Bahamas Visitors Guide
Daniel Mode
Daniel Mode
Laura Schulthies
Laura SchulthiesThe Bahamas has something for everyone. Whether you’re a single wanting to get away, a couple looking for quality time, or a family seeking adventure, the Bahamas is the ultimate island destination. Swim in the blue waters, explore vibrant markets and visit historic cultural sites in this tropical paradise. With 700 islands and 2,400 cays, the opportunities are endless! This guide will help you better explore, relax and enjoy your next Bahamas vacation.
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Contents
A Bit Of History
Some of the earliest settlers to The Bahamas were the Lucayan people who thrived on the islands for hundreds of years until Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492. In 1649, puritan English colonists from Bermuda known as Eleutheran Adventurers arrived and settled on the island of Eleuthera.
The Bahamas became a British crown colony in 1718, and it was around this time that pirates began to use many of smaller islands as hideouts for raiding European ships in the area, especially around Nassau. The British eventually put an end to piracy, and over the following centuries, the Bahamas flourished.
American settlers soon arrived as well, and the islands became a hotspot for trade during the Civil War and Prohibition Era. In 1973, the Bahamas became a free country, ending over 300 years of British rule.
The Bahamas Today
The Bahamas have been a thriving tourist destination since 1898. The tourist economy actually began during the Prohibition era when wealthy Americans sought out the islands as an escape from the government’s restrictions. Today, thousands of people travel from all over the world to experience the countless attractions the island nation has to offer. Though the capital city Nassau on the island of New Providence has the highest population, there are numerous islands with substantial populations, tourism infrastructure, and wonderful hotel and luxurious resort options.
Is The Bahamas Safe?
The Bahamas are very attractive when it comes to having beautiful white sand beaches, but it is not the safest country in the region to travel to.
The U.S. State Department currently rates The Bahamas as a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution destination due to crime. Violent crimes, including armed robberies, burglaries, and sexual assaults, can occur, though they primarily affect locals rather than tourists. Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport. Travelers are advised to avoid the “Over the Hill” area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gang activity has been reported.
The U.S. Embassy has issued warnings about jet ski operators, particularly around Nassau and Paradise Island beaches including Junkanoo Beach, Saunders Beach, and Cabbage Beach. Water activities are not well-regulated in those areas, and incidents including injuries and assaults have been reported.
Where are The Bahamas?
click map to enlarge
The Bahamas are an archipelago of more than 3,000 islands, cays, and islets that stretch over 500 miles in the West Indies area of the Atlantic Ocean.
The island nation is located north of Cuba, northwest of the Dominican Republic and the Turks & Caicos, and southeast of Florida.
Bahamas Map
When Is The Bahamas Hurricane Season?
The Bahamas hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak months being August, September, and October. The risk of hurricanes hitting the Bahamas has increased in the past few years, but they are unpredictable and not a guarantee even during peak season. Hurricanes are infrequent in the Bahamas, and when one does come, satellite forecasts generally give adequate advance warning. Be sure to check weather reports before your trip, and we always recommend getting travel insurance during these months just in case of inclement weather.
How to Get to The Bahamas & Around
There are a few ways to get to and around The Bahamas.
Arrival by Air
With 20 international airports the Bahamas welcome flights from around the world. If you want to get to the outer islands you will fly through Nassau first.
The main airport in the Bahamas is the Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS). Many American and Canadian airlines have direct flights to this airport from major cities.
If you are connecting to one of the Out Islands from Nassau, it’s a good idea to allow at least 1½ hours to clear Immigration and Customs. Then simply proceed to the domestic terminal to check-in for your departing flight.
Search for great deals on flights here.
Arrival By Cruise
If you’re thinking of cruising to the Bahamas, you’ll have plenty of options. With multiple ports of call across the islands, major cruise lines like Norwegian Sky, Mariner of the Seas, and Disney Dream all sail here.
The top cruise ship ports in the Bahamas are Nassau on New Providence Island and Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. Each port offers visitors a different experience.
Search for great deals on cruises here.
Shuttles in The Bahamas
While it’s easy to find airport transfers at many international airports, that’s not the case in the Bahamas. If you are interested in airport transfers, both shuttles and private transportation can be pre-arranged to pick you up and take you from the airport to your accommodation.
Private transportation transfers typically cost around $88 for a 4 passenger sedan and $160 for a 10 passenger van. Keep in mind that many of the hotels in Nassau have their own complimentary shuttles, so make sure to check with your accommodations while booking.
You can easily book ground transportation from the airport to your hotel here.
Jitney Buses in The Bahamas
The local public transportation, known as Jitney Buses, travel to select parts of some of the islands. While they are not known for being the most punctual, they are known for being the most budget friendly way to travel around the islands.
One-way rides on Jitney Buses cost approximately $1.25 to $1.50 per person, and only exact change is accepted. The Jitneys operate from about 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (some routes until 7:00 p.m.); however, they don’t have set timetables and don’t run on Sundays. There are 42 jitney routes in Nassau, with Route #10 being the most popular as it runs from downtown Nassau to Cable Beach.
You’ll have to wave a Jitney down to get it to stop, and to get off the bus just say “stop” and the driver will pull over to let you off.
Rental Cars in The Bahamas
Many people get around the larger islands by renting a car or taxi. If you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, then renting a car may be worth it.
You can rent a car upon arrival at all of the major airports in the Bahamas. Rental cars typically cost approximately $50-85 per day for economy cars and $100-110 per day for SUVs, though prices vary by season and availability. You’ll need to drive on the left side of the road, and a U.S. driver’s license is valid for driving in the Bahamas for up to 3 months. Major rental companies include Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Thrifty.
Search for great deals on rental cars here.
Water Taxis & Ferries in The Bahamas
Island hopping can be a bit difficult in the Bahamas. However, water taxis can be used as transport from Nassau to Paradise Island. They are also common throughout the Out Islands.
Visitors can also use inter-island ferries that go from Nassau to Harbour Island, Eleuthera (and Spanish Wells), Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos, Long Island, Andros and the Exumas. Ferries from Florida can take you to Bimini as well.
Ferries cost around $135 per adult and $100 per child (age 2 – 11) for one-way travel, and $250 per adult and $180 per child (age 2 – 11) for the roundtrip travel.
Things to Do in The Bahamas
Bahamas's Top Highlights
The Bahamas really do have something for everyone. Here are just a few of the activities to enjoy in The Bahamas.
Visit the World-Famous Beaches
The Bahamas have some of the most amazing beaches in the world. Two of the most notable are Cable Beach in Nassau and the pink beaches of Harbour Island. The pink beaches get their pink color from an organism with a reddish-pink shell, known as foraminifera.
Cable Beach, on the other hand, has white sand, turquoise waters, and an abundance of colorful fish. Big Major Cay, also known as Pig Beach, is a favorite among visitors who want to swim with the pigs. Head to Love Beach and you may even see a low-flying airplanes buzzing by while lounging in the sand or splashing in the water.
Many islands have incredible secluded beaches like the one in North Exuma pictured above.
Take a look at this Oasis Ocean Rose Island Charter.
Check out more in our Best Bahamas Beaches Guide.
Go Boating!
Sail. Catamaran. Kayak. There are so many ways to get out on the water in The Bahamas. Hire a private charter to go snorkeling at Pearl Island, do some private beaching at Rose Island, or take a swim with native sea turtles at Green Cay.
Join a sunset dinner cruise and enjoy a Caribbean cruise ON the Caribbean! Or head out for a day of sport fishing. There is a wide variety of tours for visitors to enjoy.
Take a look at this highly rated sunset dinner cruise from Nassau.
Charter a fishing boat for the day!
ISLAND LIFE TRAVEL TIP : GET TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance is a must in our opinion. Standard health insurance likely doesn’t cover you while outside of the country so travel insurance will cover any emergency medical needs as well as trip cancellation, lost or stolen luggage (it happens), flight delays, missed connections and more. You can easily compare the top-rated travel insurance plans here.
Enjoy the Epic Diving and Snorkeling
There are numerous islands that offer fantastic diving and snorkeling in The Bahamas. Grand Bahama Island is one of the best, with glassy blue waters and unique coral reefs. Paradise Cove is a great option if you are looking to snorkel directly off the beach.
The small and secluded Rose Island is also renowned for its bustling reef, abundant with tropical fish and shipwrecks. Rose island has no formal infrastructure, but can be easily accessed from Nassau or Paradise Island. There are also several guided snorkeling tours available throughout the islands, such as this Pearl Island Tour.
Snorkeling options abound in the Bahamas. Book one of these amazing snorkeling tours to swim with turtles, sharks, or the famous Bahamian swimming pigs!
Take a look at these great scuba diving tours in the Bahamas.
Check out these amazing turtle adventures like Swimming With Turtles In Green Cay or this Rose Island Tour Where You Can Swim With Turtles.
Explore the National Parks
There are 32 national parks and protected areas covering over 700,000 acres. Abaco National Park is a birdwatcher’s delight, known to be an ideal location to spot the Bahama parrot or white-crowned pigeon. One of the most frequented and unique national parks is the Lucayan National Park, where visitors can explore one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems with over 6 miles of charted tunnels. Admission is approximately $12 for adults and $6 for children.
Another popular location is the Clifton Heritage National Park, which features hiking trails, caves, old plantations, and beaches for snorkeling. For the true nature-lover seeking a rustic outdoor adventure, Primeval Forest National Park offers an undisturbed forest featuring caverns and sinkholes that are accessed by boardwalks, steps, and bridges. Inagua National Park is home to over 80,000 West Indian Flamingos, offering spectacular views of these vibrant birds in their natural habitat.
Take a look at this amazing ATV National Park Tour or this awesome Bonefish National Park Kayaking tour.
Visit the Glass Window Bridge on Eleuthera Island
The Glass Window Bridge is fondly referred to as the “narrowest place on earth”. This man-made bridge got its name from an 1895 painting by the artist Winslow Homer. Here, visitors can see the deep Atlantic Ocean meet the calm turquoise waters of the Bahamas.
Dine at Arawak Cay for a Foodie’s Delight
Arawak Cay, located on West Bay Street in Nassau, is one of the most popular Bahamian restaurants in the region. The establishment has been nicknamed “The Fish Fry” and offers many seafood delicacies such as shrimp, lobster, fried snapper (pictured above), and conch. Make sure to wash your food down with some Kalik, “the beer of The Bahamas.”
There are several great food tour options in the Bahamas. Check out this Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural walking tour.
Take a look at this great Nassau Rum and Food walking tour perfect for those wanting to taste their way around Nassau.
Island Hop to Blue Lagoon Island or Harbour Island
Make sure you enjoy all that The Bahamas has to offer by island hopping! Some great locations outside of Nassau are Blue Lagoon Island and Harbour Island. Blue Lagoon Island is famous for its playful dolphins that often interact with their visitors by pushing them through the water with their snouts.
Harbour Island, on the other hand, is famous for its pink sand beach (pictured above), which many say is one of the best beaches in the world.
Check out this amazing Pearl Island Private Ocean View Cabana.
Take a look at this fun Blue Lagoon Island Beach Day tour.
Browse the Farmers' Markets and John Waltings Distillery
A great place to meet some locals is at one of Bahama’s famous farmer’s markets! A popular option is Nassau’s Straw Market which has been around since the 1940s and offers food, woven straw goods, and souvenirs.
The Doongalik Farmer’s Market is also highly recommended, offering local fruits, veggies, and even sorbets. After enjoying the farmer’s markets, you can walk over to John Watling’s Distillery which produces small-batch rum and is located in an 18th century estate.
Check out this fun Rum Reggae and Rhythm Tour that takes you to John Watling’s Distillery.
Tour the Art Galleries
There are many highly acclaimed art galleries throughout The Bahamas for visitors to enjoy. Some of the most popular are Leo’s Art Gallery, the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (pictured above), and Sandpiper Arts and Crafts. Window shop and enjoy the craftsmanship, or purchase a one-of-a-kind piece as a keepsake.
Eat Conch!
You can’t visit The Bahamas without trying the national food: conch. This shellfish has a texture similar to squid and can be steamed, fried, or served raw. Visitors can enjoy this tropical delicacy in a conch salad (pictured above) like the one at Daddy Brown’s, fritter, chowder, and even a sandwich. If you’re interested in sampling the best foods Bahamas has to offer, consider booking the Nassau Bites and Sites Food and Cultural Tour or Nassau’s Island Food Tour.
Take a look at this amazing Conch Cooking Lesson and Tasting.
Where to Stay in The Bahamas
There are all types of accommodations in The Bahamas. From all-inclusive resorts to boutique hotels and more. Location and amenities are the two top things to look for. For great hotel info and recommendations, check out our Bahamas Hotel Guide or our Bahamas All Inclusive Resort Guide.
For hotel recommendations for every budget, check out our Bahamas Hotel Guide
What to Eat in The Bahamas
You can find a wide range of wonderful bites to eat in the Bahamas. If you’re looking for a culinary adventure, check out our Bahamas Restaurant Guide.
For great restaurant recommendations, check out our Bahamas Restaurant Guide
What To Pack For Your Trip!
The Caribbean is an enchanting wonderland of relaxation and adventure, one can easily have the trip of a lifetime here. Packing for such a vacation shouldn’t be hard, so we’ve put together a checklist to help you pack and included some of our favorites as well. Check out our What To Pack For Your Trip Guide.
Check out our guide for what to bring on your Caribbean vacation!
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