Bahamas - Land of islands

The moment your toes touch sand and your gaze meets the water, you know you're in The Islands of The Bahamas. The Bahamas is an independent, sovereign, consisting of two thousand cays and seven hundred islands. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the United States. The islands are actually the birthplace of the Gulf Stream, a phenomenon that also accounts for their astonishing variety and abundance of marine life. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism offers a People-to-People programme; an opportunity for visitors to experience a genuine and informal taste of Bahamian hospitality and culture.

Climate: The Bahamas enjoy around 320 sunny days a year; and daytime temperatures during winter (December to April) average 70ºF (21ºC) and a perfect 80ºF (26ºC) in summer. In general, the islands are balmy year-round, with cooling, near-constant trade winds blowing by day from the east. The so-called rainy season extends from late May to November. The high season typically runs from mid-December to mid-April, when hotel prices are highest.

Major Islands: Some of the main attractions that bring vacationers to The Bahamas are its perfect sandy beaches and exciting casinos.

Abaco Island: Abaco, located in the northern Bahamas, typically boats pine forests and is frequented by hunters of wild boar and ducks. Abaco Island has naturally protected waters and dozens of offshore cays covering over 130 square miles of aquamarine water. It is referred to as the sailing capital of the world. Here you will find excellent marinas, guides and boats for hire as well as a championship golf course, one of seven in The Bahamas. Abaco is the third most populous island in The Bahamas. Its two major islands, Great Abaco and Little Abaco, have a myriad of small cays flanking the mainland. The sea channel between the islands allows for good cruising. The Abaco may be most fondly known for their fantastic island bars - Miss Emily's Blue Bee and Nippers to name two - which make this lovely chain the best Bahamian spot for a yacht crawl.

Nassau and Paradise Island: Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, located on New Providence Island offers a variety of experiences from non-stop excitement to peaceful relaxation. Here one will find well-preserved colonial buildings, exciting attractions, duty free shopping, one of the largest straw markets in the Caribbean, thrilling land and sea sports, pristine beaches, delightful cuisine and unique cultural activities. In fact, this 21 mile (33km) long powerhouse of an island is a perfect fit for the Type A tourist with money to burn. New Providence is home to Nassau--the nation's capital is the center of industry and commerce in the Bahamas and serves an interesting blend of old world colonial architecture
Grand Bahama: Grand Bahama Island is the second most popular tourist destination in the Bahamas. Here you will find long stretches of deserted clean-white beaches, inviting hotels, one major casino, night-time entertainment and world-class scuba diving facilities and land and sea sports. On the eastern and western ends of the Island are serene and quaint settings and finding a hide-away spot is relatively easy. You can take the nature tour, kayak under the mangroves, ride a horse along the sand - prices are right and the best views still open to the public. For those into nature, Grand Bahama is also home to one of the oldest underwater cave systems in the world, situated at the Lucayan National Park.

Andros Island: Andros Island is the largest of all the Islands (104 miles long and 40 miles wide) but has the smallest population for its size. It has an abundance of bonefish and the world's third largest barrier reef which is over 140 miles long and is renowned for its superb diving sites and marine life. Andros is the largest of the Bahama Islands, dwarfing the more densely populated New Providence in size almost tenfold. The island was given the name "Espiritu Santo," the Island of the Holy Spirit" by the Spanish, but is also called San Andreas on a 1782 map. The modern name is believed to be in honour of Sir Edmund Andros, Commander of Her Majesty's Forces in Barbados in 1672 and Governor successively of New York, Massachusetts and New England. Located 20 miles west of New Providence, Andros has four airports and three official ports of entry. Those wanting adventure when they fall off the grid have no better choice than Andros.

Exuma Cays: Northwest of Great Exuma are the Exuma Cays, a narrow chain of islets, a few being Rudder Cut, Great Guana and Leaf. The Exuma islands are a string of islands and cays that form a pearl necklace of long forgotten hideaways, natural harbors and secluded beaches that span over a hundred miles of clear blue water. The Exuma chain comprises about 360 or more cays that stretch for about 130 miles beginning 30 miles southeast of New Providence. Exuma was settled after the American Revolutionary War when many Loyalists and their slaves migrated to the island, setting up cotton plantations which flourished for a brief time. Exuma is a nature lover's paradise kept in its original pristine setting.

Acklins and Crooked Island: Crooked Island, Bahamas is known for its natural beauty and the Island has many quaint villages. It provides good fair weather cruising grounds and tidal flats. Acklins Island, Bahamas is long, narrow and hilly and has numerous caves and bays along its western shores. A ferry can be caught from Acklins Island to Crooked Island, Bahamas. The Bight of Acklins is a safe cruising ground for shallow-draft vessels.

The Bimini Islands: The tiny Biminis, situated 40 miles (80km) off the coast of Florida, is home to the finest fishing in the Bahamas that attract many a sportsmen to the championship fishing tournaments held year round. Situated just 48 miles off the coast of South Florida on the quaint Bahamian island of North Bimini lies the new Bimini Bay Resort + Casino.

Berry Islands: Just to the northeast of Andros, on the northeastern edge of the Great Bahama Bank, lie the Berry Islands. a stirrup-shaped chain of 30 cays and numerous smaller islets. The Berries offer beautiful opportunities for both divers and snorkelers. The two largest, Great Harbor Cay and Chub Cay are where most of the Berry Island residents live, and are the centers for activity. The Berry Islands have long been prized for sport fishing. There is a deep-water canyon at Chub Cay where you can find a variety of colorful reef fish and open water marine life. The Berry Islands are part of the Bahama Out Islands, or Family Islands as they are often called.

Cat Island: Cat Island is the home of Sidney Poitier, the internationally acclaimed Bahamian actor who spent his boyhood days at Arthur's Town, one of the many settlements on the island. The first permanent settlement at Cat Island was made by the Loyalists in 1783. Plantations were set up and the ruins of some can still be seen today. Rumor has it that Cat Island was named after pirate Arthur Catt, who used to frequent the island. Cat Island is approximately 48 miles long and averages between one and four miles in width. It is located southeast of Eleuthera and northeast of Long Island. It is located over 300 miles from Miami. Cat Island also happens to be the sixth largest island too--and like all the other islands of the Bahamas, it is surrounded by gorgeous secluded beaches. If you want height try the Himalayas, or alps. If you want sun and fun, well try Cat Island.

Eleuthera: The Island of Eleuthera is very inviting. It has the quaint settlements of Harbour Island (with its unique pink sandy beaches) and Spanish Wells. It will serve you pink-ish beaches that will make your heart flutter, white picket fences that will tickle your fancy, blooming hibiscus flowers for your beloved one, and luscious super-sweet pineapples that will make your taste buds water. Eleuthera has been a romantic hideaway for the British Royal Family for many years.

Inagua: The third largest and the most southerly island in the Bahamas, Inagua is also the hottest and the driest. It is the southernmost island in The Bahamas and is mostly low and flat. Inagua is also a home and refuge of one of the world's largest colonies of flamingos. Inagua is a birdwatcher's paradise with the world's largest breeding colony of West Indian flamingos. Salt is till the main industry on Inagua. Because of its low rainfall and tradewinds, Inagua has natural salt ponds. Inagua is of interest to sportsmen and naturalists.

San Salvador: San Salvador is located in the far eastern Bahamas. Great explorer Christopher Columbus has written a beautiful line about San Salvador Island: "The beauty of these islands surpasses that of any other and as much as the day surpasses the night in splendour." Presently the island is home to over 1000 people. The average temperature is 80 degrees. It is an ideal place for snorkeling, diving and fishing, also surrounded by superb beaches and reefs.

Casino: The possibility of making thousands of dollars in one night attracts many vacationers to the glitz and glamor of the casinos of The Bahamas. In The Bahamas, it is illegal for Bahamians to gamble, but tourists who are 18 years or older and are visiting the region can gamble at any of the island casinos. Many casinos in The Bahamas are located within hotels and resorts. The four largest casinos in The Bahamas are the Atlantis Casino on Paradise Island, the Crystal Palace Casino on New Providence Island, and The Crowne Plaza Golf Resort & Royal Oasis Casino and Our Lucaya, both on Grand Bahama Island. If you're new to the world of gambling, beginners can take gambling lessons at the Crystal Palace, and the tables and slots are open 24 hours a day on the weekends. Gambling can make for some exciting and sometimes profitable entertainment during a vacation to The Bahamas.

Adventures you can do in Bahamas:

Bicycling
Diving
Flying
Gaming
Golf
Hunting green flashes
Para sailing
Sports fishing
Snorkeling

Shopping: Shopping in Bahamas is a unique experience. Here, you'll find distinctive authentically Bahamian items that reflect their heritage. A key to finding the best bargains is to look for shops that post a pink flamingo decal on their doors or windows. This signifies that they have met strict government guidelines, and that all their brands are authentic.

Here is the location of The Bahamas:

Bahamas is the most romantic destination for young couples. Don't forget to carry your camera to capture so many wonderful scenic beauties all around.

Sources: bahamas.com, geographia.com, thebahamasguide.com, bahamas-guide.info, wordtravels.com)