Bahamas
The Bahamas encompass around seven hundred mostly
uninhabited islands, cays (pronounced "keys") and rock outcroppings,
strewn in a wide arc extending from just off the Atlantic coast of
Florida to the waters surrounding Cuba.
Although deep oceanic
troughs surround some of the islands, most are encircled by shallow,
crystalline water that is turquoise and jade-hued during the day and
glows with purple luminescence at night. This combination of shallow
and deep water makes diving and snorkeling both challenging and
intriguing, with numerous reefs, blue holes and underwater canyons
waiting to be explored just beyond the surf.
Most notable,
however, is that each island has its own diversity that continues
beyond geography, carrying through to the heart of The Bahamas, the
Bahamian people.
| Islands in the sun |
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Why go on holiday to the Bahamas?
To
chill out. This place claims to have invented the hammock! Take your
pick from more than 700 islands - some virtually undiscovered - and
enjoy a mix of American, Caribbean and British culture.
Relax on
the white-sand beaches or if you're feeling more adventurous try
yachting, fishing, diving or kayaking. Play the casinos and take in a
cabaret or enjoy a local goombay band after the sun goes down.
How much does it cost?
The
Bahamas lies at the pricier end of the Caribbean. It's unlikely to find
two-week deals for under £1,500 in summer but you should get cheaper
deals at other times of the year.
When should I go?
The
Bahamas has 320 days of sunshine each year. Even in winter, the average
daytime temperature is 70F (24C) and the clear, blue sea is warm
year-round. The best time to go is summer when temperatures can reach
81F (27C), tempered by a lovely cool breeze.
Watch out for the
hurricane season which peaks in August and September - although the
Bahamas are rarely hit as badly as the nearby Caribbean islands, it can
still be a problem.
The most colourful time (but also the
coldest - 50F/10C on some islands) is Christmas, when communities
throughout the islands celebrate Junkanoo, the local equivalent of
Mardi Gras.
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| Swim with dolphins |
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What should I do when I'm there?
The
sea obviously plays a major role in island life so when you're not
chilling out on the beach, you could go snorkelling off the Exumas,
swim with the dolphins off Blue Lagoon Island or take a trip in a
glass-bottomed boat.
Where's best for quiet beaches?
Most
of the islands boast beautiful beaches, but some are more touristy than
others. Long Island is particularly scenic and the beaches are
fantastic as well as being virtually undiscovered. It's also excellent
for diving.
The Crooked Island District is remote, unspoilt and perfect for anyone who wants to get away from it all.
There
are a few magnificent beaches here, but not many facilities for
holidaymakers and you could easily find yourself with only the
flamingoes and turtles for company.
Andros is also relatively
undeveloped and is excellent for diving in blue holes and along the
world's third-longest barrier reef.
And which islands are more lively?
New Providence is the main island and home of the historical capital of the Bahamas, Nassau.
This
is where you'll find all the large hotels, casinos and vibrant
nightlife as well as beautiful beaches and quaint old buildings.
Grand
Bahama is another busy island, renowned for its sports facilities
(especially golf courses) duty-free shopping opportunities and casinos,
although it has been described as "unsophisticated and soulless".
The
Abacos island group is the third most visited area in the country - its
mixture of picturesque villages, museums, art galleries and yachting
culture makes it the perfect holiday destination.
| Duty-free shopping |
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Where's good for nightlife?
It
depends what your thing is. The nightlife ranges from a few
English-style pubs and swanky nightclubs with their dress codes and
ridiculously expensive prices in Nassau, to hundreds of American-style
"sports bars".
The four main casinos are dotted over the islands. Foreigners can gamble, Bahamians may not.
Traditional
"rake 'n' scrape" music can be enjoyed in many a local bar while you
are sampling some of the local brews - Kalik (a lager-style beer) and,
of course, rum.
What's the food like?
Like a lot of aspects of life on these islands, typical Bahamian food is a mix of different ethnic traditions.
It's
heavy on the seafood, especially conch - a large marine snail - and
also incorporates spices, sweet potatoes from the Caribbean and meat
stews and hot cross buns, a hangover from the days when the islands
were governed by the British.
However, traditional Bahamian food
has been overshadowed in the past 10 or 20 years by the introduction of
North American fast food.
What should I buy?
The
markets and duty-free shops in Nassau and Freeport are paradise for
shopaholics. You can get almost anything duty-free here - perfume,
cigars, clothes, jewellery and leather goods.
At the other end
of the scale are the traditional straw markets, where you can purchase
baskets, mats, dolls, bags and hats made by Bahamian weavers from palm
leaves.
The largest market is in Bay Street, Nassau, and there
are several in Freeport and Long Island, but local crafts including
batik material, sculpture and traditional art are for sale on most of
the islands.
What is there for children to do?
Of
course children can amuse themselves for hours on a beach, but if they
do get bored easily, the best way to make sure that they're catered for
is to go on an all-inclusive package at a large hotel or resort.
Most of these provide facilities and entertainment for children, as well as babysitting and childminding services.
Tourist office
The Bahamas Tourist Office, 10 Chesterfield Street, London W1J 5JL. Tel: 020 7355 0800. |
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The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an independent, English-speaking country consisting of two thousand cays and seven hundred islands that form an archipelago. It is located in
the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the United States; northeast to east of Cuba, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic & Haiti) and north to east of the Caribbean Sea; and west to northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Its size is almost 14,000 km2 with an estimated population of 330,000. Its capital is Nassau. It remains a Commonwealth realm.
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