9 best things to do in The Bahamas
By Hannah Barnard on 23rd January, 2020
A paradise for sun-seekers, The Bahamas is home to beautiful beaches, amazing wildlife, rich royal heritage and exclusive private isles. Made up of more than 700 islands, this popular travel destination offers a range of exciting and interesting activities – there really is something for everyone! Here’s the lowdown on the best things to do in The Bahamas.
See the swimming pigs
Location: Big Major Cay
Pigs might not be able to fly, but they can certainly swim! If you’re staying on Nassau or The Exumas a day trip to Pig Beach should definitely be on your vacation wish list. There are several tours to choose from and many include a boat tour through The Exuma Cays.
Photo credit: Bahamas.com
Jump into Dean’s Blue Hole
Location: Long Island
Dean’s Blue Hole is the second deepest in the world – with a depth of 202 metres. Brave visitors to Dean’s Blue Hole can jump off the north-west cliff into this earthly wonder!
The most spectacular thing about this blue hole and the beach that surrounds it is that it’s enclosed on three sides by a natural rock amphitheatre, and on the fourth side by a turquoise lagoon and powder-white beach. Definitely, an experience to add to the bucket list!
Relax on Pink Sands Beach
Location: Harbour Island
Harbour Island’s Pink Sand Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the world and has become famous for its powdery pink soft sand. Few know that pink sand also spreads over 35 miles on the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea sides of mainland Eleuthera, which by itself has 100 beaches. The island offers several other blushing beaches too, most notably French Leave Beach, Lighthouse Beach, Surfer’s Beach, and Winding Bay Beach.
Swim with sharks
Location: Compass Cay
Dolphin and shark encounters are some of the most popular diving experiences in The Bahamas. Nowhere else can you find more opportunities to swim with these beautiful marine mammals, in the open ocean or inside a marine mammal facility. There are several daily tours from Exumas to Compass Cay to swim with the Nurse Sharks and many include a trip to Pig Beach.
Photo credit: Bahamas.com
Fish Fry at Arawak Cay
Location: Western Esplanade, West Bay Street, Nassau
Arawak Cay offers the authentic atmosphere of the Bahamian Fish Fry with vendors selling fresh conch salad, fried fish and other Bahamian dishes. Located on West Bay Street, the surrounding area is well known for its local eateries and considered one of the Bahamas’ go-to foodie destinations. Arawak Cay is about 15 minutes away from downtown Nassau and 25 minutes away from Atlantis Paradise Island Resort.
Try your luck at the casinos
Location: Baha Mar, Cable Beach, Nassau | Atlantis, Paradise Island
Win or lose, gambling in The Bahamas is exciting and exhilarating! Nassau Paradise Island is home to the Atlantis Casino and Baha Mar Casino, two of the Caribbean’s largest casinos.
The Atlantis Casino features 85 table games, over 700 slot machines in denominations from one cent to $100, tournaments and events, and a Race and Sports Book.
The casino at Baha Mar is one of a kind! Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a backdrop of breathtaking ocean views, while exciting table games, modern slot machines, and private gaming salons stretch throughout the casino’s 100,000-square-foot space.
Photo credit: stuartcove.com
Have a submarine adventure
Location: Nassau
Have you ever wanted to pilot a submarine? Stuart’s Cove SUB Bahamas tour offer underwater enthusiasts the chance to ‘drive’ along the bottom of the ocean. Your personal SUB (Scenic Underwater Bubbles) enables you to breathe underwater with your head inside a large oxygenated bubble, while you sit on a “bike” and are taken to a beautiful shallow reef. After a brief orientation on piloting a SUB, you’re free to drive around and observe an incredible underwater world at a depth of up to 20 feet. No previous experience is required and participants must be over the age of 12 and in good health.
Go snorkeling in the Great Andros Barrier Reef
Location: Andros Island
The Bahamas is home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef which features spectacular dive sites and over 164 specifies of fish and coral, making it one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean for divers and snorkelers.
Along with stunning tropical fish, you’re likely to spot sea turtles too! Five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, including the green turtle, live in The Bahamas.
Photo credit: Bahamas.com
Shop at Nassau’s Straw Market
Location: Bay Street, Nassau
Inbetween the high-end and boutique shops on Nassau’s Bay Street you’ll find the world-famous Straw Market. Seek out handmade Bahamian treasures, including hand-woven straw hats, bags, mats, dolls, conch shell jewelry, and wood carvings—and all available at very reasonable prices, especially if you’re good at negotiating!
Read more: The Caribbean Bucket List