The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands and more than 2,500 cays in the Atlantic, north of Cuba and southeast of Florida, and only 30 of those islands are inhabited. The 2018 census counted 407,906 people. The most populous islands1 are New Providence, where the capital Nassau lies, and Grand Bahama, home to Freeport, the second-largest city. Beyond those two lie the Out Islands, which the UK government says have lower crime rates2. For the sights island by island, see things to do in the Bahamas, and for beds, where to stay.
Islands and main areas
Nassau, the capital, lies on New Providence1. Western Air names Atlantis and Baha Mar among the resorts of Nassau3, and the Dutch government calls the tourist areas of Paradise Island and Cable Beach4 relatively safe for visitors.
Grand Bahama is the second most populated island3 and home to Freeport, and Western Air uses it as its northern hub.
The Out Islands, also called the Family Islands2, cover the rest of the archipelago. Exuma is known for swimming pigs, cays of iguanas and island-hopping boat tours, and Western Air pitches it as a day trip from Nassau: fly out in the morning and back in the evening. Eleuthera is known for its soft pink-sand beaches. Harbour Island, a short water taxi ride from North Eleuthera, has pink-sand beaches all along its east side5. Marsh Harbour is the commercial centre of the Abacos3, with their main airport, and Western Air calls it the Boating Capital of the Bahamas.
Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas, and it has the world’s largest collection of blue holes. Its visitors are primarily scuba divers6, drawn to the barrier reef, the Tongue of the Ocean and the blue holes. Bimini is the westernmost island and the closest point to the US mainland, with golf carts as the main way to get about. Cat Island has an 8-mile pink-sand beach3 and Mount Alvernia, the country’s highest point.
Getting there and around
The country has 61 airports1; the chief ones are Lynden Pindling International on New Providence, Grand Bahama International on Grand Bahama and Leonard M. Thompson International (formerly Marsh Harbour Airport) on Abaco. Lynden Pindling is the largest airport in the Bahamas and its largest international gateway7.
Between the islands, Bahamasair flies Nassau to North Eleuthera8, and Western Air offers daily flights to the major islands. Its home airport is San Andros, a 12-minute flight from Nassau3. Bahamas Ferries carries passengers to eight Bahamian destinations9. If you hire a car, traffic drives on the left, but most vehicles, hire cars included, are imported from the USA and are left-hand drive. A UK photocard licence is valid for up to 3 months2. Routes and options are in getting around the Bahamas.
When to go
The Department of Meteorology puts the dry season at November to April and the wet season at late May to October10. The hurricane season normally runs from 1 June to 30 November. The government of the Bahamas sends wireless emergency alerts2 directly to mobile phones. Month by month, see the best time to visit the Bahamas.
Money, safety and visas
The Bahamian dollar is kept at a 1-to-1 peg with the US dollar1. VAT, introduced in January 2015, applies to almost all goods and services at a standard rate of 10%11. Taxes and typical spending are in Bahamas travel costs.
The UK government reports violent crimes and armed robberies in residential and tourist areas of New Providence and Grand Bahama, and advises against going on foot outside the main tourist areas and beaches, especially alone. It also calls the water sports industry poorly regulated2. More in is the Bahamas safe?.
All visitors need a return or onward ticket, and may stay for a maximum of 8 months, with the period at the discretion of the immigration officer at the port of entry. US citizens need no visa for a stay not exceeding eight months12. British citizens can usually stay up to 30 days13 without a visa, with extensions to a maximum of 8 months, and Dutch passport holders need no visa for 90 days or less4. Rules by passport are in Bahamas visa requirements.