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