The Great Bahamas Bucket List 50 Things to Do in the Island Nation of 700 Islands and Cays

THE GREAT BAHAMAS BUCKET LIST

50 Things to Do in the Island Nation of 700 Islands and Cays

By Shavaughn Moss Photographs Courtesy Of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, Tony Williams Jr., Patricia Vasquez and L. Roscoe Dames II

Regardless of whether this is your first visit to The Bahamas, or your fiftieth trip, prepare to be amazed.

And yes, we Bahamians take pride in our gorgeous powdery sand beaches – whether white sand or pink sand. We proudly boast of pristine turquoise waters, sometimes in hues that are unimaginable until your eyes drink in the vistas. And we love the fact that our semi-tropical climate, which makes it perfect to lie about in the sun, sipping delicious libations, one of the most perfect past times. But The Bahamas is so much more than sun, sand and sea.

With more than 700 islands and cays, 16 of which are inhabited, there are so many things waiting to be explored and unforgettable experiences to discover and do. Special places and activities are everywhere, and unique island to island.

While we can’t go through them all, we have compiled 50 Bahamas bucket list experiences that we think you simply have to do while here from the northern most islands of Grand Bahama, the Berry Islands, and Bimini to the farthest south in the Inaguas, and every island in between, including the nation’s capital, the city of Nassau, which sit on the island of New Providence.

Discovering all the amazing things to do in The Bahamas can absolutely become a lifelong project as you island-hop trying to do them all, which means repeat visit after repeat visit. And always remember, while Bahamians are proud to be one people, each of the Family Islands also takes particular pride in their individual uniqueness and putting it on full display, which will make traipsing through our country that much more special for you.

1- ELBOW CAY LIGHTHOUSE IN HOPE TOWN ON ELBOW CAY, ABACO

This iconic red and white Elbow Reef Lighthouse, located in Hope Town on Elbow Cay, Abaco is one of the last of its kind left in the world, and a must-visit. Constructed in 1863, the historic hand-operated, kerosene-burning lighthouse has aided navigation for 158 years. While other similar lighthouses have all been automated, Elbow Reef still operates much as it has for over a century and a half. A lighthouse keeper must climb 101 steps to the top of the tower and light the kerosene-fuelled burner by hand. He then hand-cranks a weight system that slowly drops to keep the lantern turning, much like a grandfather clock. Kerosene feeds the flame in the old burner, and a massive Fresnel—pronounced ‘freh-NELL’—lens system projects a powerful beam of light visible up to twenty-three nautical miles away, helping sea vessels avoid the shallow waters and the vibrant coral reef off Elbow Cay.

2- GREEN TURTLE CAY

Renting a golf cart and leisurely meandering through the historic and idyllic Green Turtle Cay and New Plymouth is a must. The quaint, colourful clapboard buildings are homes to residents, and stores offer beautiful jewellery and artwork portraying breath-taking island scenes. At Green Turtle Cay is also the must-see Albert Lowe Museum, a historic building, located in the heart of quaint and colourful New Plymouth. Within the walls of this restored heritage home—one of the oldest on the island—are housed hundreds of years of island history, told through photographs, paintings, sculptures, artifacts, model ships, written documents, quilts and more.

THE ABACOS

Elbow Cay Lighthouse in Hope Town

3- STROLL DOWN THE LONGEST DOCK IN THE BAHAMAS IN CHEROKEE SOUND

Cherokee Sound is a quaint community on Abaco with history dating back as far as 1783. It has neat, narrow concrete streets and beautiful pastel painted houses with intricate woodwork that has stood the tests of time. Beautifully tranquil, it is surrounded by stunning beaches, an amazing creek teeming with marine life, and a blue-hole system with incredible deep-sea and bone fishing. The settlement is also home to the longest dock in Abaco, known simply by locals as “The Long Dock”, along with the only over-water bridge in the Abaco islands, known as Bridge Creek.

4- LUCAYAN INDIAN HISTORICAL LANDMARKS

This island also has a few historical landmarks. Visit a site thought to be one of the largest Lucayan Indian settlements in The Bahamas. It sits along Pompey Bay Beach. Ten ancient Lucayan sites have been unearthed by National Geographic Society archaeologists in Samana Cay, which is southwest of Spring Point.

The best-kept secret of Acklins is knee-deep water off the Bight of Acklins, where some of the best bonefish in The Bahamas is to be had. The pristine nature of this island makes Acklins a natural lure for fishing, snorkelling and diving.

ACKLINS

NORTH

5- VISIT RED BAYS AND LEARN ABOUT THE ART OF WEAVING BASKETS AND OF THE HERITAGE OF THE VILLAGE’S BLACK SEMINOLES OF FLORIDA

Visit the village of Red Bays where residents are renowned for their woodcarvings and beautiful, sturdy baskets—which are said won’t leak water—woven from palm thatch fronds. The art of creating these unique baskets has been passed down through generations. They are unique to this island and are not made anywhere else in the country. The basket weaving is a part of the rich cultural legacy of the Black Seminoles of Red Bays which was founded in the early 1800s by a mixed group of Seminoles, a Native American tribe that migrated from Florida during the Seminole wars, and people of African descent who escaped enslavement.

ANDROS

Andros Red Bays Basket Weaving

CENTRAL

6- TAKE A BATIK LESSON AT THE ANDROSIA BATIK FACTORY

Androsia batik fabric is world-famous. The brightly-coloured authentic Bahamian hand-dyed cotton fabric, with designs inspired by elements found in the island’s environment and Bahamian culture, represents the island of Andros and its people known as Androsians. Every yard of Androsia is stamped with their signature—a sign you’ve bought a unique piece of art. The garment manufacturing factory is located near the Andros Lighthouse and has been in business since 1973. Visitors can tour the factory and watch the artisans as they wax, cut and dye the beautifully coloured fabrics and make a two-yard piece of batik to take home.

7- ANDROS BARRIER REEF EXPEDITION

Experience the thrill of scuba diving and snorkelling around the Andros Barrier Reef, the third-largest fringing barrier reef and lagoon system in the world at over 124 miles long. It drops to about eight feet on the island side and approximately 6,000 feet in the Tongue of the Ocean. A globally significant geological feature. You can see a variety of exciting tropical fish, healthy coral formations and abundant marine life.

SOUTH

8- STAR GATE BLUE HOLE

Here’s a spectacular dive for you. Dive into the Great Crack through the Star Gate Blue Hole and savour a National Geographic experience. Located about 500 miles inland on the east coast of South Andros on the west side of The Bluff, it is a major north-south slump fracture zone paralleling the underwater escarpment that separates the Great Bahama Bank from the Tongue of the Ocean. This is a world-famous site, where Indian skulls were found during a National Geographic scuba diving expedition in the early 1990s.

WEST

9- WEST SIDE OF ANDROS

Tour the uninhabited west side of Andros from Driggs Hill and see giant turtles, iguanas and the tarpon “roll” if you’re lucky. It’s remote, pristine and beautiful. Established in 2002, this 1.5 million-acre National Park protects a large area of pristine coastal wetlands that are the most productive marine nursery in The Bahamas. It is also a prime habitat for bonefish and an important feeding area for the endangered West Indian flamingo. Miami Beach. He used it briefly as a casino, then for oil storage, before it was purchased in 1924 by Bruce Bethell, a former British war captain and a liquor merchant out of Nassau. Bethell moved the ship to Bimini and used it as a floating warehouse to store and distribute his liquor supply during the Prohibition Era, earning him notoriety as “Bimini’s Rum King”. During a hurricane in 1926, the ship ran aground and was damaged substantially. The wreck itself is both a navigational landmark for boaters and a popular scuba diving and snorkelling site. Teeming with sea life, it is definitely worth visiting.

11- VISIT DOLPHIN HOUSE MUSEUM (NORTH BIMINI)

Dolphin House was built by Ashley Saunders, a local author/historian in 1993, and is a popular attraction in Alice Town. The unique and artistic structure, an ocean-inspired museum, is made up of recycled, salvaged and donated materials—shells, beach glass, sea fans and other natural resources. It is inspired by Saunders swimming with a pod of wild Bimini dolphins. He said, “I consider myself a dolphin-inspired artist—the dolphins touched my heart and made me an artist.”

12- LEARN ABOUT SHARKS AT THE SHARK LAB (SOUTH BIMINI)

Known for exhilarating shark dives. In the winter months, great hammerheads and bull sharks swim the nearby Gulf Stream. The Bimini Shark Lab offers an all-inclusive opportunity to individuals looking to gain insight into the abundant variety of shark species that inhabit the waters surrounding Bimini. They merge cutting-edge shark science with ecotourism in an effort to shed light on the urgent need for conservation of marine animals and ecosystems.

13- FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

According to the legend, explorer Juan Ponce de León learned from the Indians in the 1500s that Bimini was the site of the Fountain of Youth. Legend says the spring supposedly restored youth to older persons who bathed in or drank its waters. Today, what is referred to as the Fountain of Youth by locals is a well near the road leading to South Bimini Airport. The well was carved out of the limestone rock by ground water thousands of years ago. We don’t recommend bathing or drinking the waters when you visit this landmark. But it is a nice spot to take pictures and a good talking point about your vacation activities.

BERRY ISLANDS

BIMINI

S.S. Sapona Shipwreck

10- SNORKEL AT THE S.S. SAPONA

Snorkel at the S.S. Sapona, a concrete-hulled cargo steamer commissioned in World War I. The ship, which was said to have been designed by Henry Ford himself, was one of a fleet of concrete ships originally commissioned by former United States President Woodrow Wilson, to serve as troops’ transport during WWI because steel was in short supply. Because the ship was completed after the end of the war, it was sold for scrap to Carl Fisher, one of the developers of Diving in The Berry Islands

14- EXPLORE THE SUGAR BEACH CAVES ON GREAT HARBOUR CAY

It’s called Sugar Beach for its white sugary sand. You will be amiss if you skip out on a trek to the Sugar Beach Caves, dubbed one of the prettiest places in The Bahamas. Sandy coves, rocky cliffs and sheltered caves are features of this natural beauty. Sugar Beach cliffs offer hiking trails with exceptional ocean vistas. There are numerous sandy coves among the cliffs, in addition to caves and the ruins of the Sugar Beach Resort & Golf Club, the island’s original resort.

15- TAKE A HIKE ON HOFFMAN’S CAY AND JUMP INTO A HIDDEN BLUE HOLE

Hoffman’s Cay blue hole is located in the southern Berry Islands. It is about 600 feet wide and has a cliff that hangs twenty feet above the water. Those who jump into it from the cliff speak of an adrenaline rush. Its only living inhabitants are said to be oysters. Hoffman’s Cay has stunning beaches on both the windward and leeward sides of the island.

The Hermitage on Mount Alvernia

CAT ISLAND

16- THE HERMITAGE ON MOUNT ALVERNIA

Climb Mount Alvernia, also known as Como Hill—the highest point in The Bahamas at 206 feet (63 metres) above sea level—and visit The Hermitage, a small, stone, medieval-style monastery that sits on the peak of Como Hill. It was named Mount Alvernia by Monsignor John Hawes, a Roman Catholic priest, after La Verna, a mountain in Tuscany that was given to Saint Francis of Assisi as a place where he could peacefully contemplate; it was where Assisi received the Wounds of the Cross. Hawes, known to Cat Islanders as Father Jerome, was a skilled architect and sculptor, and a self-described contemplative. He built the retreat in 1939, using local stone and the 360-degree view around the island from the top is awe-inspiring.

17- VISIT CAT ISLAND’S DEVEAUX PLANTATION AND THE ARMBRISTER PLANTATION RUINS

The Deveaux Plantation ruins are an historic site. The remaining structures are the ruins of a former 18th-century cotton plantation that had an antebellum-style mansion that was home to Colonel Andrew Deveaux, a Loyalist and veteran of the American Revolutionary War. He was given the land in 1783 for helping to protect and recapture Nassau from the Spanish invasion and occupation. The Armbrister Plantation ruins are another historic site. These ruins are located at the base of Mt. Alvernia and the Hermitage in New Bight. The Great House or mansion was built circa 1755 and 1760 during the pre-Loyalist period by Henry Hawkins Armbrister, a Scotsman. It is touted as the second oldest structure in The Bahamas.

18- GRIFFIN BAT CAVE

Griffin Bat Cave is known for being a hideout and providing shelter from hurricanes for enslaved people who lived in the area. It is a simple cave, more like a room, with only one entrance and one central cavern. It is home to thousands of bats, hence its name, which you can hear, feel, and see when they arise at sunset. You climb down a ladder into this dark, damp cavern. churches and castles. The caves at Turtle Sound spill out onto the inland waterway. Macki Bluff, located near the airport in the Colonel Hill settlement, has a seaside cave that is more easily accessible by boat from the sea; water enters it at high tide. A cave on the land side can be reached by a hardy trek on foot. Bat Cave, in the Pittstown Point area, is interesting because of the creatures for which it is named. Gun Bluff Cave is located east of Pittstown Point; the area was a former British fort. At Richmond Hill, there is a cave with a well inside that was built by slaves, along with the carved steps leading to it.

20- HOPE GREAT HOUSE NATIONAL PARK

Hope Great House National Park located in Landrail Point comprises two former Loyalist compounds. By the beginning of the 19th century, Crooked Island was home to more than forty plantations and 1,200 slaves. Located on the west coast of the remote island, the estate covers 3.6 acres with an artillery battery, plus a house with a kitchen. The Great House was the centrepiece of a 19th century plantation around the time of King George V of England; there are five solid iron cannons which carry the crest of the then-king.

CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA AND HARBOUR ISLAND (BRILAND)

19- EXPLORE THE BEACH CAVES OF CROOKED ISLAND

Crooked Island has several interesting caves with magnificent limestone formations that locals say hide many secrets from the past. The stalactites and stalagmites take on unusual forms and shapes, some resembling the ruins of

21- GLASS WINDOW BRIDGE

The Glass Window Bridge is definitely one of nature’s true wonders. Drinking in the magnificent panoramic view, which is one of the few places on Earth where you can compare the rich, dark, blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side of the road and the calm, turquoise Exuma Sound (often incorrectly called the Caribbean Sea) on the other side, separated by a strip of rock just thirty feet wide, will leave you breathless. It is located just north of Gregory Town on the northern end of Eleuthera.

22- PREACHER’S CAVE

Preacher’s Cave is perhaps most noted as a place of refuge for the first English settlers in The Bahamas. Known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, the group sailed here from Bermuda in 1648 in search of religious freedom. They named the island after the Greek word “eleutheria” meaning freedom. This destination is a must-see for historical perspective.

Leon Levy Preserve Grounds

23- LEON LEVY NATIVE PLANT PRESERVE

Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve is an environmental educational centre as well as a facility for the propagation of native plants and trees. The 30-acre preserve located in Governor’s Harbour has been designed as a research centre for traditional bush medicine; a facility for the propagation of indigenous plants and trees, and an educational centre focusing on the importance of native vegetation to the biodiversity of The Bahamas.

24- LIGHTHOUSE BEACH

Lighthouse Beach is endless miles of unspoiled, soft, powdery, blush-rose sand beach. It is considered one of the most stunning and most magnificent beaches in The Bahamas. This hidden gem at the southernmost point of Eleuthera, on the Atlantic side of the island, is nestled in the bosom of a massive rock structure behind sand dunes. It is unique because you can play in two bodies of water almost simultaneously—the Exuma Sound (Caribbean Sea) and the Atlantic Ocean. The windows of the lighthouse serve as the perfect frame for a photo.

Harbour Island Horse Back Riding On Pink Sand Beach

25- HARBOUR ISLAND (BRILAND)

Harbour Island is located approximately 1.75 miles off the eastern coast of Eleuthera. It’s a small island, approximately a half-mile running east and west and three and a quarter miles north and south. Rent a golf cart, as they are the transportation of choice, tour this picturesque island and take in the colourful architecture. Browse boutique stores and art galleries in Dunmore Town, the original capital of The Bahamas.

28- STOCKING ISLAND

Stocking Island is a playground of natural wonder waiting to be explored including the Jacques Cousteau Mystery Cave. World-renowned explorer Jacques Cousteau was fascinated by a natural underwater cave and wanted to know how far it extended. To find out, he deposited red food dye in the cave during the outgoing tide and went up in his helicopter to see where the dye came out. He was shocked to discover that the red dye emerged two miles out to sea. Stocking Island also boast some of the world’s oldest fossils—stromatolites—fossilized bacteria dating from more than one million years ago. Stromatolites are found in only two places on Earth—at Stocking Island and Australia.

29- TROPIC OF CANCER BEACH ON LITTLE EXUMA

Tropic of Cancer Beach, also known as Pelican Beach, is a crescent of white powder sand bordering the translucent blue-green pristine water along the coast of Little Exuma. The longest beach on the island, it is also the prettiest in the Exuma chain. Located at 23 26N 75 35W, the beach is named after the meridian line that defines the northern extent of the tropics, and crosses right through it.

30- ROLLE TOWN TOMBS

The quiet little village of Rolle Town is one of the five Lord John Rolle Commonage Estates on Exuma. The Commonage Estates are lands that have been passed down to the slaves and cannot be sold. The town’s residents are all descendants of Rolle’s former slaves, and grow fruits and vegetables just as their ancestors have done since the 1800s. Relatives of American actress, the late Esther Rolle, live here. There are three tombs in the middle of a secluded clearing, dating back to Loyalist times.

31- A STATUE OF THE SLAVE POMPEY IN STEVENTON

Pompey was an enslaved Black of Lord John Rolle, who was a major British landowner and one of the most powerful Loyalists in The Bahamas at the time. At the age of 32, Pompey led a group of forty-three slaves from Lord Rolle’s Steventon, Exuma plantation in rebellion against their master in 1830. His act was a precursor to emancipation in The Bahamas, which occurred in August 1838. To commemorate that moment in the fight against slavery, a memorial statue of Pompey was erected in Steventon, Great Exuma, which you can visit.

Exuma Swimming Pigs

THE EXUMAS

26- HOME TO THE WORLD-FAMOUS SWIMMING PIGS

Pig Beach is the famous beach where the swimming pigs live, which is on Pig Island (also known as Big Major Cay). These amazing pigs, which swim in the sea at Pig Beach, are one of The Bahamas’ top attractions. Pig Island is one of the busier islands, due to the star power of its celebrity residents. No one is entirely sure how the pigs got there, but there are many interesting stories and legends of how these pigs ended up on a beach in The Bahamas. The pigs picked up on the fact that the farmers’ boat was full of their daily feed and every day when they saw the boat, they began swimming to the farmer to be the first fed. Thus, The Bahamas’ swimming pigs. These Exuma pigs make a perfect photo op.

27- EXUMA CAYS LAND AND SEA PARK

The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, established in 1958, is the first marine reserve in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean. Covering 112,640 acres of land and sea, it is renowned for its breath-taking beauty, species, biodiversity, secluded beaches, amazing views and safe anchorages. Throughout the park, you can explore the underwater magnificence of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrasses; stroll along pristine beaches; traverse several hiking trails, and observe tons of wildlife including birds, fish, turtles and iguanas.

GRAND BAHAMA (FREEPORT)

32- OWL’S HOLE

Owl’s Hole—a stunningly beautiful inland freshwater blue hole hidden in a pine forest. The hole received its name from the barn owls, one of the two kinds of owls found on Grand Bahama, and that nestle along its rocky ledges. The hole was formed when the roof of the cavern collapsed and opened the underground water to the sky. It’s a long jump—the drop into the water is 24 feet long—and many people jump in from the top. There is also a 40-foot ladder that you can use to climb down into the pool and go for a swim.

33- UNDERWATER ADVENTURES SHALLOW REEFS AND WRECKS OR DIVES WITH TIGER SHARKS

The seafloor near Freeport is littered with shells of man-made vessels, offering great wreck dives for divers of all experience levels. Of course, the crafts steadily becoming recovered by nature means they house an assortment of marine species. There’s Theo’s Wreck, Jose’s Wreck, La Rose Wreck, Sea Star II Wreck, Etheridge Wreck, Papa Doc Wreck, and Pretender Wreck. Theo’s Wreck

is a 230-foot freighter, intentionally stripped, cleaned and scuttled by UNEXSO in 1982, and sits 100 feet below the Caribbean surface. Stingrays are often seen gliding along the sandy bottom.

34- GARDEN OF THE GROVES – A NATURE LOVER’S PARADISE

Garden of the Groves is Grand Bahama’s premier nature experience with winding trails through lush vegetation, cascading waterfalls and sparkling fountains. The picturesque chapel is a favourite place for weddings, prayer and meditation. Indigenous and migratory birds and butterflies sip nectar or take insects from the many flowers and shrubs.

Bird Watching - Inagua -Bahama Parrot

INAGUA

37- COLUMBUS MONUMENT

Take in the breath-taking views of northern Long Island at Columbus Monument which is located at Long Bay. Long island is said to be the third island discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. A monument placed on the floor of the ocean in Long Bay marks the exact spot where Columbus dropped anchor on October 12, 1492. On the beach, a simple white cross erected in 1956, known as Columbus Monument, was erected by Long Islanders on top of the white cliffs, sinking down into the various shades of blue water. The cross is the most photographed spot on the island.

38- VISIT HAMILTON’S CAVE SYSTEM

Hamilton’s Cave is the largest cave system in The Bahamas. The cave is named after the small settlement, Hamilton’s, located south of Salt Pond. The Lucayan Indians were thought to have lived here about 500 A.D. and many Lucayan artifacts were discovered in 1936. The cave lies just a hundred feet off Queen’s Highway. You can only visit with an experienced tour guide, otherwise, you will get lost. The caves are on private property. Guided tours are available.

39- CAPE SANTA MARIA BEACH

Cape Santa Maria Beach is one of the best beaches; it is a four-mile vista of bright white sand that has been recognized as one of the top ten beaches in the world.

MAYAGUANA

35- A BIRD WATCHER’S AND ECOTOURIST’S PARADISE

Inagua—featuring Great Inagua and Little Inagua, which are the southernmost islands in the Bahamian archipelagic chain, and which remain largely raw and untouched, due to protected national parks—is a birdwatcher’s and ecotourist’s paradise. Its home to over 80,000 flamingos, which paint the sky pink when they take flight. Salt mining is the mainstay and has been for generations. The white salt fields contrast the forest green habitats which shelter over 140 species of native and migratory birds. Little Inagua also features a host of protected species.

LONG ISLAND

Dean’s Blue Hole

36- TAKE THE PLUNGE AT DEAN’S BLUE HOLE

Dean’s Blue Hole is the world’s second deepest salt water blue hole, with clear visibility between 50 feet and 100 feet. The brave, bold, and adventurous can climb the rocky pathway and plunge into its 663-foot depths. It can be found near Clarence Town and is widely considered one of the most beautiful as well. Dean’s Blue Hole is also one of the world’s best diving and snorkelling sites. Dean’s Blue Hole is where the vertical blue free diving competition is held annually. There is a variety of sea animals to be found inside Dean’s Blue Hole—snapper, fish, tarpons, turtles, seahorses, rays as well as colourful tropical fish. Secluded Escape

40- SECLUDED ESCAPE

Mayaguana is the ideal getaway for travellers seeking a secluded escape. This sleepy island, the most easterly in the chain, is more isolated and less developed than any other island in the archipelago, making it the perfect blend of solitude and charm. Picturesque beaches are perfect for picnicking.

RAGGED ISLAND

41- FISHERMAN’S HAVEN

With fishing the main attraction, Ragged Island is a haven for the avid fisherman, with unparalleled flats ideal for bone fishing, and big game fishing plentiful. A salt pond stretches the length of the only settlement, Duncan Town, which is so small that it doesn’t take much time to walk its entire circumference. Pigeon Cay is visible off the Coast of Ragged Island near Gun Point. Look for the memorial cross honouring Henry Norris Churton, Bishop of Nassau, who died at sea when his boat capsized in 1904. You can also hop from cay to cay.

RUM CAY

42- HARTFORD CAVE

Hartford Cave holds the secrets of its past in with ancient petroglyphs that decorate the cave walls, bowls, plates and utensils that have been found—evidence that Lucayan-Arawak Indians lived here. Explore the wreck of the 101-gun Man-of-War HMS Conqueror wreck on Sumner Point Reef. The vessel, which was built in Devon in 1855 and served in the Crimean War, lies under thirty feet of water and is designated an underwater museum. It is the property of The Bahamas government and none of the contents of the ship may be removed.

43- CONCEPTION ISLAND NATIONAL PARK

Conception Island National Park, a protected, pristine area where you can sail, swim or hike through the island, is regarded as one of the most beautiful in The Bahamas. This national park protects miles of pristine pink sand beaches, gorgeous sandstone cliffs, healthy mangroves, and an extraordinary abundance of wildlife on land and in the sea. It’s incredible beauty and healthy ecosystems are attributed to the fact that humans haven’t lived on this island in 100 years.

44- LANDFALL PARK

Landfall Park is a 10-acre site rich in archaeological artifacts. It is believed to be the first landfall of Christopher Columbus in the New World. It is also known as Long Bay, a reference to the longboats the sailors used to come ashore there. Long Bay Beach at Landfall Park are must-stops.

45- DIXON HILL LIGHTHOUSE

View the entire island at 163 feet from Dixon Hill Lighthouse, built in 1887 on a former plantation owned by John Dixon. This lighthouse is still occupied and operated by lighthouse keepers who refuel the 400,000 candle-powered lighthouse by hand every two hours and fifteen minutes. The lighthouse maintains four-hour watches nightly, giving a double flash every ten seconds. It stands 163 feet above sea level with a visibility of nineteen miles. It has eighty steps to the top. It is one of the most visited landmarks on the island, and is one of the few remaining manually operated lighthouses in the world – and one of only three types in The Bahamas.

SAN SALVADOR

NEW PROVIDENCE (NASSAU)

46- CLIFTON HERITAGE PARK AND THE UNDERWATER SCULPTURE GARDEN

Clifton Heritage National Park on the western tip of New Providence is a must-visit for those wanting to immerse themselves in the history, culture, and natural beauty of The Bahamas. You can find the remnants of the historical and cultural legacy of three important groups that had an impact on the country—the Lucayans, the Loyalists and Africans. Some of Clifton Heritage Park’s biggest surprises are located under the sea—including a striking underwater sculpture garden and statues. Climb The Queen’s Staircase

47- CLIMB THE QUEEN’S STAIRCASE

The Queen’s Staircase, commonly known as the 66 steps, is Nassau’s most visited attraction. It is located in the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex. It was hewn out of solid limestone rock by slaves between 1793 and 1794 to provide a direct route from Fort Fincastle to Nassau City. Due to Fort Fincastle’s strategic position at the top of Bennet’s Hill, the highest point on New Providence, a direct access route was needed to reach the fort in case of an attack—which resulted in the start of building a staircase in the late 1700s. The steps were later named in honour of Queen Victoria, who reigned in Britain for 64 years from 1837 to 1901.

48- POMPEY MUSEUM OF SLAVERY & EMANCIPATION AT VENDUE HOUSE

Pompey Museum, located in downtown Nassau, is named in honour of a courageous slave, Pompey, who lived on the Rolle Plantation in Steventon, Exuma. Historic Vendue House, or the Bourse, as it was known, was built some time before 1769 and continued to function as a marketplace until the late 1800s. Enslaved Africans and other commodities were sold at Vendue House during the 18th and 19th centuries. Pompey became a museum in 1992 and has a collection of artifacts, photos and other objects that help document this era of Bahamian history.

49- VISIT THE FORTS

Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and Fort Montagu await exploration.

Fort Charlotte, the largest of the three, found in Nassau, was built in 1789 by Lord Dunmore and named in honour of the wife of King George III. It includes a waterless moat, drawbridge, ramparts and dungeons, as well as fantastic views of Nassau Harbour.

Fort Fincastle, erected in 1793, was named after British captain Lord Dunmore—and his second title, Viscount Fincastle—who had it built to protect Nassau Harbour and watch for pirates. Located atop Bennet’s Hill, this fort provides fantastic views of Nassau and Paradise Island as well as the eastern approaches to New Providence.

Fort Montagu, located on the eastern seaside of Nassau overlooking Nassau Harbour, dates back to 1725, although the present fort was built between 1741 and 1742 to defend the British territory from Spanish invaders. It is more famously known for being the site of the United States Marine Corps’ first military action, when, in 1779, eight ships were sent to Fort Montagu to capture a large supply of gunpowder the British had stored there.

50- POTTER’S CAY DOCK AND DA FISH FRY

Hang out with the locals and pull up a seat at a street side shack at these quintessential dining places on Potter’s Cay Dock or Arawak Cay fish fry (Da Fish Fry)—you won’t be disappointed if you decide to partake in the native fare offered. It’s some of the best, most authentic to be had. Da Fish Fry is to be found on Arawak Cay, and is just one long strip on West Bay Street.

Potter’s Cay is located under the bridge that connects Nassau with Paradise Island. The vibe at Potter’s Cay is different from Da Fish Fry, but the food is just as good. It’s here where you will also find a variety of vendors—some selling local fruits and vegetables, and fishermen hawking their catch fresh from the ocean. Potter’s Cay is located on East Bay Street. UA