10 Best Things to Do in The Bahamas

Pink Sands Beach on the charming Harbour Island is undoubtedly gorgeous. But don’t be fooled by the over-filtered snaps flooding over Instagram. The beach features a unique mix of coral, broken shells, miniature rocks and calcium carbonate which cause speckles of pink fragments to mix with normal-coloured sand. 

Caught at the right time of day and depending on how the sun falls, the entire beach can glow pink, making for a truly sensational contrast with the blue water. Head to the beach early or in the later part of the day to avoid the crowds. There is no public transport to get here, so you’ll have to drive or walk (about a 7-minute drive north from Dunmore Town).

Nassau remains the king of casinos in the Caribbean – the flagship Atlantis Resort is one of the good reasons. But other resorts such as Baha Mar, also on Nassau, are giving resorts and casinos a run for their money. Baha Mar’s sparkling casino has an impressive 100,000 sq ft of gambling space with a high-end, Vegas feel, and the Atlantis Casino follows close behind at 60,000 sq ft. 

Both casinos have superb sportsbooks and offer a mixture of high energy and luxury, with the Baha Mar also looking out at gorgeous views of the ocean. Get stuck into the glamourous gambling life in these grandiose settings and make sure to look out for special events and tournaments.

Lucayan National Park comprises 40 acres of lush, thriving nature, and stands out among the 2 other parks found on the island. This treasured national park contains one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world, with 2 caves — Ben’s Cave and Burial Mound Cave — accessible to visitors via a short footpath. 

History buffs will be intrigued to hear that bones of the island’s earliest inhabitants, the Lucayans, were found in Burial Mound Cave in 1986. Home to all 6 of The Bahamas’ vegetation zones, the park unsurprisingly hosts several enchanting mangrove trails, which spill out onto the secluded and magical Gold Rock Beach. Watch out for cheeky raccoons, who will steal your food at any chance they can get.

Tropic of Cancer Beach offers a getaway that's amongst the most iconic in the Bahamas, with gorgeous landscapes, clear waters, endless stretches of sand, and quiet surroundings. This beach is about 20 minutes by car from Great Exuma and is a secluded stretch of sand and surf that tends to be a quiet and serene place even when crowded. You won't find many shops or restaurants around here, so be sure to pack your snacks, food, and other requirements.

Tropic of Cancer Beach is just about 9 minutes from William's Town to the northeast along the Queen's Highway. It's an ideal option for those who want to retreat from the hustle and bustle of local attractions and just chill out.

Descending to a depth of 202 metres, Dean’s Blue Hole is one of the deepest known marine caverns, found in a bay west of Clarence Town on Long Island. A blue hole is the name given to sinkholes that are submerged in water and have entrances beneath the surface.

This natural wonder is a sight to behold with its deep blue, contrasting gorgeously with the bright aqua hues circling it. Wade in the shallow waters to the edge of the blue hole and safely swim across the 35-metre-wide hole, where you’ll find many professional free-divers attempting to break or set world records. For a bit of fun of your own, climb the bay’s surrounding the cliffs and get a whiff of adrenaline by jumping off into the sea.

The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve lets you capture images of flowers and greenery unlike any you've ever seen, with guided nature walks amongst mangrove-lined trails. You can see local orchids, woodlands, wetlands, and learn all about the importance of these plants to the local ecology. You'll also take a walk through a medicinal plant trail to learn about the medical uses that many of these plants have had from ancient times through today.

This national park is located on Eleuthera, just 5 minutes up the coast from North Palmetto Point. The wealth of plant life here makes it an ideal addition to just about any social media feed.

Known worldwide for being undeniably adorable, the Bahamian swimming pigs have garnered an almost celebrity-like fame. These curious little creatures can be found on their very own island on Big Major Cay in the Exuma chain, swimming about and minding their own business. 

They tend to surface when they’re peckish or fancy a good head rub, with many swimming up to boats to steal snacks or to indulge in some behind-the-ear scratching. A few dive centres offer trips to this cay as well as No Name Cay in Abaco, where a rapidly expanding herd of piggies now reside. Remember these are wild animals, so be respectful and do not pick up piglets.

The Andros Barrier Reef is approximately 305 km long, so you can only imagine the riot of life that can be found here. Starting at roughly 2 metres below sea level, the reef plunges into the Tongue of the Ocean, which plummets almost 2,000 metres downwards. The reef can be found running parallel to the east coast of Andros island. 

There are excellent dive spots all along the reef – from shallow reefs teeming with colourful sea life, to shipwrecks and even oceanic blue holes. Don’t be surprised to find some of the most vivid displays of sea life here: trumpetfish, parrotfish and speckled scorpionfish along blue holes, large schools of red snapper, or the famed deepwater sponges.

The Pirates of Nassau Museum documents the city’s history as an 18th-century pirate base, with a captivating replica pirate ship, aptly named Revenge, and exhibits on pirate life. From the moment you see the museum, you’ll be faced with pirates left, right, and centre. 

The ship is to scale, immersing you in pirate life as you walk through its deck and look around its nooks and crannies. Animatronic pirates and interactive exhibits on topics from marooning to pirate Hall-of-Famers. One’s thing for sure here, kids and parents will both come away with a hop in their step and more knowledge on what pirates were really like back in those mysterious times.

Arawak Cay, also known as ‘Fish Fry’, is popular for its local eateries on West Bay Street, which is about 15 minutes’ drive from downtown Nassau. All along this bustling street, you’ll find a cluster of shacks that whip up some of the best traditional Bahamian food – from the famous conch variations to the obligatory fried fish. 

Make sure to try the delicious tropical conch salad, which includes sweet slices of mango and pineapple. In this authentic atmosphere that is visited by both locals and travellers, you’ll find the sumptuous wafts of seafood and spices and happy mouths chomping away. On Sundays, local bands pitch up for some quality entertainment, often accompanied by poetry readings.