The Bahamas

In this Bahamas travel guide, you will discover a fantastic destination for scuba diving, unique experiences and a beautiful nature.

The Bahamas are an archipelago of 700 islets, 16 of which are main ones, in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Bahamas are the undisputed destination for diving, a true diving paradise.

But even the nature on the surface will not disappoint you.

Here we present the sports activities that we believe are a must try.

Diving: The Bahams boasts the third largest coral reef in the world, countless marine sinkholes, thriving coral reefs and wrecks that offer out-of-the-ordinary thrills for both experienced and novice divers.

The water offers visibility up to 60 meters deep and waters with the perfect temperature for most of the year.

And the dives can be very varied:

Shark Diving: Tiger Sharks at Tiger Beach-Freeport; silky sharks at Shark Buoy-Nassau; hammerhead sharks in Bimini.

The coral reefs of the Bahamas are some of the liveliest and most impressive, such as that of Andros, the third largest in the world. The best reef dive sites in the Bahamas are Victory Reef in Bimini, Devil’s Backbone in Eleuthera, Amberjack Reef in The Exumas, Vicky’s Reef in San Salvador.

Pit diving: more experienced divers will appreciate the Tongue of the Ocean, an 18,000-meter canyon between Andros and Nassau, and the spectacular reefs that surround some of the more remote islands. We recommend Andros Wall in Andros, Conception Island, Wall in Long Island, Bimini Wall in Bimini, Hole in the Wall in San Salvador.

Diving in the Blue Holes: the Bahamas are unique in the quantity and variety of blue holes, not to mention the second deepest marine sinkhole in the world, the Dean’s Blue Hole. The best Blue Holes in the Bahamas are Dean’s Blue Hole in San Salvador, The Crates in Andros, The Lost Blue in Nassau.

Cave Diving: The Bahams offer vast networks of underground caves, caverns and tunnels, such as Pelican Cays & Sea Park and Coral Caverns at The Abacos or Ben’s Cave in Freeport.

Wreck Diving: The Bahamas offers natural and man-made wrecks for divers of all skill levels. For example HMS Conqueros in Rum Cay, James Bond Wrecks in Nassau, Comberbach in Long Island, S.S. Soap in Bimini.

Caving: thanks to the limestone foundations of the country and the elements that have shaped it, the Bahamas are also dotted with caves on the surface. In some you can admire the ancient petroglyphs of the Lukayan-Arawak people.

Hiking: We recommend taking one or more of the many hiking trails in Andros Blue Holes National Park, but the Bahamas has plenty of natural parks.

Kayaking: kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the Bahamas’ hidden bays, colorful coral reefs, and tranquil mangrove coves. Go alone or take a guided tour.

In addition to these sports activities you can also do many water sports such as kite boarding, paddle boarding (SUP), parasailing, surfing, jet skiing, kite surfing, …

Here are some of the unique and exciting experiences you could live in this destination:

Participate in the People-to-People program, in which the locals will guide you for a truly immersive experience.

Local volunteers open their hearts and homes to let you enjoy the tastiest fish fry on Arawak Cay in Nassau, reach the most secluded beaches on Long Island, and discover the most photogenic corners of Lucayan National Park in Freeport. You can tell us your preferences (cuisine, culture, nature) and your interests, and we will find the perfect Bahamian Ambassador to tell you all about local culture and customs.

Tasting Lady Di’s pineapples: this nice lady has been growing pineapples in Eleuthera since 1974. Eleuthera’s clay soil makes the pineapple special and Lady Di’s company preparing and cutting it in front of your eyes makes this tasting even more unique.

Visit the Graycliff Cigar Company: the company began production in January 1997, with only one roll. It has now expanded into an award winning Cigar Company boutique with 16 main reels, one for each format. The cigar brands Graycliff, G2, Bahiba, Cabinet Selection by Graycliff and the new B-Cuz by Graycliff are produced here. Here you can see the torcedores at work and take a Cigar Rolling lesson with expert craftsmen.

Navigate the seas of the Pirates of the Caribbean: sail along the Caribbean coast in the company of expert guides to discover one of the locations of the film “Pirates of the Caribbean”. You may be lucky enough to spot species of rare rock iguanas and spend some time exploring the island.

Swim with Pigs at Pig Beach: no one knows how pigs got to Pig Beach. Big Major Cay is uninhabited and the pigs are not native to the island. Some say they were left here by a group of sailors who intended to return and cook them. Others say the pigs swam after a nearby shipwreck. Wherever they came from, these around 20 pigs enjoy life and bathe together with Bahamians and tourists in these crystal clear waters.

Listen to the rhythm of a joyful Bahamian party: it takes months of preparation to organize the Junkanoo, making costumes and the rehearsals until late in the evening, but then it all culminates in a night of music, dance and a bit of healthy competition.

Each island in the Bahamas has its own Fish Fry, a traditional Bahamian gastronomic haunt. It usually consists of a cluster of street food kiosks offering true Bahamian dining experiences.

Perhaps the largest and most extravagant Fish Fry in the Bahamas can be found on Arawak Cay, Nassau. It’s a single long strip that starts with traditional sit-down restaurants and ends at the beach, where barbecue kiosks offer a whole different vibe.

Along the Fish Fry you can enjoy fried fish cooked in any way.

If you want to taste a revisited traditional dish, try the tropical conch salad. In addition to the typical ingredients – fresh conch, onion, tomatoes, green peppers and orange juice – it also contains bits of mango and pineapple.

In the late afternoon until the evening, on the east side of the strip, you will be enveloped by the smell of grilled chicken or sweet corn sizzling on skewers, traders selling cigars, making drinks and barbecuing just about anything.

If you want to sample all the ways that conch is cooked, wander the fishing docks between Nassau and Paradise Island, a lively fruit market and the brightly colored shacks of Potter’s Cay.

What is the best time to visit the Bahamas?

The climate in the Bahamas is tropical. It is warm all year round with winter lows remaining on an average of 21 ° C (70 ° F) and summer highs between 26 and 32 ° C (80-90 ° F).

There is no real rainy season, but short and intense thunderstorms do occur, especially between May and June and mainly in the northern and southern islands.

Of course, what to pack for a trip to the Bahamas depends on what activities you will do and, above all, on the period when you go there.

Below we give you just a few indications on what absolutely must not be missing.

We generally recommend practical, sporty and informal clothing.

In this country with a temperate climate, the main clothing is light, summer.

Bring a jacket for the evening, a raincoat and / or an umbrella.

Continent: North America

Capital: Nassau

Language:the official language is English. Bahamense Creole is also spoken.

Currency: BSD – B$ – Bahamas Dollar

Power sockets and voltage:

Electricity: The electric current of the islands is 120 Volts 60 Hz.

Electrical outlets: Electrical outlets are type A and B.

For up-to-date and detailed information visit www.viaggiaresicuri.it