BAHAMAS

BAHAMAS

BAHAMAS

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ITS BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

BAHAMAS OVERVIEW

With over 2,000 islands and cays peppering the clearest water on the planet (we’re not kidding, the waters here are so clear you can see as deep as 200 feet), the Bahamas have something for everyone.  If you’re a water-lover, then look no further.  You’ve got the world’s third largest barrier reef, the Andros Barrier Reef, right off the coast of the Bahamas.  It’s perfect for snorkeling and diving.  But if you’re not the outdoorsy type, don’t worry.  The islands’ beauty goes way beyond nature.  For the history buff, you have 18th-century sugar plantations, old pirate forts and even a wild horse preserve with the descendants of Christopher Columbus’ horses.  For the casual traveler, there are plenty of straw markets to shop and pink-sand beaches to stroll.  The great hotels and food you can find here are just a bonus.  Once you arrive, hop the islands, explore the water, or just do nothing at all but take in the Caribbean sunset.
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THE ANDROS BARRIER REEF

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You can dive right in at the third-largest barrier reef in the world, the Andros Barrier Reef, or snorkel alongside the colorful fish.  You can choose to snorkel shallow reefs around ten feet deep.  If you’re a more seasoned pro, you can opt to dive deeper and explore canyons of coral, glowing blue holes and fault line caves.
 
Also, a good thing to know is that the ocean here drops as deep as 6,000 feet in the Tongue of the Ocean, so you’ll have plenty to see, including schools of red snappers and deep-water sponges.

CELEBRATE JUNKANOO

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Never experienced Junkanoo? It’s the Bahamas version of Mardi Gras.  You will hear brass bands, cow bells, whistles and drums storming through the streets as dancers whirl in brightly colored costumes, which they’ve been making for months.
 
Mardi Gras is a country-wide tradition held on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and during the Junkanoo Summer Festival.  If you decide to show up, dress up in bright colors and get ready to let loose and enjoy the music!

SWIMMING WITH THE PIGS

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Where are the swimming pigs? The pigs live on Big Major Cay, one of the over 365 islands in Exuma, a district of the Bahamas.  Also known as Pig Beach (for obvious reasons), the island is about 82 miles southeast of Nassau, and about 50 miles northwest of George Town.  It is entirely uninhabited by humans.
 
Step onto the white-sand beaches of the Exumas — a chain of more than 365 tiny Bahamian islands and sleepy cays — and you’ll be struck with the feeling that you’re the first to discover this remarkable corner of the planet.
 
Here it’s iguana tails, not human footprints, that leave marks in the sand, and stumbling upon a gleaming pink conch shell the size of your head is as common as having a new shade of blue catch your eye each time you survey the surrounding waters.
 
The locals at Big Major’s “Pig Beach” are transplants rather than native islanders, just like many of the people you’ll meet in the area.  And though they’ve clearly taken to their tropical digs and rising popularity — spurred in part by a dramatic appearance on “The Bachelor” and more than a few well-liked Instagram posts.

BAHAMAS IMPORTANT FACTS

Language

English

Time Zone

Eastern Standard Time

Currency

US dollar

Drinking Water

Drink only bottled water

Electricity

120 volts AC; American appliances are fully compatible 

Peak Season

November to May

Passport/Immigration

All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport when traveling to and from the Bahamas.

SOME OF OUR FAVORITE BAHAMAS RESORTS

Riu Palace Paradise Island