18 Best Places to Visit in The Bahamas
There’s something incredibly freeing about the moment you step off a boat or plane and feel that Bahamian breeze on your face.
The Bahamas, with its dazzling turquoise waters, pastel-colored towns, and carefree island rhythm, is one of the most stunning and diverse destinations I’ve ever explored.
With over 700 islands and cays, it’s more than just a beach lover’s paradise — it’s a mosaic of natural beauty, rich culture, hidden adventures, and unforgettable memories waiting to be made.
Whether you’re looking for quiet escapes, family fun, cultural treasures, or underwater magic, here are the 18 best places to visit in the Bahamas that completely stole my heart.
1. Nassau
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and often the first stop for most travelers. It’s vibrant, colorful, and full of life. The downtown area bursts with colonial charm — pastel buildings, local markets, and historic landmarks like the Queen’s Staircase.
Don’t miss the Pirates Museum, where you’ll uncover the Bahamas’ swashbuckling past. For beach time, head to Cable Beach or take a day trip to Blue Lagoon Island.
Nassau also offers plenty of duty-free shopping and lively nightlife. If you’re looking for a mix of culture, fun, and ocean breezes, Nassau is the perfect blend.
2. Paradise Island
Just across a short bridge from Nassau, Paradise Island lives up to its name. It’s home to the iconic Atlantis Resort, where you can visit a massive waterpark, swim with dolphins, or explore a stunning marine habitat.
Even if you’re not staying at the resort, you can purchase a day pass and enjoy the pools and lazy river. Cabbage Beach here is gorgeous — long, white, and kissed by bright blue waves.
If you’re into glam, upscale restaurants, and ocean adventures all in one spot, Paradise Island is a dream.
3. Exuma Cays
The Exuma Cays are a cluster of over 365 tiny islands — one for every day of the year! This is where the Bahamas gets wild in the best way. The water is impossibly clear, and the beaches are often empty.
One of the top attractions here is Pig Beach on Big Major Cay, where you can swim with the famous Exuma pigs. You can also snorkel at Thunderball Grotto (a James Bond filming location) and float through the electric-blue waters of the Exuma Land and Sea Park. This is paradise for nature lovers, divers, and boaters.
4. Harbour Island
Known for its pink sand beaches, Harbour Island is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. The sand really does have a rosy glow, especially at sunset. This quiet island is famous for its upscale charm, golf cart-only roads, and colonial-style homes.
Stay in a boutique hotel, sip fresh coconut water by the shore, and take time to slow down. Dunmore Town is tiny but filled with local shops and friendly people. If you’re dreaming of an elegant yet laid-back island getaway, Harbour Island is your spot.
5. Grand Bahama Island
Grand Bahama Island is perfect if you want a mix of beach, adventure, and culture. The island’s largest city, Freeport, has shopping, festivals, and casinos.
But venture out and you’ll find something magical — like Lucayan National Park, where you can walk through mangroves, explore Gold Rock Beach, and discover one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems.
There’s also great diving and kayaking. I loved how accessible everything was, and the variety of activities here makes it ideal for families or first-timers.
6. Andros Island
Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas, but it’s also one of the least developed — which makes it a hidden gem. It’s all about nature and solitude here. Andros is home to the third-largest barrier reef in the world, so diving and snorkeling are phenomenal.
The island is also filled with mysterious blue holes and winding creeks. If you’re into eco-tourism, bonefishing, or just want to unplug completely, Andros offers a deep connection to the wild side of the Bahamas.
7. Eleuthera
Long and skinny, Eleuthera is known for its scenic beauty and dramatic coastlines. Drive along the Queen’s Highway and you’ll pass farms, small towns, and views that make you want to pull over every few minutes.
Don’t miss Glass Window Bridge, where the deep blue Atlantic meets the calm turquoise of the Bight of Eleuthera.
There’s also the Hatchet Bay Caves and dozens of hidden beaches. This island is perfect for road-tripping, exploring, and discovering new favorites each day.
8. Bimini
Just 50 miles from Florida, Bimini is one of the easiest Bahamian islands to get to — and it’s full of history. Ernest Hemingway loved it here, and it still has that old-school fishing village vibe.
You can go deep-sea fishing, visit the mysterious Bimini Road (thought to be part of Atlantis), or snorkel at SS Sapona, a partially sunken shipwreck in shallow water. Bimini is small but powerful — full of spirit and salty sea breezes.
9. The Abacos
The Abaco Islands are known for their calm waters and sailing culture. Marsh Harbour is the main hub, but the real gems are the surrounding cays — like Hope Town with its candy-striped lighthouse or Green Turtle Cay with charming colonial homes.
The Abacos were hit hard by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, but they’re rebuilding with resilience and heart. It’s a wonderful place to support local communities while enjoying pristine waters and relaxed island life.
10. Long Island
Long Island is split by the Tropic of Cancer and offers two distinct coastlines — cliffs on one side and calm beaches on the other. It’s home to Dean’s Blue Hole, one of the world’s deepest, where freedivers come from around the globe.
There’s also Cape Santa Maria Beach, a breathtaking stretch of white sand and calm waters. This island is remote, raw, and perfect if you want a more authentic, untouched Bahamian experience.
11. Cat Island
Named after the pirate Arthur Catt, Cat Island is still relatively undiscovered by most tourists. It’s lush and hilly — with Mount Alvernia, the highest point in the Bahamas, topped by a medieval-style stone monastery.
The beaches are quiet and beautiful, and you’ll find ruins, plantations, and traditional rake-and-scrape music here. Cat Island feels spiritual and grounded — the kind of place where time slows down and you reconnect with yourself.
12. Crooked Island
If off-the-beaten-path is your travel vibe, Crooked Island is calling. It’s sleepy and serene, with crystal-clear waters ideal for kayaking, fishing, and bonefishing. The Bird Rock Lighthouse and French Wells Bay offer beautiful views and gentle breezes.
The people here are warm and welcoming, and tourism is minimal, so you’ll often have entire beaches to yourself. This is a true escape for travelers who want peace, nature, and authenticity.
13. San Salvador
Often called the site of Columbus’ first landing in the New World, San Salvador is rich in history and natural beauty. You’ll find monuments, old churches, and quiet beaches. It’s also a diver’s paradise — with reefs, drop-offs, and underwater caves.
The Gerace Research Centre attracts scientists and students from all over. It’s quiet here, but that’s exactly the charm. If you want history with your beach day, this is the place.
14. Rum Cay
Rum Cay is a rustic island with a name that already makes you want to visit, right? It’s a small, quiet spot known for its surfing waves, coral reefs, and a sleepy little settlement called Port Nelson.
There’s hardly any development here, which makes it ideal for travelers seeking true solitude and raw nature. The diving is epic, especially at places like HMS Conqueror, a 19th-century wreck that doubles as an underwater museum.
15. Inagua
Inagua is actually two islands — Great Inagua and Little Inagua — and they’re a haven for wildlife. It’s home to Inagua National Park, where you can spot over 80,000 flamingos, along with wild donkeys, parrots, and herons. Bird lovers will be in paradise.
It’s remote and rugged, but the natural beauty is unspoiled. You can hike, birdwatch, and explore salt flats here. If you want to see the wild side of the Bahamas, Inagua delivers.
16. Mayaguana
As the least developed island in the Bahamas, Mayaguana offers total isolation and incredible natural beauty. With a population of under 300, you’ll likely have entire coves and beaches to yourself. Snorkeling, shell hunting, and stargazing are popular here.
It’s not for everyone — no luxury resorts or nightlife — but if you want peace, simplicity, and the sound of waves as your soundtrack, Mayaguana is a hidden treasure.
17. Berry Islands
The Berry Islands are a chain of about 30 small islands, many of which are privately owned or uninhabited. The main one, Great Harbour Cay, has a quiet, easygoing vibe with stunning beaches and friendly locals. This area is especially popular with yachters and deep-sea fishers.
Snorkeling the coral reefs here is like swimming in an aquarium. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in the Bahamas — secluded, pristine, and ideal for couples or solo travelers.
18. Blue Lagoon Island
Last but definitely not least — Blue Lagoon Island is a short ferry ride from Nassau and the ultimate day trip destination. Known for its dolphin and sea lion encounters, the island also has calm lagoons, shady hammocks, and fun beach activities.
Whether you’re kayaking, floating in a tube, or just sipping a Bahama Mama by the water, it’s a great family-friendly experience. The vibe is easy, breezy, and absolutely relaxing.
Final Thoughts
The Bahamas isn’t just one destination — it’s dozens of unique adventures, wrapped in turquoise water and sunshine.
From the quiet blue holes of Andros to the pink sands of Harbour Island and the festive markets of Nassau, there’s something here for every kind of traveler.
I hope this guide inspires your own Bahamian journey — one that’s full of exploration, joy, and the freedom to wander off the path.
