The Best of All Island Worlds, the Bahamas Islands!
The Bahamas Islands are truly a tropical paradise with over 700 islands and 2000 cays sprinkled across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. You can visit all of these either
by air
or by sea. The Bahamas islands are comprised of several different regions or districts. The islands most people are most familiar with are New Providence, home to Nassau, and Grand Bahama Island, home to the town of Freeport. The other islands are called the "Bahamas family islands" or "out islands," and are rare gems in this undiscovered Caribbean paradise! The most popular tourist region in the family islands is the Abacos. Here, you can read a short description of each island. All you have to do is click on the name of the island to find out more! Each one of these has its own special qualities and all of them boast incredible beaches, crystal clear water, and friendly people!
Click here to see more Bahamas Islands Maps.
Nassau
This is your vacation island for watersports, all inclusive resorts, shopping, and nightlife. Lots of cruise ships come to Nassau where their passengers disembark to shop the famous straw market on Bay Street. There is no shortage of sailing trips, booze cruises, and diving expeditions to ensure that you are always entertained. Speaking of entertainment, there are plenty of nightclubs and hotels that offer live music and Bahamas culture shows. The vibe here is historical, “urban island,” and touristy.
Paradise Island
Best known for the Atlantis resort, Paradise Island is connected to Nassau by a bridge. We love visiting the huge outdoor aquarium park at Atlantic. It’s loads of fun with waterslides and shark tanks. There is also a casino, which is actually pretty cool for its one of a kind blown glass art collection. Lots of restaurants ensure something for everyone. There are a few other hotels and resorts on the island that offer a happening bar scene, golf course, and club beaches. There is an upscale vibe here. You are surrounded by fancy mega yachts and there are frequent celebrity sightings.
Grand Bahama Island
This Bahamas island is pretty large. Resorts, golf courses, restaurants, and shopping abound. There is great snorkeling and diving around Grand Bahama. It’s fun to rent a car and explore the tiny, local settlements that lie between West End and Freeport, which are the two big vacation destinations on Grand Bahama. The vibe here is a bit touristy, but there are many wonderful treasures lying just beyond the crowds to be discovered here.
The Biminis
Ernest Hemingway loved Bimini, and so do saltwater fishermen and shark scientists! We love the Biminis, too. North Bimini is the place to go for fishing and diving. It’s got the vintage vibe of a tropical, fishing village complete with salty sailors and big game fishermen swapping sea stories in their bare feet over a couple cold Kaliks. There is also some development going on here, but it is surrounded by controversy as it threatens the sealife that makes Bimini so fantastic. The Bimini Biological Field Station is located on South Bimini. They conduct fascinating studies on the surrounding shark populations. A tour of the facility a offers valuable and fun education.
Walker's Cay
An island located in the Northern
Abaco
region of the Bahamas, Walker’s Cay is all about saltwater fishing! This is your island if you like being out on the blue sea on a sport fishing yacht, reeling in big fish all day with your friends and a friendly boat crew. Then relaxing a quiet hotel room or private cottage in the evening before going out again the next day. The vibe here is rugged, sporty, and all about the fish.
Green Turtle Cay
Great restaurants, fun bars, secluded beaches and fabulous diving. Also, located in the
Abacos
, this island is straight out of a Jimmy Buffet song. You can drink Margaritas by the pool, explore the coral reefs, and watch the sunset over the sea. You will think you’ve died and gone to heaven on Green Turtle Cay if you’ve always dreamed of living the island life. The vibe is casual, vibrant, and fun.
Great Abaco
This island has a couple of great harbours surrounded by quaint rental homes and waterfront inns. There is even a ferry you can take for superfun day trips to the other islands in the Abaco region of the Bahamas. The vibe here is diversity, artsy, and nautical.
Elbow Cay
This is another great island in the Abacos. Elbow Cay has incredible surfing and charming vacation cottages. This island has lots of character and is one of the most aesthetically pleasing of all the islands. An active local, ex-pat, and sailing community combines to create a welcoming atmosphere for guests. A bright red and white striped lighthouse and easter egg colored homes positioned on the sparkling aquamarine sea. The vibe here is beautiful, calm, and very social.
Man 'O War Cay
A truly unique island with a community that carries on old boat building traditions. A proud, but friendly air permeates this village settled long ago by British Loyalists. The perfect place to rent a runabout, this island is surrounded by prolific seas full of fish and little sandy islets perfect for shelling. The vibe is pretty, peaceful, and easygoing. Man 'O War Cay is also part of the Abaco region of the Bahamas.
Great Guana Cay
Great Guana Cay has some terrific deals on rental cottages. You can ride a bike or rent a golf cart for sightseeing on this small island. There is one of the most beautiful coral reefs nearby for viewing while you snorkel or dive. There are a couple of really fun beach bars and an oceanside pig roast every Sunday at the famous Nipper's. Everyone in the Abacos makes it a point to attend. The vibe is a little bit beach party and a little bit afternoon nap in a hammock beneath the palm trees.
Eleuthera
One of our favorite islands! Eleuthera has cool resorts and lovely island cottage rentals. Fabulous beaches, surfing, and laid back island style. We have spent a lot of time there because my husband, Brian, loves Surfer’s Beach. We also love exploring the caves on Eleuthera. And the people there are friendly and fun! The vibe here is relaxed, chill, beachy fun.
Harbour Island
A magical paradise that remains a pretty exclusive getaway for the rich and famous. If you can afford it, you must visit this island gem. Harbour Island is tiny, beautiful, and relaxing. You can go walk on the pink sand beaches or ride a horse through the surf. The accommodations and dining here promise the best service and quality. Diving, fishing, and snorkeling is easy with boat rentals and island guides readily available. The vibe here is luxurious, exclusive, and expensive.
The Exumas
The most pristine, gorgeous island chain I have ever had the privilege to sail through. Many of these islands are part of a protected land and sea park. The ones that have accommodations on them are some of the most unique and special places on earth. The vibe is “can you believe this place exists?”
Andros
A unique Bahamas island that feels like you’re at the edge of the world. If you want to feel like you’ve really gotten away, this is where you need to go. There are some awesome eco-resorts here. The world’s third largest barrier reef lies just offshore, and it’s pretty impressive. The vibe here is wild, mysterious, and remote.
Long Island
Our home away from home... There is a wonderful community on this Bahamas island, which is why we decided this was where we wanted to build our second home. Besides being surrounded by fabulous people, Long Island provides us with plenty of the adventure that we crave. There are hidden surf breaks, phenomenal diving, interesting history, cool cave systems, and enough local farming to provide an impressive amount of fresh produce. The vibe here is friendly, adventurous, and laid back.
Rum Cay
A very cool, little island that has a protected harbour, nice waves for surfing, and a pristine reef system. The diving and fishing is said to be some of the best in the Bahamas islands. There are both upscale and casual accommodations and diving available. The vibe here is active, sporty, and playful.
Cat Island
An island of mist and legend, Cat Island is one of the only islands left in the Bahamas where Obeah, a kind of voodoo, is still practiced by many of the locals. The island has many blue holes, in which mythical beasts are rumored to live. The highest point in the Bahamas islands, Mount Alvernia, where you can explore the ruins of a monastery was built in the early 1900’s. The natural beauty of this strange island is one of a kind. The vibe is rustic, secret, and wonderous.
San Salvador
Here you will find more dive spots than you can frequent in a single visit. Sport fishing is also very popular here. Bahamas island life is tranquil and slow paced so it is the perfect place to unwind. It is not a luxurious island, but it is comfortable. The vibe here is active, relaxed, and pristine due to it’s lack of development.
Crooked Island
This simple and stunning Bahamas island has some of the friendliest inhabitants you will ever meet. If you want to experience true, basic Bahamas island living, you can visit Crooked. It is much the way visitors found it in the seventies. There is almost no tourism here. You will be welcomed as if you are family. You can hire your own personal guide to show around and take you fishing or snorkeling. You will never forget time spent on Crooked Island. The vibe here is simplicity, peace, and self sufficiency.
Acklins Island
Very similar to Crooked. Acklins has a few bonefishing lodges that are frequented by pro athletes and celebrities. The bonefishing here is very, very good. The people make you feel right at home. The beaches, scenery and water are unspoiled and amazing. The vibe here is rural, uncomplicated, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Mayaguana
Another one of the Bahamas islands that provides a true remote, unplugged, rustic getaway. There are a couple of guest houses on the island. You couldn’t hope to meet nicer people than the locals there. Next best thing to a deserted island experience. The vibe is isolated, unhurried, and serene.
Great Inagua
A large sea salt producer, the Bahamas island of Great Inagua, also boasts a large bird sanctuary where a population of over 80,000 birds resides, including Flamingos! Stay at a quaint bed and breakfast here and kayak over the crystal clear, blue sea. Don’t forget your binoculars for bird watching! The vibe here is expansive, natural, seaside beauty.
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What Other Visitors Have Said
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Long Island Adventure
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We have only been to a few of the islands in the Bahamas. I thought Eleuthera was wonderful. This year we went to Long Island. Our son and his wife ...
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