11 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Bahamas

It is not difficult to come up with reasons to visit the wonderful Caribbean nation of the Bahamas. When people think of the Bahamas, Paradise Island, crystal blue beaches and white sand come to mind; but those are only a few of the island’s attractions. The archipelago’s geographical location, its 700 unique islands, the weather, and its cultural and entertainment activities make it the perfect place for your next vacation. Here are 11 reasons why the Bahamas should be next on your travel itinerary.

Delicious Bahamian food

Bahamian food is an eclectic combination of southern American (think cornbread, peas, and rice) and Caribbean (think spicy seafood) styles. Conch, a plentiful shellfish, is the island’s national food, and many Bahamians have mastered making a variety of conch dishes such as conch soup, conch fritters and conch pizza. All inhabited islands of the Bahamas have an impressive choice of upscale restaurants, eateries and cafés to choose from.

Soak up the sun

There is no bad time to visit the Bahamas. The weather is great year-round and remains relatively consistent, with temperatures rarely dipping below 60 degrees, even in winter time. Even though there is a rainy season from May to June, the rains are rarely continuous. The island still remains fairly warm, making it the perfect place to soak up some sun and relax.

Join in Junkanoo Carnival

The Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is the hub of Bahamian culture and one of the most anticipated annual events on the island. Every year, locals and tourists alike gather from Grand Bahama to Nassau to participate in cultural events, enjoy nonstop live entertainment from the best musicians in the Bahamas and party the days away. The Junkanoo carnival begins every year at the end of April with parties and gatherings in Grand Bahama and ends at the beginning of May with the final event, Road Fever. Over 50,000 people attend Road Fever in Nassau every year.

Go snorkeling and scuba diving

With crystal-clear water and a variety of marine life, reefs and shipwrecks, the Bahamas is one of the world’s premier destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling. All the scuba companies are approved and monitored by the Bahamas Diving Association, so you’re guaranteed to deal with a safe and secure firm while exploring Bahamian waters.

Learn about the history

The Bahamas has a rich history and a number of interesting sights for tourists. The Columbus Monument, Adderly Plantation, Long Island Museum and Dean’s Blue Hole are just a few of the monuments that are worth seeing when you’re in the Bahamas. There is always an opportunity to learn something new about the island’s fascinating history.

Shop till you drop

With so many islands making up the Bahamas, vacationers excited about shopping during their trip have a lot to look forward to. There are thousands of shops, markets and craft centres that feature a huge range of products that can be purchased at bargain prices.

See the swimming pigs

The famous swimming pigs are a growing, international sensation in Exuma, Bahamas. The world’s rich and famous have flocked to Bahamian shores to experience one of the most unusual and fascinating animal activities up close and you can swim with them, too.

Go island-hopping

The Bahamas is an archipelago consisting of about 700 islands. Of that 700, 30 of those islands are inhabited, which makes the Bahamas the perfect place to go island-hopping. Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and is the popular destination for those travelling to the island. From Nassau, you can easily travel to the small islands, each of which has its own unique features. Boat or ferry is the usual means of transportation, as they are inexpensive, but there are also flights from Nassau to the smaller islands.

Relax on the pink sand beaches

An example of the extraordinary natural beauty of the Bahamas is its famous pink sand beaches. According to researchers, the light pink sand gets its hue from thousands of broken coral pieces, shells, and calcium carbonate materials left behind by foraminifera (tiny marine creatures with red and pink shells) that live in the coral reefs that surround the beach. Harbour Island, one of the 700 islands of the Bahamas, is known to have one of the very best pink sand beaches in the world.

Eat all you can at the food festivals

With such a fascinating cuisine, food festivals in the Bahamas are must-attend events. Each major food festival during the year is an opportunity is to sit back and enjoy local entertainment as well as the most amazing dishes that the Bahamas has to offer. Two of the most popular food festivals are the All Andros Crab Fest held in June and the Eleuthera Pineapple Festival held at the end of May.

Experience world-class service at the luxurious hotels

The Bahamas is famously known for its beautiful, luxurious beach hotels. The Beach Tower at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Grand Hyatt and Breezes Resort are a few of the most popular hotels. The hotels in the Bahamas have mastered the art of providing world-class service while still making their guests feel at home. Great facilities, hotel activities and the standard of accommodation are other reasons why Bahamian hotels are top-notch.