Bahamas Destination Guide
Contents
Contents
Quick Facts
About Bahamas
Events & Nightlife
Tours & Activities
Food & Dining Out
Shopping
Best Time To Visit
Travel Tips
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Quick Facts
Flying Time: 9 hours
Currency: Bahamian Dollar
Language: English
Time Zone: GMT-5
Visit For: Great Beaches, Scuba Diving, Safari & Wildlife, Nightlife, Beautiful Scenery, Festivals
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About Bahamas
The quiet coves and crowd-free beaches of the Bahamas offer visitors the intimacy of a secluded
retreat within a paradisiacal expanse of some 700 palm-fringed isles.
Christened baja mar (meaning 'shallow sea') by Columbus, these islands with their astonishing
hues of sand and sea spanning the colour spectrum from twinkling turquoise to rose pink, the
Bahamas is the Caribbean personified. Crystal clear waters secrete ancient shipwrecks and a
rainbow of coral reefs, whilst pastel-coloured seashells and vibrant clapboard houses perch atop a
tropical landscape laced with unspoilt coast and resonant with exotic birdsong. There’s the overriding feeling the Bahamas has got tourism just right, too: lavish resorts cater to the world’s
wealthy, but don’t infringe on the island’s natural beauty.
The full gauntlet of world-class watersports beckon, from diving and snorkelling to parasailing.
Then there are the glitzy golf courses, designed by the game’s best, or simply exploring the clutch
of beaches, caves and nature reserves, to keep the pulses racing.
Come sundown, Bahamian bars and clubs pulsate with island rhythms; discover riotous dance
festivals that mix African slave-trade rituals with Bahamian tempo and American hip-hop twists, or
head to one of the islands' bustling straw markets to haggle over spices, and ceramics. If it all
gets too much, recharge your batteries at one of the wonderful seafood restaurants or with an
infamous rum cocktail. Whatever you do, the vividness of the Bahamas never ceases to assault
your senses.
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Events & Nightlife
See the list of exciting Events taking place in Bahamas, as well as the varied Nightlife on offer
Events
Island Roots Heritage Festival
From: 01-05-2015 To: 31-05-2015
A celebration of the Bahamas' diversity, origins, and ties to different parts of the world, this is a
relatively new weekend-long event on the festival calendar, but increasingly one of the most
important and best loved. It focuses on Bahamians' African roots, with historical, genealogical and
cultural shows, talks and displays, as well as topics of importance to all islands like ecological
preservation. It's a chance to learn a great deal about the islands in a relaxed, fun environment.
Venue Name: Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas
Bertram Hatteras Shootout
From: 01-05-2015 To: 31-05-2015
Far from the ferocious event its name suggests, the "shoot-out" as it's known is a fishing
tournament: the best of many held annually on the Abacos Islands. That said, there's plenty of
fierce competition as anglers (including a fair few celebrities) go head to head in a spot of
billfishing.
Venue Name: Abaco Beach Resort, Abacos Islands
Junkanoo Summer Festivities
From: 01-06-2015 To: 31-07-2015
As well as the more famous Junkanoo celebrations on Boxing Day and New Year (see things to
do) there is also the Junkanoo Summer Festival, held over three weeks during June and July.
Musical performances, as well as chances to sample regional dishes, are the key draws.
Venue Name: Marsh Harbour, Abacos Islands, Bahamas
Nightlife
A great climate, a wonderfully friendly people and a clutch of renowned celebrity hang-outs: the
Bahamas has all the ingredients for a cracking night out, and delivers. Most hotels contain bars,
lounges and nightclubs. Live music, beach parties and discos centre 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 organised locally yearround. At renowned venues like Elvira's Bar on Eleuthera you might find yourself shoulder-toshoulder with the stars themselves once the party gets started.
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Tours & Activities
Inagua
Inagua, the two islands making up the southern-most part of the Bahamas archipelago, is an eco-lovers
paradise, with much of Great Inagua being taken up by a large body of water, Lake Windsor. This is an
internationally important bird reserve with an 80,000-strong population of West Indian flamingoes (nesting
time is April/May) as well as several fascinating endemic bird species. Besides the birds, there's limestone
caves to explore and great scuba diving.
Lucayan National Park
This 40-acre protected reserve on Grand Bahama secretes one of the world's longest underwater cave
systems, and with it its own unique wildlife (such as the Remipedia bat) – incredible given the diminutive
size of the park. A great way to see the park highlights is to kayak through: much of it is made up of
navigable waterways.
Meet the locals
The Bahamas' People-to-People scheme ( helps you learn about the cultures, music and oratory traditions
of the islanders. You'll be paired with Bahamian locals of a similar age to enjoy rocking-chair tales, church
meetings, family lunches, local bands or just plain out-fashioned sip-sip (local gossip).
Golf
The islands have some memorable golf courses. Perhaps the prettiest course, at Cable Beach, is also the
oldest. Take advantage of the twilight green fees to get a cheap round in on the beautifully-kept fairways.
There are five other world-class courses on Grand Bahama Island to choose from. Exuma's Emerald Reef
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 bottlenosed dolphins in waist-high pools - many played starring roles in the movie Flipper. Whilst dolphin shows
in much of the Caribbean have notoriously dubious ecological credentials, this experience is a class above:
it’s interaction, rather than getting dolphins to perform.
Fishing in the Abacos Islands
Ok, so fishing is possible almost anywhere in the Bahamas, but the Abacos have cultivated a reputation as
the angler's choice port of call. It's not just the several annual world-class fishing tournaments here, but
also the top-quality professional guides (like the incomparable Edward Rolle, with twenty years'
experience) to show you tricks of the trade. Besides the Abacos, there's also Andros, the "bone-fishing
capital of the world" and Bimini, dubbed "big-game fishing capital of the world." Meanwhile, 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
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This is the nation’s number one party: 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. The event
follows the pattern of the Caribbean carnival, with revelers in elaborate costumes made from crepe paper
and cardboard wheeling through the streets. Nassau’s Junkanoo is the liveliest, but there are other
processions in Eleuthera, the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island. There are also Junkanoo summer
festivities - see Events.
Rum cocktails
There are few pleasures in life as simple as sipping rum-laden cocktails (a Bahama Mama is an essential
experience) 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 harbour.
Shopping in Nassau
Dozens of colourful stalls at Nassau's bustling straw market produce a melee of crowds bartering over
local goods. You can join them, or, for a sophisticated shop, splash some cash in the swish stores at Bay
Street, a haven of designer brands.
Wreck-diving and scuba-diving off the Abacos
Amongst the wrecks strewn off the coast of the Abacos lies America's first steamship, the San Jacinto.
Some of the best dive instructors in the Bahamas are on hand in the Abacos to make your dive experience
first class. There are also the stone ruins off Bimini, said to be the remains of the lost city of Atlantis, to
explore. The underwater preserve of Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park are also open to divers.
Columbus' landing spot
Stand in Columbus' first 'New World' landing place near Cockburn Town on San Salvador, home to 40,000
Lucayans at the time of his 15th-century arrival and now a prime scuba-diving spot.
Beaches
The pale pink sands of Harbour Island are a sight to behold, while the powder-fine alabaster beaches of
Paradise Island are home to soaring seabirds and gently rustling palms.
Nassau Old Town
Explore the 18th-century forts and pastel-coloured Georgian architecture of Bahamian capital Nassau on
New Providence Island – on foot or, better still, by Surrey, a kind of horse-drawn cart. Climb the 18th
century Queen's Staircase, carved out of solid rock, for superb panoramas of the city. For more
fascinating history and culture, check out the Pompey Museum and its fine collection of island artefacts
and exhibits.
Long Island
An expansive, soft, stretch of sand, as its name suggests, Long Island is 130km (80 miles) in length but
easily navigable at rarely more than 6km (4 miles) wide.
Grand Bahama Island
Outside fancy Freeport and Lucaya with their wide tree-lined streets, restaurants and cruise port facilities,
the smaller settlements of Grand Bahama are surprisingly low-key, and among the friendliest places in the
country to boot. Towns like McLean's Town and Eight Mile Rock are fabulous places to get to grips with
real Bahamian culture.
Eleuthera's colonial charm
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Eleuthera – the jewel of the Out Islands - is where the first colony on the Bahamas was established and
wandering the streets of the charming colonial villages and rolling pineapple plantations is certainly a
scenic trip back in time. There are some memorable seafood restaurants to sample, too.
Andros
Revel in the natural creeks, bird-filled forests, thick mangroves, and pastel-coloured coral on unexplored
Andros - the world's third-longest barrier reef, set amongst the Out Islands.
Mount Alvernia, Cat Island
Climb to the highest point in the Bahamas on Cat Island's Mount Alvernia, 63m (206 ft) above sea level.
Straddling the summit is a photogenic medieval-style monastery, a labour of love by one father Jerome,
who had the steps carved out of solid rock. It's one of the best viewpoints on the Bahamas too, and a
great spot to get away from it all. With its high cliffs and emerald forests there's plenty more opportunities
for solitude-seeking on Cat Island too.
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Food & Dining Out
The Bahamas has a wealth of good restaurants and bars, from local beach-side food joints to
upscale diners. Unsurprisingly fish dominates the menu: with boiled whitefish a favourite for
breakfast through to dinner-time seafood and steaks. The latter are served with plantain, rice, fries
or potatoes. Another popular side-dish is the Johnny Cake (pan-cooked bread made with butter
and milk). Fresh fruit from the fertile Out Islands includes sweet pineapple, mango, breadfruit and
papaya.
Regional Specialities
• Conch is on every menu, from creamy chowders and fritters to stews and salads. Order it
'scorched' for a ceviche-style dish served with lime juice, hot pepper, chopped tomato and onion,
or 'cracked' for deep fried.
• Rock lobster (typically broiled, minced or used in salads).
• Land crabs (usually boiled or baked).
• Souse (a soup consisting purely of onions, water, lime juice, celery, peppers and meat).
• Guava duff (a dessert made with sieved guava pulp and served with Switcha a sauce made with
lemon, sugar and water/rum, or, equally, a chilled beer.
Tipping
Budget for a 15% gratuity as standard, but check the bill as some hotels and restaurants include a
service charge. Tip porters B$1 per bag and allow 10-15% for taxi drivers.
Regional Drinks
• The local liqueur is Nassau Royal, a rum served neat or in coffee.
• A refreshing alcoholic drink is coconut water, sweet milk and gin.
• Kalik is the beer of the Bahamas.
• Rum punch.
Drinking Age
18.
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Shopping
Shopping
In 1992, the Bahamas abolished all import duties. Popular buys include perfumes, crystal, leather,
jewellery, linens, watches, cameras and china. Straw goods, ceramics, clothing, seashell jewellery,
paintings and woodcarvings are made locally.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 0930-1900 and on Sunday mornings.
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Best Time To Visit
Climate:
An almost-constant temperature prevails throughout the Bahamas thanks to refreshing, cooling
trade winds. September to May is freshest at around 21-24°C (70-75°F) with warmer weather at
around 27-29°C (80-85°F) the rest of the year. The temperature drops about 5°C (41°F) after
dark. June to November is the hurricane season. Pack lightweight or tropical cottons all year
round. Light raincoats are useful during the wet season (May to September).
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Travel Tips
Air:
Bahamasair (UP) operates a few domestic routes. Several charter services also run inter-island
flights; details are available from the Bahamas Tourist Office.
Road:
Driving is on the left-hand side of the carriageway in the Bahamas. A $2 tax applies to motorised
vehicles wishing to use the bridge between Nassau and Paradise Island.
Road Quality
Road safety is a concern in the Bahamas. Safety campaigns are overseen by the Road Traffic
Authority. UK licences are valid for up to 90 days.
Road Classification
Roads across the Bahamas are adequate, if often narrow, but congestion is a problem in the
main cities of Nassau and Freeport. Many low-lying parts of the country are also subject to
flooding.
Car Hire
International car hire firms are represented at the airports and in Nassau and Freeport, although
hiring a car is comparatively expensive. Only drivers aged 25-plus can hire a car. Vehicles are left
and right-hand drive. Motor scooter hire is also available ($25-$35 daily). Helmets must be worn.
Taxi
Used as supplementary public transport, taxis are readily available. Metered rates vary according
to the island, but are always reasonable and, whether government-run or privately run, all are
controlled by law. Look for the Bahamahost sticker in the taxi: cab driver with this sticker in the
window are not only official, but pride themselves on real Bahamian hospitality. All taxis apply
surcharges for groups and extra luggage.
Bike
Rent by the half day, full day or the week in tourist centres.
Coach
Jitneys (local buses) run all over the bigger islands of the Bahamas; the Family Islands (the
smaller outlying islands) have almost no public transport whatsoever. Even in Nassau and
Freeport, local buses are not renowned for their promptness, although as on other Caribbean
islands, taking a bus for the immersion into local culture is recommended.
Regulations
Seatbelts for drivers and passengers have been compulsory since 2004.
Documentation
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National licences are valid for up to three months.
Travel Urban
Driving in Nassau is notoriously difficult due to the congestion.
Water:
The Out Islands are served by leisurely mail boats which leave Nassau several times a week
carrying mail and provisions to the islands. Passengers share facilities with the crew.
Arrangements should be made through boat captains at Potters Cay. Bahamas Fast Ferries (tel:
323 2166; ) operates daily air-conditioned ferries from Nassau to North Eleuthera and Harbour
Island and a thrice-weekly service to Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, as well as one or two weekly
services from Nassau to Exuma (George Town), Andros (Morgan’s Bluff and French Creek) and
Abaco (Sandy Point). There are also local ferries available.
Telephone:
Phone cards are sold island-wide for discounted international calls.
Mobile Telephone:
Roaming agreements exist with a few international mobile phone companies. Coverage is
average. Handsets can be hired locally and prepaid SIM cards are sold.
Internet:
Many hotels have Internet access and there are plenty of Internet cafes, as well as a few Wi-Fi
hotspots. Only 30% of the population is connected, despite growing e-commerce activities.
Currency Information:
Bahamian Dollar (BSD; symbol B$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of B$100, 50, 20,
10, 5, 3 and 1, and 50 cents. Coins are in denominations of 25, 15, 10, 5 and 1 cents. The
Bahamian Dollar has parity with the US Dollar and the latter is also accepted as legal tender.
Currency Exchange
Available in banks, bureaux de change and hotels.
Language:
English is the official language. Bahamian patois is widely spoken.
Capital: Nassau
Dialing Code: +1
Area: 13939
Population: 319031
Population Density: 23
Population Year: 2013
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EU Member: No
Electricity: 120 volts AC, 60Hz. US-style plug sockets are standard.
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