| Ocean adventures and the Bahamas just go | | | | all the water adventures, remind yourself |
| together. The Bahamas are 700 islands and | | | | that the Bahamas offer plenty of opportunity |
| 2,000 islets (called cays or keys) scattered | | | | to explore different habitats and spot rare |
| across more than 100,000 square miles of the | | | | birds. There are three endemic species - the |
| western Atlantic Ocean. From a point roughly | | | | Bahama woodstar hummingbird, the Bahama |
| 70 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida, | | | | swallow and Bahama yellowthroat warbler. |
| this great archipelago extends 750 miles | | | | Other prized birds include the white-tailed |
| southward to the northern Caribbean, almost | | | | tropicbird, Bahama pintail, Bahama parrot, |
| to the island of Hispaniola. With great | | | | great lizard-cuckoo, loggerhead kingbird, |
| weather all year, warm waters, fine beaches, | | | | Bahama mockingbird and the stripe-headed |
| and teeming coral reefs, the Bahamas offer | | | | tanager, to name but a few. The birds cannot |
| endless delights for outdoor enthusiasts, | | | | be found on all of the Bahamian Islands, so a |
| especially divers and sports fishermen. | | | | birding guide can ensure you make the best |
| | | | use of your time. |
| The islands in the Bahamas are generally low | | | | |
| and flat. The highest point in the entire | | | | When to Go |
| archipelago, on Cat Island, is only 206 feet | | | | |
| above sea level. Of the islands and islets | | | | The Bahamas are blessed with beautiful sunny |
| making up the archipelago, only about 30 are | | | | weather and relatively constant temperatures |
| inhabited. Some are so tiny, they're just | | | | year-round. The high season for travel runs |
| boulders that appear and disappear with the | | | | from the middle of December to mid-April, |
| rise and fall of the ocean. Some are long and | | | | when people in the northern hemisphere try to |
| thin, stretching for many miles. Others are | | | | escape the chilly temperatures back home. |
| home to thousands of people. The vast | | | | Airfares are highest during these months. |
| majority of the islands are deserted, with | | | | Fares drop during the May to September |
| pristine beaches and tropical forests | | | | period, called the 'shoulder season' in the |
| untouched by humans. | | | | industry, and you can get the best prices |
| | | | during the low season from October to |
| Tourism has brought prosperity to the | | | | mid-December. It is good to remember that |
| Bahamas, but the great natural beauty of the | | | | flying on weekends ordinarily adds a few |
| islands has managed to remain unspoiled. In | | | | dollars to the fare. |
| earlier days, unrestricted exploitation | | | | |
| inflicted a lot of damage on Nassau and New | | | | Planning Your Trip |
| Providence. All that has changed and today | | | | |
| the people of the islands feel strongly that | | | | Flight connections to the Bahamas are very |
| the unique beauty of their archipelago should | | | | easy to get, with daily flights to and from |
| be preserved: conservation is the new | | | | numerous American cities and several flights |
| watchword of the Bahamas, and many | | | | per week from Canada, the UK and Europe. The |
| conservation groups operate in the | | | | archipelago is also very accessible by sea, |
| archipelago. | | | | with cruise ships calling in at Nassau and |
| | | | Freeport every week, plus hundreds of marinas |
| The more well-known cities and places in the | | | | scattered throughout the islands. |
| Bahamas are Nassau, the largest city in the | | | | |
| country, located on New Providence Island; | | | | It is invariably cheaper to buy package deals |
| Paradise Island, a long, narrow barrier | | | | covering transportation and accommodations |
| island connected to Nassau by a toll bridge; | | | | from a tour operator or travel agent than it |
| Freeport, the second largest city, on the | | | | is to buy your own ticket and accommodation |
| Grand Bahama Island. Grand Bahama has become | | | | separately. If you are going as a normal |
| something of an environmental headquarters of | | | | tourist, package holidays are worthwhile if |
| the islands. Beyond the cities lies another | | | | you plan to visit the larger, busier resorts |
| world: the Out Islands of Abaco, Andros, the | | | | or known resorts in the Out Islands. If |
| Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked | | | | you're looking to head off the beaten track, |
| Island, Eleuthera, the Exumas, Harbor Island, | | | | then you're better off booking your own way. |
| Long Island, and so on. | | | | |
| | | | In addition to the sun and sand holidays |
| In a nation completely surrounded by the | | | | offered by tour operators, you can arrange |
| clearest of waters in the world, there are | | | | with companies that specialize in diving and |
| plenty of water sports and waterborne | | | | kayaking expeditions and eco-tours. |
| adventures. Before you immerse yourself in | | | | |