The capital and its resort island
Nassau and Paradise Island are where most trips begin. Nassau has the main airport, the cruise port, colonial forts, the Queen's Staircase, museums and the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay. Across the bridge, Paradise Island holds the big resorts, while Cable Beach west of town has more beach hotels.
The postcard cays
Exuma is the image on most Bahamas posters: sandbars, swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park and Thunderball Grotto. George Town on Great Exuma is the base, with Stocking Island just across the harbour.
Pink sand and Loyalist villages
Eleuthera and Harbour Island combine a long, thin island of quiet beaches, pineapple farms and the Glass Window Bridge with tiny Harbour Island, famous for its pink sand beach and pastel clapboard houses in Dunmore Town.
Easy island for families
Grand Bahama is the closest major island to Florida, with Freeport, Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucayan National Park and its cave systems, and long beaches at relaxed prices.
The sailing islands
Abaco is a chain of cays and harbours made for boats: Hope Town's candy striped lighthouse, Elbow Cay, Green Turtle Cay and Treasure Cay beach. The islands are still rebuilding after Hurricane Dorian in 2019, and are worth supporting.
Beyond the main islands
Andros has the largest barrier reef in the country, bonefishing flats and blue holes. Bimini sits closest to Florida and is known for fishing and Hemingway history. Long Island, Cat Island and the Berry Islands offer even quieter escapes.
Putting it together
A classic first trip is three or four nights in Nassau or Paradise Island, then four or five nights on one Out Island. Use our places to visit list to pick spots on each island, and the free trip planner to shape the days.