Bahamas

The Gulf Stream and trade winds help maintain a temperature range of 68-86°F during the day,and 62-70°F during the night, all year round. Seawater temperature ranges from 73°F in February to 82°F in August.

Newcomers to The Islands of The Bahamas quickly realize that they have stumbled upon not one, but many destinations. Between the "poles" of Grand Bahama and Great Inagua are 23 inhabited islands and thousands of unpopulated islets and cays (pronounced "keys"). Cosmopolitan Nassau, once ruled by pirates, seems a world away from the desert-like wildlife sanctuary of Inagua. On many of the islands, tiny villages seem lifted from the Massachusetts coast and set down amongst palms and pines and iridescent sands. These beautiful islands lie only 50 miles off the Florida coast - far closer than any destination in the Caribbean.

Scattered like precious jewels over 1,500 square miles of clear tropical sea at the top of the Caribbean, the chain of 700 islands, uninhabited cays and large rocks that make up the The Bahamas covers just 5,382 square miles of land. Formed mainly of flat coral, with just a few gently rounded hills, the highest point in the entire archipelago is just 206 ft. But despite this shared topography, the character of each island is as individual as the 300,000 people who live here. And as unique as the holiday you'll enjoy here.

With each island in The Bahamas offering something different, your best plan is to hop on a plane or push out a boat and visit as many as time allows. Sample city living, island-style, by spending a few days in cosmopolitan Nassau with its duty free shops, golf, museums and restaurants. If it's romantic seclusion you're after, lie back and relax on the pristine white sand of Long Island's deserted beaches. If you're looking for adventure, experience the dive of a lifetime, exploring challenging wreck sites off the coast of San Salvador, snorkelling the clearest waters in the world or taking up the local sport of bonefishing. Get closer to nature and hop over to Inagua National Park to witness the unforgettable spectacle of nesting flamingos and other exotic wildlife. And if you've come in search of paradise, charter a sailboat and indulge in a blissfully tranquil voyage through the Exumas' 100 mile-long string of pristine cays.

Wherever you go you'll enjoy a welcome that's as warm as our tropical climate and hear stories that are as rich and colourful as our culture. But as to discovering which islands to visit, well you won’t know until you find out more about our 14 main islands which serve as 'jumping off points' for the other 686!

The capital city of The Bahamas is found on our 11th largest island, New Providence. Nassau’s history can be traced back to days of the legendary pirate Blackbeard. Its sheltered harbor, mansions, cathedrals and 18th-century fortresses have been beautifully preserved.

Once known as Hogg Island, Paradise Island is 685 acres of pure bliss connected to Nassau by two bridges. The island was developed almost exclusively to delight and entertain visitors.

Shops, pubs and cafes line Nassau’s historic Bay Street. Considered the city’s “Main Street”, it has maintained its historic feel while offering all the amenities our visitors’ desire.

A relaxing 20-minute sail from Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island has several programs that allow visitors to interact with dolphins. Meet these loving mammals from the edge of the water or get up close and personal right next to them in the ocean.

Looking for some sand? Look no further than a few miles west of Nassau. There sits a two-and-a-half mile stretch of beach and beach life. Cable Beach is also home to the Crystal Palace Casino, as well as several luxury resorts, nightclubs and the Cable Beach golf course.