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 barefoot luxury and island culture on Eleuthera Island. It is less occupied by tourists, 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 for each other. Easy to get to by boat, Eleuthera Island is an ideal choice for a truly relaxing Bahamas holiday.

Great Exuma

When you want to get off the beaten path and escape, head to 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.

Much of the island is undisturbed, which makes it popular with travelers for its serenity and beauty. Here, adventure is sea-set, from swimming with wild pigs and sailing around the island, to learning the art of bonefishing.

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 opportunities, while outlying reefs are perfect for safe swimming and snorkeling. There are boat and equipment rentals, along with marinas that offer charter boats for fishing and diving, as well as gear rental.

New Providence Island

New Providence Island is the most populated island in the Bahamas and home to Nassau, the nation’s capital. There are a number of fine restaurants, clubs, casinos and a vivacious arts scene in this part of the Bahamas.

Luxury travelers who would like to be in a place where there is more action should consider staying at Villa Marina on New Providence Island. When it comes to luxury villas in the Bahamas, this villa is the epitome. The three-story property has room for up to 17 guests. Within just a few steps out of the villa’s courtyard, you can swim in the luscious waters of the Caribbean.

Paradise Island

Paradise Island entices with powder-soft beaches, turquoise waters perfect for diving and snorkeling, and a blend of luxury and adventure. Visitors can test their luck at the Atlantis Casino, dine at celebrity chef restaurants, and browse charming boutiques, all within reach of sun-soaked shores.

From the serene beauty of the Versailles Gardens and the French Cloister to the thrill of Aquaventure's water slides and river rapids, the island offers experiences for every pace. Marine life flourishes in the Atlantis lagoon habitats, while nearby Nassau adds a touch of history and culture through colonial landmarks and vibrant Junkanoo performances.

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

Dune

Widely regarded as the island’s most sophisticated dining destination, Dune seduces the palate with Caribbean-inflected dishes elevated by global flair. Savor conch salad kissed with citrus, lobster pizza laced with truffle, or roasted grouper enlivened by Malaysian chili and fresh basil.

Afterward, wander the breezy grounds, where a Versailles-style garden unfolds in quiet elegance.

Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant

Graycliff Restaurant is renowned for its exquisite cuisine, crafted from secret recipes that blend Bahamian tradition with European refinement. The experience begins in the parlor, where high ceilings and a serene atmosphere set the tone. As you settle into a plush sofa, a bar waiter appears with your preferred cocktail—an elegant prelude to the evening.

After selecting from the thoughtfully curated menu, guests are guided to their tables for an unforgettable dining experience. The evening continues at a leisurely pace, with the option to unwind over a fine cigar or an after-dinner cognac, savoring the timeless ambiance that defines Graycliff.

Nobu

Nobu at Atlantis brings the mastery of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to the Bahamas, blending Japanese precision with island flavor. Begin with playful mini tacos filled with seafood or steak, then move to signature dishes like the miso-marinated black cod—soaked for three days in sake and miso to achieve its rich, buttery flavor.

Dinner often begins, and sometimes lingers, at the stunning bar. For a unique touch, visit the rare sake cellar—one of only a handful in the Western Hemisphere.

Rock House Restaurant

Rock House serves an eclectic menu—from fresh seafood and Italian classics to Bahamian-inspired dishes, such as lamb chops with tropical fruit curry. The extensive wine list, signature cocktails, and Goombay Smash add to the lively yet refined atmosphere.

Sapodilla Fine Dining

Set on seven acres of lush gardens, Sapodilla Estate is home to Sapodilla Fine Dining, where live music and gourmet European–Bahamian fusion cuisine create an elegant atmosphere across multiple dining rooms.

For those seeking privacy, garden cabanas provide an intimate setting with personalized chef and steward for a truly tailored evening.

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

The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas sits within Mountbatten House, once the summer home of Lord Louis Mountbatten, Admiral of the Fleet and the last Viceroy of India. It’s part of the historic Graycliff Heritage Village, with much of its collection sourced from British antique dealer Hamilton White.

Highlights include a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite, 15th-century relics from the time of Christopher Columbus, and a slave bench with iron shackles that offers a sobering glimpse into plantation life. Visitors can choose between an audio guide and a guided tour for a deeper understanding of the context.

Hummingbird Cottage Art Center

The Hummingbird Cottage Art Center may be one of the most remote galleries in the world, tucked away in Hope Town on the Great Abaco archipelago, home to just around 500 residents.

Housed in two charming, pink wooden cottages built specifically for the center, it showcases a small but talented group of local painters. Their work draws inspiration from the island’s vivid surroundings: colonial cottages, swaying palms, and bursts of tropical blooms.

National Art Gallery of the Bahamas

The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB) preserves and showcases both historic and contemporary Bahamian art. Its national, rotating, and online exhibitions aim to inspire, educate, and celebrate the country’s creative legacy.

As curator and artist Natalie Willis explains, “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.”

Whether it’s enjoying VIP club access with special bottle service, relaxing in a quiet, romantic lounge or taking in impressive live entertainment, the Bahamas has lots to offer when it comes to nightlife. These five prospects look enjoyable:

Aura

Aura is the island’s most upscale nightclub—a blend of Vegas energy, South Beach style, and New York sophistication in one vibrant venue.

Spanning 9,000 square feet, it features a dazzling glass dance floor, plush banquette seating, and two bars serving inventive cocktails. DJs keep the party going late into the night, while VIP areas offer a more private, exclusive experience.

Dragons at Atlantis

Dragons is a more intimate venue than its sister club, Aura. Also located in the Atlantis casino, Dragons’ bands and DJs turn up danceable tunes, while 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 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 on 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 that 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 that 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 reveals a variety of ecosystems, including 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 features six distinct ecosystems in close proximity, as well as 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.

The Bahamas luxury vacation rentals offer an array of world-class amenities, from private pools and infinity pools to private beaches and concierge services. A staffed villa ensures that all your needs are met, so you can fully indulge in the serenity of your surroundings. From villas in Nassau to island villas on a private paradise island, an exclusive villa often offers all or most of these luxury amenities:

• Gated property
• Beachfront access
• Outdoor hot tub
• Heated pool
• Tennis court
• Golf course front location
• Fitness room or a gym
• Game room
• Home theater
• Wine cellar

Discover a curated selection of luxury villas, including beachfront estates like those at Grand Isle Resort and Spa. Embark on an unforgettable villa vacation and stay at a Bahamas luxury villa nestled in the stunning islands of the Bahamas. Whether you are seeking a Bahamas villa rental for a family getaway or a romantic retreat, a trusted villa rental company can match you with the ideal Bahamas vacation villa.