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Activities
Scuba
Diving
The islands offer some of the best snorkeling
and scuba diving in the world. Every island
is rimmed by coral reefs, and the  waters
offer exceptional visibility and year-round
temperatures that make wetsuits unnecessary.
There are plentiful ship and plane wrecks
to explore - even a train off Eleuthera.
The Bahamas is renowned for wall dives along
the sheer-faced trenches at the edges of
the Bahama Banks. There are also blue holes,
caves, shallow reefs, shark and dolphin
dives, drift dives, incredible night dives
and more. If you enjoy snorkeling, all of
the islands offer clear, shallow areas.
And the visibility, how about an average
of 100'+, and 200' not an uncommon occurance.
Dive services range from small personal
6-paks where you may be one of the few on
the boat, to large personal operations with
multiple boats where you will get a chance
to meet and dive with scuba enthusiasts
from all over the world. Where will you
dive? The choices are yours to make.
Beaches
The Bahamas have some of the most beautiful
white powdery sand beaches in the world.
On the out islands, you may find yourself
all alone to enjoy.
Dining
Bahamian cuisine is available roadside,
beachside, and in fine-dining establishments
with a host of international cuisine. Dining
in The Bahamas is an enjoyable experience,
differing from meal to meal. Most dishes
center around seafood like conch or rock
lobster, but you’ll find a tremendous variety
of fare throughout the islands.
 Shopping
Effective January 1, 1992, the Government
of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas abolished
all import duties on 11 categories of items.
Perfumes and Fragrances, Crystal, Leather
Goods, Jewelry, Fine Linens and Tablecloths,
Watches and Clocks, Photographic Equipment,
China, Binoculars, and Telescopes are all
duty free. Savings on these items are between
25% - 50% below US prices.
Each U.S. resident may bring home items
total retail value of $600.00 USD duty free.
Free gifts or promotional items must be
taken into consideration as must personal
goods. Families traveling together can pool
their exemptions. This means that it does
not matter if there is one item or four
items totaling $1,200.00 for a family of
two or $1,800.00 for a family of three and
so on.
Requirements: the U.S. resident must have
been out of the U.S. for at least 48 hours
and this exemption can only be taken every
30 days. If you do not remain outside of
the U.S. for at least 48 hours or have previously
used your exemption you are limited to a
$25.00 duty-free exemption per person and
cannot pool this exemption with family members.
If you exceed your exemption you loose it
and must pay duty on the total value of
what you purchased.
Also, there are limits to the amount of
alcoholic beverages (2 liters) or tobacco
products allowed within the $600.00 limit.
Also you must be at least 21 year old to
bring back alcoholic beverages. Cuban cigars
are not allowed.
Items produced in the Bahamas, such as straw
goods, Bahamian brewed beer, conch shells,
wood carvings and similar items are allowed
in addition to your duty-free allowance
provided they are for your personal use.
Golf
Both 9 and 18 hole championship fairways
and greens await golfers in the Bahamas.
Courses can be found on The Abacos, Eleuthera/Harbour
Island, The Exumas, Grand Bahama Island
and Nassau/Paradise Island. A number of
tournaments and events are held throughout
the year as well.
Hiking/Exploring
Exploring nature and the environment is
a fun and exciting vacation activity. The
Bahamas has many national parks that protect
and preserve the natural environment and
offer unsurpassed viewing of rare and indigenous
wildlife.
Festivals
There seems to always be a carnival or some
sort of festivities somewhere in the islands.
You may experience some of the most lively
and varied events of any place on the planet!
Events celebrating everything -- fishing,
sailing, shopping, eating, drinking, dancing
and more -- can be found on the islands
throughout the entire year. In The Bahamas,
the party never stops.
Fishing
The Bahamas have long been known as a mecca
for sportfishing. Deep-sea fishing and bonefishing
are the two standouts, with events held
nationwide throughout the year. Experienced
guides and fishing lodges are plentiful
in the islands and are fully outfitted to
make sure you have the very best fishing
experience possible. From chartered boats
to flats fishing, The Bahamas have just
about every type of fishing for first-timers
and fanatics.
Casinos
Are you a high roller or are slot machines
more your speed? The casinos of Nassau/Paradise
Island and Freeport/Lucaya offer cards,
dice, roulette, slots, sports betting and
live shows.
Nightlife
One of the real pleasures of the Bahamas
is that each island has its own personality.
No matter what kind of nightlife entertainment
you want, you’ll find it on one of our islands.
Peaceful nighttime serenity abounds on The
Outer Islands. A world of glamour and gaming
thrive on Grand Bahama and Nassau/Paradise
Island. Whether you choose to spend your
vacation nights under the stars or under
the bright lights, there’s an island waiting
for you, or if it’s variety you seek, some
islands offer both!
Boating
Cruising the islands can be fun and adventurous.
Day sailing on catamarans, or overnight
bareboat experiences await. Cruise and enjoy
what the islands are all about.
Attractions
Parks/Gardens
Ardastra Gardens and Zoo, Nassau, New Providence
Island
Exotic wildlife like the South American
honeybear and the rare Caribbean flamingo
make these gardens home.
Garden of the Groves, Freeport, Grand Bahama
Island
This famous 12-acre park is home to a large
selection of tropical plants, animals and
birds.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Great Exuma,
Out Islands
This 176-mile land and sea nature reserve
is filled with beaches and family fun and
has played a major role in conservation
of fish native to the Bahamas.
Hydroflora Gardens, Grand Bahama Island
See over 154 carefully cultivated plant
species at this botanical garden.
Parrot Jungle's Garden of the Groves, Grand
Bahama Island
Twelve-acre garden full of tropical plants
and animals: one of the most popular tourist
attractions on the island.
Botanical Gardens, New Providence Island
Tropical gardens filled with exotic blooms
and vine-covered trees.
Peterson Cay, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
Located a mile off the mainland shore, this
small, often deserted island is a relaxing
place for snorkeling and viewing birds.
Inagua National Park, Bahamas
This park is best known for its beautiful
pink flamingos.
Versailles Gardens and French Cloister,
Paradise Island, New Providence Island
Beautifully manicured gardens set next to
a 12th century Augustine monastery.
Stingray City, New Providence Island
Rub elbows with the ocean elite: southern
stingrays, moray eels, grouper and crayfish
hobnob with adventurous divers at this three-acre
underwater park.
Garden of Remembrance, Nassau, New Providence
Island
A park that honors the Bahamian veterans
of WWI and WWII.
Abaco National Park, Great Abaco Island,
Out Islands
Some of the best birdwatching on the island
can be done at this tropical park.
Nassau Botanical Gardens, Nassau, New Providence
Island
18 acres of brightly colored flowers and
tropical plants.
Pelican Cays National Park, Great Abaco
Island, Out Islands
An underwater nature preserve, saving grouper
fish and spiny lobsters from fishermen's
traps and cooking pots: perfect for scuba
diving.
Memorial Sculpture Garden, Great Abaco Island,
Out Islands
Stone plaques and sculptures commemorate
the Abacos residents who have made important
contributions to the history of the island.
Fortune Hill Plantation, San Salvador, Out
Islands
Former cotton plantation, now open for tours.
Royal Victoria Garden, Nassau, New Providence
Island
Beautifully landscaped gardens offering
over 300 species of tropical plant.
Historic Sites
Fort Fincastle, Nassau, New Providence Island
The top of this 126-foot fort offers spectacular
panoramic views of the ocean.
Balcony House, Nassau, New Providence Island
The oldest wooden structure on the island,
built in the 18th century.
Fort Charlotte, Nassau, New Providence Island
Underground passages and dungeons lie underneath
this old fort, built in 1787.
Queen's Staircase, Nassau, New Providence
Island
This limestone staircase was built by slaves
to honor Queen Victoria's help in the abolition
of slavery in the Bahamas.
Fort Montagu, New Providence Island
The oldest fort on the island, also a place
to kick back and relax on well-manicured
lawns overlooking the ocean.
Blackbeard's Tower, Nassau, New Providence
Island
Watch tower reportedly used by the pirate
Blackbeard.
Cooper's Castle, Freeport, Grand Bahama
Island
Imaginative buisnessman crowns himself prince
of the island, and he's built this beautiful
castle to prove it.
Nassau Public Library and Museum, Nassau,
New Providence Island
This museum on the history of Nassau features
an old jail and exhibits on the Lucayan
Indians.
The Retreat, Nassau, New Providence Island
Patience House and The Shark Lady of the
Exumas, Great Exuma, Out Islands
The house-museum and shop belonging to Gloria
Patience, shark trapper, jewelry maker and
collector.
Vendue House, Nassau, New Providence Island
The site of an old slave market now houses
the Pompey Museum, featuring exhibits on
the African experience in the Bahamas.
Dunmore Town, Out Islands
Picturesque seafront village for visitors
who want to get away from the more hectic
touristy spots on the island.
Bowe Family Plantation, Great Exuma, Out
Islands
This ruined cotton plantation serves as
a striking reminder of the island's colonial
past.
Landfall Park, San Salvador, Out Islands
The highlight of this park is the large
white cross that marks the place where Columbus
first set foot on the island.
Adelaide Village, New Providence Island
This historic village was established in
1831 when the Governor of the Bahamas gave
the land to freed slaves.
Cenotaph, Nassau, New Providence Island
Pay tribute to Bahama's war heroes: a concrete
monument honoring the Bahamian veterans
who fought in WWI and WWII.
Marine Farm, Bahamas
Ruins of an old British fort constructed
to protect the area from pirates.
Rolle Town Tombs, Great Exuma, Out Islands
Tombstones of an overseer and his wife who
lived during slavery times.
The Hermitage, Great Exuma, Out Islands
Eight miles from George Town, these tombs
date back to the 1800s and are best explored
with a local guide.
Columbus Point, Long Island, Out Islands
Scenic lookout point offering spectacular
panoramic views of the coast.
Amusement Parks
Harbour Bay Shopping Centre, New Providence
Island
Large shopping complex sells everything
under the sun, from groceries to books,
but it's most popular for TropiKids, a kid
entertainment center.
Waterscape, Paradise Island, New Providence
Island
The largest outdoor aquarium in the world,
featuring six lagoons, five swimming pools,
40 waterfalls and underwater walkways for
viewing fish.
Beaches and Water
Sports
The Dolphin Experience, Lucaya, Grand Bahama
Island
Participants in this popular program get
the opportunity to swim with bottlenose
dolphins.
Blue Lagoon Island, Bahamas
These trained dolphins are playful and friendly,
specializing in giving visitors a ride on
the "dolphin surf," where one
of these gentle creatures pushes you through
the water with their snout.
Forfar Field Station, Andros, Out Islands
For students and marine life enthusiasts,
an opportunity to get hands-on experience
in this unique environment.
Elbow Cay, Great Abaco Island, Out Islands
Island best known for the friendliness of
its residents and its candy-cane-colored
lighthouse.
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, Great Exuma,
Out Islands
This 176-mile land and sea nature reserve
is filled with beaches and family fun and
has played a major role in conservation
of fish native to the Bahamas.
Gold Rock Beach, Lucayan National Park,
Grand Bahama Island
This beach is as pretty as a postcard, with
smooth white sands and clear blue waters.
Arawak Cay, Nassau, New Providence Island
Green Turtle Cay, Out Islands
The narrow streets and shuttered houses
on this island make it popular with tourists
who want to get away from the glitz and
glamour of the island's more touristy areas.
Dolphin Close Encounter, New Providence
Island
Meet some of the ocean's friendliest residents:
they're loveable, if not a little pushy,
so why not meet them through this program?
Moore's Island, Great Abaco Island, Out
Islands
Remote island known for the friendliness
of its inhabitants and delicious Bahamian
food.
Bahamas Fast Ferry Services, Nassau, New
Providence Island
This high-speed ferry makes the trip from
Nassau to Harbour Island in just under two
hours.
Sapona, Bimini, Out Islands
Concrete ship originally built by Henry
Ford during WWI, now an upright wreck in
14 feet of water.
Love Beach, New Providence Island
Snorkeling hotspot only a 20 minute drive
from downtown Nassau.
Walker's Cay, Great Abaco Island, Out Islands
This cay is known for its shipwreck-dive
sites as well as its great opportunity for
shark diving.
Bimini Road, Bimini, Out Islands
Natural rock formation or the ruined highway
of the lost city of Atlantis? This long,
flat stretch of limestone will have historians
and geologists puzzling for years to come.
Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island, Out Islands
Tropical birds are known to flock here -
so birdwatchers, whip out those binoculars
and head on over!
Stones of Atlantis, Bimini, Out Islands
A 300-foot long rock formation estimated
to be around 5,000-10,000 years old, now
a popular diving site for adventurous divers.
Andros Barrier Reef, Andros, Out Islands
Fishers and divers flock to the third largest
reef in the world.
Theo's Wreck, Grand Bahama Island
Peterson Cay, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
Located a mile off the mainland shore, this
small, often deserted island is a relaxing
place for snorkeling and viewing birds.
Shark Junction, Bahamas
Spoiled reef sharks swarm this dive site,
waiting to be hand-fed by expert dive guides:
you could watch.
Berry Islands, Out Islands
Attention snorkelers! Beautiful Elkhorn
coral nearly touch the surface of the water,
meaning great visibility for those who shun
the wetsuits and oxygen tanks.
Ragged Island, Out Islands
This two-by-five mile island bears a single
settlement: Duncan Town, population 89.
Blue Holes, Andros, Out Islands
Unique geology has formed these freshwater
"holes" in the ocean off Andros
that can be explored by diving or boat.
Cat Cay, Bahamas
This island is best known for its huge Bluefin
tuna: fishermen grab your rods!
Taino Beach, Grand Bahama Island
Lovely beach, known for its remote stretches
of sand.
Bimini Blue Water Marina, Bimini, Out Islands
Fishing boats for charter, a necessary stop
for deep-sea fishermen.
Treasure Reef, Grand Bahama Island
Named after the REAL treasure found in a
sunken Spanish ship; now, this reef is explored
only for its natural beauty.
Battery Hole, Grand Bahama Island
Turtles, crabs and nurse sharks inhabit
this small blue hole: a great place to spot
all kinds of marine life.
Rainbow Reef, Grand Bahama Island
Staghorn and Elkhorn coral can be seen at
this colorful reef.
Seahunt Reef, Grand Bahama Island
Named after an 1980s TV show, this reef
is a popular dive site.
Gaulding's Cay, Eleuthera, Out Islands
A remote, one-mile stretch of whitebeach
surrounded by pines: a peacefull, scenic
place to lounge and snorkel.
Conception Island, Long Island, Out Islands
The endangered green turtle lays its eggs
on the shores of this island, which is also
the site of one of the most unusual and
beautiful scuba diving sites in the Bahamas.
Sandy Point Cave, San Salvador, Out Islands
Cave covered with brightly-colored sponges
and haunted by the occasional hammerhead
shark.
Yamacraw Point, New Providence Island
Beautiful white beach at the eastern most
tip of the island, where you can watch the
ocean stretch out endlessly before your
eyes.
Stingray City, New Providence Island
Rub elbows with the ocean elite: southern
stingrays, moray eels, grouper and crayfish
hobnob with adventurous divers at this three-acre
underwater park.
Eco-Tour, Nassau, New Providence Island
This tour, arranged by the Ministry of Tourism,
allows you to see the island's natural beauty
by bike, boat or foot.
Waterscape, Paradise Island, New Providence
Island
The largest outdoor aquarium in the world,
featuring six lagoons, five swimming pools,
40 waterfalls and underwater walkways for
viewing fish.
Andros Wall, Andros, Out Islands
The most popular underwater wall in the
Bahamas, best known for its diverse sites,
from canyons to peaks and everything in
between.
Bimini Wall, Bimini, Out Islands
A continuous underwater wall facing the
Gulf Stream, popular among divers for the
beautiful, multi-colored fish that inhabit
it.
Burial Mound Cave, Lucayan National Park,
Grand Bahama Island
Stalatites and staglamites and other unusual
rock formations are featured in this cave.
Ben's Cave, Lucayan National Park, Grand
Bahama Island
This underwater cave is the only one on
the island that can be dived: experienced
divers only, please!
Chub Cay, Bahamas
Catch a fish of biblical proportions: marlins
and reef fish haunt the reefs surrounding
this island.
Zodiac Caverns, Grand Bahama Island
Chartered boats can take you to see this
underwater cavern.
Mermaid's Lair, Grand Bahama Island
Underwater cavern, a diving site only for
the adventurous scuba diver.
Thunderball Grotto, Great Exuma, Out Islands
This fantastic underwater cave was used
in the filming of two James Bond movies
and is a must-see for divers and snorkelers.
Pink Sands Beach, Eleuthera, Out Islands
Scenic beach, great for snorkeling and diving.
Lucayan National Park, Lucayan National
Park, Grand Bahama Island
Bull Run, Bahamas
Caribbean reef sharks call this reef home,
well-fed on the scraps provided by guides
on diving expeditions.
White Hole, Bahamas
Large coral heads surrounded by pure white
sand: a scenic diving site near the northern
end of Eleuthera.
Samana Bay, Bahamas
Tourists frequent this dolphin playground.
Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Bahamian Out Island currently owned by the
Disney Corporation, which is accessible
only by arriving on a Disney cruise ship.
Sanctuary Bay, Grand Bahama Island
This bay is known for its swimming with
dolphins.
Grand Bahama Wall, Grand Bahama Island
A mixture of coral reefs and spectacular
wall sites lining the southern coast of
Grand Bahama, a popular site for divers.
Old Bahama Bay, Grand Bahama Island
Marked snorkeling trails for seeing the
beautiful marine life of the Caribbean.
White Sand Ridge, Grand Bahama Island
Shallow sea bank: scuba diver haven and
dolphin hangout.
Mount Olympus, Grand Bahama Island
This dramatic underwater mountain is a popular
diving site among scuba divers.
Pygmy Caves, Grand Bahama Island
Divers dig this beautiful coral reef, full
of colorful creatures.
Silverpoint Reef, Grand Bahama Island
Explore this coral reef and get to know
first hand the beauties of the sea.
Gold Rock, Grand Bahama Island
Breathtaking color and a spectacular array
of marine life: this coral reef is a popular
spot for divers.
Shark Alley, Grand Bahama Island
Sharks love this reef because they get fed;
tourists love this reef because they get
to see sharks.
Chub Cay Wall, Out Islands
A variety of wall formations can be found
in this underwater stretch running along
the southwestern tip of Chub Cay.
Riding Rock Wall, Out Islands
A string of underwater walls running along
the western coast of the island.
Conception Island Wall, Out Islands
Located 40 feet underwater, this wall is
home to beautiful sponge and coral formations.
Dangerous Reef, Out Islands
Don't let the name fool you: the reef sharks,
hammerheads and black groupers that inhabit
this reef are anything but man-eaters; they
will expect to be fed, though.
Crooked Island, Out Islands
Sparsely occupied island known for its great
fishing, diving and snorkeling.
Anchor Wall, Out Islands
A deep dive, with the wall starting at 75
feet and home to many different kinds of
marin life, from coral and sponges to sharks
and eagle rays.
Lighthouse Point Wall, Out Islands
Sharks, turtles, barracuda and sting rays
congregate at this underwater wall, making
it a fantastic diving site.
French Wells, Out Islands
Beautiful and peaceful area where visitors
can view flamingos, sharks and barracuda.
Exuma Wall, Great Exuma, Out Islands
Seventy-five foot vertical underwater wall:
a popular diving site.
Dog Rocks Wall, Great Exuma, Out Islands
Swim through this maze of coral, full of
marine life.
Pelican Cays National Park, Great Abaco
Island, Out Islands
An underwater nature preserve, saving grouper
fish and spiny lobsters from fishermen's
traps and cooking pots: perfect for scuba
diving.
Land and Sea Park and Preserve, Great Abaco
Island, Out Islands
This park includes both sunny beaches and
clear blue water, and is best known for
its snorkeling sites.
Little Bahamas Bank, Great Abaco Island,
Out Islands
Popular diving site that seldom goes deeper
than 30-40 feet, best known for its open
cavern systems.
Coral Caverns, Great Abaco Island, Out Islands
This dive site is loaded with marine life,
from grouper to eagle rays and silver tarpon.
The Towers, Great Abaco Island, Out Islands
Underwater wall featuring lots of marine
life and colorful coral growth.
Tahiti Beach, Great Abaco Island, Out Islands
Beautiful beach on Elbow Cay bordered by
a thick grove of palm trees.
Victory Reef, Bimini, Out Islands
This brightly colored coral reef is only
matched by the brightly colored fish that
inhabit it.
Tuna Alley, Bimini, Out Islands
Underwater wall reaching up to 100 feet
in depth offers a spectacular array of marine
life, from corals and sponges to tropical
fish.
Briland's Blue Hole, Harbour Island, Out
Islands
Underwater cave off Harbour Island offers
exciting underwater exploration for scuba
divers.
Somerset Beach, Andros, Out Islands
This beach's beauty is best seen at low
tide for a clear, wide stretch of white
sand.
Great Barrier Reef, Andros, Out Islands
One hundred and forty miles of beautiful
coral reef: a diver's paradise.
Church Windows, Andros, Out Islands
An intense, deep dive into an underwater
cavern resembling a lofty Gothic cathedral.
Bannerman Town, Eleuthera, Out Islands
Small, ocean-side community with a spectacular
beach and breathtaking views of the sea
and Mt. Alvernia.
Devil's Backbone, Eleuthera, Out Islands
This strech of shallow reef has put many
a tear in unwary ships' bottoms, giving
it its name.
Current Cut, Eleuthera, Out Islands
A popular snorkel site, known for the colorful
marine creatures that feed here.
Shark Reef, Long Island, Out Islands
You'll have Reef Sharks eating right out
of your hand during this adrenaline-pumping
shark encounter.
Great Cut, San Salvador, Out Islands
Although there may not be much color, this
underwater wall more than makes up for it
in drama: this wall begins at 60 feet and
plunges over 100 feet down in a spectacular
vertical drop.
Telephone Pole, San Salvador, Out Islands
Diving site with fantastic visibility, allowing
great views of all kinds of marine life,
from scalloped hammerheads to hawksbill
turtles.
East Beach, San Salvador, Out Islands
Beautiful 6-mile beach reminiscent of Cape
Cod or the Hamptons, but with turquoise
waters and sharks.
Lake Killarney, New Providence Island
Large lake with beautiful wooded shores
and a large population of island birds.
Lake Cunningham, New Providence Island
Beautiful lake surrounded by woods - a perfect
spot to see some of the island's most beautiful
birds.
Lake Nancy, New Providence Island
Small, quiet pond - a great place for canoeing.
Caves Beach, New Providence Island
Beautiful white-sand beach hugs the shores
in the shape of a small crescent: great
for lounging and swimming.
Saunders Beach, New Providence Island
Popular spot for lounging and swimming,
especially on the weekends.
Tongue of the Ocean, New Providence Island
A string of underwater walls: a popular
diving site.
Southwest Reef, New Providence Island
Shallow reef known for its abundant marine
life.
Goulding Cay, New Providence Island
Shallow reef popular among divers.
Barracuda Shoals, New Providence Island
Named after it's inhabitants, this coral
reef is bursting with color and marine life.
Pumpkin Patch, New Providence Island
There are no squash here: a shallow reef
popular among divers for its colorful abundance
of marine life.
Razorback, New Providence Island
Shallow reef offering spectacular vistas
of colorful coral and fish.
Lyford Cay Wall, New Providence Island
Breathtaking coral cliff, popular among
divers.
Southwest Wall, New Providence Island
Coral Canyon stretching several miles, populated
by colorful sponges and other sea creatures.
Shark Runway, New Providence Island
Caribbean reef shark hangout, a perfect
opportunity to see these magnificent creatures
up close and in the wild.
Shark Wall, New Providence Island
Named after this reef's most notorious inhabitants:
diving with sharks is the latest trend among
adventurous scuba divers.
Shark Arena, New Providence Island
Lots of sharks for those who want to get
into the latest craze: diving with sharks.
The Graveyard, New Providence Island
Four ships have been sunk here, meaning
some great diving for scuba divers.
Atholl Island, New Providence Island
Friendly yellowtails and Sergeant Majors
pester divers for food, meaning there's
no better way to see the marine life than
on the reefs off this island.
Lost Blue Hole, New Providence Island
A circular depression in the ocean floor,
providing exceptional diving for interested
divers.
South Ocean, New Providence Island
The location for such films as "Flipper,"
"Cocoon," "Splash"and
the granddaddy of all underwater motion
pictures, the 1950s classic "Twenty
Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."
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