Introducing The Bahamas
Travel Alert: Hurricane Earl prompted evacuations in North Carolina's Outer Banks on 1 September 2010 and hurricane warnings have been extended northward along the Eastern Seaboard. Swells from Earl have been predicted to cause dangerous surf conditions in The Bahamas and the south-eastern coast of the US over the following days. Travellers to the region should carefully watch the latest news and weather advisories.
Advertisement
Scattered like dabs of possibility on an adventurer’s palette, the Bahamas are ready-made for exploration. Just ask Christopher Columbus, he bumped against these limestone landscapes in 1492 and changed the course of history. But adventure didn’t end with the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. From pirates to blockade dodgers to rum smugglers, wily go-getters have converged and caroused on the country’s 700 islands and 2400 cays for centuries.
So what’s in it for travelers? There’s sailing to Abacos. Diving Andros' blue holes. Kayaking the countless cays around Exumas. Lounging on Eleuthera's beaches. Pondering pirates in Nassau. Indeed, there’s a Bahamian island to match most every water-and-sand-based compulsion. Each of them framed by a backdrop of gorgeous, mesmerizing blue.
But every adventure has irritations, and here indifferent service, high prices and hungry no-see-ums take the lead. Nassau and Paradise Island are the prime troublemakers. But if casinos, Aquaventure and duty-free shopping don’t top your to-do list, consider dropping off the grid for a bit in the Out Islands. Prices remain high but there’s more bang for your Bahamian buck, with friendlier service, fewer crowds and, well, the pesky no-see-ums haven’t gotten the memo. But don’t wait long. Change is in the air and the Out Islands are blipping onto the radar screens of mega-developers and land grabbers the world over.
For now loaf, paddle, dive and après-snorkel. Paint your own adventure, the palette awaits.
Last updated: Sep 2, 2010
Tips & articles
-
Billionaire beach cabanas
11 August 2010
The beach cabana has become prime holiday real estate. For the price of the average honeymoon suite, some hotels are...
-
The 10 ultimate Bahamas experiences
28 January 2010
Lonely Planet produced this guide for our partner, the Bahamas Tourist Board.The Bahamas. Seven hundred islands. Twenty-five hundred cays. Four...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
Hurricane Earl
by mralex 5 replies, last post 01 September 2010
Hi there, Is Hurricane Earl affecting Utila at the moment. I am heading that way but my slow down if the weather is bad for diving.…
-
Cuba via? Advice please
by SoloHobo 6 replies, last post 18 August 2010
A couple plans and your advice please. Myself (American) and wife (Chinese Passport but Permanent US Resident) want to go to Cuba this…
-
Honeymoon: which island? (Followed by California)
by tina84 7 replies, last post 28 August 2010
Hi, can anyone help me? We're flying from Europe to USA for our honeymoon. Our aim is to go to California but we'd first like to spend…
Advertisement
