Smiling Is Easy in The Bahamas

With 700 islands artistically decorating more than 100,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, The Bahamas contains multitudes of micro destinations in one.

Each island includes clear, turquoise-tinged waters along with warm, salt-infused breezes that make you feel like you’re being constantly fanned by palm fronds.

While island-hopping, you’ll encounter a delightful medley of adventures, from relaxing on sugar-white sand beaches and swimming with inquisitive pigs to snorkeling in hidden coves where James Bond movies were filmed. The best part: these adventures are close. Just a quick flight away for many in the United States, the continuously cloudless skies of The Bahamas seem to be always on the horizon, beckoning you to visit. And visit you should.

Start Off in Nassau

Most sojourns to The Bahamas begin in the capital city of Nassau. Located on the island of New Providence, the most populous of the country’s islands with roughly 250,000 people, the city is a hub for travelers who, once they arrive, are faced with a choice: stay in and around Nassau for their entire vacation or venture further afield. This is a win-win situation because both choices are filled with wondrous options.
For those who stay for any length of time in Nassau, you’ll quickly notice its strong English flavoring. Though it began as a pirate stronghold, the city was a British colony from 1718 to 1973, and since its independence, it has chosen to retain much of its colonial heritage. Islanders drive on the left. Bright red British mailboxes line the streets. Police officers are dressed in spotless white uniforms and pith helmets. And there’s even a Changing of the Guard ceremony every second Saturday of the month in front of the Government House on East Hill Street.

One block north of this site will put you onto Bay Street, a seaside thoroughfare for duty-free shopping that is quite popular with cruise travelers and souvenir hunters. For items of a more authentic vibe, the Nassau Straw Market is packed with locals selling handmade Bahamian crafts such as conch shell jewelry, hand-woven straw hats and wood carvings from their stalls—all of which you can acquire at quite reasonable rates if you’re any good at haggling.

Spending any amount of time in this city may cause your inner pirate to come out. Luckily, to give you a break from shopping amidst all the landlubbers, you’ll have several nearby attractions to get your “yo ho ho” on. The Pirates of Nassau is a swashbuckling attraction harking back to the days when notorious pirates such as Blackbeard ruled the local scene. The interactive exhibits are fun for everyone, and there are even authentic cutlasses and doubloons on display. Buccaneers of all shapes and sizes are welcomed at the nearby Pirate Republic Brewing Company, The Bahamas’ first and only craft brewery, where you can score a Long John Pilsner that pairs perfectly with a plate of conch fritters.

If there are any little ones in your group, shopping for local wares and drinking craft beer—even if it’s pirate themed—can go only so far. Thankfully, Atlantis Resort, a destination that fully believes in the mantra that bigger is better, is just across the bridge on Paradise Island. Here you’ll find Aquaventure, a 141-acre waterpark packed with waterslides, 20 pools, 45 private cabanas and a mile-long river ride. Fourteen lagoons and more than 50,000 aquatic animals await you at the Marine Habitat, where you can also snorkel over underwater ruins and fly past hammerheads in a see-through tube while sliding down a fake Maya temple. For more underwater interaction, the Atlantis Submarine will whisk you past spectacular reefs, more sharks and the remains of airplanes used to film scenes in two James Bond movies.

Then Go Island Hopping

No one will blame you for spending your entire time in Nassau, but visiting The Bahamas and not venturing out to some of its islands is like going to a buffet and eating only platefuls of pork loin. To drag the buffet analogy out a little longer, each island brings its own flavor to the Bahamian experience, and you should taste as many as possible to get your fill.

The Exumas are a popular choice to explore, especially if you’re searching for a little peace and quiet. With 365 cays and islands—many of which are uninhabited—finding a secluded beach to call your own for the day is quite easy. That said, you will stumble upon other sun-worshippers at Tropic of Cancer beach, which many call the country’s most gorgeous, and you may run into friendly pigs at Big Major’s Cay, aka Pig Beach, where these celebrity swine will swim out to greet your boat in hopes of a snack.

You won’t find swimming cats on Cat Island, but you will come across a pristine landscape perfect for diving, eight miles of pink sand near Port Howe, and a medieval stone monastery 206 feet up at the top of Mt. Alvernia, the country’s highest point. Harbour and Eleuthera islands are quite the pair. Just five minutes apart by ferry, the former is basically a small town packed with colonial architecture, charming churches and art galleries, while the latter is a sprawling art show of nature stitched together by the 110-mile Queen’s Highway, a drive that should be taken slowly to enjoy the incredible vistas from the Glass Window Bridge. On the way, explore its numerous caves and soak in natural tidal “hot tubs” called the Queen’s Bath.

In fact, the entire country should be explored just as slowly. Take your time lounging on the beaches, meandering through the markets, and sipping Kalik beer in tranquil cafés. Let the country’s soul seep into your skin, and soon you’ll realize that your cheeks are sore due to all the smiling. The Bahamas is easy to enjoy and even easier to love.