Description
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Fast Facts |
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Currency:
Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
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Time difference:
- 5 hours
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Average flight time:
10 hrs
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Peak season:
December to April
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Extending into 500 miles of the clearest waters in the world lays the 700 island archipelago of the Bahamas. Spread out over 5,000 square miles, the Bahamas are low-lying, coral limestone outcrops that sit on top of the Great Bahama Bank. Boasting the world’s third longest barrier reef and hundreds of beautiful islands that are surrounded by clear warm waters the Bahamas is an ideal escape.
Throughout the Bahamas 14 main islands serve as a hub for 686 other islands all waiting to be discovered. The Bahamas is the much admired film set of the blockbuster ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, once a haven for real pirates, the Bahamas now boasts a rich tapestry of culture, sculpted by time and people.
Attractions
Nassau - On the main island of New Providence is Nassau, a bustling centre with lavish casinos, luxurious hotels, duty-free shopping, Cable Beach golf course and a collection of pink Georgian houses, a reminder of the 300 years the Bahamas spent under British rule. Hire a horse-drawn surrey and take a tour of historic Nassau, take in spectacular views from the Water Tower, the island’s highest point or enjoy an evening aboard the Majestic Lady, cruising along Nassau's picturesque waterfront. Head to Cable Beach or Paradise Island, here you will find the majority of hotels, Paradise Island is home to Atlantis resort which lays claim to the world’s largest outdoor aquarium and the largest casino in the Caribbean. Visit Versailles Gardens on Paradise Island shipped from France to the Bahamas in the 1900s or head to the famous straw market to pick up local crafts.
Grand Bahama Island - On Grand Bahama Island is Bahamas’ second city, Freeport, with extravagant resorts, golf courses, casinos and duty-free shopping. Visit the National Trust-protected Gold Rock Beach, on Grand Bahama Island you can enjoy miles of gorgeous beaches or navigate championship golf courses in glorious sunshine, Lucaya golf course can be found on Grand Bahama Island.
Activities
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Swim with dolphins, laze on the golden shores, explore winding tidal pools or like a true castaway head to a deserted island there is something for everyone at The Bahamas. Head to Cable Beach at Nassau, fondly known as the ‘Bahamian Riviera’ or to Cabbage Beach or Paradise Beach on Paradise Island, both beaches are highly recommended.
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The islands of the Bahamas are a diver’s dream, with warm, crystal-clear waters with fantastic visibility, drop-offs close to shore and an abundance of mysterious blue holes, caves, historical wrecks, vibrant reefs, soaring wall dives and thrilling shark watchers for both advanced and learner divers.
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Climate
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The Islands of the Bahamas have a temperate climate ranging from 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity in the summer months to 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. The most refreshing time to visit is between September to May, when the temperature averages 70-75F degrees. The rest of the year is a bit warmer with temperatures between 80-85F degrees. Sea surface temperatures vary between 74 degrees in February and 84 degrees in August.
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Trade Winds blow throughout The Islands of the Bahamas almost continually, giving them a warm and pleasant, year-round climate. The Islands of the Bahamas experience rain year-round; however, the months of May through October constitute the rainy season. The northern islands normally receive twice as much rain as the southern islands with heavy squalls or thundershowers which clear quickly. The months of June to November constitute the hurricane season.
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