The Bahamas, officially known as the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is made up of over 700 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, just off the Florida coastline. A beautiful collection of islands, its name means ‘shallow waters’ and within the Bahamas many uninhabited coral islands and cays are waiting to be explored.
The district of Exuma covers 365 of these, within this you can find Big Major Cay, or ‘Pig Island’, with it’s swimming pigs where you can enjoy an excursion to go and see the spectacle. Sandy Cay at the end of the Exuma Chain is an uninhabited island full of iguanas and is home to some endangered species, well worth visiting.
The sea temperature is 26 degrees celsius year-round and the warm winds flow through the islands, keeping a cool breeze over the idyllic beaches. Perfect for relaxing with a cocktail in hand. The Bahamas has been an incredible backdrop for several films including James Bond films, and The Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed on the edge of the Bermuda Triangle.
Places to see whilst staying in the Bahamas include Bimini Road, a rock formation that looks like an underwater road. Harbour Island has Pink Sands Beach where the wonderful colour of the sand comes from the shell of the Foraminifera which has a bright pinky-red shell.
Hundreds of underwater cave systems were formed from the limestone underneath many of the islands in the Bahamas, a haven for exploration. The largest island of the Caribbean is Andros, which has the world’s largest fringing reef, highlighting that the Bahamas is one of the best places to snorkel or scuba dive. Pick the right time of year and you can enjoy seeing a variety of sharks including the hammerhead.
Those in search of the lively atmosphere of the Bahamas should head to Nassau where the capital hosts the Junkanoo Street Parades. A typical festival and street party filled with excellent costumes, music and local foods, typically held at the start of May. Those who enjoy sampling regional cuisines should opt for Conch, a local delicacy and the national dish for the archipelago, it can be found in many local restaurants.
