nightlife

Most hotels contain bars, lounges, and nightclubs. Live music, beach parties, and discos center on calypso and goombay bands with limbo dancing. Four casinos are spread across Cable Beach, Paradise Island, and Grand Bahama (Freeport and Lucaya) with festivals and live entertainment organized locally year-round.

More Places You May Want To Visit While You Stay In The Bahamas: