As the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau is a favorite destination for many vacation property guests, but The Bahamas has so much more to offer.
The archipelago is made up of 700 Family Islands or Out Islands, as they are known, and 2,400 cays, a lot of idyllic spots surrounded by turquoise waters and pristine white-sand beaches from which to choose.
Vacation rental management specialist Shore Concierge has named five must-visit islands within reach of Nassau by just hoping on a plane or boat.
Not only does Exuma boast some of the best beaches in the world, but it is also home to the famous swimming pigs. The brilliant blue waters are so stunning that they can be seen from space – and as Exuma is a chain of 365 islands in three areas - Great Exuma, Little Exuma, and the Exuma Cays, you are never short of beautiful beaches to visit. The swimming pigs are at Big Major Cay, which is also called Pig Beach. The capital, George Town, features an eye-catching pink and white government building and a history of being used by pirates and features the Tropic Center of Cancer line. Among great beaches to visit nearby are Stocking Island and Three Sisters Reef, which is also popular with snorkellers. To see fantastic marine creatures and wildlife, The Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park is the place to visit, with its many public and private cays. In addition, bonefishing can be enjoyed in saltwater flats. Iguanas can be seen at Allan’s Cay.
This area offers two in one attraction. Eleuthera, a long, thin island 110-miles long by one mile wide, boasts a pretty, pink, and white-sand coastline and means you are never far from the sea. It is split into North Eleuthera and South Eleuthera and is dotted with laid-back fishing villages. Visitors can take a proper royal swim in the Queens Bath area of rock pools. There are plenty of opportunities for fishing, snorkeling, and swimming, as well as strolling along the many beaches and collecting sand dollars on the sandbars. Divers enjoy exploring the jagged reef, The Devil's Backbone, which has the best selection of historic wrecks to explore in the Bahamas. Laid-back locals give visitors a warm welcome. A five-minute boat rides away is the quaint coastal destination, Harbour Island, which features colorful clapboard New England-style houses dating from the late 1700s.
This beautiful 120-mile stretch consists of Great Abaco, Little Abaco, scattered cays, and tropical flats called Marls. With its wonderful water, beautiful beaches, traditional fishing villages, and rich marine life, it is a favorite location for boaters, fishers, and water sports enthusiasts, as well as those looking for a romantic destination. Among the most popular targets for boating and fishing are Marsh Harbor, Treasure Cay, and Walker's Cay. The islands have a friendly feel and offer a warm welcome to visitors. The towns have a rich culture and history, and there are good examples of colonial architecture. On land, the red-striped Hope Town Lighthouse, which dates from 1862, is a popular stop for visitors to the eight-mile-long Elbow Cay. The Abacos boats five national parks. Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park, which is famous for snorkeling in its underwater caves. The Fowl Cays National Park features a coral reef. Tilloo Cay National Reserve attracts birders, watching for rare species, including the White-Tailed Tropicbird. The Black Sound Cay National Reserve is also popular with birdwatchers. Abaco National Park, near the Hole In The Wall Lighthouse, built-in 1836, is a designated natural preservation area protecting 20,500 acres containing the native habitat of the endangered Bahama Parrot, exotic birds, and other wildlife. Great Guana Cay, a seven-mile-long exotic island with secluded beaches, hosts all-day pig roasts.
As it is mainly untouched, Andros is an outdoor adventure lovers' dream. Bahamas' largest island offers a huge range of opportunities for top scuba-diving, deep-sea fishing, angling, forest hiking, exploring blue holes and more. And when all that is over, you can relax on one of Andros' amazing beaches. Andros is divided into four areas – North, Central, South, and Mangrove Cay – and is bisected by creeks. For divers, the world's third-largest barrier reef is not to be missed, along with the mile-deep Tongue of the Ocean trench, beautiful blue holes, and a network of underwater caves. Birdwatchers come to spot rare species, including the white-headed Bahama parrot. Fishermen also flock to the Tongue and nearby waters for snappers, mahi-mahi, marlin, and tuna. They also fish in miles of the flats for Bonefish, as the Bahamas is one of the best places in the world. Among sought-after local cuisine are crab and fish dishes.
If you are looking for picture-perfect beaches, then you will adore Long Island. Near Stella Maris, you can find the Love Beaches, four beaches with soft pink sand. Long Island is exactly that; it measures around 80 miles long and four miles wide. One highlight is Dean's Blue Hole, the second deepest in the world, west of Clarence Town. Adventurers can explore the rugged cliffs on the east coast, while west coast beaches are more romantic. Together, they have a reputation for being among the best in the world. History, culture, and religion buffs will have St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, the oldest church in the country, on their list, along with Long Island Museum and Dunmore Town, with its arts and crafts centers, historic churches, and Dunmore Plantation.
For recommended vacation properties on New Providence and Paradise Island, see the choice offered by Shore Concierge.
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