Travel guide – the islands
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Overview
Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas and is a favourite for scuba divers and fishermen. The island is undeveloped, the atmosphere is very casual and hotels tend to be small and unpretentious. Much of the island is covered with palm savannas, primeval forest and huge mangrove wetlands making it a bird-watchers paradise. However, it is the underwater life that really makes Andros unique; it has the world's third largest reef running along its east coast for 167 miles (269km). The colourful assortment of fish life just beneath the surface and the blue holes and canyons which plunge down as deep as 200ft (61m) make this a truly spectacular place to explore whether you dive, snorkel or fish.
The Bimini group is 50 miles (80km) east of Miami and spans an area no larger than 10 square miles (26 sq km). The main island, North Bimini (or simply 'Bimini') is barely seven miles long (11km) and no more than 1,200ft (366m) across at its widest point. The islands are best known for the excellent fishing opportunities, with visitors from around the world coming here to test their skills and catch an array of fish including tuna, sailfish, mako shark, barracuda and, above all, blue marlin. Almost all the action happens in Alice Town, a laid back town where fishermen gather to swap stories. During spring break the town becomes a little raucous with the arrival of crowds of college students. Scuba divers are also lured by some mysterious stone blocks in the waters off North Bimini which islanders claim are part of the 'lost city' of Atlantis.
Shaped like a hook rather than a cat, Cat Island is the most unspoilt and undeveloped of the Bahamas, named after the pirate Arthur Catt, who has also lent his name to the main town, Arthur's Town. The ostentatiously named Queen's Highway is a ragged road running through the centre of the island, providing access to a myriad of beautiful, picture-postcard pink-sand beaches. Explorers can tackle the Armbrister Creek mangrove swamp in a canoe, while windsurfers are challenged by the wild waves and winds of the Atlantic coast. Divers head south to the offshore reefs. Being relatively undiscovered and lacking in infrastructure, Cat Island is inexpensive, featuring some comfortable small resorts and marinas.
You are never from the beach on the most popular of the Bahama's Out Islands, Eleuthera, which stretches for almost 100 miles (161km) but is at most two miles (three km) wide. Eleuthera, and especially its satellite island, Harbour Island, just a short water-taxi ride away, have long been the holiday haunts of the fashionable set, sporting luxury hotels and fine restaurants that cater for trendy and wealthy visitors. The main entertainment here is sunbathing, swimming, snorkelling, shell-collecting and fishing. The scenery can be enjoyed through a meander along the coast, passing scenic headlands and wandering through villages dotted between dozens of pristine beaches.
Fifty miles (80km) east of Miami, Grand Bahama is an idyllic island of white beaches and aquamarine seas beneath which the coral reefs teem with life. Most visitors stay in Freeport, a few miles inland, or at the seaside suburb of Lucaya on the south coast of the island. Here you can sail, play golf or simply relax by the pool at one of the many all-inclusive resorts. In town there are plenty of boutiques and bazaars to tempt shoppers, and evenings can be spent at one of the many restaurants. Those travellers with cash left in their wallets can head to one of the island's casinos. There is also much to entice divers and snorkellers. Outside Freeport, between Sweeting's Cay and Pelican Point, are seven blue holes inviting exploration, and a little further west is Deadman's Reef, accessible from the powdery white beach at Paradise Cove. East of Freeport is the Lucayan National Park, home to the largest underwater cave system in the world. Walkers can enjoy the island's natural flora and fauna or hire a kayak and explore the mangrove creeks.
One of the main events on the Bahamas yachting calendar is the Long Island Regatta, which takes place in the town of Salt Pond each May, drawing visitors from all around the world to one of the most beautiful and unspoilt islands of the Bahamas. The locals still depend on fishing for their livelihood, while visitors revel in the shallow bays and white beaches of the western shore. The rugged windward coast features towering cliffs washed by wild waves. There are also some renowned offshore diving and snorkelling spots, and a spectacular view of the whole package from the northern tip of the island at the site of a monument to Christopher Columbus, who enjoyed the vista when he came ashore in 1492.
The nation's capital, on New Providence Island, is a colonial Caribbean city with a distinctly modern American flavour. It is a mixture of first-world facilities and romantic old-world charm. In downtown Nassau many buildings date back to the 18th century, including the ancient Fort Fincastle, reached by the Queen's Staircase that was constructed by the labour of hundreds of slaves. Garden enthusiasts should visit the Royal Victorian Garden, which has more than 300 species of tropical plants and exotic creatures. Enthusiastic shoppers on the other hand would be well advised to look out for great bargains at the straw market on Bay Street. Alternatively visitors can relax by spending an idle afternoon watching a cricket game at one of the many local sports grounds. Most tourists inhabit the spectacular resorts found on Paradise Island, connected by bridge and ferry to New Providence Island and the city.
Connected to New Providence Island by a bridge, Paradise island is one of the most popular destinations in the Bahamas. It offers a variety of beaches to suit a range of tastes. Most of the island's hotels and resorts are along Cable Beach, Paradise Beach or Cabbage Beach offering miles of white sand and outstanding watersport facilities. To escape the crowds, one can head over to the secluded Caves Beach or Love Beach, a popular spot for snorkellers.
The small island of San Salvador, only a few miles from Cat Island and sprinkled with land-locked lakes, was allegedly Christopher Columbus' first stop in the New World. Most visitors come to the island to dive in the crystal-clear waters off its pink-sand beaches. There are also many sights inland to tempt hikers and bird-watchers. Other than the Club Med resort there are few hotels or tourist facilities.
The chain of tiny Abacos islands stretch for 200 miles (322km) and form the most northerly part of the Bahamas nation. Located only 200 miles (322km) from Miami they are a popular holiday destination, and therefore fairly well developed for tourism. The two main islands, Great Abaco and neighbouring Little Abaco, are separated from each other by a narrow strait. They are often tagged the 'Loyalist Isles' because of the many Tory expatriates who fled there to avoid persecution after the American Revolution. The early Loyalist settlements are still much in evidence on the cays around Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco's main town. The accommodation on the island is fairly low-key and visitors are likely to stay in a small guesthouse by the beach or cottage near one of the many marinas. No glamorous resort complexes can be found here. The sheltered waters around the islands make it a hotspot for yachters, and islanders claim it is the cruising capital of the world. There are also coral reefs to entice divers and inland pine forests that provide wonderful bird-watching and walking opportunities.
The Exumas encompass a myriad of islands and cays that stretch for hundreds of miles. The largest, Great Exuma and Little Exuma, are home to the small community of several hundred island inhabitants, who farm the land and welcome tourists. Visitors usually arrive by yacht, for these islands offer legendary cruising opportunities. If you come without sails, you will be tempted to hire a boat and make the most of the inviting waters. Most cays are edged with towering palm trees and expanses of white powdery beaches. The surrounding reefs have magical underwater gardens that draw divers and snorkellers. The main destination for divers is the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, a 176-square-mile (456 sq km) natural underwater preserve, that can only be reached by seaplane or boat (charters can be arranged through the hotels).
Climate
In general the weather is good all year and the trade winds ensure that the temperatures remain relatively mild. There is little variation in temperature year round, but the coolest months are December to February, while the hottest are June to August. The rainy season extends from May to November when there is a slight chance of hurricanes. Peak season is between December and April. Generally the northern and western islands, including New Providence Island, are cooler than the southern islands.
Health
A yellow fever vaccination is required by travellers aged more than one year arriving from infected areas, and Hepatitis A immunisation is recommended for visitors over two years. Food and water is considered safe. Visitors should note that some types of fish, including tropical reef fish, are poisonous to eat even when cooked. Medical facilities are good in Nassau and Freeport, but expensive and usually require payment in cash on treatment. Medical insurance is advised. Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, where most emergency surgery is performed, is experiencing a chronic shortage of blood so those with rare blood types are advised to know the names and locations of possible donors in the event of an emergency. The Lyford Cay Hospital has a hyperbaric chamber for treatment of decompression illness.
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