Destination Bahamas

The Bahamas' 700 islands promise something for everyone—from the vibrant streets of Freeport to the glistening sands of countless tropical beaches.The Bahamas, 700 islands and 2,400 cays, dot the Atlantic Ocean from Florida almost to Haiti. Only 30 of the islands are inhabited. When Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492, the Arawak Indians were the only inhabitants there. Today, about 85 percent of Bahamians are of African heritage. New Providence, one of the smallest of the major islands, is home to almost 70 percent of the population. The Bahamas takes in more than three billion dollars annually from nearly four million tourists. International banking and investment management augment the economy, with more than 400 banking institutions from 36 countries.

Freeport is a city in the Bahamas located on Grand Bahama Island. Freeport Grand Bahamas operates as a free trade zone, and businesses in the area pay no taxes. This, combined with the efforts of entrepreneurs has made Freeport Grand Bahamas the second most popular tourist destination in the Bahamas after Nassau. A major casino and a multitude of popular outdoor attractions add to the allure of Freeport Grand Bahamas.

The Abaco Islands in the Bahamas are a group of islands located in the northern section of the Bahamas. The two main Abaco Islands, Great Abaco Bahamas and Little Abaco Bahamas, are where tourists will find the most popular attractions. The Abaco Islands have become a popular destination due to the great sailing and fishing available in the area, and travelers generally come looking to avoid the mega resorts found on Paradise Island or in Nassau.

Andros Island Bahamas is the largest island in the Bahamas and the closest island to the Florida coastline. Andros Island is famously the last island in the Bahamas that is still largely unexplored, undeveloped, and uninhabited. Flamingos migrate here every year, and a host of incredible tropical wildlife covers the island. Tourists who want to see animals in their natural habitat should come to Andros Island Bahamas, as should fishing and scuba diving enthusiasts.

Located about 50 miles off the coast of Florida are the Grand Bahama Islands. The Grand Bahama Islands feature gorgeous white sand beaches and the popular tourist towns of Freeport and Lucaya. Tourists staying in the Grand Bahama Islands will have golfing, dolphin swims, boating, diving, eco-tours and more to choose from when planning their vacation. The Grand Bahamas are the second most popular tourist destination in the Bahamas (after Nassau), and thanks to its growing popularity looks to retain that popularity.

Harbour Island Bahamas is located off the northeast coast of Eleuthera Island. The largest city in Harbour Island Bahamas is Dunmore Town, and the island still maintains much of the old time charm of the Bahamas that has been obscured by resorts and casinos on larger islands like Paradise or New Providence. That isn’t to say, however, that Harbour Islands Bahamas doesn’t have some excellent resorts of its own. The island also features the famous three mile stretch of pink sand beach, which is the perfect place for swimming, diving, and snorkeling.

Long Island Bahamas is located in the southeastern section of the Bahamas and is bisected by the Tropic of Cancer. The island is about 60 miles long and 4 miles wide, and a main road runs along the length of the island. Once called “Fernandina” by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the New World, the name changed to Long Island Bahamas in later years. Long Island Bahamas is best known for its excellent fishing opportunities.

Nassau is the largest city in the Bahamas and the capital city. Nassau vacations and Nassau spring break parties have in recent years become increasingly popular. In addition to the many Nassau Bahamas attractions there are many hotels and beautiful beaches that beckon travelers. From nightclubbing to snorkeling, Dolphin Encounters to Nassau spring break parties, the island of New Providence and the city of Nassau are a great choice for any vacation.

Paradise Island is currently the most expensive place to stay in the Bahamas. The small island was not always so glamorous, however. Paradise Island in the Bahamas was once known as Hog Island and was a major site for farming in the Bahamas. Paradise Island in the Bahamas is situated near New Providence, and the two islands are connected by a bridge between Paradise Island and Nassau Harbor.

Some scholars believe that San Salvador Bahamas was the first stop for Columbus in 1492, thought others dispute it. Either way, San Salvador Bahamas has a number of attractions for tourists looking to escape the modern world and sink into the soft white sands of a quiet Bahamas island. San Salvador Bahamas is one of the eastern-most islands in the Bahamas, located near Long Island and Rum Cay.

Treasure Cay Bahamas is located on the eastern side of Abaco Island. This Out Island paradise is becoming more popular with time, and the area continues to grow. An enormous resort is currently located in Treasure Cay Bahamas as has become a city center of sorts for the area. Treasure Cay is also home to one of the best marinas in the Bahamas, as well as 3½ miles of what some consider to be among the top beaches in the Bahamas. Although Treasure Cay Abaco is becoming trendier, there are still deals to found for visitors and prices will almost always be lower than on Paradise or in Nassau.