How to Plan the Perfect Trip to The Bahamas
Paradise on earth gets even better with a touch of planning and research
The Exumas, The Bahamas | Brookgardener / Shutterstock
700 islands. 2,000 cays. Some seriously sexy beaches. Seemingly endless sunshine.
There are plenty of reasons why the Bahamas regularly tops the list when you ask travellers where they consider ‘paradise’ to be. The Bahamas has certainly cashed in on its outstanding natural beauty too, with tourism taking centre stage in terms of economic activity
Although it's super-easy to book a flight to the capital, Nassau, and settle into a beachfront resort for a week or two, the most rewarding Bahamas vacations usually involve a touch of thoughtful planning and some curiosity beyond the cocktail perched by your sun lounger.
From picking the right island to choosing the right time of year, all the way to getting to that unforgettable experience that’s really just an excuse to remove yourself from lazing by the poolside for a few hours, here’s how to plan a seamless Bahamian adventure.
First Things First: The Right Island
New Providence Island
Nassau is a small, busy but colourful city | alarico / Shutterstock
Although relatively small, the Bahamas isn’t one-size-fits-all. The obvious starting point is the nation’s capital, Nassau, located on New Providence island. If you’re looking for luxury resorts, shopping, busy nightlife, a choice of restaurants and a quick and easy trip to and from the airport, then this is the best choice.
New Providence island is home to some of the megaresorts the Bahamas has become famous for, including the Baha Mar and the original Atlantis Paradise Island, which inspired the now arguably more famous Atlantis in Dubai.
Just be aware that Nassau and the island can get crowded in Spring and Summer, thanks to thousands of US visitors and cruise ship passengers descending on the Bahamas for some vacation time. If you do choose Nassau and New Providence, then make sure you leave time to grab souvenirs at the Straw Market and a drink to two or three at Café Matisse
The Out Islands and the Exumas
The Bahamas features many cays – small islands, usually with amazing beaches | Brookgardener / Shutterstock
If you’re looking for the opposite and want to slow the pace down slightly, you can go wrong with the Out Islands. This includes the famous Exumas, a chain of 365 cays (small, sandy islands with no much else than luxury resorts, palm trees and white sand beaches) that ooze seclusion and exclusivity.
Great Exuma is the main getaway and home to recommended resorts like the Grand Isle Resort or the slightly more boutique Kahari Resort. It’s super-popular with Instagrammers, but if you time it right you can enjoy a boat trip to Big Major Cay, home to the famous swimming pigs you may have spotted in the Fyre festival documentary. And speaking of film, Thunderball Grotto (of James Bond fame) is nearby too.
Harbour Island
Golf carts are the premier mode of transport on Harbour Island | Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock
If you want to upgrade your stay altogether, then go for Harbour Island just off Eleuthera. Alongside some seriously swish resorts that blend effortlessly with British colonial architecture, the island is famous for its stunning pink sand beach.
You’ll be pleased to hear there are barely any cars on Harbour Island too, with short trips usually walked or driven by electric golf cart, helping to keep things nice and peaceful.
Treat yourself to some serious luxury at the Dunmore Hotel, with top-tier service and sublime views over the blush shoreline.
Andros Island
If all of that relaxation sounds like it would drive you crazy, then fear not – Andros Island is a top spot for adventurers and ecotourists. Expect dense mangroves, blue holes to dive in and the world’s third-largest barrier reef for snorkeling galore. Small Hope Bay Lodge values sustainability while still delivering an overall lavish experience, plus they offer bird watching tours to the West Side National Park.
Get your Timing Right
It isn’t all sunshine and perfect temperatures | Charles HHuang / Shutterstock
The Bahamas is one of those magical places where the temperature never drops and the sun doesn’t really go away. November to June is the high season, with dry, pleasant days. Naturally, this is when prices are their highest and it can be difficult to get a room at certain resorts. You’ll need to book at least three to six months ahead during this period.
The best deals and quietest days can be had in the shoulder season months of June and July and October and November, but take care if you’re thinking of booking for August and September. These months see the wettest weather, plus it’s hurricane season, so be prepared for cancellations / postponements and make sure your travel insurance is up to scratch, including hurricane coverage!
There are also some pretty huge annual events that can drive up hotel prices or even make it tough to get a booking in the first place. Junkanoo, held on Christmas Night and then again on New Year’s Eve, is a mardi-gras style carnival. Good luck finding somewhere to stay if you don’t book well in advance. Independence week, celebrated in July, also sees the Bahamas get very busy, so check you calendar.
Plan both how to get there and how to get around
Some vacations usually involve heading to the local airport and then taking a train, bus or taxi to your destination. Not the Bahamas. Unless you’re staying in Nassau, you’ll need to figure out how to get to the island or cay that you’re staying on, as some require an onward flight or ferry transfer.
If you’re travelling from the US, then check onward flights to specific islands from Miami International and Fort Lauderdale. This can mean skipping a stop off in Nassau in favour of a direct flight straight from a US airport
Bahamasair is a great starting point, with local services to many regional airports, but you can charter planes and even seaplanes for a more exclusive experience without spending a small fortune. If you’re staying at a resort, some include transfers with your stay or offer the best advice on how to get there based on your requirements, so it’s best to follow your hotel’s advice.
You can even get a ferry between the US and The Bahamas. Balearia offers direct connections between Bimini on Grand Harbour and Fort Lauderdale, taking around 2.5 hours.
It’s totally possible to then island hop using The Bamahas’ extensive ferry system (favoured by the locals). Group together islands, e.g. Eleuthera with Harbour Island, or the Exumas, into a single trip with small boat transfers between. Water taxis are very common and just asking around will likely result in a lift between cays.
If you’re at home on the water, then consider hiring a catamaran or yacht for maximum freedom and flexibility.
Renting a car is handy on larger islands like Eleuthera and Andros, but stick to taxis in Nassau as the traffic gets bad and there isn’t really that far to go!
Maximise on your resort’s offerings
Your resort can offer additional experiences and services to maximise your visit | yachtorria / Shutterstock
The Bahamas is famous for its super-luxury resorts, catering to every need and delivering a premium service level. So if you’re going to be paying through the nose anyway, you may as well go for it.
Before you say ‘yes’ to the first room you see at the price you see on the website, try calling the booking team or even just the front desk. Explain your plans, ask them for their best deals and see what else can be offered. From free transfers to a complimentary dinner, a few polite questions can sometimes get you further than you think.
The other side to that coin is taking advantage of the concierge or desk manager’s local knowledge. From where to get dinner to the best anchoring spots for a day of fishing, speak to the staff and get the insider’s perspective rather than just handing over a tip.
Another way to maximise your Bahamas experience is to choose your resort based on the ‘add ons’. For example, check out hotels with a kids’ club or activities to fight off any boredom. If you want to get away from the pool, then make sure there are tours or watersports that you can get involved with when you start to get restless.
It doesn’t hurt to check out the food situation either. Some resorts are pretty far from anything else and nobody wants to be stuck in the same restaurant for two weeks if the food isn’t particularly exciting.
Oh, and make sure you’re using all and every booking site to compare prices and deals – don’t just stick to one, or book directly without checking first!
Pack Smart
Pack for hot weather remember less is more in The Bahamas | New Africa / Shutterstock
No matter what time of year you visit, you’re going to get hot and sweaty at some point. The Bahamas has relatively high humidity and lots of sunshine, so think breathable clothing, swimsuits, sun hats and sandals.
For after the beach, shirts and board shorts and loose dresses are ubiquitous, so think low-key rather than ultra-glamorous. There’s no use being hot and uncomfortable when everyone else is understated.
Our number one recommendation for any Bahamas trip is a lockable, waterproof beach bag that you can throw your phone, sunglasses and other valuables in when you hop on a boat, go for a swim or head down to the pool. Check out LockDown’s range of anti-theft beach bags, including cables to lock your back to your parasol or sunlounger.
Waterproof sunscreen is another essential to include in your suitcase. Whether you’re reef snorkeling or swimming with the pigs, nobody wants a burned back.
Book your tours and experiences well in advance
You’ll need to plan your trip to see the swimming pigs in advance | BlueOrange Studio / Shutterstock
You can quite easily see the best of the Bahamas without having to join a guided tour or pay for tickets, but you’ll certainly benefit from some sort of organised fun if you want to expand your overall experience.
Fishing is huge in the Bahamas and Andros is the epicenter. If this sounds interesting, then book your charter well in advance and online, rather than having to haggle and pay a premium on the day.
If you want to fulfil your Instagram dreams and swim with the pigs on Big Major Cay, then you’ll need to get to the cay and hop on a boat tour or charter your own. Book online and well in advance with any of these providers on GetYourGuide – but avoid the folks holding up signs and offering Pig Beach trips. These usually involve long boat transfers, scams or even taking you to see other pigs that clearly aren’t going to be swimming on a beach anytime soon!
Final Tips
Shroud Cay, the Bahamas | Daniel Sockwell / Shutterstock
Going beyond the brochure and researching your Bahamas trip can elevate your experience, but sometimes it’s about finding your own way. If your brain is screaming for two weeks blasting through trashy novels, then get yourself to the pink sand beach on Harbour Island. If your snorkeling gear is already packed, then make sure your boat transfer to Andros Island is on the itinerary.
But no matter what you choose to book or not book, just remember that the Bahamas is kind of set up for tourists no matter where you end up, so don’t get too hung up on picking the best places or trying to navigate everything all at once. Be Bahamian: just go with the flow and don’t worry too much!
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