Bahamas
The 700 beautiful islands and 2,000 chunks of coral and limestone outcrop that form The Islands of The Bahamas are playgrounds for sailors, anglers, divers, nature and adventure lovers, eco-tourists and holidaymakers in search of the life’s pleasures. Just 30 of the islands are populated. Nassau and Paradise Island offer not only great beaches and pampering resorts, but also great shopping and an endless choice of nightly entertainment. Out Islands like Abacos, the Berry Islands and Bimini, offer pink-sand beaches and a more laid-back experience, along with sailing, game fishing, and great diving.
The Out Islands include the Abacos, Andros, the Berry Islands, the Biminis, Cat Island, Eleuthera (plus Harbour Island and Spanish Wells), the Exumas, Long Island, and the Southern Islands. Each has its own personality and must-see list.
Inagua, to the southeast, has the world's largest flamingo sanctuary. Some 80,000 of the stilt-legged creatures make their nests here. Best-kept secret Cat Island, one of the most unspoiled of the Out Islands, claims a thriving pineapple and tomato farming industry as well as the birthplace of Sidney Poitier. For divers, tiny San Salvador has walls that rival the best in the Caribbean.
The Bahamas are a beachcomber's paradise; it's hard to find an island without at least one truly spectacular beach. Three miles of the finest sand that really blushes pink make up Pink Sands on Harbour Island. Dawn takes on a spiritual dimension here. Fernandez Bay on Cat Island is secluded and solitary, lined with delicate casuarina trees. Another secluded piece of heaven is Rolleville on Great Exuma, where miles of pristine sand, bordered by peacock-colored water, unfurl along the shore. Feathery coconut palms and an occasional wooden house are your only companions.
Capital: Nassau
Currency: Bahamian $1 = $1 USD US$ widely accepted
Population: 300,000
Area: 700 islands of 5,380 square miles (13,900 sq km)
Languages: English.
Economy: Tourism
Religions: Mainly Protestant with large numbers of Anglicans and Baptists,
Government: Independent nation, member of the British Commonwealth.
Telephone Codes: - 1 - 242
Airport Departure Tax: B$15.00
Passport/Visa Requirements: Passports and no visas needed by citizens of Australia and New Zealand.
Health Certificates: None required. Contact health authorities for latest information.
Shopping Hours: Shops open 9am-5pm or later with early closing on one weekday afternoon.
Banking Hours: In Nassau, Paradise Island and Freeport/Lucaya, banks are open
9.30am-3pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am-5pm on Friday.
Hours vary in the other islands
Time Zone: 14 hours behind Sydney (EST).No Daylight Saving Time is observed.
Voltage Requirements: 120 volts.
Weather
Because of the Gulf Stream, winters in the Bahamas are fairly mild, about 10 degrees F/5 C warmer than in nearby Florida. The summers can be humid, rainy and warm (day temperatures reaching into the low 90s F/33 C), but are moderated by trade winds. High season is from November to mid April, when the weather is generally good. Hurricane season is from July to October, and most rain falls at that time. There really is no bad time to go, but take along at least a sweater during the winter. Average day temperatures in fall and spring are in the 70s-80s F/23-32 C, with nights in the 60s F/15-22 C. Winter temperatures can be about 10 degrees F/5 C cooler.
Transport:
There are big public buses operating between major towns, as well as mini-buses (vans) which charge varying rates - always ask the fare first. Taxis come in both regulated and unregulated varieties. The regulated cars (found at airports or hailed by hotels) have preset fares; unlicensed cabs charge what they can get - again, ask before riding. Most hotels in outlying areas can help arrange transportation to and from the airport for reasonable fares. Rental cars are expensive, as is gasoline, and you should check your car insurance policies before leaving home
History:
The Amerindians, locally called Lucayans, had the islands mostly to themselves until Columbus showed up in 1492 and claimed them for Spain. When Christopher Columbus first set foot in the New World, he did so in the Bahamas (though the exact island he landed on is still a matter of debate). He didn't stay long, however, being intent on finding riches that this group of islands didn't seem to hold. But the Spanish needed gold, silver and valuable trade goods, and the newly acquired Bahamian real estate provided few of those things. Soon the Spanish relaxed their stranglehold on the islands.
By the mid 1600s, England claimed the region and British colonists began to settle on the islands. After that, the history of the Bahamas is closely intertwined with that of the U.S. British Loyalists moved to the islands from New England and the Carolinas after the Revolutionary War, wishing to remain under British rule. Later, slaves from the southern U.S. fled to the Bahamas in order to gain their freedom. During the Civil War, Confederates used the islands as a center for blockade running, and during Prohibition, the islands were a base for rumrunners. Although Bahamian culture has been influenced by heavy doses of U.S. tourism and television, it is still very British. (When the Bahamas became independent in 1973, it remained in the British Commonwealth.) Bahamian police officers wearbobby-style uniforms, and a statue of a young Queen Victoria stands at Parliament Square.
By the mid 1600s, England claimed the region and British colonists began to settle on the islands. After that, the history of the Bahamas is closely intertwined with that of the U.S. British Loyalists moved to the islands from New England and the Carolinas after the Revolutionary War, wishing to remain under British rule. Later, slaves from the southern U.S. fled to the Bahamas in order to gain their freedom. During the Civil War, Confederates used the islands as a center for blockade running, and during Prohibition, the islands were a base for rumrunners. Although Bahamian culture has been influenced by heavy doses of U.S. tourism and television, it is still very British. (When the Bahamas became independent in 1973, it remained in the British Commonwealth.) Bahamian police officers wearbobby-style uniforms, and a statue of a young Queen Victoria stands at Parliament Square.
Beyond these best-known vacation destinations are many serene island gems, known as the Out Islands. You can sail into 30 marinas on the Abacos Islands; dive in the 6,000ft (1,828m) Tongue of the Ocean trench which lies between the Berry Islands and Andros where you will find the Andros Barrier Reef, the third largest in the world. Fish for the biggest and best marlin and tuna in Hemingway’s haunts off Bimini; admire the cliffs on Cat Island; surf in the giant waves of Eleuthera; take a ferry to Harbour Island and enjoy the pink sand beaches. Explore The Exumas by sail or with a snorkel; swim in the clear waters of Long Island, and catch the spectacular view from Dixon Hill lighthouse on San Salvador, known as the Island of Discovery.
You will need many more trips just to scratch the surface of the possible activities and sights on The Bahamas. You’ll find an extraordinary combination of activities, cultures and landscapes to suit anyone in search of simple or sophisticated pleasures and all in perfect Caribbean climate.
New Providence, Cable Beach & Paradise Island
Although one of the smallest islands New Providence is home to the historic city of Nassau, and is home to about 2/3 of the roughly 302,000 inhabitants of the Bahamas.
Nassau named in honour of King William III, formerly Prince of Orange-Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas, which has always been the hub of Bahamian life, from the days of pirates and privateers to its present-day role as a centre of tourism and finance.
Throughout the city there are reminders of country’s British Heritage, whether it is the colonial style buildings, the pomp of the official ceremonies, or the unchanged tradition of driving on the left. Nassau blends our colonial heritage with modern conveniences to make it a multi-dimensional tourist destination.
Cable Beach
Located approximately 10 minutes driving distance from Nassau’s International Airport, Cable Beach is so called because The Bahamas’ first submarine cable link to Florida was made from here, along its magnificent stretch of sand. Today Cable Beach has become the heart of tourist life on New Providence, boasting a superb choice of beachfront accommodations, as well as a casino, a good choice of shops, restaurants, bars and banks, as well as an 18-hole golf course. Nassau and all its attractions are a short bus or taxi ride away.
Paradise Island
Paradise Island can be accessed by one of 2 bridges linking Paradise Island to Nassau. On Paradise Island Sun International’s Atlantis is just one of several spectacular hotels where pretty little marinas, beach activities of all descriptions, fine shops, casino and gourmet restaurants can also be found.
Stretching for more than two miles, Paradise Island is also home to magnificent powder-white sand beaches (Cabbage Beach and Paradise Beach), fabulous watersports and excellent diving – not to mention a picturesque and challenging golf.
A short boat ride out from Paradise Island is Blue Lagoon Island where visitors can meet dolphins during special presentations such as Dolphin Encounter, and even swim with them for about 30 exciting minutes.
Nassau
A day of sightseeing and shopping in Nassau the capital of the Bahamas, is a must. It’s a city of vibrant colour where you’ll find impeccably preserved Victorian mansions and cathedrals. Bay Street is the main shopping area, running parallel to the waterfront, just a short walk from the cruise ship dock. Nearby is the Straw Market, built on the site of the traditional market building in 1974, with countless stalls selling anything from hats and baskets to carvings, beads and rush mats. Bartering with the jolly saleswomen is all part of the fun.
Not far down Bay Street is the traditional heart of the Bahamas government in Parliament square, where a statue of Queen Victoria sits surrounded on three sides by elegant classical buildings painted Nassau pink.
Here can be found the House of Assembly, the Old Treasury and Supreme Court. An old octagonal building, once the town prison and decommissioned in 1879, is now the Nassau Public Library.
A few other places of interest in Downtown Nassau include the Junkanoo Expo on Prince George Wharf; the Pirate’s Museum on George Street, the Pompey Museum on Bay Street, and the charming Balcony House on Market Street. The National Historical Museum also details Nassau’s piratical past and is well worth a visit, as is the clifftop Fort Fincastle, built in 1793 with the shape of a ship’s prow. The reach the fort it’s necessary to climb the 66-step Queen’s Staircase. By the fort is Nassau’s old watertower, which offers a panoramic view of the island.
For those feeling fit, a staircase leads to the top of the tower, for others, there is a small lift which will take you to the top. (Small fee).
And don’t forget to sample the famous Bahama Mama and conch salad.
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