Experiences
The Bahamas offers a range of water-based and land-based activities across its islands, from snorkeling the Exuma Cays to exploring Nassau's colonial architecture. This article covers what's worth your time, what to skip, and where to be careful.
Water Activities
The underwater world is the main reason most people come. Snorkeling and diving in the Exumas, around Eleuthera's Glass Window Bridge, and at the Andros barrier reef rank among the best in the Atlantic. For most visitors, a good snorkel mask and a boat charter get you further than any organized tour.
Jet Skis
Skip them. The U.S. Embassy has issued a formal warning against renting jet skis in the Bahamas due to dangerous incidents. Whatever the specific incidents involved, a formal embassy-level warning is a serious signal. Plenty of better water activities exist that don't carry that risk profile.
Nassau and New Providence
Cable Beach beats Junkanoo Beach for swimming and overall experience. Junkanoo Beach is more central and convenient if you're on foot from downtown, but Cable Beach is longer, cleaner, and less crowded on most days.
The colonial core of downtown Nassau, Parliament Square and Bay Street, is worth a morning on foot. The Straw Market is worth a look but expect aggressive sales pressure. Nassau's nightlife and casino options are concentrated around Cable Beach and Paradise Island.
Blue Lagoon Island and Pearl Island both run day-trip excursions from Nassau, primarily aimed at cruise passengers. They're polished and predictable. If you have time to get further afield, prioritize that instead.
The Exumas
The Exumas reward the effort to get there. Swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, the iguanas at Allan's Cay, and the sandbars of Staniel Cay are genuinely worth the trip. Most visitors access them via day-trip speedboat from Nassau or by flying into George Town (Exuma International Airport) and arranging local boat charters from there.
The swimming pigs at Pig Beach (Big Major Cay) have become the archipelago's most photographed attraction. They're real and they're accessible, but the experience varies significantly depending on how many other boats are there at the same time. Early morning visits are better.
Eleuthera and Harbour Island
Harbour Island's Pink Sand Beach is one of the most distinctive beaches in the region. The pink tint comes from crushed coral and shell fragments and is most visible on overcast days when the water isn't competing for your attention. The village of Dunmore Town is small enough to walk entirely and has a handful of genuinely good restaurants.
The Glass Window Bridge on Eleuthera is a narrow land crossing where the dark Atlantic and the pale Caribbean meet side by side. It's worth stopping for, but the bridge itself has been damaged repeatedly by storms, so check current road conditions before planning around it. See Getting Around for road and bridge access notes.
Andros
Andros is the largest island and the least touristed of the major ones. The barrier reef running along its eastern shore is the third-largest in the world and almost entirely uncrowded. Bonefishing on the west-side flats is world-class and draws serious anglers from the U.S. specifically for that. If you're not a diver or an angler, Andros offers less than the other major islands.
Practical Notes
- Water activity operators vary widely in equipment quality and safety practices. Ask to inspect gear before committing.
- Boat charters for Exuma day trips run long days at speed on open water. Bring sun protection, a windbreaker, and seasickness medication if you have any susceptibility.
- Some popular sites like Pig Beach involve multiple operators arriving simultaneously. If the experience matters to you, ask your operator how many other boats will be there and at what time.
- For health considerations related to water activities and sun exposure, see Health & Safety.