The Bahamas, as a surprise to many, isn’t just one island. It’s an archipelago comprised of over 700 islands (although only 30 are inhabited) and nearly 2,400 cays spread over miles of pristine turquoise and deep cobalt waters. Although they’re most famous for their white (and sometimes pink) sandy beaches and the island’s capital hub of Nassau, the Bahamas offers an incredibly diverse variety of things to do and see.
“There’s so much more to The Bahamas than what you would find as a cruise ship passenger in Nassau for the day. You truly haven’t experienced the real, authentic, wild Bahamas until you’ve been to Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, or any one of the others,” Angie Orth told us. Orth is an award-winning travel writer, blogger and novelist, author of the acclaimed novel Flirting with Disaster, who spent over 5 years as an integral member of the public relations firm representing the Bahamas.
From the iconic pink sand beach to secluded coves, caves and underwater grottos, here are the 11 best things to do in the Bahamas—no matter who you’re traveling with.
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1. Stroll the Pink Sands of Harbour Island
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Just three miles long and barely half a mile wide, Harbour Island is probably Instagram’s favorite beach. Known for its signature blush-toned beaches, guests flock to this stretch of sand to snap photos of the cotton-candy hue against the turquoise and mint-colored waters. The color comes from microscopic coral insects called foraminifera and seashells, but don’t let the science spoil the magic. Rent a golf cart and explore the pastel colonial homes of Dunmore Town as well, careful not to miss the pink sand at sunset.
2. Swim With the Famous Pigs at Major Cay
Another Instagram-famous spot, the infamous wild pigs of Major Cay in the Exumas, is another can’t-miss opportunity. Loafing and living on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, this colony of wild pigs has made a life of swimming in turquoise water and greeting curious visitors. According to Orth, this is a family favorite, and kids and adults alike love frolicking with the sea swine. It’s best done via a half-day boat tour from Staniel Cay or Nassau, and can be booked through Bahamas Air Tours. It’s also offered as a popular excursion on most cruise ships that visit the island.
3. Snorkel Thunderball Grotto
Made famous by the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball, this hidden cave near Staniel Cay is a natural aquarium teeming with tropical fish. At low tide, you can snorkel through underwater tunnels that lead to a sunlit cathedral filled with sea life and rainbow-hued coral. According to Orth, it’s a must for both film buffs and oceanic adventurers.
4. Indulge in the Island’s Freshest Conch Salad
You haven’t tasted the Bahamas until you’ve tried conch salad made fresh before your eyes. “I love conch in any format—cracked conch, scorch conch, conch chowder, conch fritters—but conch salad is my absolute favorite. It’s made of raw diced conch, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, lime, and/or orange juice. It’s similar to ceviche, just with shellfish instead of fish. I make it a point to eat it every day when I can,” Orth said.
Big Mike’s Fresh Conch Salad in Alice Town is a local and tourist favorite, as is Fatty’s Fresh Conch in Marsh Harbour.
5. Scuba Dive the Reefs & Wrecks
“The Bahamas are famous for the jewel-toned color of the water, but the clarity is second to none, making it just incredible for scuba diving,” Orth said. “You’re almost always guaranteed a great day in the water, with visibility up to 200 feet, and access to the third largest barrier reef in the world.” In addition to coral reefs, you can also explore the many dramatic underwater walls (some plunging 7,000 feet), wrecks (like the remains of Pablo Escobar’s Plane in the Exumas) and mysterious blue holes.
“Diving gives you an incredible opportunity to get up close to the incredible wildlife too, like sting rays, dolphins, reef sharks, and an amazing variety of colorful fish,” said Orth.
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6. Explore the Out Islands
Despite being home to the famous bigs of Exumas and the pink sand beaches of Harbour Island, the Out Islands are still a relatively untouched gem in the Bahamas archipelago.
“Being the only person on the entire beach is an easy thing to do on most of the Out Islands, also known as the Family Islands, because there are minimal crowds. You get so spoiled having a beach all to yourself when yours are the only footprints in the sand,” Orth said.
For some of the country’s most exotic and unspoiled beaches, head to Eleuthera. This island boasts multiple secluded beaches and nature preserves—including its own pink sandy shores at Surfers Beach and Lighthouse Beach. In addition to beaches, you can also enjoy birdwatching the over 100 species of birds that call these islands home, including flamingos and the rare Bahamian parrot. If plants and reptiles are more your thing, take a stroll along the Bimini Nature Trail on Bimini Island to spot multiple varieties of orchids and iguanas.
7. Explore Lucayan National Park
Protecting one of the world’s largest underwater cave systems, Lucayan National Park is a treasure trove of biodiversity. Encompassing 40 acres, this park system is the largest of the island’s three main national parks. Above ground, you’ll find winding boardwalks through thick, lush mangrove forests, secluded (and picturesque) Gold Rock Beach, Ben’s Cave and Burial Mound, where the skeletons of 6 indigenous people were discovered in 1986. Although swimming is not permitted, you can dive into the caves with a special permit.
8. Discover the Exumas Cays by Boat
One thing the Bahamas are known for is island hopping. And there’s no more glamorous way to do that than via a chartered boat. Whether you rent a private yacht or join a small-group sailing cruise, the Exumas boast uninhabited cays, secluded private islands, tucked-away resorts, sandbars and crystalline, mint-hued shallows. Anchor off Compass Cay to swim with nurse sharks or drop by Highbourne Cay Resort for a barefoot lunch on the beach.
“The Exuma Cays are remote enough that they’re where many celebrities hide out on their private islands, but easy enough to get to with a puddle jumper flight from Nassau,” Orth says.
9. Tour John Watling’s Distillery in Nassau
Step back in time and sip some of the Caribbean’s finest rum at John Watling’s Distillery, set on the historic Buena Vista Estate in downtown Nassau. Easily reached by foot or car, this 17th-century estate was impeccably restored to its former glory and now offers guided tours through the rum-making process—from barrel aging to bottling. You’ll also find artifacts from the island’s colonial past, which you can revel in before tasting all of their signature rums, including the award-winning Buena Vista. Also, home here is Red Turtle Vodka, which is dubbed the “Vodka of the Bahamas.” Sip this spirit and the famed rum in mixed cocktails at the on-site Red Turtle Tavern.
10. Celebrate Junkanoo in Nassau
If you’re lucky enough to visit during Christmas or New Year’s, you’ll catch Junkanoo, the Bahamas’ largest and most famous cultural event. The streets come alive with s and partygoers, all decked out in cowbells, feathers and kaleidoscopic costumes, pulsing to the beat of live brass bands.
“Junkanoo is the major celebration of the year, and it’s raucous with goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles and brass instruments, plus colorful costumes the performers spend months making out of cardboard, crepe paper, feathers and sequins,” Orth said. “If you’re spending the holidays in Nassau, you can’t miss it!”
If you can’t make it during the holidays, the Junkanoo Expo Museum in Nassau offers a taste of the revelry year-round.
11. Spend the Day (Or Week) in Atlantis
A world unto itself, Atlantis Paradise Island is the perfect juxtaposition of luxury and adventure. Sprawled across 141 acres, the resort is home to five separate hotels and a dizzying array of experiences: a massive water park, one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the Caribbean, a high-stakes casino, designer boutiques and an impressive lineup of restaurants helmed by world-renowned celebrity chefs. You can snorkel and feed sting rays, meander through atmospheric aquariums, sip cocktails poolside or unwind on powder-soft beaches, all in the same day. Whether you’re there for a few hours with a day pass or checking into a plush oceanfront suite, Atlantis delivers on its reputation as one of the best resorts in the Caribbean (Kate Middleton and Prince William even stayed there during their recent visit).
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