The Islands of The Bahamas
Directory Accommdations & Resources
The Islands of
I
sland Scene is pleased to present The Islands of The Bahamas Accommodations & Resources Directory, a comprehensive listing of places to stay and things to do in Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and the Out Islands. This directory has been compiled to include island-by island listings of accommodations and resources that are unique to each destination. From resorts to inns, and restaurants to shopping, this section of Island Scene is a convenient source of information to assist you with planning your next vacation. Each island offers visitors excellent opportunities for snorkeling, diving, fishing, boating, romance and relaxation. Whether you prefer to lounge in a hammock, play a round of golf, spin the roulette wheel or enjoy the warm Bahamian water, The Islands of the Bahamas have a little something for everyone. To learn more about each destination and traveling to The Bahamas, go online to www.bahamas.com
The Bahamas
Abaco The Sea Beyond Compare
I
n a sparkling acqumarine sea just east of Grand Bahama Island lies the crescent
necklace of Great Abaco, two verdant islands surrounded by dusters of timy, quiet cays. It;s a place of balmy breezes and unhurried beauty whose naturally protected waters draw yatchmen from around the globe. So much so that Abaco is often called the “Sailing Capital of the World.”
With the wind in your sailes, the salty air in your throat, the brilliant sunshine on
your back, sailing the channels of the Abaco’s is a succession of unforgettable experiences. From the powder-soft beaches and quaint settlements of Walker’s Cay in the north, past the busy hub of Marsh Harbour, and on another hundred miles south to the great barrier reef at Cherokee Sound and the lighthouse at Hole-In-The Wall, each island, cove and cay offers its own special charms. Some of these ports-of-calls echo small, sleepy Nerw England fishing villages with their colourful clapboard houses, cozy cottages and worn, narrow streets, an atmosphere brought by the British Loyalists who first settled these cays in the late 1700’s. There are many excellent marinas along the way which offer every amenity imaginable to the boats docked at their slips. You’ll see exclusive private clubs on cays by themselves and sail to other cays that are totally uninhabited. Silent, out-of-the way places where you can drop anchor and linger undisturbed for a night or a month, however long you can stay. Your exploration of The Abacos might begin at the northernmost of these islands where you’ll find the charming harbour of Walker’s Cay, the protected anchorages of the Grand Cays and their splendid beaches and superb snorkeling, deep-sea diving and fishing grounds. On Little Abaco, a short sail south, at the tiny picturesque settlements of Crown Haven and Fox Town.
Abaco Reaching the the northern tip of Great Abaco (the second largest island in The Bahamas and one cay dwellers
Sailing on you will discover Treasure Cay Beach Resort and Marina, a luxury development that’s home of
refer to as the “mainland”), you’ll pass the settlements of Cedar Harbour and cooper’s Town, where you can dock
the five most beautiful beaches in the world, an 18-hole, 72par championship golf course and modern marina. Here you
for supplies. From Cooper’s Town you also have the option of
can visit the post office, shop, arrange for daily snorkel trips, scuba dives and fishing charters. You may also want
driving south by road past low, rolling hillocks topped with stands of feathery, casuarina pines and grove upon grove
to hike the two miles to Carlton Point, the authentic site where British Loyalists fleeing the newly independant
of Valencia orange trees. All settlements on this 80-mile isle and its many surrounding cays are reachable by road
United States established Abaco’s first settlement in 1783. Fifteen minutes away by water-taxi is historic
or ferry and are a joy to explore.
NewPlymouthon Green Turtle Cay. In this buoyant
On Abaco, sailing is only the beginning
Abaco fishing village, the old world charm of the Loyalists is visible everywhere.You'll see it in the tidy rows of
The harbour is easy to enter and sheltered from strong westerly winds. The marinas are filled
pastel pink, blue and green salt-box houses hemmed by white picket fences; in the artifacts, paintings and
with deep-sea fishing boats, speed boats and all manner of sailboats, yachts,catamarans and sloops.
model ships of the Albert Lowe Museum; in the thirty Bahamian visages sculpted to represent each differ-
At Sunsail you can hire an excellent fishing guide, take a sailing course, ren tbareboats or hire
ent island at the Memorial Sculpture Garden; in the lacy fretwork of the mid -19th century New Ply-
boats with or without captain and crew. Beneath swaying palms and an ever-blue sky
mouth Inn; and, yes, even in Miss Emilie's happy Blue Bee Bar, where there's no shortage of friendly
you'll shop Marsh Harbour's modern department stores, hardware stores and fresh-produce groceries.
smiles and the best Goombay Smash in all the islands!
Sort through souvenirs tands jammed with locally made crafts and keepsakes. Go to the bank, the
Strolling Green Turtle Cay's pathways, you'll hear children spelling in unison in aone-room school-
beauty shop. Sip a Goombay Smash under a beach umbrella. Taste your first conch (pronounced "conk")
house. Spot goats and roosters running through thick
fritter, Bahamian turtle steak or wild boar. There's
clusters of croton and hibiscus.
also a good chance one moonlit night will find you
But in June, these gentle rhythms change when the cay is flushed with the excitement of The Green
savouring the fare of a gourmet chef and, much later, dancing to the irresistible rhythms of an island band.
Turtle Yacht Club's annual Invitational Fishing Tournament, and in July, its famous Regatta.
Overnight guests may choose to stay in one of Marsh Harbour's plush hotels or beachfront
Pivotal to everything in The Abacos is Marsh Harbour, the bustling commercial hub and boating
villas. These are sure to soothe your senses with their manicured gardens, health spas, tennis courts,
center on the "mainland.� Marsh Harbour carries with it the air of a colonial frontier town, but one
swimming pools and stunning white-sand beaches. And, of course,there are always Marsh Harbour's
stroll around reveals this sun drenched settlement is very much otherwise.
shaded clapboard cottages and town houses for rent, many with housekeeping services.
Abaco
The transparent waters surrounding Marsh
Its low-key Guana Beach Resort has rooms for overnight
Harbour as well as Walker's Cay, Treasure Cay and other locations in the Abacos are ideal for
guests and a fine marina. The watersports centre where scuba divers can arrange to swim with dolphins is also on
dedicated dive vacations, too. Each year hundreds of visitors sign up for a guided scuba diving experi-
Great Guana Cay in an area called Treasure Island. Tranquil and unspoiled, this is by far one of the nicest beaches in
ence or a certification course. These explorations take you to an underwater world of well-formed, vibrant coral
The Bahamas and a hideaway known to few outsiders. Across from Marsh Harbour is Man-O-War Cay,
patches teeming with marine life and etched with exciting caverns, tunnels and ledges. Many of these reefs are
another settlement that will take you back in time. Famous for its master ship building for well over 200 years, this
located within the boundaries of nationally sanctioned marine preserves and are officially protected against
industrious little cay still rings with the sound and feel of colonial days despite its tall palms and tropical breezes. Life
spearfishing or fish capture. The modest airport at Marsh Harbour accommodates
is so peaceful here that there are no police, no jails. What's more, if you stay long enough, you can watch craftsmen
incoming and outgoing passenge from Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, on regularly scheduled flights via
hand-build an entire boat without plans in a tradition that has been passed down for centuries.
Bahamasair as well as direct flights from South Florida. (Another way to reach Abaco, if you have the time and an
Hope Town, in the crook of Elbow Cay, also lies off Marsh Harbour and is one of the most popular excursions
adventurous inclination, is by Bahamian mailboat.) Incoming flights, incidentally, are also a signal to watch for ferries
of all. In this picturesque village of clapboard and salt-box houses, profusions of purple and orange bougainvillea and
outbound to settlements on the many surrounding cays. Great Guana Cay is one excursion to make by ferry if
other blossoms tumble over the stone and picket fences. You can smell the aromas of fresh bread baking, hear the
you're in the mood for a quiet, isolated beach that's brushed with grassy sand dunes and lapped by electric blue waters.
echoes of old Cockney voices, shop in "shoppes," or follow narrow, winding streets down to gorgeous stretches of
Abaco
empty beaches. At Harbour's Edge restaurant on Elbow
beyond this you'll enter Abaco National Park, a rich forest
Cay, you'll have a perfect view of the boat-packed harbour and the famous peppermint-striped lighthouse. Looking out
preserve that sprawls over 20,500 acres. Thick with feathery casuarina pines, flowering plants,
on all this serenity, you'll find itimpossible to believe that people here once made a living by looting wrecked ships.
mangrove swamps and tall tropical trees, this quiet ecosystem gives cover to scores of wild animals and exotic birds.
As the story goes,"wreckers" used to shine a light to boats drawing them on to these rocks.T he boats would wreck,
This is the protected habitat of the endangered Bahama Parrot (a brilliant blue and yellow-winged, ground-nesting
sink, and they would swim out to steal whatever was salvageable on the ship. It's true, too, because the proof is
species), the rare reddish egret, pelicans, humming-birds, spoonbills and blue herons. On a very lucky day, you may
all there in the Wyannie Malone Historical Museum. ElbowCay also happens to be one of Abaco's many superb
evencome upon a wild boar straying in from the remote game region of the forest
deep-sea fishing grounds. At Easter, HopeTown and Walker's Cay host their annual Anglers Fishing Tournament,
Reaching the southeast point of Great Abaco you’ll discover a long, natural perforation of rock known to
a 20-day event in which anglers will reel in everything from marlin, wahoo, sail fish and dolphin to kingfish, bonefish,
seamen as the “Hole- In- The-Wall:’ Above it towers a major navigational lighthouse faithfully keeping its vigil on
tuna and barracuda. Back on Great Abaco, there's another whole region to
ships out in the distant, ever-changing sea. Through every turn of your sails and travels, you’ll be
explore in the deep woodlands further south. Driving by car, you'll see glimpses of local life; women strolling along quiet
charmed and astonished by the warmth of Abaco’s people. Cheery, helpful and always ready to lift your spirits, these
lanes balancing trays of fruits and vegetables on their heads, goats grazing by the roadside. You'll pass the settle-
gentle islanders know the secret of making you feel at home and welcome in their small corner of paradise. In
ment of Crossing Rocks and the fork that leads to Casuarinas Point, one of Abaco's most sybaritic resorts. Not far
fact, for however long you stay, you’ll find yourself enchanted by the mesmerizing isles of Abaco.
Andros
O
n andros fishermen wade out to the best bone-
fishing flats in the world to make their catch. Deep-sea anglers gaff marlin, grouper, yellowtail and snapper. Farmers harvest wide fields and orchards. Hunters stalk dark hardwood forests for quail, duck, marsh hen and partridge. Divers plunge freshwater blue holes 200-feet deep. Artisans dye batiks. And sponge fishermen spread out their hoists to dry beneth a blazing sun. This is Andros, the largest of all the islands in The Bahamas and the nation’s farming and freshwater heartland. Yet for all its industry, life moves at a leisurely pace in the settlements along its 100-mile channel and bight-filled length.
Andros On Andros, there is always time to show visitors at the Village of Red Bays; to point out a soaring blue heron; and to warn you about disturbing the impish Chickcharnies, the creatires of local folklore who can bestow happiness or heartache at will. Andros has many expert guides who will gladly take you out to their superb fishing, hunting and
Accommodations>Andros Andros Island Bonefishing Club Cargill Creek, Andros. Phone: 242-368-5167 Fax: 242-368-5235 Fresh Creek, Andros, Phone: 800-688-4752; 242-368-2305, Fax: 242368-2300. E-mail: relax@androslighthouse.com Website: www.androslighthouse.com Located right on Fresh Creek, this resort offers an 18-slip marina with all the amenities for visiting yachtsmen, as well as comfortable onshore accommodations. Twelve rooms with king-size beds and eight rooms with two double beds feature private baths and cable TV. Great bone fishing and island tours are also available. Fly into Andros Town. Airport (ASD). From the airport, take a taxi to hotel ($10 for 2 people, $2 per additional person).
Charlie’s Haven Guest House Behring Point, Andros. Phone: 242-329-5261
Chickcharnie’s Hotel Fresh Creek, Andros. Phone: 242-368-2025/6. Fax: 242-368-2492
Conch Sound Resort Inn Conch Sound, North Andros. Phone: 242-329-2060. Fax: 242-329-2338
diving grounds. For divers and oceanic photographers, few thrills compare with the coral and sun-filled underwater tunnellof Turnbull’s Gut, the 1200-foot deep stalaclites and stalagmites of Benjamin’s Blue Hole; or gliding “over the wall” of Andros Barrier Reef to see where it plunges into the 6000-foot Tongue of the Ocean. If you’re among those who visit the island each year, you’ll step into a way of life and soon feel as if you’ve always lived here. Just wait for the weekly mailboat to arrive. Like everyone else you’ll be out on the dock to see what’s arriving, hear what’s new and, if you’re around long enough, have your own tale to tell about a mischevious, little Chickcharlie who........................
Creekside Fishing Lodge Cargill Creek, Andros. Phone: 242-368-5395
Glatos Bonefishing Lodge Johnson Bay, South Andros Phone: 800-688-4752; 242-369-4669 Fax: 242-369-4670. E-mail: glatfish@batelnet.BS Website: www.islandeaze.com/glatos Located on the waterfront overlooking miles of crystal-clear ocean water and white sand bars. The lodge specializes in fly and spin-cast fishing for bonefish. This rustic but comfortable lodge has twelve rooms that will accommodate 24 fishermen. Experience some of the world’s richest mudflats teeming with 8-12 lb. bonefish just waiting to zip your fly. Our policy of catch and release is strictly maintained. Fly into Congo Town Airport (TZN), transportation provided.
Green Windows Inn Nicholls Town, Andros Phone: 242-329-2194 Fax: 242-329-2016
Helen’s Motel Complex Mangrove Cay, Andros. Phone: 242-369-0033
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Bimini
& The Berry Islands
H
ead 50 miles due east of Miami and you’ll sail right into the blue-green harbours of Bimini. This tiny group of islands is internationally recognized as one of the finest fishing areas in the world for its abundance of sailing, tuna, wahoo and other big-game fisn. In fact, no fewer than 50 world records have been set in these waters, the inspiration for Earnest Hemingway’s Islands In The Stream. The main gateway is Alice town, a resort area with bustling yacht harbours, a straw market and casual open-air bars serving plenty of hot conch chowder and icy daiquiris. Many championship tournaments are held here year-round, though anyone who likes may give big-game fishing a try by renting a boat with a skipper and a crew who knows the waters. Bimini became a rendezvous for rum runners and wreckers who plundered ships that ran aground on reefs.
Bimini
Today, the wrecks of Spanish galleons make for fascinating dive sites along with the black coral, exotic fish and a mysterious stone formation that some say is the lost continent of Atlantis. Onshore, there are plenty of interesting sites as well. As the day goes on and people come in from the sea, the pace in Alice Town picks up. Farther north, away from the bustle of Alice Town, are the Tranquil settlements of Bailey Town, Porgy Bay and Paradise Point, with their beautiful beaches and azure waters. Adverturous travellers are drawn to South Bimini, site of the freshwater pond where Ponce de Leon allegedly searched for the Fountain of Youth. It’s a local legend that some swear by and others dismiss as a fish story. Whether true or not, it only adds to the charm of this delightful string of islands. From the time Ponce de Leon was supposedly drifting among its beaches in search of the Fountain of Youth, Bimini has enjoyed and shared an aura both rakish and
dangerous. Underground cellars where forbidden libations were stored before being spirited across “the pond” to thirsty, grateful devotees. Sunken Spanish galleons and the reported lost city of Atlantis; presidential hopefuls see their chances scuttled by monkey business and Adam Clayton Powell scrawling his name on the wall of Barefoot Bar, a place that was so small you would have sworn that the builder wanted to build a tree house but forgot about the tree and just plunked down on the main street up from the old seaplane ramp. That’s Bimini. Maybe that’s its fountain of youth. Not a place, as Adam and Earnest knew and thousands more have since discovered. Oh there are the pristine beaches, and watersports with their peculiar charms, but in Bimini, no one visits for these things. For you can go there and be so enraptured with the spirit of the place and the wisdom of the people. That’s Bimini.
Eleuthera &
Listen to the r wind, the distant Eleuthera’s soft peace and quiet,
& Harbour Island Perfect Peace & Quiet
rhythm of the waves rolling against the shore; the rustles of the palms in the t cry of a snowy-white egret. These are the sounds you hear as you stroll pink beaches and look up into her radiant blue skies. It is a place of perfect , a time of utter contentment you’ll hold to your heart and long remember.
Eleuthera & Harbour Island
Eleuthera’s sheer beauty reaches as far as the ete can see. In the north, her tall rugged cliffs divide the turbulent Atlantic from the turquoise calm of the Gulf. Towards the centre, the land gentles into rolling hills quilted with farm fields and grove upon grove of pineapple. On her southern shores are tiny, New England-like villages nestled in sparkling coves and small jungles of bright bougainvillaea. Every inch of the narrow slip of an island, barely a mile wide at most places and just 110 miles long is absolutely captivating. An ideal place to begin your Eleutheran holiday is in the north where the pretty cays of Current Island, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island hug the steep, bluff-ridden shores. Stepping off the ferry in Dunmore Town on Harbour Island, you’ll be greeted by an aura of peacefulness and a taxi waiting to drive you up Bay Street in the late afternoon
sun. Past the rows of shops, outdoor cafes and hatted fresh-fruit vendors, you’ll see Victorian homes dating back to 1790; fanciful pink, blue and green houses laced with white lattice work, shuttered windows, balconies and garrets. You may also see two of The Bahamas’ oldest churches, St John’s Anglican Church and Wesley Methodist, both of which were erected in the mid-eighteen hundreds. Winding your way up the bluffs to one of Dunmore Town’s hotels, you’ll pass under leafy canopies of fig trees and casuarina pines and hotels carefully secluded from each other and are all truly wonderful choices. From the balconies of your rooms or stone cottage retreat, you’ll look out over an incredibly gorgeous ocean and beaches tinted pink by crushed sea shells and coral. These exquisite beaches are perfect for long, intimate walks or basking in the heat of the sun. Your hosts, moving
Eleuthera & Harbour Island
almost unobtrusively, will also arrange alfresco lunches, picnics on deserted coves, sunset cocktails and romantic dinner dances beneath star-filled skies. On a more energetic day, touring Harbour Island by bicycle or golf cart can be great fun. You’ll come across the historic Hill Steps that were hand-cut by prisoners and Titus Hole, a curious harbourside cove said to have been the island’s first jail. Once you see the waters, however,you may decide to rent your own Boston whaler and cruise the surrounding cays yourself On SpanishWells you’ll discover a people who’ve made their living from the sea for over 300 years.They are the descendants of the Eleutherian Adventurers who first settled this island and named it for the deep fresh-water wells they found there. Renowned as big-game fishermen, Spanish Wellians are also excellent pilots and fishing guides. Life is free and easy on this tiny cay where the
standard of living is extremely high. Its lovely homes and flowering gardens are well-kept and never locked. There are small resorts here, each serenely appointed with beautiful cottages and rooms that face the sea.There’s also a fine marina that’s well-equipped for seafaring expeditions of every kind. Current, another quaint island settlement, gives you the most spectacular oceanic views Eleuthera has to offer. Beneath the water, scuba divers and photographers head for Current Cut Dive where rich undersea life is visible 50 feet down; to Six Shilling Channel where they can follow schools of exotic fish making for the 6000-foot depths of the Tongue of the Ocean; or to The Devil’s Backbone, the treacherous spine of reefs which claimed a Civil War train, freighter and steamship over a century ago. A short drive from there between Upper Bogue and Gregory Town where the island narrows to a 30-foot
Eleuthera & Harbour Island formation called the Glass Window Bridge. Standing above this “window” carved by eons of relentless wind and surf, you’ll see the pounding Atlantic to one side and the still, turquoise Gulf on the other. These seas around northern Eleuthera and southward along the Gulf also play host to what is undoubtedly the nation’s favourite sport: regatta sailing. Bahamians from across the archipelago come in their locally built sloops for the festivities and to compete in her three annual regattas: the North Eleuthera Regatta held in October, early August’s All Eleuthera Regatta at Governor’s Harbour in central Eleuthera, and the South Eleuthera Homecoming Regatta in March. If you’re driving Eleuthera, the main road will take you from the colonies of Current, Gregory Town and Hatchet Bay in the north to the southernmost tip of the island, a mere two hours or so away. As you travel south, you’ll soon pass through the hilly, green farmlands and pineapple groves surrounding the seaside village of Gregory Town. Here red-roofed, white villas and weathered clapboard houses stair-step down the hills to the Atlantic, where waves crash against the shore and provide some of the best surfing in the area. This beach, sensational for watersports of all kinds, also hosts two island-wide festivals.The Pineapple Art Festival, an exhibition of islander music, crafts and fine art, is held the third Saturday in March and the popular Annual Pineapple Festival, a pineapple recipe contest and fair, during four days of the first week of June. Near Hatchet Bay, a once prosperous plantation, you’ll see a sign marking the entrance to The Cave. This cave, cut from rough coral and columned by magnificent stalagmites and stalactites, looks and feels like a vast, underground cathedral in the eerie light. The next town you’ll reach is Governor’s Harbour in central Eleuthera, the island’s seat of government and a settlement which looks as if it’s been transported intact from New Hampshire. Mesmerizing hills of bright-red royal poinciana spill down the cliffs into the magnificent, sheltered harbour. Across the bay, on Cupid’s Cay, are the ruins of the first permanent Eleutheran community in The Bahamas. Tourists along these pink beaches are also few and far between. Further south, at Tarpum Bay, watch out for goats
wandering the lanes. Driving on you’ll come to the quaint, clapboard village of Rock Sound. In the center of this spotless little town is Ocean Hole, a landlocked, fathomless, saltwater pool where rainbow and parrot fish come to the surface to be fed. A bridge from Rock Sound leads over the bay to Windermere Island, The Bahamas’ hideaway for the affluent. Serene and secluded, this luxurious island discretely houses many private homes and villas. On Eleuthera and Harbour Island you’ll discover the same sense of freedom from the rest of the world that the Eleutheran Adventurers did so many centuries ago. Carried by a slow, steady pace and soothed by the islands’ natural beauty, you will rejuvenate your spirit more than you dare to dream.
Eleuthera / Harbour Island/Spanish Wells Miles of glistening pink-and white-sand beaches, serene colonial villages and Laughing Bird Apartments rolling acres of pineapple plantations make Eleuthera an island of the most casual sophistication. Much of the island’s architecture and way of life were influenced by Loyalist settlers in the late 1700s. With its companion, Harbour Island, Eleuthera has long been a favored destination among travelers seeking a bit of quiet charm. To learn more about Eleuthera/Harbour Island call 800-0UT ISLANDS (800688-4752) or visit www.islandscenemagazine.com.
Accommodations>>Eleuthera Adventurer’s Resort Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. Phone: 242-333-4883 Fax: 242-333-5073
Atlantic Suites Palmetto Point, Eleuthera Phone: 242-332-1882 Fax: 242-332-1883
Bayshore Inn Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera Phone: 242-334-4009, v9 Fax: 242-334-4006
The Buccaneer Club Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera. Phone: 242-332-2000 / Fax: 242-322-2888
Exuma
Another Universe Entirely
F
lying into the Exumas is one of the most beauti ful sights your eyes wil ever see. Beneath high clouds her tiny islands float out over a 150mile coral reef, limestone and sand-bar plateau; 365 individual cays converging rivers of deep green, turquoise and ocean blue. Here the waters are so clear, you can lean over the side of your boat and watch the sand rippling the ocean floor 60 feet below, even spot the shadows of bonefish long before they approach. You can walk mile after mile of empty beach combing for driftwood, sand dollars and other seabrought treasures. Swim in quiet, hidden coves. Snorkel between schools of neon-bright fish and vast, coral castles. And never duplicate your location, even if you visit one island a day, every day, for a year. Exploring Exuma’s Land and Sea Park is a given when you’re in these waters. Approachable only by boat, the island preserve covers 176 square miles and is a silent, underwater universe of limestone, coral reefs, blue holes, caves and drop offs and enchanting sea creatures.
A
mong the thousands of natural coves and harbours is Exuma’s capital, George Town on Great Exuma Island. If youre sailing these channels, you’ll want to stop in to stock up. Long known for its hospitality, this settlement has excellent full-service marinas, supply stores and shops, a bank, post office and a busy, little straw market. If you’re staying, you’ll fall in love with their quaint cottage hideaways. Life in this sleepy quarter wakes up once a year when hundreds of visiting yachtsmen
and their families come to compete With Bahamian sailors in the wildly festive Annual Cruising Regatta. For that week in March, George Town is a whirl of feasts, bonfire parties, sailing contests and talent shows and not an empty inn is to be found anywhere. If you’re looking for a place of radiant waters and blissfully quiet days filtered in every hue of ocean, coral, sky and cloud, take heart. You’ll find it in the romantic isles of Exuma.
Grand Bahama Island G
rand Bahama Island lies fifty-five miles off the coast of Florida and north of Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. Her climate is tropical, a warm eighty degrees throughout the year and cooled by billowy ocean breezes. Major areas are the more metropolitan town of Freeport and the contrastingly quiet bay of Port Lucaya. At West End, the island’s oldest settlement, you’ll find local fishermen pulling in their catch in much the same manner as their ancestors did centuries ago. Above and below her 51-mile shoreline, this glorious island has it all. Shallow, sea-green waters as clear as glass. Championship-rated golf courses. Sea dives with dolphins. Fabulous multi-million dollar resorts. Junkanoo Festivals. Haute cuisine. Pink flamingos. The best bargain-buys anywhere (worldly and Bahamian). Tamarind forests. And of course, all those exquisite miles of serene, powder-soft beaches. Divers come here to hunt ancient shipwrecks (some recovered coins are valued in the millions) and to try the “The Dolphin Experience” first hand. An equally exhilarating dive which can be arranged through UNEXSO is in the “blue holes” of Lucayan National Park; openings in the land which lead to the largest explored underwater cave system in the world.
Grand Bahama Island
B
ack on terra firma, duty-free shopping is another
heady sport. Strike out for the fascinating International Bazaar where imports from four continents are priced as much as 40% Delow retail (luxuries like South African emeralds, French perfumes, Irish linens). Hit the malls at the Regent Centre downtown or the eightyfive waterfront shops at Port Lucaya. And be sure not to miss the big local Straw Market, where bartering for island-made curios is loads of fun. Speaking of hits and misses, few islands compete
with Grand Bahama’s exceptionally well-designed golf courses. Packed with water, bunker and prevailingwind hazards, her 18-hole, 12-par championship courses have tested the skill (and patience) of some of the game’s best players.So grab your sunglasses, bathing-suit and an empty carry-back bag or two. Pack your goggles, snorkels, tennis racquet and camera, your most trusted golf clubs and putter. Grand Bahama Island is waiting to welcome you to her shores!
Nassau & Paradise Island
I
n the heart of New Providence lies the capital of our country.
Welcome to Nassau, bustling hub of The Bahamas since the shipwrecking days of the legendary pirate Blackbeard.
Prized for its sheltered harbour, history was made and beautifully preserved here in Victorian mansions, cathedrals, 18thcentury fortresses and a Queen’s Staircase, whose 66 steps lead to a not-to-be missed view. Bordering the harbour is Bay Street, Nassau’s oldest thoroughfare lined with cosmopolitan restaurants and shops. Here, you can buy goods, from around the world, duty-free, or in our famous Straw Market, handicrafts you won’t find anywhere else. Pick your favourite straw hat and explore the rest of the island. There are botanical gardens to visit, glass-bottom boats to ride and beaches to bask upon. Then, head to the Cable Beach strip or Paradise Island, where the nightlife is nonstop, from the glittering casinos to the stars in the island sky, marking the end of another near-perfect day. There’s so much to do and see in New Providence, the best place to start is with an overview of all the plush resorts, colonial forts, local clubs and international shops found throughout this nonstop island. The gateway to Nassau is Rawson Square, where y ou’ll find the Minis try Of Tourism Information Centre with plenty of brochures, maps and helpful suggestions . It’s the place to start a free guided walking tour along the shady streets of Old Nassau or to engage a horse-drawn surrey for a pleasant excursion around town Just a short walk from Rawson Square you’ll find Prince George Wharf, the bustling waterfront where cruise ships dock and glassbottom boats depart for sea-garden tours.
Nassau & Paradise Island
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arliament Square in downtown Nassau is the traditional centre of the Bahamian Government. Here, picturesque pastel buildings built in the early 1800s by Loyalists include the Houses of Parliament, the old Colonial Secretary’s Office, the Supreme Court and marble statue of Queen Victoria . Each January, April, July and October, the stately Supreme Court Opening Ceremonies are held, filling the square with pomp and pageantry. If you were sentenced to a jail term in the early 19th century, you probably would have ended up in the octagonal building nearby . The former jail is now the Nassau Public Library, and it houses one of the finest Bahamian book collections, fascinating old prints, maps, photos and Arawak artifacts . In contrast to Old Nassau, Bay Street is very much up-totheminute with its cosmopolitan restaurants and shops . Here you can find British woollens, French perfumes, Japanese cameras, Swiss clocks, English china, Italian leather, South American gems and many more goods from aroundthe world, at duty-free prices. For original Bahamian handicrafts, our colourful Straw
Market is the place to go where you strike your own bargain on mats, hats, baskets, handbags, jewellery and wood carvings. One block west of the Straw Market is Pompey Museum, home of Bahamian art. Just a short walk from downtown you’ll find Fort Fincastle, built in 1789 in the shape of a paddle-wheel steamer. The nearby Water Tower is the highest point on the island, giving a stunning panoramic view from over 200 feet above sea level. Getting to both is easy . Just climb the Queen’s Staircase, 66 steps carved from the limestone hill overlooking Nassau and the harbour. You’ll likely recognize the Government House even if you’ve never been to Nassau. Built in 1801, the elegant pink and white neoclassical mansion is one of The Bahamas most photographed landmarks. The statue of a proud Columbus on the front steps commemorates his first landfall in the New World in 1492 on the shores of San Salvador. A change of the Guard ceremony takes place here at 10 a.m. every other Saturday morning. Farther west of downtown stands one of Nassau’s most
Nassau & Paradise Island
impressive forts. Fort Charlotte was built in 1788, complete with a moat, open battlements and dungeons. For all its imposing fortifications, it never fired a shot in anger. ne of The Bahamas’ first marching birds is one block west:the famous, flambo yant marching flamingos of the Ardastra Gardens and Zoo . The tropical gardens and exotic animals here also put on quite a show. Nearby, the Nassau Botanical Gardens has an extensive collection of plants native to The Bahamas, as well as lily pools, tropical fish, cactus gardens and a quarry stone grotto. Arawak Cay , located on West Bay Street across the street from historic Fort Charlotte, is a nice spot for a quick, local style lunch. Known to the Nassau residents as “The Fish Fry”. Arawak Cay is one of the best places to chat with locals, play a game of dominoes or sample Bahamian fare. Heading farther west, you’ll notice you’ve left the quick pace of Nassau behind. Indeed, the winding section of West Bay Street that leads to Cable Beach is nicknamed “Go Slow Bend,” as people frequently stop to view the luxurious resorts,
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restaurants, shops and beautiful beaches. Beyond Cable Beach, the road curves along the coast through a series of small villages and quiet beaches, revealing stunning views of the ocean around each bend. The Caves, carved out of limestone by the waves, are said to have sheltered Arawak Indians long ago. Just beyond the historic hilltop of Gambier Village is Love Beach, said to be the prettiest stretch of sand on New Providence. The underwater view rivals that of the scenery above water with its acres of sea gardens and colorful coral reefs. The road continues along the southwest coast of the island, then winds its way east past a sprawling resort with a championship golf course, the historic villages of Adelaide and Carmichael and a pine forest dotted with palmetto palms. On the eastern part of New Providence you’ll find The Retreat, the headquarters for our national parks, with one of the largest private collections of exotic palms in the world. Both New Providence’s oldest fort and The Bahamas’ oldest church are nearby. Fort Montagu was built in 1741, and unlike
Nassau & Paradise Island
Fort Charlotte and Fort Fincastle, saw action when it was seized for one day by the Americans during the Revoluionary War. St. Matthews Church, noted by its unusual tower and steeple, opened for service in 1802 and still retains its original stained-glass window. ext is the bridge to Paradise. But before you walk, cycle or drive over it, be sure to visit the lively fruit and vegetable market on the western side of Potter’s Cay. The bustling market here at Potter’s Cay is where fishermen bring their fresh catch of the day and where farmers ship their fresh fruit and vegetables. The pace is always pleasantly busy from the locals cracking conch to the mailboats hauling their goods from The Islands. Once over on Paradise Island, the winding street is lined with plush resorts, fine shops and gourmet restaurants. Turn left and you’ll find yourself on a quiet drive, where tall casuarina trees bow for all who enter. The lush, peaceful Versailles Gardens are on the eastern part of the island with statues, fountains and elegant terraces that lead to the French Cloisters, stately columns that overlook the Nassau Harbour. Built in the 14th century by Augustinian monks, the Cloisters were shipped here 600 years later and reconstructed stone by stone. The lovely Paradise Island beach is a perfect place to relax. It’s also one of the many places to delve into New Providence’s many sports. You can dive, windsurf or waterski almost everywhere in Nassau and Paradise Island, and learn to parasail at major Nassau and Paradise Island Hotels. New Providence has excellent dive sites. There are shallow reefs, deep blue holes, old shipwrecks, caves, drarna tic dropoffs and colourful sea gardens surrounding the island.
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Two James Bond thrillers were filmed in these waters: Thunderball, shot in the shallow Thunderball Reef and Never Say Never Again, filmed on location in one of The Bahamas’ most spectacular shipwrecks. Boats of any size can be chartered for hours or days at a time, from marinas along the north eastastern shore of New Providence. Big game fishing, reef fishing and tackle fishing are also popular, fully equipped boats are available for half-and full-da y charters . V arious tournaments are held throughout the year. One of the inviting things about New Providence is that you can enjoy both water and land-based sports in the same vacation. The Bahamas is an official golf destination of the PGA Tour and PGA of America. You can playa round of golf in Nassau, Cable Beach or Paradise Island on your choice of three top-rated courses: South Ocean Golf Club (6,707 yds, par-72), designed by Joe Lee; Cable Beach Golf Course (7,040 yds., par-72), laid out around 13 lakes and 50 sand traps and The Paradise Island Golf Club (6,770 yds., par-72), which offers several ocean-view holes. Tennis buffs have no fewer than 100 courts from which to choose at” hotels and resorts throughout Nassau, Cable Beach and Paradise Island. Many courts are lighted for evening play. Instruction in daily clinics and private lessons are also standard at most large resorts. Tennis tournaments are part of the year’s calendar of events.
Celebrations Our country is known for its variety of exciting festivals and we’d love to have you join in the fun. On December 26, we celebrate our most famous festival of all, Junkanoo. Rest up: the festivities don’t even begin until 3
Nassau & Paradise Island a.m. For this thrilling African-borne festival, thousands of revellers parade through downtown Nassau in spectacular costumes and masks, setting the night ablaze with colour. The pulsating rhythm of cowbells, horns and whistles, and goatskin drums can be heard for miles as the dancers compete for prizes awarded to the best costumes, music and performances. On New Year’s Day, the entire entourage comes back for a stunning repeat performance. There is an intense rivalry be tween groups to create the most colourful, imaginative costumes. In fact, many groups begin creating their costumes as early as August, though costume themes are a closely guarded secret until the actual event. Discovery Day, October 12 commemorates Columbus’ landing on San Salvador in 1492. July 10 marks the anniversary of the independence of The Bahama Islands with parades and fireworks throughout the week. Emancipation Day, the first Monday in August, commemorates the liberation of slaves in 1834. Fox Hill Day is celebrated the following Tuesday with a variety of cultural events.
casual cafes to romantic gourmet restaurants with breathtaking views. You decide.
Nightlife There aren’t enough hours in a day to experience all the nightlife New Providence has to offer . In Nassau and Paradise Island, you can choose from bistros, nightclubs, discos and two of the most spectacular casinos that are to be found anywhere. There are bands that play everything from Jazz to Calypso music to our own “Rake ‘n Scrape” and “Junkanoo.” The two casinos, one on Paradise Island and the other located on Nassau offer slot machines and a complete selection of games, including blackjack, roulette and baccarat. They will also teach you how to play if it’s your first try. Guests over 18 may gamble. The Dundas Centre, Nassau’s performing arts theatre, stages plays and performances by local troupes and out-of-town artists throughout the year .
Dining
Getting Around
All this activity is bound to make you hungry. New Providence offers many choices in the way of dining: European, American, Chinese, Greek, Polynesian but our Bahamian fare tops the list. Bahamians have depended on conch and fish for centuries, and have learned a wizardry with the foods of the sea that will delight and tingle the palate. Everyone who visits the Bahama Islands should try our native specialities at least once. Conch fritters, grouper fingers, peas’n rice, boiled fish, johnnycake and guava duff are just a few of our tasty dishes, all of which go nicely with our famous tropical drinks. Dining can mean anything from informal beach barbecues to
So now that you know the places to go, how do you get around? There are taxicabs at the airport, downtown Nassau and major hotels; rental cars at the airport and various locations (please remember, we drive on the left side of the road); motor scooters at hotels and in downtown Nassau (helmets are compulsory); rental bicycles at various locations and jitneys that run throughout the island from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. If you’re not in a big hurry (you’re on vacation, after all) try some of our more scenic ways of getting about New Providence. We have day cruises to nearby islands where you can sun, swim and snorkel; catamaran sightseeing tours and romantic dinner cruises through the Nassau Harbour.