| Mention the name The Bahamas and sparkling blue | | | | For the landlubber, there is off-road cycling, away |
| water with pink or white sand beaches spring to | | | | from traffic and noise. On all-terrain bicycles, you can |
| mind. Conch fritters, Conch salad, 700 islands, duty | | | | enjoy a guided tour of shady woodland trails, open |
| free shopping and Junkanoo are all terms that are | | | | forest, the seashore and mangrove creeks and visit |
| synonymous with the Bahamas. This island nation has | | | | the historic village of Adelaide. You can have a |
| a total land area of 5,300 square miles and consists | | | | relaxed, easy ride or a longer route. For the |
| of 700 islands plus 2,500 cays (low banks or reefs). | | | | seasoned cyclist there are more challenging rides. |
| New Providence Island on which Nassau (the capital) | | | | The Bahamas sits on the migration route for birds |
| is located is 21 miles by 7 miles. Paradise Island, which | | | | moving north and south on their winter and spring |
| is 5.5 miles long by 2/3 of a mile wide is connected to | | | | migrations. As such there are two opportunities to |
| Nassau by a short bridge. Thousands of tourists visit | | | | see many northern species. Of course, no visit to the |
| Nassau every year to enjoy the clear water or place | | | | Bahamas would be complete for a birder without |
| their bets at the gambling tables at Paradise Island. | | | | viewing the Bahama Pintail duck (also known as the |
| All of the Bahamas however has myriad outdoor | | | | White-cheeked Pintail). These inhabitants of lagoons |
| recreational activitiesthat are perfect for burning off | | | | and mangrove swamps are widely distributed and the |
| the pounds gained from eating all those conch fritters | | | | clear water of the mangroves makes viewing them a |
| or adding some variety to your holiday and Nassau is | | | | pleasure. Other species that are generally seen include |
| no exception. For the business person who wants to | | | | eurasian collared doves, neotropic cormorants, |
| catch some recreational activity on a business trip or | | | | american coot, great blue herons, snowy egrets, |
| the individual who wants to get some fresh air after | | | | great egrets, reddish egrets, green herons, white ibis, |
| all the time at the gambling tables, Nassau\'s outdoor | | | | blue winged teal, northern mockingbirds. Some of the |
| recreation can be all day or just a few hours. | | | | locations for viewing various species include the |
| Those sparkling blue waters make Nassau an ideal | | | | Paradise Island ponds, Clifton Heritage site and the |
| location for snorkeling. Some of the more popular | | | | Harold & Wilson ponds. |
| snorkeling destinations for excursions leaving from | | | | For those who want to be outdoors but simply want |
| Nassau include Rainbow Reef, Blue Lagoon Island | | | | a walking pace, Nassau has retained much of its older |
| (home to Stingray City as well as other snorkeling | | | | architecture and blended it with modern buildings so |
| venues), Blackbeard\'s Cay, Pearl Island, and Rose | | | | that it creates a harmonious whole. The original part |
| Island Reef. Rainbow Reef is approximately 45 | | | | of the city is small enough that you can wander along |
| minutes from Nassau by catamaran or other | | | | and see much of the historic architecture. Parliament |
| high-speed boat. The water at Rainbow Reef is | | | | Square with the Houses of Parliament, the Old |
| about 15 feet deep throughout the viable swimming | | | | Colonial Secretary\'s office, the Supreme Court and |
| and snorkeling area. Blue Lagoon is a circular island | | | | the Statue of Queen Victoria is definitely worth a |
| encircling water. A narrow opening in the land leads | | | | visit. Nearby at Parliament and Shirley Streets is the |
| into a large pool of water. A 15-minute walk through | | | | Nassau Public Library that was originally a prison. Not |
| some of the most beautiful beaches and on bridges | | | | far away at Shirley and Elizabeth Streets is the |
| spanning absolutely calm sparkling blue water leads to | | | | Bahamas Historical Society with numerous exhibits. |
| Stingray City. Another stingray encounter can be had | | | | If it is \"action\" and people watching you seek, |
| at Pearl Island which is a 30-minute boat ride from | | | | Arawak Cay is not to be missed. This lively gathering |
| Nassau. Yellow tail snapper, Grouper, and many other | | | | spot has a row of small wooden restaurants fronted |
| tame fish make Athol Island in Athol Island National | | | | by a large park and backed by the sea. You can sit |
| Marine Park at the eastern end of Nassau Harbor an | | | | on the verandah of any of the restaurants or in the |
| outstanding snorkel site. | | | | open air and watch the parade of people as they |
| Those sparkling blue waters also make Nassau a | | | | stroll by. Have a Kalik (Bahamian Beer) and enjoy the |
| wonderful location for the sport fisherman. Fishing | | | | West Indian atmosphere and when hunger strikes |
| charters are available for half day or full day with a | | | | you can have a conch salad or conch fritters or fried |
| choice of deep-sea fishing or reef fishing. Wahoo are | | | | fish prepared before your eyes. |
| abundant between November to January and 100 | | | | You can learn more about Bahamas vacations at the |
| pounders are frequent. Dolphin fish (Mahi Mahi) are | | | | Caribbean Outdoor Life web site and the next time |
| found between April and June, while Sailfish can be | | | | you are in Nassau or if it is your first time remember |
| fought during April and May and again between | | | | there is an interesting world to discover beyond the |
| October and November. Barracuda and Marlin (Black, | | | | beach. |
| Blue and White) are found year round. | | | | |