There are almost 700 islands that make up the Bahamas, and every year millions of people travel there to enjoy the pristine beaches, duty-free shopping, exciting fishing and diving opportunities, and high-end resorts. No wonder tourists worldwide are searching for the best places to stay in The Bahamas.
There are so many beautiful places to see in this nation that picking one can be difficult. But don’t worry! We listed some of the best places you can visit and stay in this paradise-like country.
1. New Providence Island
If you’re flying in from abroad, you’ll land on this island, which is home to the capital city of Nassau.
The world-famous Paradise Island may be reached by crossing one of two bridges, and boats can transport you to many other beautiful islands and cays, such as Discovery Island and Salt Cay.
First-time tourists to the Bahamas and those traveling with young children would love this spot. Some people call New Providence “Nassau Island.” For budget travelers, Nassau is one of the best places to stay in The Bahamas.
This is the only place in the Bahamas where so many people come to visit. This is because of the plethora of beaches and other tourist attractions.
Best Places To Stay in New Providence Island, The Bahamas
- Ocean West Boutique Hotel
- Sandyport Beach Resort
- Saunders Beach Cottage
- Harborside Atlantis
- Comfort Suites Paradise Island
- Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
2. Paradise Island
There are two bridges connecting this famous island to Nassau. The finest hotels in the Caribbean may be found here, along with top-notch nightlife options, enormous gambling establishments, and picture-perfect shores.
By deftly blending the island’s exclusive serenity with lots of action, Paradise Island has emerged as one of the world’s most renowned and ultra-glamourous resort centers in recent years.
Paradise Island is the most visited island in the Bahamas. It is one of the best places to stay in The Bahamas for people who want an exciting and memorable trip.
With two bridges leading directly into Nassau, it’s one of the most convenient and family-friendly vacation spots in the entire country. Indeed, Paradise Island is one of the best places to stay in The Bahamas for families looking for a vacation.
Where else in The Bahamas can you find such fancy nightlife? Most of the gambling action can be found on Atlantis Paradise Island. You can see everyone from high rollers from Las Vegas to pensioners from the Midwest trying their luck at the slot machines.
Best Places To Stay in Paradise Island, The Bahamas
3. Harbour Island
Harbour Island is a small island located in the north of the state of Eleuthera, which consists of the long island of Eleuthera itself. If you want to enjoy the highest standard of accommodations and the most beautiful beaches, this is one of the best places to stay in The Bahamas.
The three miles of pink, powdery sand and the pastel-painted cottages that line the flower-filled alleyways make this a picture-perfect vacation spot.
Harbour Island is a popular vacation area in the Bahamas, and it’s not uncommon to see well-known faces there, such as those actors and models. Families on the island, since its inception, have played a vital role in daily life, giving it a more rural atmosphere.
Harbour Island is home to some truly fantastic lodging options. You’ll have to shell out some cash, but it’ll be well worth it.
Best Places To Stay in Harbour Island, The Bahamas
4. Eleuthera Island
From Gregory Town in the north to Bannerman Town in the south (where you’ll discover Lighthouse Beach), Eleuthera Island is quite a ways in length. Come here to trade your worries for a day of lounging on the soft pink sand.
In 1648, a group of British settlers established a colony in the Bahamas; they gave the island of Eleuthera, which means “Freedom” in Ancient Greek, its name. These same settlers also drafted the country’s founding document.
Calm waters caress isolated beaches, beautiful hidden coves to explore, and exciting outdoor activities to partake in, making for an unforgettable vacation. Various hotels and inns dotted the island, which, compared to the mainland, emphasizes a quieter, simpler lifestyle.
Out Islands, of which Eleuthera is one, are typically considered safer than New Providence and the main city of Nassau. The area rarely experiences any cases of serious violent crime.
Beautiful hibiscus blossoms, New England-style white picket fences, and pineapple plantations are also trademarks of this region. If you’re a fan of the presence of nature, this is one of the best places to stay in The Bahamas.
Best Places To Stay in Eleuthera Island, The Bahamas
5. Grand Bahama
The Grand Bahama is the perfect island for a family vacation full of sun, sandcastle building, and swimming. It is also one of the best places to stay in The Bahamas if you’re into partying and having lots of fun.
Grand Bahama Island is the second most visited island in the Bahamas, and for a good reason. It has miles of beautiful white sand beaches, plenty of water and land recreation opportunities, and an extensive range of high-quality lodging options.
There is also world-class scuba diving available at the resort. Moreover, there is a casino and nightly entertainment. Grand Bahama Island is a great place to stay if you’re visiting The Bahamas and want to take advantage of the beautiful weather and proximity to some of the country’s most popular resorts.
The lively Junkanoo street parade between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the monthly Bonfire Beach celebrations, and the abundance of live music are all highlights. When you need a break from partying, Grand Bahama also has incredible sights to see in the great outdoors.
On the other hand, if you want a quiet vacation, you should look elsewhere. When day-trippers arrive, the island’s bustling atmosphere can quickly become quite noisy.
Best Places To Stay in Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
- Pelican Bay Hotel
- Ocean Reef Yacht Club & Resort
- Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach All Inclusive
- Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort
6. Exuma Islands
The Exuma Islands is one of the best places to stay in the Bahamas for couples looking for some privacy. This is an excellent choice for a couple seeking privacy or honeymooners.
The islands extend more than 60 kilometers to the south of Nassau. There is a network of connections between some of them. However, most of them are only possible with a boat.
Travel writers and visitors agree that Exuma Islands is one of the most stunning areas in the Bahamas. Island hopping across the Exuma Cays is a fantastic way to maximize your time in The Bahamas and visit some of the country’s most well-known beaches.
The stunning scenery on Exuma has earned it the nickname “The Paradise,” and for a good reason. Because the water is shallow here, it’s a great place to snorkel. Even though it’s not as deep as some other islands, it’s a great place to dive.
The stunning scenery is what draws tourists to this section of the country. Big Major Cay on the Exuma Islands is where you can find the infamous swimming pigs of the Bahamas. There are other alternative beaches, including Little Exuma, where you won’t find any pigs.
Best Places To Stay in Exuma Islands, The Bahamas
7. Cat Island
Cat Island is one of the best places to stay in The Bahamas for nature lovers and those who crave picturesque beach scenery. As one of the Bahamas’ smaller islands, this one has a reputation for being relatively risk-free.
It is also known as one of the most beautiful islands in the chain and one of the least visited. Unspoiled by mass tourists, this quaint town of just over 2,000 is home to some of the most welcoming people in the Bahamas.
Cat Island is home to eleven hotels, each as varied and individual as the surrounding Out Islands.
Best Places To Stay in Cat Island, The Bahamas
8. Andros Island
Andros is the largest and most sparsely populated of the Bahamas’ Out Islands. Its third-largest barrier reef is home to unique marine life. The beautiful landscapes on Andros Island and its Marine Parks are a significant draw for tourists.
Andros is home to more than 170 blue holes, which may be found all around the island and are often part of a more extensive network.
Once you visit Andros, you’ll understand why scuba diving is the island’s most famous pastime.
Sometimes, you can even snorkel all the way to the top of these blue holes.
Best Places To Stay in Andros Island, The Bahamas
9. Bimini Islands
Bimini is a popular vacation spot in the Caribbean due to its stunning beaches, abundant marine life, and plenty of water sports. In addition, Hemingway spent several summers on this island.
The numerous shipwrecks in and around Bimini constitute a significant draw for recreational scuba divers. Beyond the Great Bahama Bank’s edge, the Bimini Barge is a fantastic dive for more advanced divers.
Bimini Islands, Andros Island, and Long Island are the best places to stay in The Bahamas if you enjoy scuba diving.
Best Places To Stay in Bimini Islands, The Bahamas
10. Long Island
With its extremely dramatic shoreline, Long Island boasts some of the most breathtaking views in the Bahamas. If you want to view beautiful beaches and go deep-sea diving, this is the spot to stay in the Bahamas.
There’s so much to take in, from the quiet, sandy beaches on the island’s western side to the majestic cliffs and hollow caves like Dean’s Blue Hole on the eastern side. It is a massive underwater sinkhole measuring over 600 feet in depth.
However, that’s not all of it. Long Island is also home to some of the best bonefishing and scuba diving in the world, as well as the Deadman’s Cay Caves, the Columbus Monument, the Long Island Museum, the Bahamas Discovery Quest, some of the cutest pigs you will ever see, and numerous plantation ruins.
Best Places To Stay in Long Island, The Bahamas
If you’re looking for a fantastic vacation spot, consider one of these islands in the Bahamas:
- The Exuma Islands and Nassau are the ideal places for first-time tourists to the Bahamas.
- The island of Nassau should be your first stop if cost is a concern. This island is budget-friendly, and you can do a lot of activities for a lower cost compared to other islands.
- Grand Bahama and Paradise Island are the most remarkable islands for families to visit in the Bahamas.
- It’s well-known that Grand Bahama has many exciting events and parties, making it an ideal destination for the wild and crazy.
- Eleuthera and the Cat Islands are the best places to visit if you’re looking for a spot to return to nature during your Bahamas vacation.
- Exuma, Harbour, and Paradise Islands are the most romantic destinations in The Bahamas and are ideal for honeymooners or couples.
- Andros, Bimini, or Long Island are where you want to stay if you want to do scuba diving.
- Last but not least, Long Island is the best place to stay if you want to spend all your time at the beach.
Bottom Line
As one of the world’s most popular summer vacation destinations, the Bahamas archipelago currently sees an annual influx of visitors equal to more than five times its native population. It’s easy to spot the best places to stay in The Bahamas, as many options exist. There is, without a doubt, a medley of activities, pleasures, and accommodations available that will captivate you.