The Top 11 Best Beaches in The Bahamas
by Mariah Moyle
24 May, 2025
It is nearly impossible to narrow down the best beaches in The Bahamas, since it seems as though every beach you come across is the most beautiful beach you’ve ever seen. After traveling the islands of the Bahamas extensively and setting foot on beach after glorious beach, we’ve narrowed down our Top 11 favorites.
Yes, we know — “Top 10 Beaches in The Bahamas” sounds more polished and rounded out, but how could we possibly leave one out?
Each of these beaches earned its place for a mix of reasons: nearby resorts or restaurants, family-friendly swimming, or that perfect combination of powder-soft sand and crystal-clear turquoise water. Whether you’re planning your next Bahamas holiday or just day-dreaming about paradise, scroll through this list and discover where your next beach day might begin.
So here they are — in no particular order, because honestly, there’s no such thing as a bad beach in the Bahamas.
Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island — turquoise water and soft white sand just minutes from Nassau’s bustling city center.
1. Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island
One of the most famous beaches in the Bahamas can be found right in the nation’s capital. Cabbage Beach stretches along the entire northern shore of Paradise Island and is easily accessible through nearby hotels like Atlantis, Sunrise Beach Club, and The Ocean Club Four Seasons Resort.
Closer to Atlantis, you’ll find a lively atmosphere with parasailing, water sports, and beach vendors. Wander farther east, however, and the crowds fade, revealing a quieter stretch of paradise. For those seeking something more spiritual, the Sivananda Ashram at the western end offers yoga retreats with a peaceful ocean backdrop.
Treasure Cay Beach, Abacos — three miles of powder-soft sand and turquoise shallows, perfect for swimming or kiteboarding.
2. Treasure Cay Beach, The Abacos
Considered not only to be one of the best beaches in the Bahamas, but also the entire Caribbean, and at three and a half glorious miles long, Treasure Cay Beach has won awards in honor of its unabashed allure. The beach itself resembles a white, wind-blown mountain covered in snow, but you’ll be hard-pressed to feel the bite of winter once you gaze at the shimmering, shallow expanse of turquoise/blue water and its inviting soft sandy bottom.
On a windy day, the sand blows like powder and kiteboarders rush out to perform for a captive audience of beach-goers and bar patrons. On breathless, windless days, you couldn’t imagine a more perfect beach for taking an afternoon swim. Located along the beach is the Treasure Cay Resort, including Coco Beach Bar, the Bahama Beach Club, and private homes. At the very northwest end is Treasure Sands Club.
Tahiti Beach, Elbow Cay — a secluded, palm-fringed beach with a famous low-tide sandbar and floating bar. Photo credit: Meghan Kinnahan
3. Tahiti Beach, The Abacos
The name Tahiti Beach instills images of swaying coconut palms in an exotic locale in the South Pacific. The beach on Elbow Cay with this namesake was not accidental. This particular beach, out of all the glorious beaches in the Bahamas, is one most resembling a faraway tropical isle. A sandy beach slinks around a curvy point and into a protected bay. At its apex, it reaches out into the protected harbour, giving it a lagoon-inspired castaway island feel.
The beach itself is beautiful at any tide, but for a truly mind-blowing backdrop to your beach day, make sure you are there for low tide when an expansive sandbar is exposed, that drops off into deeper water. Although there are no beach bars along this residential stretch, keep your eye out for the Thirsty Cuda Bar & Grill, a floating bar(ge) that drops anchor, awaiting your soggy dollar to purchase cold beers, cocktails, or nibbles.
Cape Santa Maria Beach, Long Island. A tranquil four-mile stretch of soft white sand at the edge of paradise
4. Cape Santa Maria Beach, Long Island
At the northwestern side of Long Island lies Cape Santa Maria Beach, named after one of Christopher Columbus’s ships. This four-mile stretch of white sand is bordered by Cape Santa Maria Resort, where guests stay just steps from the water. Just around the corner of the northern tip of the beach, the landscape turns to inland shallows and protected sandbars and creeks, teeming with bonefish.
To visit the beach, consider dining at Cape Santa Maria Resort, or staying in one of their 40 bungalows and villas. Beach chairs with shady umbrellas are tucked within palm fronds and edged with bright green scaevola. The water gently laps onto the shore in most weather conditions, but on a calm day, you’ll truly be swayed into believing you’ve reached heaven.
Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island — three miles of blush-pink sand and elegant resorts lining the shore.
5. Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island
Eleuthera is home to a plethora of gorgeous pink sandy beaches, and you’d be hard-pressed to put one above another because each offers its own striking beauty. But Pink Sands Beach is slightly different — and perhaps has a certain leg up — if only because it’s located among the opulence of Harbour Island.
Stretching for three miles, with a width of 100–250 feet depending on the tide, this is one you’ll definitely want to take a stroll on. Lining the beach are resorts, restaurants, and vacation rental homes. At low tide, the sand is firm and level, making it ideal for walking, and some of the resorts even offer fat-tired beach bicycles for proper beach cruising.
To the north end of the beach lie the estate homes of The Narrows, where high-end homes enjoy a quiet stretch of sand, lightly trafficked by beach walkers. In the center are boutique resorts with oceanfront dining options, while the southern end features vacation homes tucked among vibrant green scaevola and broad-leafed seagrapes, both of which thrive in the otherwise harsh coastal conditions.
Guana Cay Beach, Abacos — two miles of unspoiled coastline, colorful reef heads, and the lively Nipper’s Beach Bar.
6. Great Guana Cay Beach, The Abacos
Guana Cay Beach seems to check all the boxes for top beach criteria: a sense of seclusion, an extensive two-mile stretch of sand, and plenty of beachfront vacation rentals where you can rent a home and cruise around in a golf cart on this wonderfully low-key island.
There’s not a single high-rise in sight — just that classic Out Island charm and one of the most iconic beach bars in The Bahamas: Nipper’s. On a calm day at low tide, the water at Guana Cay Beach practically glows, and you can spot dark coral heads scattered offshore, perfect for slipping on a mask and snorkel and exploring.
There’s usually some energy and music in front of Nipper’s, but wander in either direction and you’ll likely pass only a handful of people, if any. It’s that ideal blend of island liveliness and pure, barefoot tranquility.
Stocking Island, Exumas — a beach-hopper’s paradise of soft sand, crystal waters, and the famous Chat N’ Chill.
7. Stocking Island Beaches, The Exumas
If you’re visiting Stocking Island, beach hopping is a must. The island’s stunning Ocean Beach stretches for nearly two miles along the eastern shore, a wide sweep of powder-soft sand framed by dunes and seagrape. At the north and south ends, dramatic cliffs drop sharply into the deep blue of the Exuma Sound, while in the center, grassy headlands slope gently toward the beach below.
A reef system buffers the shore, keeping the surf from breaking too heavily, and on calm days the ocean side can be every bit as tranquil as Elizabeth Harbour. A network of walking trails crosses the island, leading from the harbour to the ocean side — Treasure Trail starts just south of Peace & Plenty Beach Club, and the Ocean Beach Path climbs over the hill from Turtle Lagoon.
On the west side, Hamburger Beach forms a small crescent cove, perfect for swimming, while Starfish Beach farther north is famous for its bright red starfish — some reaching nearly a foot across. The lively Chat N’ Chill Beach marks the entrance to a shallow lagoon and serves as the unofficial hub for sailboaters, where afternoons tend to blend into sunset over rum punches and conch salad.
Shelling Beach, Great Harbour Cay — a secluded treasure for sand dollars, shells, and peaceful picnics.
8. Shelling Beach, The Berry Islands
If you’re looking for solitude, this is your beach. Head south from Bullock’s Harbour on Great Harbour Cay and you’ll eventually come to a dirt road that leads toward the ocean. As long as it hasn’t rained recently, the road is easily passable in most vehicles — but if it has, be cautious of the massive puddles that form, deep enough to bog down a rental car.
The beach access for Shelling Beach — also known to locals as Sand Dollar Beach for the countless sand dollars scattered along the shore — is easy to spot in a clearing among casuarinas. Aim to visit at low tide, when the shallow sand flats stretch endlessly and create incredible photo opportunities.
You’ll be hard-pressed to encounter another soul here, making it a perfect spot for a quiet afternoon or a romantic picnic in true Out Island style.
Fernandez Bay Beach, Cat Island — calm waters, sunset cocktails, and occasional glimpses of the Green Flash.
9. Fernandez Bay Beach, Cat Island
Centrally located on Cat Island just north of New Bight, Fernandez Bay Beach is a calm, crescent-shaped stretch of sand that perfectly embodies the laid-back beauty of the Out Islands. Guests of Fernandez Bay Village often emerge from their rooms at day’s end, cocktail in hand, to watch the sun set over the water — a view that never disappoints.
The soft, sandy bottom invites long swims or leisurely kayak excursions, while a small rocky point at the northern end helps shelter the bay from swells, keeping the water consistently calm. And if you’re lucky, as the sun dips below the horizon, you might just catch a glimpse of the elusive Green Flash, occasionally visible from this very spot.
Fortune Beach, Grand Bahama — shallow sandbars, calm water, and oceanfront dining at Banana Bay.
10. Fortune Beach, Grand Bahama
At low tide, Fortune Beach transforms into a vast, shimmering sandbar — the kind of place where the horizon feels endless and the warm, shallow water stretches out for hundreds of feet. It’s a favorite for families, as children can safely splash, dig, and wade while parents relax in ankle-deep turquoise.
The beach is long enough that you can easily find your own quiet stretch to spread out a towel and listen to the gentle lapping of the sea. Yet, if you’re in the mood for a little company or a cool drink, head to Banana Bay Restaurant, tucked along the shoreline. It’s a beloved local spot serving fresh seafood, cold beer, and specialty cocktails — all with sweeping ocean views.
As the afternoon drifts toward evening, Fortune Beach takes on a golden glow, the light softening across the sand flats. Whether you come for a morning stroll or a sunset meal, this is one of Grand Bahama’s most effortlessly peaceful beaches — relaxed, welcoming, and distinctly Bahamian.
Love Beach, Western New Providence — a serene escape minutes from the bustling city.
11. Love Beach, Western New Providence
We’ll wrap up this list with one more from the capital island of New Providence. Just a stone’s throw from the international airport is Love Beach. The beach is mostly private, lined with low-rise condominiums, but you can still access it through the quirky beach bar Nirvana. You’ll have to pay a $5 cover to access the beach, but it’s worth it. There is a delightful natural swimming pool surrounded by rocks which is protected, especially at low tide.
We’ll wrap up this list with one last gem from the capital island of New Providence. Just a short drive from Lynden Pindling International Airport lies Love Beach.
The beach itself is mostly bordered by private, low-rise condominiums, giving it a tucked-away, residential feel. However, public access is available through the quirky and colorful Nirvana Beach Bar, where a $5 cover grants you entry — and it’s worth every penny. Once you step onto the sand, you’ll find a delightfully calm, natural swimming pool protected by rocks just offshore, especially tranquil at low tide.
Order a tropical cocktail, settle into one of the shaded loungers, and enjoy the easygoing rhythm of island life. Despite the planes coming into land every few minutes, Love Beach feels worlds away — a final, fitting reminder that in the Bahamas, paradise can be found just around the corner.
Honorable mentions:
Winding Bay, Great Abaco
French Leave Beach, Eleuthera
Cotton Bay Beach, Eleuthera
Ten Bay Beach, Eleuthera
Old Fort Bay Beach, New Providence
Rose Island Beach, Rose Island
Highbourne Cay Beach, Northern Exumas
Shanna’s Cove on Cat Island
Kamalame Cay Beach, Andros
East Beach, San Salvador
Gold Rock Beach, Grand Bahama
What’s your favorite Bahama beach?
