Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Dream Bahamas Vacation

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an archipelago stretched across 500 miles of the Atlantic Ocean. With turquoise waters, warm salty breezes, and many opportunities to mingle with fun-loving locals, it’s a well-favored Caribbean island destination — perfect for those living along the eastern seaboard, connected to The Bahamas via abundant direct flights. Even if you come from farther away, this island chain is worth the journey.

“We have always been known for our beautiful beaches and weather; I’m glad that more travelers want to experience something even more valuable than that — the Bahamian people,” Kya Nguyen shared. Nguyen is a local tour guide with family roots in the islands, and her last name has a connection to Blackbeard’s crew.

“People also love and appreciate our nature and wildlife. Guests always remark on the curly-tailed lizards, and my young pineapples are a favorite photo opportunity,” Nguyen added. Another sight she suggests prioritizing is “Junkanoo, a uniquely Bahamian street parade celebrating music, dance, and freedom. There are parades and events throughout the islands that hold a similar name — Jonkonnu in Jamaica, John Canoe in Belize. But there’s only one Bahamian Junkanoo experience, and it’s on Bay Street [in Nassau].”

From world-class resorts and famed spots like Pink Sand Beach to family-friendly accommodations at Atlantis on Paradise Island, every inch of The Bahamas invites exploration. Here’s everything you need to know to plan a trip to The Bahamas.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Atlantis is one of the most popular resorts in The Bahamas and includes the 141-acre Aquaventure water park, a casino, a golf course, and more.
• Graycliff is a five-star dining experience set in an 18th-century mansion.
• Lucayan National Park boasts impressive wildlife and fun activities, including kayaking through its mangrove trees.
• Check out the Anchor Bay Fish Fry, held every Friday, for deliciously fried fish and other local dishes.
• Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island is the perfect Instagram spot, with pink sand made from seashells and microscopic organisms called foraminifera.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Atlantis on Paradise Island

Atlantis is famed as one of the most popular resorts in The Bahamas. Prince William and Kate Middleton even spent the night here during their tour of the Caribbean. The massive property features five different hotels, allowing guests to choose a vibe that suits them.

Baha Mar

Baha Mar on New Providence Island is a beloved resort option for travelers flying into Nassau, offering convenience just a short drive from the airport. The 1,000-acre luxury resort features three different hotels, 15 acres of private beachfront, and a new waterpark. Baha Mar also has satellite properties on other islands, including Bimini and Harbour Island.

Kamalame Cay, Bahamas

Readers voted Kamalame Cay as one of their favorite hotels, likely due to its serene environment. The 96-acre resort may be hard to reach, but the solitude of the beachfront villa makes the journey worthwhile.

Best Things to Do

Hit the beach

Your time in The Bahamas will surely include ample beach time. Luckily, all the islands have beautiful beaches. If you’re looking for a recommendation, consider the photogenic Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island. This three-mile stretch of soft, pink sand — created from seashells and microscopic organisms called foraminifera — is ideal for relaxation. Bring a book or simply soak in the breathtaking surroundings.

Charter a boat

Experience the azure waters surrounding The Bahamas by planning a day trip on a boat or chartering a private vessel. Dive and snorkel adventures are available, in addition to deep-sea fishing excursions.

Get a day pass to Atlantis

You don’t need to be an overnight guest to enjoy the fun that Atlantis resort offers. By purchasing a day pass, you access the thrilling 141-acre Aquaventure water park, inclusive of pools, beaches, a rapid river, and waterslides. If that’s still not enough, try your luck in the casino, play a round of golf, or dine at any of the many on-site restaurants.

Explore a national park

Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island is an essential stop. Here, visitors can kayak through mangroves or take a leisurely stroll while spotting local flora and fauna.

Best Restaurants

Graycliff

For a five-star dining experience, reserve a table at Graycliff, an upscale restaurant in an 18th-century mansion on West Hill Street in Nassau. Guests can indulge in conch soup, lobster, and various freshly caught fish dishes.

Anchor Bay Fish Fry

For a more relaxed dining experience, visit Anchor Bay in Governor’s Harbour for its famous fish fry. This weekly event occurs every Friday, featuring delicious fried fish and other local specialties.

Dune

Dining at Dune, located at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, offers a culinary treat. With a menu by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, expect delectable dishes such as yellowfin tartare, shrimp satay, and roasted grouper with lime chili sauce.

Best Times to Visit

Peak season spans from mid-December to mid-April, characterized by glorious weather. During this period, expect larger crowds, so prices may be higher.

The temperature rarely dips below 60 degrees Fahrenheit in The Bahamas, making it a destination with no “bad” time to visit. However, keep in mind that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, which can impact travel plans.

While summer sees an increase in rain, it also means fewer visitors and more affordable rates. The two months with the lowest tourist numbers are September and October, which are ideal for those wishing to enjoy The Bahamas with lesser crowds.

How to Get There

Many travelers fly into the Caribbean — there are 20 international airports across the islands, with regular flights from around the world. Nassau is the most connected destination, while reaching the Out Islands may be somewhat complicated yet completely worthwhile. Your flight to the Out Islands will likely connect through Nassau, with private charters as a popular option.

Cruise travel forms the most common route to The Bahamas. Most cruise lines include stops in The Bahamas on their Caribbean routes. Notably, some brands even boast private islands, like Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, Carnival Cruise Line’s Half Moon Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay, Princess Cruises (Princess Cays), and MSC Cruises’s Ocean Cay — MSC Marine Reserve, alongside Royal Caribbean International’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. Virgin Voyages offers a private destination on Bimini called the Beach Club at Bimini, and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville brand operates the Margaritaville at Sea cruise ship regularly sailing from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island.

What Islands to Visit

With over 700 islands in The Bahamas, visiting them all is ambitious, but exploring a few is entirely reasonable. “Visit one of the 30 other inhabited islands outside of Nassau,” Nguyen advises. “If you’ve only ever been to Nassau, you haven’t experienced all The Bahamas offers.”

Here are a few islands to consider adding to your itinerary:

Grand Bahama: A journey to Grand Bahama means engaging in the best outdoor adventures. Snorkeling and diving guides offer aquatic explorations, while land lovers can relax on renowned beaches like Lucaya Beach and Gold Rock Beach. Moreover, Grand Bahama is home to Lucayan National Park, allowing for ample wildlife spotting opportunities.

Harbour Island: Known for its enchanting pastel-colored homes shaded by palm trees, Harbour Island is famous for its stunning beaches. Most notably, Pink Sand Beach attracts visitors with its unique beauty.

Exumas: Another popular destination on social media, Exumas is renowned for friendly pigs that swim in the sea, eagerly welcoming visitors. If you extend your stay on this island, unwind at Coco Plum Beach.

New Providence Island: No trip to The Bahamas can overlook New Providence, home to Nassau, the capital city and most common gateway to the archipelago. Here, urban opportunities and serene island escapism coexist seamlessly. Allocate time to explore museums and beaches, as well as experiencing the energetic nightlife.

Getting Around

Rental car: If you plan a longer stay on one island, renting a car facilitates effortless travel. Rental options abound at the airport in Nassau, with well-known brands like Avis, Hertz, and Budget.

Taxi: Taxi services conveniently transport you from point A to point B. Rates are fixed by the government, making fare estimation straightforward. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are not available on the islands. For scheduled rides, consider the local Let’s Go Bahama app.

Intra-island flights: Scheduled intra-island flights and chartered options connect various Bahamas locations. Bahamasair operates routes between Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbor in Abacos, along with Nassau to Great Exuma. Other airlines available for island hopping include Flamingo Air and Western Air.

Ferry: Several ferry and water taxi services exist throughout The Bahamas for inter-island transport. For instance, Green Turtle Ferry services the Abaco Islands with scheduled connections between Green Turtle Cay, New Plymouth, and Treasure Cay on Great Abaco, while Bahamas Ferries provides links between Long Island and Georgetown, Exuma, or Nassau.