Bahamas

The Bahamas accommodate a bewildering range of experiences, from the most upscale of West Indian getaways to outdoor adventure along forgotten cays and remote reefs. With better than 700 Western Atlantic islands to choose from, scattered from Florida nearly to the Windward Passage, you can construct just about any kind of tropical escape imaginable here.

One side of the Bahamas is the cruise-ship-magnet side. Looking for high-end resorts? You’ll find them a dime a dozen in the more developed corners of the Bahamian archipelago, from Atlantis Paradise Island to the under-construction Baha Mar on New Providence, which upon completion will be the biggest luxury resort in the Caribbean. For every supersized entertainment complex, though, there’s a comparatively primitive eco-lodge in the Out Islands. And worlds away from crowded water parks and casinos are natural gems such as Great Inagua’s Inagua National Park, where the largest breeding congregation of West Indian flamingos in the Caribbean gathers along a shallow-water lake.

There are loads of near-mythic beaches here, including the pink-sand seashores of Harbour Island, the thronged sands of Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island, and the gleaming strand of Stocking Island in Exuma. Complementing the high standard of the beaches is the caliber of the snorkeling and diving opportunities—whether you want to commune with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, fraternize with stingrays, peer into shipwrecks, or simply cruise some of the Western Hemisphere’s most extensive coral reefs. Andros Island is one of the premier scuba destinations in the greater Caribbean: Here you’ll find the legendary blue holes and the thrilling Tongue of the Ocean, which makes a 6,600-foot submarine gash between Andros and New Providence.

Also be sure to let your stomach plan an evening’s exploration of conch fritters, fish fry, and other Bahamian delicacies. And dive into the regional pirate mythos—overplayed, certainly, across much of the Caribbean, but an authentic part of Bahamian history.

On the fringe of Caribbean geography, the Bahamas are nonetheless one of the prime stomping grounds for West Indian tourism. It’s easy enough to stay in an insulated, sun-addled bubble for your entire trip—especially with a short cruise getaway. But you’ll be richly repaid for even the smallest effort at accessing everyday Bahamian society or the wilder side of the archipelago.