©Sinn P. Photography/Shutterstock

The Bahamas

Spangled between the depths of the North Atlantic and Florida's eastern coast, the Bahamas – not technically part of the Caribbean – comprises more than 700 stunning subtropical islands and 2400 cays, most uninhabited, and all fringed by spectacular coral and fathomless ocean trenches. From the grit and bustle of funky Nassau to the vast mangroves of Andros, there's an astonishing array of beaches, reefs, forests and historic towns to be discovered, all within the compass of an hour's flight.

The Bahamas is an inescapably pricey destination but whether sailing around the Abacos’ history-filled Loyalist Cays, partying at Paradise Island’s Atlantis resort, swimming with wild pigs or lounging on Eleuthera’s pink-sand beaches, there’s likely a Bahamian island to match most every water- and sand-based compulsion, all framed by a backdrop of gorgeous, mesmerizing blue.

The Bahamian locals are a laid-back lot and a night spent at a fish fry with a rum punch in hand is not to be missed.

Explore The Bahamas

  • Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

    Founded as the world's first land-and-sea reserve in 1958, this stunning 283-sq-kilometer expanse of reef, cay and sea is world-famous among divers. One…

  • Blue Holes National Park

    The limestone rock of the Bahamas is pock-marked by blue holes–deep vertical 'caves' created by the collapse of limestone sinkholes. Over the centuries,…

  • Clifton Heritage National Park

    The scrub forest, wetlands, beaches and historic relics of Clifton Heritage National Park narrowly avoided being bulldozed to make space for new tourist…

  • Dolphin House

    Looking like something Gaudí might have created on a tropical holiday, this astonishing house is the lifelong labor of Bimini historian and poet Ashley…

  • Garden of the Groves

    The west end of Grand Bahama is mostly scrub pine and asphalt, so finding this green maze of walkways, trees and water features is like discovering an…

  • National Art Gallery of the Bahamas

    Anchoring the West Hill St tourist enclave, the National Art Gallery is a welcome oasis inside the stately 1860s-era Villa Doyle and one of the gems in…

  • G

    Graycliff Cigar Co

    Wandering into this cigar factory is like falling into 1920s Cuba. In a narrow, smoke-yellowed room with old-fashioned mosaic floors, torcedores (cigar…

  • W

    Wyannie Malone Museum

    Wyannie Malone, a South Carolina Loyalist whose husband was killed during the American Revolution, fled to Elbow Cay with her four children and helped…

  • Lucayan National Park

    This 16-hectare national park is Grand Bahama’s natural treasure. About 40km east of Ranfurly Circle, the park is known for its underwater cave system,…

Planning Toolkit

  • Discover some of the most unique and fulfilling experiences your next destination has to offer.

  • Tips & Travel trends to help you pick the perfect time to visit this destination.

  • Everything you need to know about services, requirements, and the application process when traveling internationally.

  • Browse the various transportation options to make your trip that much easier when you arrive.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout The Bahamas.

  • See

    Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

    Founded as the world's first land-and-sea reserve in 1958, this stunning 283-sq-kilometer expanse of reef, cay and sea is world-famous among divers. One…

  • See

    Blue Holes National Park

    The limestone rock of the Bahamas is pock-marked by blue holes–deep vertical 'caves' created by the collapse of limestone sinkholes. Over the centuries,…

  • See

    Clifton Heritage National Park

    The scrub forest, wetlands, beaches and historic relics of Clifton Heritage National Park narrowly avoided being bulldozed to make space for new tourist…

  • See

    Dolphin House

    Looking like something Gaudí might have created on a tropical holiday, this astonishing house is the lifelong labor of Bimini historian and poet Ashley…

  • See

    Garden of the Groves

    The west end of Grand Bahama is mostly scrub pine and asphalt, so finding this green maze of walkways, trees and water features is like discovering an…

  • See

    National Art Gallery of the Bahamas

    Anchoring the West Hill St tourist enclave, the National Art Gallery is a welcome oasis inside the stately 1860s-era Villa Doyle and one of the gems in…

  • See

    Graycliff Cigar Co

    Wandering into this cigar factory is like falling into 1920s Cuba. In a narrow, smoke-yellowed room with old-fashioned mosaic floors, torcedores (cigar…

  • See

    Wyannie Malone Museum

    Wyannie Malone, a South Carolina Loyalist whose husband was killed during the American Revolution, fled to Elbow Cay with her four children and helped…

  • See

    Lucayan National Park

    This 16-hectare national park is Grand Bahama’s natural treasure. About 40km east of Ranfurly Circle, the park is known for its underwater cave system,…

Guidebooks

Learn more about The Bahamas

Ready to go? Get to the heart of The Bahamas with one of Lonely Planet's in-depth, award-winning guidebooks.

Caribbean Islands