Bahamas [CA - Sept 25]

Getting there & island-hopping | Immerse in culture | Can’t-miss island experiences | Spotlight on sustainability

The Islands of The Bahamas

I t’s obvious in the country’s name that The Bahamas—plural—constitutes more than a single island. And yet some travellers feel they’ve “done” the destination once they’ve visited the capital, Nassau, on the island of New Providence. Don’t get us wrong—amid the archipelago’s 700 islands and cays, Nassau is a fantastic place to start an exploration. But do understand that Nassau is just that—the start of what to experience in The Bahamas, and all the rest of what you can see and do could fill a lifetime of island-hopping return trips. That’s the case for celebrities like Lenny Kravitz, Oprah Winfrey and Nicolas Cage, in any case, who are so taken with the islands, they’ve bought homes there.

New ways to get there, much more to see

in collaboration with:

BACK TO THE TOP

Delphi Club, The Abacos

Getting there & island-hopping

Immerse in culture

Can’t-miss island experiences

Spotlight on sustainability

Lorem ipsum

Plan your trip

Hope Town, The Abaco Islands

Junkanoo celebration

Crooked Island

People-to-People experience in Nassau

Cat Island

Lorem ipsum

People-to-People experience on Cat Island

Scuba diving

Lorem ipsum

Grand Bahama Island

Captain Bill's Blue Hole

Reef Rescue Network dive guides caring for coral

Reffen Street Food Market Photo credits: Lukas Bukoven (left); Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food (right)

SEE OUR OFFERS

On the ground and in the water, initiatives to protect and restore crucial Bahamas ecosystems are ongoing—and visitors have the opportunity to get involved. Take a dive with the Reef Rescue Network to view an undersea nursery where endangered corals are grown. Or take a tour at Coral Vita's cutting-edge coral farm on Grand Bahama Island, where reef-restoring indigenous corals are grown 50% faster than in the wild, and made resistant to rising temperatures and acidity. On Grand Bahama Island, visitors can learn about and take part in mangrove restoration via the Mission for Mangroves project. During a guided tour, guests will plant their own mangrove propagule (or seedling) and help restore and fortify mangrove forests, which are critical both as carbon sinks and as protective buffers for coastal residents and their homes. Through conscious tourism, travellers can help secure a beautiful future for The Bahamas, and many more lifetimes of island exploration.

Conscious tourism in action

Committed to conservation

If you're among the 78% of Canadian travellers who place a high value on sustainable travel, a Bahamas getaway fits right in with your priorities. The country is a shining example of conservation in action, with 32 protected parks spanning a total of 2.2 million acres. The non-profit Bahamas National Trust manages these protected areas, safeguarding threatened and endangered species, vital marine reserves and unique ecosystems. Many resorts and eco-tourism outfitters have followed suit, employing solar power, rainwater harvesting, sustainable building materials and eco-conscious design in their operations.

Relaxation & romance

Yes, there's a lifetime of things to do and see in The Bahamas. But it's perfectly acceptable to slow down on your getaway, too. Relaxation and romance flow naturally in a place where laid-back vibes and gorgeous nature are everywhere. Pick a spot on a secluded beach where the only sounds are those of lapping waves and ocean breezes. Book a candle-lit, toes-in-the-sand dinner to celebrate an anniversary. Or spend a day in one of the islands' numerous spas—many of which incorporate locally harvested elements like warm seashells, coconut poultices, seaweed and native herbs in their therapies.

Living the salt life

It's a given that getting out on or in those tantalizingly clear waters is an essential experience for anyone visiting The Bahamas. Anglers will rejoice in the array of fishing opportunities, including shallow-water bonefishing days and deep-sea fishing excursions. For those eager to explore The Bahamas' fascinating undersea world, there's an abundance of chances for casual snorkellers and experienced divers alike. Over a dozen dive shops and schools are scattered throughout the islands. The abundance of operators, coupled with the waters' crystal-clear visibility, make this the ideal place to get PADI certified. If you're short on time, opt to take an introductory dive with an instructor instead. Meanwhile, seasoned divers will find every bucket-list experience imaginable—tiger and hammerhead shark encounters, complex caves and deep-water walls included.

People-to-People experience

Undoubtedly the best way to connect with the rich cultural heritage and traditions of The Bahamas is to let locals show you the way. A volunteer-based initiative called the People-to-People programme makes it easy for visitors to do just that. The programme has been running for over 50 years, and there's no cost to participate. Find the best conch salad stand at the fish fry. Explore local treasures, like Bimini's Dolphin House Museum, with an insider guide. Or learn to make Bahamian delicacies in your guide's own home kitchen. Based on your interests, you'll be matched with a local volunteer who will show you an authentic view of the islands (the programme operates on 10 of them) most tourists don't get to see. Participants come away with a much deeper understanding of Bahamian lifestyles and culture—and many form lasting friendships, too.

Music & celebrations

If you're lucky enough to be treated to a Junkanoo performance while you're in The Bahamas, you may soon find yourself moving along with the colourfully costumed dancers to the uplifting, drum-, brass- and cowbell-fueled music. If you'd rather not leave it to chance, visit during some of the biggest Junkanoo festivities—Boxing Day, New Year's Day and on The Bahamas' Independence Day, July 10. To experience another iconic Bahamian musical style, visit Cat Island during the Rake & Scrape Festival (expected to return in spring 2026, dates TBD) and experience firsthand the incredible sounds that can come out of an ordinary handsaw. The Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival on Great Exuma (March 2026, exact date TBD) lets music lovers immerse themselves in the musicality of the islands, including traditional dances. You'll also see culinary competitions like sugarcane peeling and straw plaiting, which involves weaving palm leaves to create useful or decorative objects.

Go to unwind, or go off the grid

Whether you fly directly via nonstop flights from Montréal or Toronto—or arrive via one of the flights that depart daily from Nassau—you'll find a well-rounded vacation destination on Grand Bahama Island. The towns of West End, Freeport and Lucaya offer lively resorts, shops and restaurants, while much of the remainder of the island is a nature haven ripe for eco-adventures—for example, exploring some of the world's largest underwater cave systems in Lucayan National Park. The waters around the entire archipelago are a paradise for divers, and that's especially true on the small island of San Salvador. Over 50 spectacular dive sites await—reefs, walls, ruins and shipwrecks among them. If you can peel yourself away from the stingrays, green turtles and reef sharks, pay a visit to the stone cross on the island's Long Bay beach—the likely site where Christopher Columbus first made landfall in the Americas in 1492. Get there easily via daily flights from Nassau or seasonal charter flights from Montréal.

Gateways to island adventures

Nassau, The Bahamas' capital city, is probably where your plane will touch down when you fly in, though there are nonstop flights from Canada to Grand Bahama Island and (resuming in late October) Great Exuma, too. Once you've landed on any of these islands, a world of island-hopping opportunities opens up. Take a short flight to The Abacos, for example, a 193-kilometre-long island chain that harbours six stunning national parks. Among the iconic experiences there is a walk up the Elbow Reef Lighthouse, the world's last active, manned and hand-wound light station. (Most other lighthouses have been updated to run on electricity.) The views from the top make every one of its 101 steps more than worth it. Rent or charter a boat while you're there (The Abacos are considered the boating capital of The Bahamas) to explore the numerous cays, beaches and reefs. You can also get around the islands via local ferries. Make sure to bring your snorkel gear, as the marine life is abundant and vibrant.

The Bahamas is a beloved destination for family travellers. On Nassau and Paradise Island, resorts with sprawling water parks, toddler-pleasing splash pads and kid-friendly pools bring hours of fun for young ones. Some also feature elaborate aquariums, animal encounters, mini-golf and arcades. Beyond the resorts, families can sign on for tours and activities that range from entertaining to educational to exhilarating. Take a kayak and cave tour on Grand Bahama Island, for example, or fly high above the sea on a parasailing tour. Get up close with a flock of marching flamingoes at Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre. Explore massive inland blue holes and learn about rare cave-dwelling species (like eyeless crustaceans and funnel-eared bats) at Blue Holes National Park on Andros Island.

Family favourites

Any Bahamas trip is destined to be a feast for the senses, even if the unreal beaches and aquamarine waters are where you spend the majority of your time. But seek out some of the islands' art hot spots, and you can take your enjoyment to another level. Explore The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas in Nassau, for example, to view thought-provoking exhibitions showcasing some of the finest historic and contemporary Bahamian art. Or visit the famous straw markets to browse handwoven bags, wood-carved sculptures, shell jewellry and other one-of-a-kind keepsakes handmade by local artisans. Creativity extends into local kitchens, as well, from fine dining restaurants to fish fry spots with seaside views. Taste Bahamian takes on global cuisine. Or savour traditionally prepared dishes—tuna 'n' grits, corn beef, peas soup and dumplings and stew fish, to name a few—served in unique and authentic settings.

Visual & culinary arts

The Exumas—made up of 365 islands and cays— is another unforgettable nature haven. It's the setting for whatever kind of getaway you crave. Go ultra-luxurious with the dozen or so pampering resorts scattered throughout the islands. Or go adventurous with an array of water sports and boat charter outfitters, plus access to the unique environments protected within the 112,640-acre Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. Whatever getaway you choose, it's easy to get started with daily flights from Nassau, or weekly ones that fly nonstop from Toronto seasonally. Cat Island, meanwhile, is one of the most secluded inhabited Bahamas islands, renowned for its blush-pink beaches and swimmable blue holes harbouring underwater caves. Hike to The Bahamas' highest peak, where you can explore a chapel that was hand-built by a British priest-turned-hermit over 85 years ago. Get there with daily flights from Nassau.

Choose your experience

Boating off Cat Island

Junkanoo Festival

Cat Island

Flamingo

Freeport

You needn’t have a private plane to enjoy the surreal beauty of the islands, however. Starting in December, new nonstop flight service is available from Halifax and Ottawa (adding to existing nonstop routes from Toronto, Montréal and Calgary). Easy flights and ferries from Nassau to a number of Out Islands make it easier than ever for Canadians to launch an epic island-hopping Bahamas adventure. If you’re ready to be immersed in warm aquamarine waters, vibrant art and culture and carefully conserved nature, keep reading—this guide is for you.

Kayaking on Cat Island

Getting there & island-hopping | Immerse in culture | Can’t-miss island experiences | Spotlight on sustainability