The Islands of the Bahamas
Discover 700 unique islands
If you’ve ever gazed at satellite images of Earth, you’ve likely noticed that The Bahamas stands out as one of the most vibrant and beautiful places on the planet. Zoom in a little closer, and you’ll find that the islands are every bit as breathtaking up close. From the fuchsias and whites of bougainvillea, to the chartreuse of the cocoplum, and the turquoise, teal, and cobalt blues of the glimmering sea, the colors of the Bahamas delight the senses with a medley of fearless brights and gentle pastels. Immerse yourself a little deeper, and you’ll discover that this vibrancy extends beyond the landscape—into the hearts and warmth of the Bahamian people themselves.
With a rich history of piracy, rum running, and intrigue, the Bahamas’ story is as colorful as its waters. Comprising roughly 700 islands and 2,400 cays, the country offers a mosaic of experiences. Today’s Bahamas welcomes everyone—from adventurers and anglers to romantics and dreamers. With mild year-round temperatures and easy access from major cities, visitors can trade city streets for island breezes in just a few short hours.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find world-class fishing and diving, while history lovers can explore forts, churches, and colonial cottages dating back to the 1600s. Foodies can indulge in artisan rums, craft beers, and fresh local seafood, particularly in New Providence, where gastronomy meets island style. And for those simply seeking rest, the country boasts some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.
Nassau and Paradise Island are the nation’s lively hub—brimming with nightlife, restaurants, history, and culture. Yet just beyond the bustle lies an entirely different world. Step outside the capital and you’ll discover quaint settlements, quiet beaches, and authentic island life. The farther you venture, the more genuine and serene your experience becomes.
New Providence
The bustling heart of The Bahamas, New Providence—home to the capital city of Nassau—and its glamorous neighbor Paradise Island welcome more than half of the country’s visitors each year. Here, you’ll find world-class resorts, restaurants, beaches, and nightlife alongside colonial charm and historic landmarks. From the energy of Downtown Nassau and the iconic Atlantis Resort to the relaxed elegance of Cable Beach and the hidden coves of the western shore, New Providence offers the perfect blend of culture, luxury, and adventure—all within easy reach of the Out Islands.
Grand Bahama
Once the epicenter of finance and shipping in the 1960s, Freeport still carries a lively, cosmopolitan energy today. Visitors can enjoy casinos, nightlife, and world-class dining rivaling Nassau—but with far easier access to nature. Just beyond the city limits, you’ll find national parks, secluded beaches, and quiet fishing villages, as well as some of the best snorkeling and diving in The Bahamas. Grand Bahama blends urban convenience with the serenity of the Out Islands—an ideal balance of sophistication and escape.
The Abacos
A haven for sailors and sportfishing enthusiasts, The Abacos are easily reached from Florida, making them a favorite for weekend getaways and extended winter escapes alike. Centered around Marsh Harbour, the third-largest city in The Bahamas, the Abacos offer all the modern conveniences while maintaining their signature barefoot, laid-back charm. Use Marsh Harbour as your base to explore the surrounding islands and cays, each with its own unique personality, from colorful colonial villages to secluded beaches and vibrant boating communities.
Eleuthera, Harbour Island & Spanish Wells
With direct flights from the U.S., Eleuthera is one of the most accessible Out Islands—yet it feels worlds away. This long, slender island is known for its charming settlements, dramatic landscapes, and endless beaches. A quick water taxi ride brings you to Harbour Island, where colorful colonial cottages, boutique hotels, and fine dining line the harbor overlooking the world-famous Pink Sands Beach. Nearby, the once-quiet fishing community of Spanish Wells has evolved into the Bahamas’ newest hotspot, offering a fresh mix of restaurants, bars, and boutique accommodations while retaining its welcoming, small-town spirit.
The Exumas
If you want to truly get lost in paradise, head to The Exumas—a 120-mile ribbon of sapphire-blue sea scattered with 365 islands and cays. Use George Town on Great Exuma as your gateway to explore these stunning waters by boat or charter. Fly into Staniel Cay to visit the famous swimming pigs, snorkel Thunderball Grotto, and swim with nurse sharks at nearby Compass Cay. Whether by yacht, seaplane, or skiff, adventure here unfolds across crystal channels, hidden sandbars, and deserted beaches that redefine the meaning of escape.
Bimini
Just 50 miles from Florida, Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the U.S., earning it the nickname “The Gateway to The Bahamas.” The small island chain—comprising North and South Bimini along with nearby cays such as Gun Cay and Cat Cay—has long been famous for its big-game fishing, shipwrecks, and colorful past of rum-running and legends.
Today, Bimini is a lively mix of history and modern allure. The opening of Resorts World Bimini introduced a new wave of sophistication, complete with a mega-yacht marina, casino, and upscale dining. Boaters and anglers arrive year-round—some via private craft, others on a high-speed ferry from South Florida—drawn by the island’s deep-sea fishing grounds and welcoming energy.
Despite its growth, Bimini retains a tight-knit, community feel, with colorful local restaurants, beach bars, and conch shacks that capture the spirit of island life. Beneath its clear waters lies the mysterious “Bimini Road,” believed by some to be part of the Lost City of Atlantis, a dive site that continues to fascinate visitors. Vibrant, storied, and ever-changing, Bimini offers a gateway to both adventure and legend.
Andros
The largest island in the Bahamas—and the fifth largest in the Caribbean—Andros remains one of the most untouched and ecologically diverse places in the region. Divided into North and Central Andros, Mangrove Cay, and South Andros, the island is a labyrinth of blue holes, wetlands, and mangrove forests. With over 200 registered blue holes, both inland and underwater, Andros holds the world’s highest concentration, forming one of the planet’s most intricate cave systems. Along its northeastern coast, the island is protected by the third-largest barrier reef in the world, which plunges dramatically into the Tongue of the Ocean and draws divers, scientists, and naturalists from around the globe.
On land, pine forests and coppice stretch endlessly, home to over 25 species of orchids, 200 bird species, and the vibrant West Indian Flamingo, protected within the 1.5-million-acre West Side National Park—one of the largest marine reserves in the Western Atlantic. The island’s Bights—North, Middle, and South—offer world-renowned bonefishing flats, where dolphins, turtles, and rays glide through the shallows. Legends of the mythical chickcharney, a mischievous owl-like creature said to bring luck to kind travelers (the opposite if you treat it badly), add a touch of folklore to this wild frontier.
Remote, mysterious, and alive with nature, Andros embodies the wilder side of the Bahamas—a place where the land and sea remain beautifully untamed.
The Berry Islands
The Berry Islands form a scattered chain of about 30 cays, most of them uninhabited and untouched. Known for their vacant white-sand beaches and turquoise flats, the Berries remain one of the most pristine regions of The Bahamas. Their shallow waters make much of the area inaccessible to large yachts, preserving its quiet, off-the-map appeal.
At the northern end lie Great Stirrup Cay, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, and Little Stirrup Cay (Coco Cay), Royal Caribbean’s private island—both welcoming day visitors from cruise ships. Just south is Great Harbour Cay, the capital of the Berries, home to roughly 700 residents and a surprising number of discreet luxury retreats. Despite its understated atmosphere, it’s said to have more millionaires per square inch than anywhere else in the world—though you’d never guess it from its laid-back charm.
Stretching twenty miles south from Great Harbour Cay are a string of undeveloped islands leading to Chub Cay, known as the Billfish Capital of The Bahamas. Sitting along the northern edge of the Tongue of the Ocean, it’s a magnet for serious anglers and yachters seeking world-class fishing in a breathtakingly remote setting.
The Southern Bahamas
Long Island, Cat Island, Inagua, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Mayaguana, Acklins & Crooked Island
Remote and lightly populated, the Southern Bahamas embody a rustic, untouched beauty that appeals to people seeking an authentic and unconventional escape. Their proximity to the U.S. makes them surprisingly accessible, yet each island feels worlds away. This region is ideal for adventurous explorers drawn to natural wonders, historical landmarks, and serene, empty beaches where solitude itself is the main attraction.
Long Island is home to the world-famous Dean’s Blue Hole, the second-deepest known blue hole on Earth. Cat Island offers historical sites, vibrant coral reefs, and Mount Alvernia, the highest point in the Bahamas. Inagua attracts birdwatchers from around the globe, hosting the largest breeding colony of West Indian flamingos in the world. Across these islands—and the smaller, seldom-visited cays in between—travelers find peace, authenticity, and the warmest of Bahamian welcomes.