One of the main reasons so many visitors travel to the Bahamas is, of course, for its wonderfully warm weather, beautiful turquoise waters, and friendly faces. But with these 700 islands and keys off the coast of Florida, it can give you 30 more reasons (and counting) for what you’re missing out on if you choose to just sit on the beach or stay in a resort for your entire vacation.
1. Clifton Heritage Site – If you travel to the Bahamas and visit this place, you will discover that it is full of wonderful natural evidence where you can watch birds and learn about our environment. This place is also steeped in history dating back to the slave era where many ruins of former slave houses still stand.
2. Garden Groves: The Garden Groves of Grand Bahama is another wildlife oasis where you can kayak, walk with birds, and learn more about the natural vegetation of Grand Bahama Island.
3. Bimini- Sapona “1920s Ruins”: If you ever travel to the Bahamas off the coast of South Bimini, Cat Cay is an old barge that was commissioned by Henry Ford in the late 1920s during the Prohibition era. Back then it was known as a “speakeasy”/private club in the sea that was accessible by boat but shallow enough that divers could also reach it. It came closest to the Bahamas during a hurricane in 1929.
4. Bimini Road – The legend of Bimini Road has been around for decades. Legend tells of the path that leads to the acclaimed lost city of Atlantis. Underwater archaeologists from around the world travel to the Bahamas to study the underwater wonder.
5. Bimini Myths – One of our smaller islands off the coast of Florida has a lot of history and even larger legendary myths. Spanish explorer Ponce de León is known to have explored this island in search of the acclaimed fountain of youth. Island tour guides will be happy to guide you to the spot where it once bloomed this spring.
6. Hemingway’s Fishing Lodge: You can’t travel to the Bahamas and not hear about Ernest Hemingway’s favorite fishing spot and lodge on Bimini Island. A noted and acclaimed sport fisherman, the author was known to spend a lot of time here fishing, writing, and meeting the locals here in Bimini.
7. Joulter Cays: Joulter Cays on Andros Island is a unique spot for those interested in “bone fishing,” bird watching, snorkeling, swimming, you name it. Such a rare and unique place in all of the Bahamas, due to its particular dust like sand and various species of endangered animals that live there. The Bahamas National Trust is applying for it to become another wildlife protected area in the Bahamas.
8. Androsia Batik – Known as the national fabric of the Bahamas. The Androsia factor houses the original Androsia design. They come in many colors and patterns and if you get a chance to visit them one day they will show you exactly how it’s done.
9. Red Bay Village: One of the best kept secrets in the Bahamas…even I didn’t know about this one despite my trip to the Bahamas. Red Bay Village is a remote village in North Andros that was inhabited by an African tribe that lived as Seminole Indians more than 50 years ago. The descendants of this tribe still exist and maintain their traditions to this day.
10. Mount Alvernia – Mount Alvernia is the highest point above sea level in the Bahamas. Located on Cat Island, its highest peak will give you great panoramic views of the island.
11. Hermitage – Located on Mount Alvernia Cat Island, the Hermitage was the first Catholic church and monastery in the Bahamas dating back to the time of Columbus. This is one of the oldest relics ever found in the Bahamas.
12. Deveaux Manor – The ruins of Deveaux Manor are more than just another slave plantation property. Deveaux was a naval officer who helped capture Nassau from the Spanish in 1783.
13. First Land Fall Monuments: San Salvador Island is known as the site of the discovery and initial birth of the Bahamas as we know it today. Monuments of the first landfall include the stone cross that is supposed to replicate the first (wooden) cross that Christopher Columbus placed on the beach the day he landed on the island and claimed it for Spain.
14. Dixon Hill Lighthouse – The Dixon Lighthouse is one of the last hand-operated lighthouses in the Bahamas. Built by John Dixon on his plantation, the lighthouse uses more than 400,000 candles lit with kerosene oil to protect ships at night.
15. HMS Conqueror – HMS was an English ship that was built in 1855 in Devon, England, and served in the Crimean War. After her ship was wrecked in 1861, the ship remains sunk 30 feet in a Staghorn ravine near Rum Cay in front of breakaway reef barriers. It is considered an underwater museum and is owned by the Bahamian government.
16. Fortune Island – Sometimes confusingly called Long Cay, where experts believe this was the island Columbus named after Queen Elizabeth of Spain for financing his exhibit. There is only one settlement called Albert Town which is considered a ghost town and is rumored to be occupied by the lost souls who once lived there. But what gives this island its acclaimed name is Fortune Hill, which is visible from 12 miles (19 km) out to sea. Legend has it that hundreds of Bahamians arrived here hoping to be picked up by ocean freighters, who would take them to their fortune and new life in Central America.
17. French Wells Bay – If you ever travel to the Bahamas, you’ll see that one of Crooked Island’s gems is French Wells Bay. It is a beautiful wetland area that is filled with dense mangroves and is home to many wild birds that come from North America to hibernate in the Bahamas during the winter months.
18. Marine Farms Fortress – Come see the abandoned British fort that defended Crooked Island and the southern Bahamas in the War of 1812.
19. US Military Base – Over the years, there have been a number of US military bases on various islands in the Bahamas. At least two settled on the Eleuthera Islands and one on Andros Island. This base however is located in Mayaguana and was built in the 1950’s. It is the only base that can be accessed with a tour guide. Many of these bases were used for training sessions for the United States Army.
20. Southwest Point: The Southwest Point in Inagua is popular for its clear view of the island of Cuba from the manual lighthouse.
21. Inagua Lands & Sea Park – Home to the largest flamingo reserves in the Caribbean located on Great Inagua Island, just outside of Matthew Town.
22. Preachers Cay – Known as a safe haven for Eleutheran adventurers during the 17th century when they first made landfall. Preachers Cave was used back then as a church meeting place by Adventurers. The cave is located off the north coast of the island of Eleuthera.
23. Glass Window Bridge: Several miles from Preachers Cave in Eleuthera is one of the many wonders of the world known as the Glass Window Bridge. What is so special about this place is the union of the serene turquoise waters on one side and the turbulent dark blue waters of the Atlantic on the other. Even though the bridge itself (which transports people from the north to the south of the island) has been damaged by past hurricanes and weather surges over the years, the freak of nature is truly something to marvel at.
24. Deans Blue Hole – There are many blue holes located on various islands in the Bahamas. But Deans Blue Hole, located on Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, is not only one of the deepest, it’s one of the most beautiful and easily accessible blue holes in the Bahamas. Right off the beach and tucked under a cave like cliff, you’ll find it in plain sight.
25. The Pink Sands – If you ever plan to travel to the Bahamas, you must visit our Pink Sand beaches on Harbor Island, Long Island, and various parts of Eleuthera Island. Check out the science behind it on our Harbor Island page (see benchmarks after this article)
26. Hope Town Lighthouse – The Hope Town Lighthouse in Hope Town Abaco is one of the oldest manual lighthouses in the Bahamas. It stands out from any other lighthouse in the Bahamas with its red and white horizontal stripes.
27. Loyalist Memorial – The Loyalist Memorial is a small art space of various bust figures of various members of the Loyalist community who traveled to the Bahamas to avoid political persecution during the American Revolutionary War. The monument is a tribute to those who helped build community not only in Abaco but also on other islands in the Bahamas.
28. Albury Boat Builders – A generation boat building company that is committed to building the best quality boats and ships in the region. If you stop by here you can learn how everything is done and meet the family.
29. Darby Castle – Darby Castle is an old ruined mansion located on Big Darby Island, which is one of five islands owned by the late plantation owner, Sir Baxter (known to be a Nazi sympathizer). In the 1800s, the Darby Islands were one of the largest employers in the southern Bahamas, producing everything from cotton to food production.
30. Pretty Molly Bay & The Hermitage In Exuma – Great Exuma is an island full of history and relics of former slave plantations, and stories where you can learn more about our country and its past. One of these most popular stories can be found at Pretty Molly Bay, named after the slave Pretty Molly who lived on Exuma and took her own life by walking into the water. Some say they have seen her ghost enter the water at night. You’ll find similar stories in the Williamstown area, where many slave plantations were established.