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The Bahamas. So close, yet
so far away. The Bahamas chain
is within a scant 50 miles from
the coast of Florida, but in that
50 miles you cross into another
dimension. A time and place without
worries, a relaxing atmosphere,
and friendly people. Even though
you can reach the Bahamas in less
than an hour's flight from the
Florida coast, the country's natural
beauty and exotic appeal make
it seem more like a far-flung
outpost. The water ranges from
pale aqua to deep sapphire, the
spectrum changing hourly as the
relentless Bahamian sun sweeps
across the island sky.
You can choose an island with
lots of activities, shopping,
dining and nightlife. Or maybe
an island where few other people
will be seen, and the afternoon
activities include swinging in
your hammock and watching the
sun fall from the edge of the
earth. It's up to you.
The islands offer some of the
best snorkeling and scuba diving
in the world. Every island is
rimmed by coral reefs, and the
waters offer exceptional visibility
and year-round temperatures that
make wetsuits unnecessary.  There
are plentiful ship and plane wrecks
to explore - even a train off
Eleuthera. The Bahamas is renowned
for wall dives along the sheer-faced
trenches at the edges of the Bahama
Banks. There are also blue holes,
caves, shallow reefs, shark and
dolphin dives, drift dives, incredible
night dives and more. If you enjoy
snorkeling, all of the islands
offer clear, shallow areas.
And the visibility, how about
an average of 100'+, and 200'
not an uncommon occurance. Dive
services range from small personal
6-paks where you may be one of
the few on the boat, to large
personal operations with multiple
boats where you will get a chance
to meet and dive with scuba enthusiasts
from all over the world. Where
will you dive? The choices are
yours to make.
Climate Winter 60 - 75F Summer
80 - 85F
Water Temp Winter 72 - 75F Summer
84 - 88F
Visibility 80 - 100 ft (and up
to 200 ft)
Island
Overview
ABACOS
At the top of the Bahamas chain
is a cluster of islands and cays
stretching nearly 130 miles southeast.
They are called the Abacos, and
they are approximately 175 miles
east of Palm Beach and 106 miles
north of Nassau. The two largest
islands are Great and Little Abaco,
and are surrounded by smaller
islets such as Walker's Cay, Green
Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay, Man-O-War
Cay, Elbow, and Great Guana Cay.
Famous for its beautiful clear
blue water, the Abacos have long
been a favorite of sailors and
fisherman. A mixture of old world
charm and just a touch of modernization
makes all of these islands a welcome
relief from a hectic world.
There are three airports in the
Abacos. Walker's Cay in the north,
Treasure Cay in the middle and
Marsh Harbor in the south. A number
of commercial flights are scheduled
to and fron Miami, Ft. Lauderdale
and several points within the
Bahamas. While there are ports
of entry for those arriving by
boat, there is no commercial cruise
ship travel to the Abacos.
Accommodations in the Abacos are
mainly seaside getaways comprised
of villas, smaller hotels and
Bed and Breakfast inns. Lacking
are the high-rise glitz and glamour
of the large casino hotels and
chains. Activities include diving,
snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing,
relaxing on the beach, dining,
shopping, and hiking.
Transportation around the islands
are by taxi and ferry boat.
Diving includes reefs, wrecks
and wall for your enjoyment. There
are many beautiful shallower dives
here with extended bottom times.
ANDROS
Located southeast of Miami and
Bimini, and only 35 miles from
Nassau is Andros, one of the most
interesting of Bahamas Islands.
Andros is the largest island,
stretching over 100 miles from
top to bottom, and 40 miles across.
Yet it's 2300 square miles has
the smallest population of the
inhabited islands. it is also
one of the least explored of the
islands. With numberous inlets
and lakes, Andros is effectively
separated into three sections
called north, middle, and south
Andros.
Andros has three airports with
service to and from the mainland
as well as other islands. In the
north is San Andros, in the middle
is Andros Town, and in the south
in Congo Town. There is no commercial
cruise ship service to Andros.
During your stay, transportation
includes taxi and private transport
provided by some resorts.
Accommodations throughout Andros
range from seaside villas to all-inclusive
resorts. On Andros, you will not
find high rise casinos and hotels.
Activities include diving, snorkeling,
windsurfing, fishing (Andros is
a mecca for bonefish anglers),
hiking, nice deserted beaches.
Diving in Andros provides many
unique opportunities. Shallow
and deep reefs abound on the third
largest barrier reef in the world.
In addition, you can add walls
and fantastic blue hole diving
to your daily fare.
BIMINI
Long known for it's famous big
game fishing, Bimini provides
excellent diving and is the closest
island to the United States. Bimini
is less than 50 miles from Miami
and a favorite trip for weekend
getaways for Floridians. Bimini
is split into two parts, North
Bimini and South Bimini. In all,
it is only 7 1/2 miles long and
covers only 9 square miles. Most
of the islands 1500 residents
live in Alice Town on North Bimini.
This is the center of activity
and a famous haunt of Ernest Hemingway
in days past.
There is only one airport, located
on South Bimini. It is serviced
by both the mainland and inter-island
commercial flights. Although the
island is bustling with boat traffic,
it does not accommodate cruise
ships.
On island transportation is handled
in two ways. The Bimini Bus handles
your transport along the strip
on North Bimini, while the water
taxi will get you between the
two islands.
Activities include diving, snokeling,
fishing, great beaches, nightlfe
and shopping.
Diving off Bimini provides a number
of thrills for the diver. Bimini's
location on the edge of the Bahama
Bank and and gulf stream offers
shallow and deep reefs, walls,
and blue water drift diving along
the 2000' abyss of the continental
shelf.
EXUMA
The Exumas are situated roughly
in the middle of the Bahamas,
and consist of more than 350 little
cays. The exceptions are Little
Exuma and Great Exuma which are
connected by a single lane bridge.
Of the most interest to divers
is George Town on Great Exuma.
The beautiful surrounding waters
and small population make this
a great laid back getaway.
Air service is available from
Miami or Ft. Lauderdale as well
as via Nassau. Private charters
are also available. The airport
is located in George Town.
There is a good selection of accommodations
on Great Exuma in George Town.
No glitz and glamour, just beautiful
smaller seaside lodging.
Taxi service is reaily available
between airport and hotels in
George Town.
The best dive sites are the reefs
in depths between 15' and 100'.
There are also a series of caverns
nearby.
GRAND BAHAMA
Grand Bahama, just 60 miles east
of Palm Beach, is a modern, commercial
center and the second most populated
island in the Bahamas with over
41,000 residents. Freeport/Lucaya
are bustling tourist areas about
midway down the 530 square mile
island. Only two other inhabited
areas exist on the island. West
End on the western tip and McLeans
Town near the east end. Thick
brush and forest cover most of
the island. Great nightlife exists
in the hotel areas with casinos,
shows, and entertainment on the
wharf area, where there are bands,
dancing, shopping, and watering
holes.
The airport is located in Freeport
and flights are regular and numerous
from the U.S. and from throughout
the islands.
Transportation is readily available
by taxi, bus service, and rental
cars. A rental car on Grand Bahama
is nice as there are nice scenic
drives to get you away from the
crowd.
Diving is out of the Lucaya area
and offers reefs, wrecks, blue
holes and specialty shark dives.
There are a number of operators
out of Lucaya that offer great
diving packages.
LONG ISLAND
At 60 miles long and 400 square
miles wide, Long Island seems
sparsely populated with only 3500
residents. It is believed that
Long Island was Columbus' third
stop in the new world. If so,
Columbus saw a beautiful island
with alternating flatlands and
hills, and white sand beaches
as far as you can see.
Airports are at Stella Maris and
Deadman's Cay and are serviced
from Nassau on a regular basis.
Private charters are available
direct from Ft. Lauderdale to
Stella Maris.
Taxi service is available to and
from the airports at Stella Maris
and Deadman's Cay.
Activities include diving, snorkeling,
relaxing on beautiful deserted
beaches, hiking, winsurfing. Shopping
and nightlife are limited, this
is an island for peace and quiet.
Dive sites are almost limitless
off Long Island. Reefs, wrecks
and walls are plentiful and will
provide new dives for everyday
of your stay.
NEW PROVIDENCE
Usually just referred to as Nassau,
New Providence Island is also
home to Cable Beach and Paradise
Island. Within it's 80 square
miles are 172,000 residents, almost
two-thirds of the population of
the Bahamas. In adidtion to being
the capital, Nassau is also the
center of commerce. Mail and most
imported shipments arrive in Nassau
and are then dispersed throughout
the islands. In addition to fantastic
diving, Nassau has casinos, shows,
shopping and endless activities.
Airports are located in Nassau
and Paradise Island. Flights are
regular and numerous from Florida,
New York and Europe.
Transportation around New Providence
is by just about any mode imaginable.
Taxis, bus service, rental cars,
scooters and bikes are readily
available.
Accommodations, like transportation,
run a full range. Small hotels,
villas, American hotel chains,
and giant casino resorts. If you
want it, they got it.
Dive sites are numerous including
shallow and deep reefs, walls,
wrecks, and specialty dives with
dolphins and sharks. Dive services
are also numerous, ranging from
small private charters to multi-boat
operators.
Getting
There
All
of the islands have airports, or
at least an airstrip. Flying into
the Bahamas, you will usually arrive
in Nassau or Freeport, and if bound
for an out island, a smaller commuter
plane will complete your journey.
Listed below are scheduled airlines,
however there are a number of charter
flights available, check with your
travel agent.
Nassau/Paradise Island Airport Service
Air
Canada - Toronto, Montreal
Air
Jamaica - Montego Bay, Philidelphia,
Newark, New York
Bahamasair
- Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando
American
Eagle - Ft. Lauderdale, Miami,
Orlando, Tampa
Gulfstream
Chalks
Ocean Airways
Delta
US
Airways
Grand Bahama Airport Service
Bahamasair
Gulfstream
Continental
Miami
Air
Lauda
Air
Tran
American
Eagle
Treasure Cay Airport Service
US
Airways
Continental
/ Gulfstream
International
Bahamas
Air
Air
Sunshine
Gulfstream
Marsh Harbour Airport Service
American
Eagle
Gulfstream
North Eleuthera Airport
Gulfstream
Entry
Requirements
USA Citizens
To enter The Bahamas, U.S. citizens
are required to have a passport
and also need a return or onward
journey ticket and proof of funds
to support the visit. If you are
using an electronic ticket, please
show Bahamas Immigration a copy
of your travel itinerary and ticket
number. Stays are not to exceed
eight months.
Canadian Citizens
To enter The Bahamas, Canadian citizens
need one of the three documents
listed below, accompanied by a return
or onward journey ticket and proof
of funds to support the visit. Stays
not to exceed 21 days.
NOTE:
A married woman whose birth certificate
does not match her Government issued
identification should also bring
along her marriage license.
If you are using an electronic ticket,
please show Immigration a copy of
your travel itinerary and ticket
number.
Passport
Current or expired (up to a maximum
of five years since expiration date).
OR
Official Birth Certificate
For persons 17 years of age and
older:
An original certificate issued by
the Canadian Govt. or court-certified
copy (raised or ink seal) is required,
accompanied by an Official Photo
ID issued by the Canadian Govt.
(driver’s license, or voter's
card). Current and expired IDs are
accepted. Student Photo ID alone
is not acceptable as adequate documentation.
For persons 16 years of age and
younger:
A birth certificate is all that
is required. If the traveler is
a student and possesses a student
ID, the traveler should also carry
the student ID to facilitate being
processed by Bahamas Immigration.
For persons 16 years of age and
younger, traveling alone:
A notarized parental letter of consent
is required. In the case of organized
group travel, a letter is not necessary.
It is assumed that the chaperon
has obtained prior permission.
NOTE:
A laminated credit card-sized birth
certificate is acceptable, as long
as it is an original or certified
copy (raised or ink seal).
OR
Original Naturalization/Citizenship
Certificate
An original certificate is required,
accompanied by a recent photo if
photo on naturalization paper is
not recent.
NOTE: Persons are advised to purchase
return tickets (and seek reimbursement
upon returning home for the unused
ticket), even when they are certain
to return via a private boat –
the chance of an airline/cruise
line ticket agent allowing travel
on a single ticket is very slim.
If, however, the person gets to
the point of Bahamas Immigration
on a single ticket, the Captain
of the boat would have to present
himself and the cruising permit.
However, a copy of the cruising
permit will be permitted for crew
members, who may be arriving by
plane and returning by boat as their
names will appear on the manifest.
A letter will not suffice.
Citizens from other countries
To enter The Bahamas, citizens from
countries other than the U.S. and
Canada require a Passport that must
be valid for six (6) months beyond
the dates of travel and/or a valid
Bahamas Visa. You must also possess
a return or onward journey ticket
and proof of funds to support the
visit.
NOTE: If you are using an electronic
ticket, please show Immigration
a copy of your travel itinerary
and ticket number. PASSPORT refers
to a valid passport from the individual's
country of birth. VISA refers to
a Bahamas Visa only. If a person
is born in one country and resident
in another (other than the U.S.
or Canada), the documentation required
is based upon the country of birth.
Upon
your arrival to The Islands Of The
Bahamas, you will be asked to fill
out an Immigration Arrival/Departure
Card, which you will keep part of
until your departure.
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
is required from travellers over
one year of age coming from the
following countries: Angola, Benin,
Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Colombia,
Cameroon, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon,
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia,
Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Peru and
Sudan. Travellers are required to
be vaccinated 10 days prior to entering
The Islands Of The Bahamas and must
have a valid certificate of vaccination
against Yellow Fever.
Customs
When you enter The Islands Of The
Bahamas, you will be asked for a
verbal baggage declaration. However,
your luggage is also subject to
customs inspections. If you are
carrying dutiable items, you will
need to fill out a Baggage Declaration
Form.
Custom Duty
Baggage declaration by temporary
visitors is oral, but baggage is
subject to Customs inspection. In
case there are dutiable articles,
the visitor will be required to
complete a Baggage Declaration Form.
Each adult is allowed 50 cigars
or cigarettes or one pound of tobacco
and one quart of spirits free of
Customs Duty, in addition to personal
effects. In addition, purchases
up to a value of one hundred dollars
($100.00) are permitted by all arriving
passengers.
Household effects, such as small
appliances (such as blender etc.)
are dutiable at 45% of the cost.
Linen and china are duty free for
each arriving visit. Computers such
as laptops are considered a part
of your personal effects and therefore
are duty-free.
For
the latest entry requirents for
your country, please visit:
http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/about/entryrequirements.aspx?sectionid=59196
Getting Around
Taxis are accessible from all areas
at all times. Jitney buses run from
downtown and Cable Beach in Nassau/Paradise
Island and from several depots at
Freeport/Lucaya on Grand Bahama
Island at ten minute intervals for
75 cents per ride.
Driving
Rental cars, scooter, and bikes
are available on almost every island.
British rules apply, so please drive
on the left. Visitors may use their
home license for up to three months
and may also apply for an international
driver's license.
Helpful Tips
What to Bring
Airlines restrict the amount of
baggage you may bring to the Bahamas,
especially if you are commuting
on the out islands. Try to pack
light. so you'll meet the baggage
restrictions. The planes that fly
to The Out Islands may restrict
you to one bag and one carry-on
bag.
Besides lightweight garments and
comfortable shoes, you'll probably
want to bring a camera, sunscreen,
sunglasses and a beach towel. You
can also bring your own fishing
or scuba diving equipment, although
these items can be purchased or
rented at most beach resorts. Whatever
you do, remember to leave enough
room for souvenirs!
It's a good idea to set aside B$15.00
to cover the departure tax, unless
you are leaving The Islands Of The
Bahamas from Freeport on Grand Bahama,
where the departure tax is B$18.00.
You may substitute United States
dollars for Bahamian dollars since
American currency is accepted everywhere
and the exchange rate is the same.
You will also need to have the appropriate
documents for entry into The Islands
Of The Bahamas. Please click here
to view these documents.
Plan to wear spring and summer attire.
The Islands Of The Bahamas have
a semitropical climate with temperatures
ranging from 70°F to 80°F.
Electricity
Electricity is normally 120 volts
AC. American appliances are fully
compatible.
Water
The quality of water varies from
island to island. The water is drinkable;
however, bottled water is available
in our hotels, restaurants, gas
stations and supermarkets.
Tipping
Tip according to quality of service.
Bellboys and porters usually receive
$1 per bag, while most other servers
(waiters, taxis, etc.) receive 15%.
Many establishments include the
gratuity in their bills, so look
at your bill before you leave a
tip.
Shopping
Stores in downtown Nassau generally
open for business between 9:00 a.m.
and 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays.
In Grand Bahama, the principal shopping
areas are the Lucaya Marketplace
and the International Bazaar which
are open for business at 10:00 a.m.
- 6:00 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays.
With the exception of the straw
markets and malls, only a few stores
in the downtown area of Nassau/Paradise
Island and the International Bazaar
and Lucaya Marketplace in Grand
Bahama will be found open on Sundays.
The straw markets and malls are
usually open for business on Sundays.
On the out islands shops and store
hours may vary, check with your
hotel or host for more information.
Other Activities (when you
are not diving)
The Bahamas have some of the most
beautiful white powdery sand beaches
in the world. On the out islands,
you may find yourself all alone
to enjoy.
Dining in The Bahamas can be an
enjoyable experience, differing
from meal to meal. Most dishes center
around seafood like conch or rock
lobster, but you’ll find a tremendous
variety of fare throughout the islands.
Exploring nature and the environment
is a fun and exciting vacation activity.
The Bahamas has many national parks
that protect and preserve the natural
environment and offer unsurpassed
viewing of rare and indigenous wildlife.
There seems to always be a carnival
or some sort of festivities somewhere
in the islands. You may experience
some of the most lively and varied
events of any place on the planet!
Events celebrating everything --
fishing, sailing, shopping, eating,
drinking, dancing and more -- can
be found on the islands throughout
the entire year. In The Bahamas,
the party never stops.
The Bahamas have long been known
as a mecca for sportfishing. Deep-sea
fishing and bonefishing are the
two standouts, with events held
nationwide throughout the year.
Experienced guides and fishing lodges
are plentiful in the islands and
are fully outfitted to make sure
you have the very best fishing experience
possible. From chartered boats to
flats fishing, The Bahamas have
just about every type of fishing
for first-timers and fanatics.
Are you a high roller or are slot
machines more your speed? The casinos
of Nassau/Paradise Island and Freeport/Lucaya
offer cards, dice, roulette, slots,
sports betting and live shows.
One of the real pleasures of the
Bahamas is that each island has
its own personality. No matter what
kind of nightlife entertainment
you want, you’ll find it on one
of our islands. Peaceful nighttime
serenity abounds on The Outer Islands.
A world of glamour and gaming thrive
on Grand Bahama and Nassau/Paradise
Island. Whether you choose to spend
your vacation nights under the stars
or under the bright lights, there’s
an island waiting for you, or if
it’s variety you seek, some islands
offer both!
Cruising the islands can be fun
and adventurous. Day sailing on
catamarans, or overnight bareboat
experiences await. Cruise and enjoy
what the islands are all about.
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