Bahamas Vacation
Relax And Enjoy The Weather And Beaches On A Bahamas Vacation
Untouched beaches, beautiful weather and a laid back Caribbean lifestyle await travelers on a vacation to the Bahamas. This group of 700 islands located off the coast of Florida is a brilliant seaside destination with a lot of everything – beaches, water sports, nature parks and even casinos.
What Is The Best Time To Plan A Bahamas Vacation?
The best thing about planning vacations to the Bahamas is that there is no good or bad season. The Bahamas enjoys the best of Caribbean weather with hardly any temperature variation from season to season, although summers tend to be hot and humid.
Tourists on a budget should ideally plan an all inclusive vacation to the Bahamas during the off-season – between mid-April and mid-December. Hotels drop their rates considerably during this time, making it easier to grab cheaper all inclusive Bahamas vacation packages. The tourist crowds thin out during this time, ensuring that travelers get a true taste of Caribbean lifestyle.
However, the empty beaches may not appeal to everyone. The vibrant energy of the Bahamas is best witnessed during the high season when the beaches, restaurants, hotels and tours are all packed. The islands buzz with activity at this time. But the biggest parties take place during spring break, when high school and college students flock to these Caribbean shores on all inclusive Bahamas vacation packages.
Film buffs could visit in early December, in time for the Bahamas International Film Festival.
By far the best time to plan a vacation to the Bahamas is the week after Christmas, which is when the Junkanoo parades begin. Junkanoo acquires the character of a carnival through dance, music and masquerade parties.
Bahamas Family Vacations
Start planning your Bahamas vacation in advance to avail of the cheapest Bahamas vacation deals. There are so many scenic islands that tourists are spoilt for choice.
If you are traveling with kids, you cannot go wrong with a trip to Grand Bahama Island, at the northern end of the Bahamas and about 70 miles off the Florida coast. The island is the perfect diving destination, houses national parks and beautiful beaches that are ideal for swimming.
For laidback beach vacations in the Bahamas, there are plenty of options. Families love beaches like the Xanadu Beach on Grand Bahama Island, which offer easy access to Freeport. Families with kids would do well to book all inclusive family vacations in the Bahamas' 4-mile-long Cable Beach on New Providence Island. Close to Nassau is yet another family-friendly beach, the Western Esplanade or Junkanoo.
When travelling with kids or in large groups, save money by booking all inclusive Bahamas vacation packages, preferably one that includes meals.
Romantic Vacations To The Bahamas
Couples love the Bahamas. The 700 islands that make up the Bahamas are an incredible venue for romantic destination weddings and honeymoons. Even celebrities like Cindy Crawford and Mariah Carey held their weddings amid the scenic beauty of these islands.
Few things match up to a beach wedding in the Bahamas. Plan in advance and you might stumble upon cheap Bahamas vacation packages. The islands are home to numerous historic churches that transform into beautiful wedding venues. Couples could also consider hotels, restaurants and gardens in the Bahamas for their wedding. Many couples go out on a limb and sign up for underwater weddings during their Bahamas vacations. A romantic carriage ride provides the perfect endnote.
Once the wedding ceremony is complete, take a ferry to some other beautiful island in the Bahamas. Shop around for seafront Bahamas vacation home rentals or reserve the honeymoon suite in a luxurious Bahamas vacation resort. Among the most romantic honeymoon destinations in the Bahamas is the Pink Beach on Harbor Island, so called because of its soft, shell pink sand. Couples on vacations to the Bahamas also flock to the remote Paradise Beach and the aptly named Love Beach. The latter is a great snorkeling spot.
Nassau & Paradise Island
Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, on New Providence Island, and the neighboring Paradise Island are great water sports destinations. These shores promise to make your Nassau, Bahamas vacation fun. Go snorkeling. Dive in with the sharks. Try your hand at sailing. Or simply soak up the sun.
Among the busiest beaches here, is Cable Beach on New Providence Island. This 4-mile beach is close to restaurants, bars, casinos and souvenir shops. Fruit and snack vendors sell their wares along the beach. Cable Beach is a popular hub for all kinds of water sports. Try the local cuisine if you are spending the day here. Do not miss the fresh seafood.
Great snorkeling destinations in the Nassau and Paradise Island region include Sea Gardens and the Athol Island National Marine Park.
Add to your Bahamas island vacation experience by visiting historic landmarks such as Fort Charlotte. Saunders Beach is just minutes away. Position yourself near the Atlantis Resort beach for some heavy-duty celebrity spotting. You could even try your luck at the casinos.
Grand Bahama Island
The Grand Bahama Island has something for everyone. Go diving and snorkeling into the depths of the ocean on a Grand Bahamas vacation. Among the most popular snorkeling destinations on this island is Paradise Cove on Dead Man's Reef, 15 miles from Freeport. The main attraction of Paradise Cove is that tourists can reef snorkel right from the beach. Snorkelers and diving enthusiasts also love The Peterson Cay National Park. When planning your Bahamas family vacation package, consider signing up for the Dolphin Dive program. If you dare, there are programs allowing tourists to dive with the Caribbean reef sharks as well.
This is no Las Vegas, but if gambling is on your mind, the Grand Bahama Island is home to a fantastic casino in Lucaya. While here, explore the Lucayan National Park for its long underwater cave system, Bahamian vegetation and a species of crustaceans named Remipedia found solely in these caves.
Birdwatchers adore the Grand Bahama Island because it offers the exceptional opportunity of spotting several species of birds that are endemic to the region.
Other Islands In The Bahamas
The 698 other islands that make up the Bahamas offer spectacular beaches, fantastic fishing spots and rich marine life. Many of these are secluded and ideal for honeymoons.
The Treasure Cay Beach and the Hope Town Lighthouse are the places to see at The Abaco Islands. Head to the Berry Islands for a cozy, romantic Bahamas vacation and throw in some sport fishing at Chub Bay. Stroll past the Spanish Wells and pineapple farms of Eleuthera and Harbor Island, sail to the Exuma Cay on your luxury yacht, go birding at the aptly named Birder's Paradise on Inagua Island and maybe spot a flock of West Indian flamingoes, or dive into the depths of the 600-foot-deep Dean's Blue Hole on Long Island. There is plenty to make your trip the best Bahamas vacation ever.
The Bahamas have a rich history. Sail out to San Salvadore Island and marvel at the many monuments, particularly the ones that mark Christopher Columbus' arrival onshore. For more historic ruins and ancient buildings, head to Cat Island and Rum Cay Island and finish up with some more fishing and diving.
Bahamas Vacations: Accommodation
A Bahamas vacation is only as good as the hotel or resort you put up in. Before looking for accommodation list out all the activities that you want to do; decide on the locations that you must visit. Then scope out hotels that offer the best all inclusive vacation deals.
Look also for vacation homes in the Bahamas. This guarantees tourists a higher degree of privacy and is great for family vacation. A beachfront vacation home or villa encourages family members and travel buddies to enjoy more activities together.
Bahamas Vactions: Getting There
The islands of the Bahamas are reachable by sea or by air. Most people take the flight route. These islands have fantastic air connectivity and are home to some 57 airports. 24 of these serve as official ports of entry. Several luxury travelers fly in by private jets or take the sea route i their private boats.
Cruise ships also frequent the islands of the Bahamas. Nowadays tourists are increasingly booking Bahamas cruise vacations. Meanwhile, cruise ferries from nearby Florida make trips to Nassau / Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. Shop around for the best vacation deals and the cheapest tickets.
There are several transportation options for traveling within the islands. While on a Bahamas vacation, rental cars may be a good idea for tourists who travel a lot. Planning to save money on your cheap Bahamas vacation? Hop on to the local buses or jitneys for a ride to your destination. Many tourists prefer renting motorbikes or bicycles to explore the islands at their own pace. Horse and carriage tours are also common.
If you want to hop from island to island, there are plenty of flights. Add a new twist to your Bahamas Vacation by taking a ride in a water taxi from Prince George Wharf to Paradise Island.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
