Bahama Islands Overview

The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is an independent English-speaking nation in the West Indies. An archipelago of 700 islands and cays (which are small islands), the Bahamas is located in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida in the United States, north of Cuba and the Caribbean, and west of the British dependency of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Abaco islands lie in the northern Bahamas and comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco, together with the smaller Wood Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Gorda Cay, Elbow Cay, Man-o-War Cay, Stranger's Cay, Umbrella Cay, Walker's Cay and Mores Island.

Andros Island is the largest island of the Bahamas This Island is a huge travel spot for people from all over the world. The natural beauty of Andros Island draws thousands of visitors there every year. Anglers come from all over the world to fish there. It is said to be "the bonefish capital of the world". Divers come to explore the great reef and all of its wonderful coral formations and marine life. There are many hotels and resorts on the island also.

Bimini is the Gateway to The Bahamas for yachtsmen crossing the Gulf Stream. The primary settlement, Alice Town, has a dusty main street that probably hasn't changed much since Hemmingway lived here. There are several restaurants, a few shops, lots of food stands selling homemade goods (don't forget to stock up on Bimini bread), a straw market, an art gallery and maybe The Bahamas most famous hotel bar, the Compleat Angler, a cool, dark, welcoming sanctuary from the hot mid-afternoon sun.

Cat Island is one of the central Bahamas, and one of its districts, and boasts the nation's highest point. Its Mount Alvernia rises to 206 ft and is topped by a monastery called The Hermitage.

Eleuthera is an island in the Bahamas, lying 50 miles east of Nassau. It is very long and thin - 110 miles long and in places little more than a mile wide. The principal settlements are Harbour Island (which has unusual pink sandy beaches) and Spanish Wells. The island is particularly noted for the excellence of its pineapples and holds an annual Pineapple Festival.

Grand Bahama is the fourth largest island in the Bahamian archipelago and boasts over 660 miles of pristine beaches and pine forests. The island of Grand Bahama stretches nearly one hundred miles from east to west, but is only 17 miles across at its widest point.

Downtown Freeport, with its wide boulevards, called "dual carriageways," revolves around the Moorish dome of the Princess Casino, right off the busy roundabout called Ranfurly Circus. Nearby, the International Bazaar is an extensive collection of boutiques with an international theme.

Nassau the country's capital is the crown jewel of the islands. The town has become even more beautiful of late, and its amazing beaches, significant historic landmarks, and world class resort casinos continue to attract thousands upon thousands of tourists each year.