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Bahamas

25.03° N, 77.40° W

The Bahamas ranges from big resorts around Nassau to quiet Out Islands such as Eleuthera, Harbour Island and the Exumas. Short flights from Florida make it easy to reach, and the choice of island decides the whole trip.

Best season
Dec–Apr
Getting there
Nassau (NAS) + island connections
Currency
Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
Typical stay
5–7 nights

Bahamas guides

2 guides

Planning a Bahamas trip

The first decision in the Bahamas is which kind of trip you want, because the country offers two very different ones. Nassau, on New Providence, has the large resorts, casinos and long restaurant lists. The Out Islands, sometimes called the Family Islands, are slower and sparser: boutique hotels, villas and beaches you may share with a handful of people. Couples after nightlife and easy logistics lean to Nassau; those after silence and space lean to Eleuthera, Andros or the Exumas.

When to go

December to April is the dry, popular window, with spring breaks adding crowds in March. The summer months are hotter and cheaper, and the hurricane season from June to November peaks between mid-August and mid-October. Some small Out Island properties close for several weeks in late summer and early autumn, so check opening dates before booking that period.

Getting there

Lynden Pindling International in Nassau is the main gateway, with nonstop flights from many US cities and a British Airways service from London. Hotels on Cable Beach and the Atlantis side of the harbour are usually 15 to 35 minutes away by taxi. For the Out Islands, add a domestic flight on Bahamasair or a smaller carrier; Nassau to Great Exuma takes about 45 minutes. Some islands, including Exuma and North Eleuthera, also have direct flights from Florida. Harbour Island needs a short water taxi from the Eleuthera mainland.

Where to base yourself

  • Nassau and the Atlantis side of the harbour: resort scale, casinos and dining, with the shortest transfer.
  • Harbour Island and Eleuthera: pink-sand beaches, small hotels and a sociable village on Harbour Island; quieter coves on the main island.
  • The Exumas: boat days through the cays and a direct route from Miami.
  • Andros: the emptiest option, built around reef, bonefishing and very few visitors.

How long to stay

Three to five nights suits Nassau on its own. For an Out Island, allow at least five because of the extra flight, and seven if you want a two-centre trip with a couple of nights in Nassau first, which also protects you if a long-haul flight lands late.

Where to start

For neighbouring islands, the Caribbean overview compares flights, seasons and trip lengths.