A short flight from Florida will land you in the Bahamas, a tropical archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean known for its great beaches and laid-back island vibes. While many of the best things to do in the Bahamas involve lounging on the sand and splashing in the surf, there’s plenty of places to experience beyond the shore. You can explore Nassau’s historic highlights, such as Fort Charlotte and the Queen’s Staircase; visit massive aquariums at Atlantis on Paradise Island; or immerse yourself in local culture and history at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas.
Most travelers visit from mid-December to mid-April, when average highs reach roughly 80°F (26°C) and beaches are bustling. For a slightly quieter vacation, try visiting from May through June, when there are fewer tourists and temperatures are a bit higher, or from August to November, if you can handle some rain (and the possibility of hurricanes). There are festivals and public events all year round, including the Mardi Gras-like Junkanoo, which takes place on December 26, January 1, and on Saturdays in June and July.
If you’re planning to spend your time on a Bahamian beach, you can probably get everywhere you want by taking occasional cabs and some organized tours. If you’re keen to explore by yourself, flag down cabs or local jitneys (minibusses); both are available in tourist zones like Nassau and Freeport.
There are fewer options outside these busy areas and on the more distant Out Islands of the Bahamas; consider renting a car, moped, bike, or even a golf cart. Island-hopping is easy, thanks to water taxis, ferries, and domestic flights.
In the Bahamas (including in Nassau and Freeport,) taxis aren’t equipped with meters. Make sure you agree on a price for the trip—or at least a per-hour rate—with the driver before starting your trip. If you’re staying on one of the remote Out Islands and plan to leave your hotel at night, be sure to take a flashlight. Because traffic is sparse, there’s very little street lighting.
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The Bahamas is known for having pristine white (and even pink) beaches, crystal clear waters, the third-largest barrier reef in the world, swimming pigs, and colorful pirate history. With more than 700 islands and 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s a popular tropical vacation destination.
...MoreHome to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, numerous blue holes, and underwater cave systems, the Bahamas is a draw for scuba diving, cave diving, snorkeling, and sport fishing. Relaxing on the beach is also very popular. Other things to do in the Bahamas include shopping, rum tasting, gambling, hiking, and wildlife spotting at Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve.
...MoreNassau, on New Providence Island, is the capital of the Bahamas and easily its most visited destination, attracting more than half of all visitors. Its international airport and cruise port are the busiest ports of entry for the Bahamas. Nassau is also connected to Paradise Island and the popular Atlantis Resort.
...MoreWhile there is no shortage of pretty places in the Bahamas, many people consider the Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island to be the prettiest. Other pretty places include the Tropic of Cancer Beach in Exuma, Green Turtle Cay, Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island, Treasure Cay Beach on Great Abacos, and the French Leave Beach and Glass Window Bridge on Eleuthera.
...MoreSome must-see attractions and things to do in the Bahamas include the swimming pigs of Exuma, the Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island, the massive cave system at Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island, and the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Make sure to try a conch salad or conch fritters and kick back with a Bahama Mama, a popular rum-based cocktail.
...MoreNo. Although the island of Bimini is only 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Florida—and the Bahamian dollar is pegged 1-to-1 to the US dollar—the Bahamas has never been a part of the US. It was a British territory for 325 years and became an independent country in 1973.
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