Must See

Bimini

Bimini Island forms the northwest corner of the Bahamas and is the closest of the islands to the US mainland, lying approximately 73 km (45 mi) east of Miami. Hemingway used to live in Alice Town in Blue Marlin Cottage, and mementos of his life can be seen in the local museum.

Bimini is known as the 'Big Game Fishing Capital of The Bahamas', and plays host to a number of deep-sea fishing tournaments from March to September. There are many diving and snorkelling opportunities, including interesting attractions such as the Bimini Barge Wreck, Little Caverns, and Rainbow Reef. Other highlights include the Straw Market, the Healing Hole and the Fountain of Youth.

Cat Island

Located in the centre of the Bahamas on the eastern side of the island chain is boot-shaped Cat Island. This 81 km (50 mi) long island is made up of high cliffs and dense forest, all surrounded by unspoiled beaches. The Hawk's Nest Marina is found at the southern tip of the island, and deep-sea fishers along with divers, snorkellers, kayakers and shellers will find Cat Island lends itself well to these activities.

Travellers can visit the tiny monastery (the Hermitage) built in 1939, which lies atop Mount Alvernia, the Bahamas' highest point. The monastery features Gothic windows and Roman arches, and was the solitary home of Father Jerome until his death in 1952.

Cat Island is also home to the Annual Cat Island Regatta that takes place each August.

Eleuthera

The most famous of the Out Islands, Eleuthera is a narrow island (only 3 km wide), but 177 km long, with great beaches. The most beautiful, Club Med Beach, is a long expanse of powdery pink sand set against a tall forest. Nor'Side Beach is backed by high dunes and has rolling surf.

Attractions include snorkelling and diving, kayaking and boating, cave exploring, blue holes, biking, golfing and swimming along pink, sandy beaches. There is also good surfing at Gregory Town, as well as the straw markets and Pineapple Festival.

The Exumas

Located in the centre of the Bahamas Islands, The Exumas are a 145 km chain of islands described by some yachtsmen as the finest cruising region in the world, with spectacular reefs in the sea and ruined and deserted plantation houses on land.

The annual Out Island Regatta taking place in April draws many to the Elizabeth Harbour. Diving, fishing, snorkelling and boating are popular activities in the Exumas, and other attractions include the Plantation Ruins, the Hermitage Tomb, the Thunderball Grotto and miles of unspoiled beaches.

Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama Island is 150 km (96 mi) long west to east and 27 km (17 mi) across at its widest north to south point. The island is split in two by the Grand Lucayan Waterway with most settlement being on the west end and more nature being found on the east end. The island is noted for its good beaches on the south coast and mangrove swamps along the north.

Grand Bahama is home to white, sandy beaches, two casinos and good shopping facilities; however, away from the tourist gridlock is Lucaya National Park, a maze of mangrove creeks ideal for sea kayaking and exploration.

Freeport

Freeport and its suburb of Lucaya form the second largest town in the Bahamas, and boast lavish resorts, shops, clubs and casinos. The centre of town is Ranfurly Circus where the East and West Sunrise Highways, the Mall roads converge. Caravel Beach protrudes into the southeast corner of this intersection and Freeport is bounded on the south by Xanadu Beach.

Garden of the Groves

The Garden of the groves is a well laid-out tropical garden with exotic flowers, waterfalls and colourful birds. A small museum covers the history of the island, including costumes worn for the Junkanoo festival, and there is a animal petting area for children.

Lucayan National Park

This 40 acre national park encompasses sand dunes, mangrove swamps, broad beaches, pine and palm forest, and is also home to the world's largest underwater cave system. The water in these caves connects to the sea and experienced divers can take the hour's underwater swim to the sea cave entrances. Ordinary visitors can simply climb down stairways to view the unique species of fish.

There is also a circular boardwalk that offers an interesting nature walk across mangrove swamps, dunes with land-dwelling crabs and a magnificent beach.

Long Island

Long Island lies in the centre of the lower half of the Bahamas Islands. Approximately 129 km (80 mi) long and no more than 6.5 km (4 mi) wide, Long Island has contrasting environments of rocky cliffs on the east coast and sandy beaches on the west coast. The inlands are comprised of swamps, green hills and lagoons.

The Long Island Sailing Regatta takes place at Salt Pond in May or June. The coast and surrounding cays offer reefs and caves for diving, snorkelling, bonefishing and exploring by glass-bottom boat cruises. Just off the island is Dean's Blue Hole, which plunges 183m (600 feet) into the ocean floor.

New Providence

New Providence runs approximately 30 km 920 mi) east to west, with a total area of around 207 sq km (80 sq mi).

Nassau

Situated on the northeast coast of New Providence Island, the city is named after William of Orange-Nassau who became king of England in 1688. The capital of The Bahamas has much to see. From the bustling straw market, the tropical flowers and pink flamingos of the Ardastra Gardens, to 18th-century Fort Charlotte on West Bay Street (complete with moat) and Fort Fincastle (built in the shape of a ship's bows). For panoramic views of the island, take the elevator to the top of the Water Tower. Finally, relax at Cable Beach, a two and a half mile stretch lined with bars.

Other attractions include the Pompey Museum or the Junkanoo Museum.

Paradise Island

Accessible via two tall bridges from New Providence, Paradise Island (formerly Hog Island) lays claim to the world's largest open-air aquarium, a massive 14 acres. In the same complex is a large casino. A more relaxed time can be had on the island's beautiful beaches.

On one end of the island is the lighthouse which marks the entrance to the harbour, whilst a golf course lies at the other. In between are several resorts and a series of mansions.