The islands' most popular destinations are New Providence - site of the capital Nassau - nearby Paradise Island , and Grand Bahama and its vacation towns of Freeport and Lucaya . Both New Providence, with its Cable Beach and South Beach resort areas, and Grand Bahama offer glamorous accommodations, enticing nightlife, fine restaurants and shopping and, of course, great beaches. Some travellers, however, may prefer the quiet, remote charms of one of the so-called Out Islands such as Abaco, Andros , the Exumas or Cat Island , where the accommodations are more rustic and the beaches and reefs virtually deserted.
Graced with beautiful beaches of pink sand, evocative windswept panoramas and countless opportunities for diving, snorkelling and fishing, the islands of the Bahamas are well established as one of the world's top draws for both intrepid explorers and casual vacationers. An island chain beginning a mere 55 miles east of Miami, Florida, the Bahamas offer an array of tourist hotels, all-inclusive resorts, and even rustic lodges, making staying there a relatively simple endeavour. Indeed, more than three million travellers each year choose the islands as their prime destination for outdoor sports, sun worship, casino gambling and, on some of the slightly more remote spots, eco-tourism.
In total, the Bahamas include around seven hundred islands, no more than thirty of which are inhabited, as well as smaller cays (pronounced "keys") and rocks - an impressive arc stretching from just beyond the Atlantic coast of Florida to the outlying waters of Cuba, where Great Inagua lies only sixty miles offshore. Although deeper oceanic troughs surround some of the islands, most are encircled by shallow, crystalline water that reflects a light turquoise hue during the day and glows with purple luminescence at night. This combination of shallow and deep water makes diving and snorkelling both challenging and intriguing, with numerous reefs waiting to be explored just beyond the shores of the gorgeous, uncrowded beaches.
Sunny weather, sandy beaches, exquisite reefs, shallow water, steady winds, and proximity to the gulf stream make the Bahamas an ideal choice for all manner of sports and outdoor activities . Islands like Bimini are rightfully regarded as great spots for fishing (especially for wahoo, tuna, barracuda, shark, grouper and snapper), while many Out Islands like Andros, Cat Island and Abaco are famous for their bonefishing - so named after the silvery catch. Likewise, the islands' shallow, calm waters have made sailing a popular activity, especially on New Providence, the Exumas, Abaco and Eleuthera.
Nearly every resort, hotel and lodge offers a full range of aquatic sports, including diving, snorkelling, boating, sea-kayaking, windsurfing, parasailing and swimming , with the cost often included in with accommodation.
Golf and tennis are provided at resorts and hotels on the major islands, with the best golf courses being located at Cable Beach in Freeport, and on Paradise Island. Biking, hiking and eco-tours are growing in popularity as well, and a number of operators specialize in trips to isolated spots throughout the islands. Birdwatching is a major draw, especially for seabird species like the rare Bahamian parrot on Abaco, and the flamingos on Inagua. There's also horseback riding at stables on New Providence and Grand Bahama.
Offering savings of 30-50 percent below international retail prices, duty-free shopping is a popular way to find bargains for jewellery, perfume, watches, china, crystal and liquor, with the tourist zones of Nassau and Freeport providing particularly good buying opportunities. Nassau's Bay Street is famous for its Straw Market , offering a wide array of mats, baskets, hats, dresses, T-shirts and hand-crafted items at bargain prices. While many items at the market are cheap imports, others may be genuine, so a close inspection of the merchandise is usually worthwhile. As one of the better shops, Nassau's Plait Lady (tel 242/356-5584) guarantees its items are 100 percent Bahamian-made. While Straw Market purchases are subject to negotiation, bargaining is not a typical Bahamian custom.
The Bahamas are also known for their Androsian batik fabrics made by a small operation in Andros Town on a remote Out Island. Although the factory is fascinating to visit, batik items are available at many outlets in Nassau, Freeport and major Out Islands like Abaco and Eleuthera.
Cigars and local art are often worthwhile purchases as well, with Bahamian painters, water-colourists, woodcarvers and jewellers creating original works for sale in galleries throughout Nassau and Freeport.
Generally, nightlife in Nassau and on Cable Beach resembles a charming version of 1920s tourism, with the major resort hotels hosting a variety of bars and clubs. The biggest "floor show" in town is Kings and Knights at the Nassau Beach Hotel, where King Eric and his Knights perform steel drum music with limbo and fire dancing , while the Drumbeat Club on West Bay features Junkanoo music and limbo as well. Every hotel on Cable Beach has its own disco , with the most lively being the Fanta-Z Disco at Sandals . Also popular is the bar at Cafe Johnny Canoe on Cable Beach, and Conch Fritters on Marlborough Street, across from the British Colonial Hotel . Major dance clubs include The Zoo , west of Nassau, the Rock and Roll Café , on Cable Beach, and the new Bahama Boom Beach Club , downtown near the wharf. The Silk Cotton Club on Market Street is famous for its jazz music, while Cocktails and Dreams is a quiet nightclub on the beach, just west of the British Colonial . Smaller clubs include the Pacific Bar on Victoria Street, Millie's Place just off Devaux Street and the Drop Zone , catering to locals and tourists alike.
On Mackey Street, the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts (tel 242/393-3728) provides a year-round schedule of music, theatre and dance, featuring both local and foreign artists. The magazine What's On contains a section on the latest nightlife offerings.
