Bahamas

There are so many wonderful areas to explore in the Bahamas, but these five are among the most popular:

Eleuthera Island

You will experience true island culture on Eleuthera Island. It is less occupied by tourists generally and islanders regard it as a family island for its peaceful, laid-back setting. It is also one of the safest islands in the Bahamas with neighbors watching out after each other. It is easy to get to by boat. For a truly relaxing Bahamas getaway, Eleuthera Island is an ideal choice.

Great Exuma

This Out Island caters to a minimalist lifestyle for vacationers who simply want to turn off the noise of daily life and unwind. It is popular with travelers for its serenity and beauty. In fact, much of the island is undisturbed. Other islands are easily accessible by boat or ferry. Here, adventure is sea-set, from swimming with wild pigs and sailing around the island, to learning the art of bonefishing. When you want to get off the beaten path and escape, head to Great Exuma.

Harbor Island

The rich history of Harbor Island dates back as far as the 1700s. As you explore the island, you can’t help but be absorbed by the colorful architecture and its beautiful makeup. This is one of the main reasons the affluent flock to the island on a regular basis. Warm clear ocean waters provide excellent diving, fishing and boating while outlying reefs provide safe swimming and snorkeling. There are boat and equipment rentals, with marinas to charter boats for fishing and diving along with renting the gear. How about horseback riding on the gorgeous pink sand beach? How about staying at stunning Villa La Palmeraie for its amazing privacy. With room for 18 guests, this beachfront property has all the luxury amenities including a massage room, hammam sauna and wine cellar. There is also a private cabana, fridge, three hammocks and an outdoor shower right on the beach!

New Providence Island

New Providence Island is the most populated island in the Bahamas and also is home to Nassau, the nation’s capital. Nassau and Paradise Island, often considered the gateway to The Bahamas, consist of two islands: New Providence and Paradise Island. There are a number of fine restaurants, clubs, casinos and a healthy arts scene in this part of the Bahamas. Luxury travelers who would like to be in the place where there is more action, should consider staying at Villa Marina on New Providence Island. When it comes to mansions in the Bahamas, this villa is the epitome. The three-story property has room for up to 17 guests. With just a few steps out of the villa’s courtyard, you can have a swim in the luscious waters of the Caribbean.

Paradise Island

Paradise Island’s powdery soft sand beaches and limpid, turquoise water beckons tourists by the thousands. The water is ideal for diving and snorkeling. You can try your luck at the Atlantis Casino, dine at celebrity chef restaurants and shop in quaint boutiques. There is so much to see and do on this Bahamian island.

Fine dining is in the world-class genre in the Bahamas. Luxury vacationers may want to give these five a try:

Dune

Lauded as the chicest dining spot on the island, Dune has plenty of choices for Caribbean-inspired cuisine. After enjoying a conch salad, lobster-topped pizza or roasted grouper with Malaysian chili sauce and basil, take a walk around the beautiful breezy grounds which includes an exquisite Versailles-style garden.

Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant

The secret recipes at Graycliff have resulted in sumptuous, unique dishes. Your experience at Graycliff Restaurant begins in the parlor with its high ceilings and a tranquil feeling. Within moments of sinking into one of the sofas, one of the bar waiters will arrive with your favorite cocktail. After perusing the menu and placing a dinner order, you are escorted to your tables. Once finished dining, you are invited to relax and enjoy the rest of your evening with an after-dinner cognac and/or a fine cigar.

Nobu

Nobu, at the Atlantis, is the Bahamian outpost of acclaimed master chef Nobu Matsuhisa. The mini tacos, filled with seafood or steak, are a fun starter, and for entrees, one of Nobu's signature dishes is a black cod that has been bathed for three days in a marinade of miso and sake, the result is sweet, buttery and unforgettable. Dinner here often begins (and sometimes ends) at the magnificent bar, and if you get the chance, visit the sake cellar, one of only a few in the Western Hemisphere.

Rock House Restaurant

Rock House serves eclectic fare ranging from fresh seafood to Italian classics of linguine with pesto, and even includes dishes with Bahamian flair, like lamb chops with pineapple, mango, and banana fruit curry. There is an extensive wine list for any wine enthusiast. There are signature cocktails, martinis, and Bahamian classics, like the Goombay Smash. All in all, the vibe is lively, but refined, and the dining is excellent.

Sapodilla Fine Dining

Set amid seven acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, Sapodilla Estate is home to Sapodilla Fine Dining Restaurant featuring several dining rooms, all of which enjoy the talents of a world-class pianist and musicians. If privacy is a preference then you will find the perfect venue nestled in the heart of Sapodilla Estate’s lush gardens. Share an intimate dinner for two in the privacy of a cabana with personalized chef and butler services. Allow award-winning, world-renowned chefs to excite your palate with signature European and Bahamian gourmet fusion cuisine.

Bahamians enjoy sharing their culture and their love of the arts with visitors. Here are three venues worth a visit:

Heritage Museum of the Bahamas

Located in Mountbatten House, itself an interesting building and once the summer home of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Admiral of the Fleet for Great Britain and the last Viceroy of India, the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas is part of the Graycliff Heritage Village. A large part of the museum’s collection belongs to the British antique dealer Hamilton White. Exhibits range from a slice of meteorite (about 4.5 billion years old) found on the island to artifacts dating to the era of Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century to a slave bench with iron ankle shackles that brings plantation life into sharp focus. You can choose an audio guide or opt for a guided tour for additional insights into the collection.

Hummingbird Cottage Art Center

The Hummingbird Cottage Art Center might be one of the most remote art galleries in the world. The center is found in Hope Town, a district of the Great Abaco archipelago in the north with roughly 500 inhabitants. Despite the challenging geographical location, Hummingbird represents a group of talented painters, however small, whose work is strongly inspired by the distinctive natural and urban landscape: the picturesque colonial houses; the leafy palms; the lush, colorful flowers. Hope Town’s art center is inside two lovely, quirky wooden cottages with pink walls, specifically constructed for the center.

National Art Gallery of the Bahamas

The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB) collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets historic and contemporary art of the Bahamas. The museum educates, uplifts and inspires. There are a number of national exhibits as well as rotating exhibits and online exhibits. Natalie Willis, artist and NAGB curator says, “ art is not just integral to understanding our unique culture here in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, it is vital to understanding who we are and what our history means for us today. That’s why the National Collection at the NAGB is more than just a national treasure, it’s part of our cultural and historical legacy.”

Whether it’s partying all night long with trance beats; relaxing in a quiet, romantic lounge; or taking in some live entertainment, the Bahamas has lots to offer when it comes to nightlife. These five prospects look enjoyable:

Aura

Aura is the most upscale club on the island. It’s a little bit of the Vegas, South Beach and New York party scenes rolled into one venue. With its 9,000 square feet, it has DJs spinning beats until the wee hours. The dazzling glass dance floor is surrounded by plush banquet seating. Two bars serve unique, delicious cocktails and VIP areas are ideal for private parties.

Dragons at Atlantis

Dragons is a more intimate venue than its sister club, Aura. Also located in the Atlantis casino, Dragons’ bands and DJs provide danceable tunes and the bars serve a great variety of cocktails and beer. This is a terrific place to celebrate that casino win or to unwind after playing the tables or slots.

The Dune Bar

Dune, located in The Four Seasons, is all about savoring iconic Bahamian cocktails and signature beverages along with a menu of light and casual cuisine. Sway to the rhythm of live music and gaze at idyllic ocean views. The Dune Bar has been described as “where classic meets trendy.” Enjoying these types of surroundings is part of what a Bahamas luxury vacation is all about.

Rainforest Theater

For something really different, take in a show at The Wyndham. Its impressive 800-seat theater presents a fun variety show most nights of the week, featuring magicians, comedians, musicians, dancers and even a few surprise acts. Cabaret-style performances are also a part of the regular shows. Occasionally, a big-name musical act will grace the stage.

Sea Glass Bahamas

Sea Glass is in The Cove at Atlantis casino and the setting is the ideal place to enjoy yummy drinks as colorful as the stunning Bahamian sunsets overlooking Paradise Beach. You can play table games like blackjack and roulette or just relax while nibbling dainty, delicious tapas,and sipping signature cocktails and fruity martinis like the Covetini, a refreshing mix of raspberry rum, mango jasmine puree and raspberries with a touch of lime. With a full all-day menu, it's sometimes hard to pull patrons away from this lively lounge.

Eat, drink and be merry with these four outstanding Bahamian events:

Bahamas International Film Festival

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is a unique and intimate film festival showcasing films from around the globe. BIFF presents world premieres and all films shown are Bahamian premieres. There are four competition categories; Spirit of Freedom: Narrative & Documentary; New Visions; and Short Film. Special sections include World Cinema as well as Gala Screenings. These films are ones Bahamians would otherwise not have the opportunity to see. Filmmakers are available for discussion and questions from the audience after certain films. The Superstar VIP pass will give you access to all panels, film screenings, events, the Award Show, and BIFF swag bag, genuinely Bahamian treats, Caribbean Bottling delights and more.

Caribbean Muzik Festival

The Caribbean Muzik Festival is an annual, star studded event featuring more than 25 of the region’s most renowned and exciting entertainers. They play a variety of music such as calypso, dancehall, reggae, and more. The festival has become a fixture among Bahamians and visitors who look forward to this most prestigious annual display of Caribbean culture. New York-based music critic Lauren Drummond says the festival “is a nice change in that, for three days, one can attend a show with so much musical variety, from salsa to reggae, where people enjoy each other’s company.”

Fox Hill Day Festival

The Fox Hill Day Festival is the oldest festival in the country, held the second Tuesday in August every year. It commemorates the freeing of enslaved Africans in The Bahamas. Residents of Fox Hill celebrate the 1838 emancipation of their ancestors from slavery by the British. You will find the event beginning with church services, and after giving thanks, children “plait the maypole,” with ribbons while men work to climb it for a monetary prize. All along, there’s plenty of local Bahamian foods to taste, music to experience, and the thing that makes the Bahamas so special – everyone dancing in the streets.

Junkanoo

Every Dec. 26 and Jan. 1, Nassau’s central Bay Street is inundated, from the early hours in the morning until dawn, by streams of cheering Bahamians parading down the street dancing to the rhythm of upbeat music, cow bells and whistles. They celebrate Junkanoo, a carnival-style parade which has its roots in the country’s past of slavery (slaves used to have only those two days off a year). The Junkanoo Expo museum displays a collection of the exuberant, colorful masks and costumes Bahamians wear on the festive occasion. These items can be so intricate and sophisticated that they have become genuine pieces of folk art.

There are many opportunities for making memories in the Bahamas by participating in some unique experiences such as these four:

Clifton Heritage National Park

Clifton Heritage National Park, pays homage to three important groups that had an impact on the country: the Lucayans, the Loyalists and Africans. A walk along the winding trails throughout the park will reveal a variety of ecosystems, such as native coppice, cliffs, coastal wetlands, dunes, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and offshore coral reefs. Local fauna includes songbirds, wading birds, seabirds, and other wildlife. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, camping, snorkeling, birdwatching, and picnicking. The panoramic views from the cliffs provide perfect photo opportunities.

Dolphin Cay, Atlantis

The extraordinary 14-acre environment of Dolphin Cay at Atlantis, Paradise Island showcases one of the largest and most sophisticated marine habitats and animal rescue-rehabilitation facilities unlike anything in the world. Every visit to Dolphin Cay supports the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, creating and promoting solutions for a wide range of marine conservation challenges from coral reef degradation to marine species in decline. You can choose how you wish to interact with the dolphins: Dip ‘N Discover, where you don a wetsuit, sit in waist-high water and get up close and personal, face-to-face connections with these playful creatures; Swim in Wonder, where you can snorkel alongside dolphins in deep water to watch their acrobatics. There are also Hang Time at Dolphin Cay, Junior Ultimate Trainer for a Day and Ultimate Trainer for a Day options.

Diving at Lucayan National Park

Lucayan National Park has six ecosystems in very close proximity and two caves. The dive site is a cave known as Ben's Cave and it extends for almost nine miles underwater. Encounter stalactites, stalagmites, a halocline, fossilized conch shells, and bivalves. Divers will experience an amazing adventure that takes them back in time. After the dive, continue the adventure through six different ecosystems. Enjoy lunch on gorgeous Fortune Bay Beach surrounded by Coconut palms facing the turquoise sea.

Pig Beach

This is one experience most travelers have on their Bahamas itineraries – swimming with pigs. Wondering how the pigs got to Pig Beach on Exuma? No one knows for sure. Big Major Cay is uninhabited and the pigs are not native to the island. Wherever they came from, there are now about 20 pigs and piglets living the easy life, with daily visits from Bahamians and tourists. They make the most adorable photos and will happily swim with you.