Tips for Visiting the Bahamas

When they say it’s better on the beautiful islands of the Bahamas, they aren’t kidding. There are more than 700 of them and more than 100,000 square miles of ocean, giving travelers plenty to see and do.

“The Bahamas are very family friendly,” said Margie Lenau of Wonderland Family Vacations in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“Visit the Lucayan National Park where you can explore a 40-acre underground freshwater cave system, where pre-Columbian native buried their dead. In December, Festival Noelle is an annual festival with wine tastings, live music, and shopping. If you are there in June, enjoy the spectacular Bahamas Regatta.”

The private Blue Lagoon Island, otherwise known as Salt Cay, provides a once-in-a-lifetime up-close and personal encounter with sea lions and dolphins. In Providence, the grown-ups can throw one back at the John Watling’s Distillery.

Providence is also home to Fort Fincastle, which was named after British captain Lord Dunmore and Viscount Fincastle. While there, you can walk the historic Queen's Staircase 66 steps made by slaves out of solid limestone rock who were honoring the Queen’s help in abolishing slavery.

Lenau recommends that you take kids to swim in the Sapphire Hole in Eleuthera, where they can jump off a 20-foot cliff. “There is also Powerboat Adventures in the capital of Nassau, where you can feed iguanas and stingrays, see dinosaur relics, and going shallow snorkeling,” she said.

If, matey, you’re into swashbuckling, a trip to Nassau, where they celebrate their pirate history at the Pirates of Nassau, a popular museum that’s open every day, is waiting for you to tour.

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If you’re adventurous and want to explore the depths of the blue Bahama waters, there’s surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing, and water skiing, just to name a few of the activities you can enjoy.

Of course, you’ll need accommodations while you are visiting and Breezes Resort & Spa - Bahamas, located on Nassau’s Cable Beach, is ideal. When you’re done sightseeing, there are three freshwater pools to dip your feet into or you can go enjoy tennis, rock climbing, beach volleyball or even some sumo wrestling. Or you can just enjoy Breezes Bahamas' excellent location on the finest white-sand beach in Nassau.

When the sun goes down, the fun is just beginning with their live entertainment, a piano bar, and a nightclub. Whether you want to sing your heart out with a karaoke performance or enjoy one of their comedy shows, game shows, Cabaret, theme nights and other entertainment, there’s always something going on.

Lenau suggests if you want to get around on the island, a rental car is a great idea. “Drive on the left side of the road or rent a bike or scooter if you are more adventurous,” she said. “The roads a paved and traffic is usually light.”

The Bahamas are an ideal destination for a three-day jaunt with the girlfriends, a honeymoon destination or a long getaway with the family.