« CARIBBEAN • Discover the Caribbean • Bahamas
Discover the magical Bahamas
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an English-speaking nation consisting of two thousand cays and seven hundred islands that form an archipelago. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida and the United States, north of Cuba and the Caribbean.
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• Freeport
Grand Bahama is dominated by Freeport and its southeastern suburb Lucaya. Freeport is a planned city, with wide, grid-arranged streets and uninspired modern buildings. Lucaya is a tourism oasis and is by far the nicer option for those on holiday. It is antiseptic, but sits on a great stretch of beach …
• Nassau
Nassau exudes a special charm, lent by a blend of Old World architecture and contemporary vitality. Modern Nassau is a far cry from the rowdy village that was once full of pirates, prostitutes and ragamuffins. A cacophonous blur of bouncing jitneys, hustling cabbies, bargaining vendors …
» Arawak Cay
This seafood paradise - ripe with fresh fish and strong drinks - is a destination for diners looking to truly taste Nassau. What began with a few tiny stalls selling locally sourced conch quickly grew to include a variety fish and a more extensive list of traditional Bahamian fare. Travelers line up for famous conch salad and crispy conch fritters that local cooks fry to order. But visitors can sample shrimp, lobster and snapper prepared street side, too …
» Cable Beach
Famous for its golden sand beaches, Cable Beach serves as the perfect destination to spend a day relaxing in the sun. Known as the hotel district of Nassau, the area is home to five massive hotels. No need to worry if you are not staying in one of the hotels, however. Many of them offer use of their pools for the day (for a fee). You can also stroll up to one of the area's public beaches and swim in the warm, shimmering Bahamian waters. Whether you spend the day tanning, splashing in the hotel pools, or running up and down Cable Beach, you are almost certain to have worked up an appetite …
» Deadman's Reef (Paradise Cove)
Paradise Cove is a beach resort in the Bahamas that has close proximity to a popular snorkeling spot: Deadman's Reef. Deadman's Reef is accessible by swimming out to it from the shore of Paradise Cove and its shallow nature means it is ideal for all levels of snorkelers. Though on the smaller side, the reef is teeming with sea life. You'll see many different colors and sizes of fish, plus there's a good chance you'll even see stingrays and sea turtles. If you'd like to take a break while snorkeling, there are floating rafts available by the reef …
» Fort Charlotte
High atop a hillside overlooking the harbor of Nassau is the British-colonial Fort Charlotte - the largest fort in Nassau. Constructed in the late 18th century for a battle that never took place, this historic site offers picturesque views, hidden underground passages, a waterless mote, remote dungeons and even authentic canons. Guides are available to help travelers navigate through subterranean halls far below the fort …
» Fort Fincastle
Sitting atop Bennet's Hill, overlooking the city of Nassau, the hulking Fort Fincastle regally rests. The fort, though rather simple in appearance, is still impressive due to its huge brick walls with canons peeking out over the top. Built in 1793 by Lord Dunmore, the governor of the island at the time, this 38.5 m fort was constructed to offer protection over the island. Today, you can climb to the top of the fort to explore the cannons and three rooms that are dug beneath the lookout …
» Freeport Cruise Port
Freeport has the unique distinction of being on the Bahmanian island nearest to Miami. Located a mere 50 miles East of the Florida coast, Grand Bahama Island is known for its beautiful white sand beaches and water activities, from snorkeling to sea fishing. The Freeport Harbor is located on the west-central part of the island, and you will have to take a ten minute taxi ride to get into the main area of Port Lucaya. Most taxis will offer to make the trip for a flat fee …
» Garden of the Groves
Discover the natural beauty and the wildlife of the Bahamas at the Garden of the Groves, an idyllic botanical garden filled with lush plant life, native animal life, and plenty of photo opportunities. The 12-acre park was dedicated to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Groves, the founders of Freeport, in 1973, and since that time, it has been transformed into the eden of the Bahamas: with over ten thousands plants and hundreds of birds and other animals …
» Government House
Built in 1806, the Government House is considered by many to be the leading example of Georgian Colonial architecture in all the West Indies. Its vibrant exterior gives this traditional building that sits atop Mount Fitzwilliam a uniquely island vibe, with a coral-colored paintjob that nods to Nassau's famous conch. An impressive entryway, towering Ionic columns and a proud statue of Christopher Columbus lend a noble air to the mansion …
» International Bazaar
Opened in 1967, Freeport's International Bazaar has been recognized as a symbol of the Bahamas. Filled with shops, restaurants, and other locally-owned stalls, the Bazaar used to be the light of the town. It was tragically affected by the hurricane season of 2004, and was, for quite some time, considered an abandoned artifact of Bahaman life. Luckily, life has begun to appear at the Bazaar in full force, as local merchants rallied together to restore it to its original glory …
» Lucayan National Park
This incredible 40-acre park has some of the most spectacular secluded beaches in all of the Bahamas. Filled with mangrove, pine, and palm trees, Lucayan National Park features incredible plants in bloom as well as a plethora of waterbirds and saltwater fish. Snorkel in the amazing turquoise waters or explore the world's largest underground cavern system. If you're interested in the history of the area, tour the burial grounds of the indigenous Bahaman people …
» Nassau Cruise Port
Just 180 miles (290 km) off the southern Florida coast, on the island of New Providence, Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and its 29 islands. When you dock at Prince George Wharf on the island's north coast, it's less than a 10 minute stroll to downtown's boutiques, restaurants and, most importantly, your launch pad for an exhilarating snorkelling or diving shore excursion. Getting into town is easy: either walk a little way south to the main shopping hub, Bay Street …
» Nassau's Blue Lagoon Island
This beautiful private island is open to all who wants to experience Bahamian beauty and adventure firsthand. A trip to Blue Lagoon Island promises countless opportunities for fun, whether you want to simply relax by the beach and catch some rays, swim with a dolphin, or venture into the sparkling waters in a sea kayak. Though just a short trip away from Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island offers the peaceful feeling of seclusion that you can only experience on a private island …
» Paradise Island
Paradise Island in the Bahamas lives up to its name. Though Nassau, the colorful capital of the Bahamas, is high up on many traveler's must-see list, visitors to the Bahamas shouldn't leave without taking a quick jaunt across the sea to explore Paradise Island. Paradise Island is over 685 acres of tropical fun in the Caribbean. Beaches, restaurants, bars, casinos, innovative hotels and land and water based entertainment cover the island …
» Peterson Cay National Park
Peterson Cay, a tiny island off the south shore of Grand Bahama, is home to Peterson Cay National Park, the smallest national park in the Bahamas, covering only 1.5 acres. Small though it may be, the cay is home to one of the most beautiful reefs in the Bahamas, and the gorgeous coral structures are replete with snorkeling and diving opportunities. Past the initial soft coral near the beach, the main reef is a short swim off the shore, so be sure to go past the initial soft-branch …
» Port Lucaya Marketplace and Village
The Port Lucaya Marketplace is considered to be the commercial hub of Grand Bahama. With over 80 boutiques, restaurants, and bars, the outdoor market turns shopping, dining, and entertainment into a wonderful experience. As opposed to your typical indoor mall or strip mall, the Bahaman climate makes the marketplace a wonderful place to be. Centered around Count Basie Square, there is always nighttime entertainment including dancing, music, and street performers …
» Queen's Staircase
You might be surprised to find out that the most visited attraction in Nassau is a 31 m (102 ft) staircase. But the staircase's value resides not just in its 65 steps, but in its importance to Bahamian cultural history. The steps were carved out of solid limestone by slaves sometime between 1793 and 1794; a century later the staircase was renamed to honor the 65 year reign of Queen Victoria as well as her role in helping bring about the abolition of slavery in the Bahamas …
» Sandy Toes
Dreams of the Bahamas are usually comprised of an empty, white-sand beach, set on the shores of a deserted island that's surrounded by a turquoise sea. Finding that beach can be tough, however, as much of the development located around Nassau leaves little sense of seclusion. Just off the shore of Nassau, however, the uninhabited sands of Rose Island are closer to that tropical dream. A lone beach bar and a few palm trees that skank to the rhythm of the breeze …
» Straw Market
One of the traditional crafts of the Bahamas, straw working has become infused into Bahamian culture and industry. Each island has developed its own distinctive plaiting or braiding style to create beautiful straw hats, baskets, etc. The Straw Market in Nassau serves as the ultimate destination to pick up Bahamian souvenirs. Grab a hat to protect yourself from the sun, or maybe pick up a small wood carving as a trinket to take home to a family member …
« CARIBBEAN • Discover the Caribbean • Bahamas
