IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

CAT ISLAND, "PRISTINE"

BY CLAY LARROY

Do you feel like it is time for a short vacation? The Caribbean is a wonderful vacation destination. Once you decide to travel, how good you plan the trip will help you feel comfortable and be comfortable at your destination. Not only will you feel less anxiety before the trip, but you can rest assured that once you arrive where you're going you will have a good understanding of what's going on there.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

CAT ISLAND

Pristine is the perfect word to describe Cat Island. From the weather to the water to the sand, every inch is breathtaking. Its untouched landscape is perfect for those looking to explore the island’s natural beauty, while its laid-back environment provides a unique destination to relax and unwind. And with 50 miles of rolling hills, endless nature trails and the eight-mile Pink Sand Beach, visitors can choose to do everything or absolutely nothing at all.

Untainted and unspoiled, there is much to be discovered on Cat Island. Named after the infamous pirate, Arthur Catt, the island runs deep with history and culture. Its 150 square miles of natural landscape offer every traveler a rich Bahamian experience. You’ll find the plot of land where Sir Sidney Poitier’s boyhood home once stood. You’ll also discover the birthplace of The Bahamas’ indigenous rake and scrape music, along with numerous myths and folklore that still hold a place in Bahamian culture today. The island is also home to one of the best climates in The Bahamas. Its location near the Tropic of Cancer means temperatures range from the mid-60s in the short winters to the high-80s in the summer, which make it perfect for getting out and exploring Cat Island’s untouched landscape and rich history.

THINGS TO DO

Deveaux Mansion

In the Port Howe area of Cat Island, see the ruins of an 18th-century plantation at Deveaux House mansion. In its glory days it was given to Colonel Andrew Deveaux in 1783 for protecting Nassau from Spanish invasion and occupation.

Hermitage on Mt Alvernia

A great place to get away from it all, Mount Alvernia on Cat Island is the highest hill in The Bahamas. At 206 feet high it gives a full 360 panoramic view of the island with its lovely and almost never-ending pink and white sand beaches. The medieval style Hermitage that sits pituresquely on the summit was built in 1939 by Father Jerome 

Fernandez Bay Village Beach

Located just North of the settlement of New Bight, at Fernandez Bay Village, this curvy tree lined white-sandy beach is contrasted by craggy ironshore that welcomes the spray of the surf.

Greenwood Beach Resort Beach

Located in Port Howe, just north of Columbus point near the southeast tip of Cat Island, eight miles of pink sand beach overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

Island HoppInn's nearest beach

This secluded white sandy beach overlooks beautiful sunsets over Fernandez Bay, on the west coast of Cat Island.

New Bight Beach

The site of the annual Cat Island Regatta, New Bight Beach is a popular spot for locals, who have weekend dances and holiday picnics on the beach.

Old Bight Beach

Located in the village of Old Bight, this five miles of pure white sand is perfect for a quiet walk, a picnic, beach combing or just sunbathing.

Greenwood Dive Centre & Beach Resort

Cat Island is a diver's paradise. With more than twelve miles of unlimited wall diving sites along the southern coast alone, you'll soon see why Cat Island and Cat Island Dive Center are fast becoming THE name in SCUBA. We are affiliated with PADI and offer a complete certification course. Cat Island's southern wall begins at 50 ft and drops 

Hawk's Nest Resort & Marina

"Dive Cat Island" is an extraordinary amenity at Hawk's Nest Resort and Marina. We are a full service PADI Dive operation and have been since 2000. The Dive Shop is only a quarter of a mile south of the clubhouse and the dive sites are a stone's throw away from the shore. We take off around 10 am for a 2-tank dive every day.  

                                             

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.bahamas.com/islands/cat

http://www.bahamas.co.uk/bahamas-islands/cat-island

The ocean makes me feel really small and it makes me put my whole life into perspective… it humbles you and makes you feel almost like you’ve been baptized. I feel born again when I get out of the ocean. 
Beyoncé Knowles

Live Well, Laugh Often and Travel Much!

IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

BERRY ISLANDS," THE FISH BOWL OF THE BAHAMAS"

BY CLAY LARROY

Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carry-on bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags around the Caribbean. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 

BERRY ISLANDS

The Berry Islands is a cluster of 30 cays, southeast of Bimini, and is home to Chub Cay, Billfish capital of The Bahamas, often referred to as "The Fish Bowl of the Bahamas." 

Chub Cay borders a deep-sea gully known as the Tongue of the Ocean. Bait fish are drawn into the submarine gardens off its coast and larger fish follow, making it a fisherman’s paradise famous for its record-breaking catches. Some of the fish that can be found here are billfish, tuna, grouper, tiger fish, yellowtail snapper, wahoo, and king mackerel. In May, Great Harbour Cay is packed with visitors and fishing captains in for the annual fishing tournament.

Decked with greens and fringed with drifts of sand, these largely uninhabited islands are a magnet for sports fishermen and underwater adventurers. They are an endless source of one-of-a-kind water experiences.

The Berry Islands have a population of only about seven hundred people, most of whom live at Bullock’s Harbor, adjoining Great Harbor Cay.

Things To Do

Sport fishing is one of the main reasons the Berry Islands are so popular. Big game fish, such as billfish, tuna, yellowtail snapper, wahoo and many more, can all be caught in amongst the islands. The many cays and islets are also the ideal place to spend the days exploring by sail boat or motor boat. Couples can enjoy a romantic day spent on a secluded beach before heading back to one of the larger cays for some evening entertainment.

In May, the Annual Berry Islands Festival takes place, where hundreds of local and tourists gather to enjoy local cuisine, native dishes and live entertainment. This is a signature event for the islands and one that should not be missed.

Places To Go

Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay are the two largest of the cays that make up the Berry Islands and are where most of the locals live. Chub Cay is a popular spot for divers due to its location on the edge of the Bahama Bank. The Chub Cay Wall provides for magnificent deep water dives as it plunges to 4000 feet below the surface. Eel Garden is popular for snorkelers and divers with its abundance of eels, stingrays and parrot fish swimming over a white sand floor.

The Sugar Beach Caves are made up of a number of sandy coves set among towering cliffs. This area is a must see and is said to be one of the prettiest places in all of the Bahamas. Not only can the caves be explored, but for shell collectors, this is a shelling dream. At Hoffman Cay, the 600 foot hole is unique in that the only inhabitants are oysters.

Little Stirrup Cay and Great Stirrup Cay are actually leased by Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line, respectively. Each island is private and is only open to guests staying on one of the cruise ships.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-resorts/berry-islands-map.cfm

http://www.ultimateislandguide.com/bahamas/berry-islands.html

I managed to take a family trip to the Bahamas and it was quite lovely. 

Jackie Collins

 

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!

IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

BIMINI, "THE ROAD TO BIMINI"

BY CLAY LARROY

Across the America many couples are having wonderful wedding after months of planning. The bride and groom will need a honeymoon to rest and recuperate.  Vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Couples that take vacations together build memories that will last a lifetime. Couples vacations and travel can be a most rewarding experience especially in the Caribbean. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

BIMINI

Located just 50 miles off Florida’s coast, Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the United States, boasting miles of pristine beaches. Known as Ernest Hemingway’s favorite escape, Bimini is historically significant. Visitors from around the world enjoy its historical complexity and renowned past, including Bimini Road, which some believe is a remnant of the legendary Lost City of Atlantis.

Bimini consists of two main islands—North Bimini Island and South Bimini Island—and numerous cays. The history of Bimini is as fascinating as the islands themselves. Just 50 miles from the United States, they served as a convenient offshore speakeasy and liquor store during prohibition. Rumrunners used to store their stash on the nearby shores. And speaking of rum, Ernest Hemingway called Bimini his summer home. Jimmy Buffett spent time here while writing his book, and Martin Luther King, Jr. even composed parts of his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech while sailing with local boat builder, Ansil, who still lives on the islands today.

The Beaches of Bimini, The Bahamas

Bimini Bay Beach

This length of this beach resort property runs along the Atlantic Ocean, so there are plenty white sandy beaches for guests to enjoy.

Radio Beach, Blister Beach, Spook Hill

Most of Bimini's beaches are found on the west side of North Bimini, the most popular of which is this long stretch of three contiguous beaches in Alice Town.

Porgy Bay Beach

Located just north of Bimini Bay Resort in Bailey Town is this small, but quaint beach.

Tiki Hut Beach

A very popular beach in South Bimini, this lovely 2-mile strip of white sand lines the west shore. The beach is backed by a beautiful stretch of vegetation, including thatch palm, sisal and blooming flowers.

Other Bimini Beaches

Harder to reach than the beaches on mainland North or South Bimini, the beaches on the Cays to the south are the choice if you are looking for the best beaches. Chances are you’ll have a secluded beach all to your own. The cays (pronounced “keys”) of South Bimini include Turtle Rocks, Piquet Rocks, Holm Cay, North Cat Cay, South Cat Cay, and Ocean Cay.

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.bahamas.com/islands/bimini

http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-resorts/photo-gallery.cfm

I'd like to be the ambassador to the Bahamas. 

Eleanor Mondale

 

Travel to create marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!

IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

ANDROS, "THE NATURAL WONDER OF THE BAHAMAS OUT ISLANDS"

BY CLAY LARROY

The preparation for a vacation is almost as exhilarating as the vacation itself. I love printing out the tickets and confirmations while thinking about how much fun I will have on vacation. I think that some of the best destinations in the world are located in the Caribbean. So I am continuing my tour across around the Caribbean Islands. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Explore Andros, the natural wonder of The Bahamas Out Islands

Andros Island is the Bahamas’ natural wonder. The earth’s third-largest barrier reef (after Australia’s Great Barrier and Central America’s Belize Barrier Reef) lies adjacent to its shores. A mile-deep abyss -- walled with coral and filled with whales, dolphin, marlin and all the wondrous reef animals – that’s called the Tongue of the Ocean, licks along Andros’ east coast. Underwater caves riddle the island, surfacing as mesmerizing blue holes that local legends say serve as lairs for the Lucsa, a sea monster that sucks the unwary down into the bottomless blue. Mangrove-lined wetlands cover huge swaths of Andros Bahamas, intercut with endless mazes of channels that open onto bonefish flats and hidden beaches.Divers and snorkelers find endless fascination along the reef -- going deep into the Tongue or exploring among the coral heads along the inside of the barrier reef – and at the openings to the blue holes that are found all over the island, in the middle of forests, out on flats, inside deep channels, near the reefs and amid the stony ancient reef that makes up much of the landscape (the entire 2,300-square-mile island is made of porous limestone laid down by the sea and reef creatures).

Andros is rich with historical landmarks and undersea adventures.

Andros Lighthouse was built in 1892 to mark the southern entrance to the Fresh Creek channel. In 1952, three old canons were added in front of the Lighthouse and a tower built to the top. The canons came from the “Cottsac” Schooner, which wrecked on Stanyard Rock in the 1800s.

Andros Island is best known to scuba divers and snorkelers. Barrier Reef and Tongue of the Sea is the third largest barrier reef in the world measuring more than 140 miles long. It’s just a mile off the shores of Andros Island and is swimming with almost every variety of exotic fish species. The Tongue of the Ocean is a deep ocean trench that begins about 70 feet deep and plunges to more than 6,000 feet.

Mariners Well is a freshwater natural spring well, which got its name from locals. It’s said to have been used by pirates and before the 17th century and after that by sailing crewmen on the sponging vessels. Mariners Well sits between two saltwater lakes and Andros Island and is located on the property of a house built in the shape of the letter, “A.”

Native Colony Ruins is about a half mile south of Pleasant Harbour and includes eight historical stone buildings dating back to the 1930s. The buildings represent vintage Bahamian style architecture and are open for exploration. It’s unknown why the colony was abandoned and never inhabited.

The famous batik fabric and garment manufacturing factory, Androsia, is located on Andros next to Lighthouse Club in Fresh Creek. Their brightly colored authentic Bahamian hand-dyed printed fabrics and clothing, inspired by the island environment and Bahamian culture, can be purchased all over The Bahamas. The proud staff at Androsia Batiks enjoys giving tours of the factory to visitors of Fresh Creek. www.androsia.com

Pirate buffs and explorers can venture to Henry Morgan’s Cave at the northeastern point of Andros near the town of Morgan’s Bluff. While historians have never confirmed this cave was the hide out of the Caribbean’s most feared pirate, folklore speaks of buried treasure within. Signs along Queen’s Highway direct the public to the dark cavern full of bats and stalagmites...

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.myoutislands.com/natural-vacations/andros-attractions.cfm

Whenever I talk about the Bahamas and its beauty, I could never stop talking about my God, who has given us all of this beauty. 
Myles Munroe

                                                  Live Well, Laugh Often, and Travel Much!

IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

                            THE ABACOS ISLANDS, “A BEACH BUM'S HEAVEN.”

BY CLAY LARROY

Make the most of your travel experiences. Taking a cruise is a great way to see many different places when you travel. Cruises offer many activities and things to do while on the ship, while offering you the opportunity to explore different locations each time you arrive at a port. Travel is a great opportunity to learn more things. Time spent abroad helps you understand and appreciate diverse cultures. In addition, it encourages an acceptance and tolerance of ways of life that differ from your own. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

The Abacos Islands of The Bahamas are one of the world’s top boating and sailing destinations. With its own calm sea surrounded by charming islands, each worth a visit, the Abaco Islands are known as one of the world’s top boating and sailing destinations. Not that those who prefer to sleep in a bed that doesn’t rock should look elsewhere: With quaint colonial towns, two golf courses, miles and miles of Stellar Beach, great fishing and diving, and a wonderful selection of hotels and resorts and restaurants and bars, the Abacos are the most complete vacation destination in The Bahamas Out Islands.

The Abacos consists of its own 120-mile-long island chain, basically a mini-Bahamas complete with its own Out Islands. Great Abaco Island and Little Abaco serve as the “mainland,” with a string of barrier islands separating them from the Atlantic. The body of water between – a turquoise Nirvana for those boaters and sailors – is the calm, shallow Sea of Abaco.

 The Abacos are only about a 60-minute flight from South Florida, but the days here move at a much slower pace than in the neon-disco resort worlds of Nassau and Freeport.

Eat at Miss Emily's Blue Bee Bar in Green Turtle Cay's only town, New Plymouth. The bar is home to the legendary Goombay Smash drink, which is a coconut-and-rum must-have. Yet the menu -- served by Miss Emily's daughter, Miss Violet -- is loaded with favorites such as stellar cracked conch and rich mac-and-cheese.

Walk through the tight streets and bright buildings of New Plymouth, the historic settlement that dates back to the 18th century. Museums, restaurants and shops are tucked away at every turn.

See Abaco sights in a tour that includes Pelican Cays National Park, Marsh Harbour, the main town on the island of Great Abaco (which, in the best Bahamian tradition, is really a pair of islands, Great Abaco and Little Abaco). For a pair of outstanding beaches, head south to Eight Mile Bay (near Cherokee Sound) or to Treasure Cay, where you'll find a three-mile stretch of sand that frequently shows up on "World's Top 10 Beaches" lists. And after refueling at Marsh Harbour's restaurants and marinas (charter boats are widely available), you can set course for the cays on the horizon, including, from north to south.

Dive off Man-O-War Cay. The 300 or so residents are proud of their sandy beaches and coral reefs, including Fowl Cay Preserve, a national underwater park, just north of the cay. See the wreck of the Adirondack, a federal warship sunk during the Civil War.

SHOPPING IN MARSH HARBOUR

Name	Category	Location
Abaco Neem  More than 30 different products are made using...	Local Specialties	Marsh Harbour
Abaco Treasures  At Marsh Harbour's traffic light, look for the...	Books / Stationery, Perfume / Cosmetics, Ceramics / Glassware	Marsh Harbour
Iggy Biggy  This store, inside a bright peach-and-turquoise...	Jewelry / Accessories	Marsh Harbour
Java in Abaco  Sip an iced latte or a strong mug of Hope Town...	Household Items / Furniture	Marsh Harbour
John Bull  On the water across from the entrance to the...	Jewelry / Accessories	Marsh Harbour
Sand Dollar Shoppe  This shop sells resort wear and jewelry. Look for...	Jewelry / Accessories	Marsh Harbour

        

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.myoutislands.com/bahamas-resorts/abaco-map.cfm

http://www.abacomapbahamas.com/abaco-islands.htm
http://www.islands.com/destination/abacos
http://www.fodors.com/world/caribbean/bahamas/the-abacos/shopping-nam_loc:709839.html
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/marsh-harbour-bahamas-hotels-35950.html

I'll never forget the modelling shoot I did in the Bahamas on a pink sand beach at Harbour Island. It felt like I'd just landed in paradise; it was so beautiful. 

Olga Kurylenko

 

                          Live, Love and Travel to create memories that will last a lifetime!

IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling is the kind of activity, which almost all the people love. For someone it is an opportunity to relax and abstract from everyday busy life. For others it is interesting to observe the way people of other cultures and mentality live. Some people consider it to be the best way to have fun and always try to visit as many clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes as possible for their wallets and time limits. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

EXPLORE THE ISLANDS

Imagine a world where you can’t tell where dreams begin and reality ends. This is The Bahamas. And it's like no other place on Earth.

WHAT MAKES THE BAHAMAS UNIQUE

The Bahamas is comprised of 700 islands sprinkled over 100,000 square miles of ocean starting just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. The archipelago is an ecological oasis featuring 2,000 breathtaking islands and cays and boasts the clearest water on the planet—with a visibility of over 200 feet. You can see your toes as easily as you can the world’s third largest barrier reef.

We invite you to explore all of our islands. One step and you’ll realize our beauty extends far beyond our extraordinary natural wonders. It’s the smiles on the faces of the Bahamian people. The unique sounds of our rich culture. The warm hospitality of our heritage and our colorful history.

ü  RELAXATION IN THE BAHAMAS

We move at our very own pace here. So, it’s only fitting that one of the most relaxing places in the world offers a variety of ways to help rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. You’ll find indoor and outdoor spas offering treatments and wellness activities for individuals and couples.

ü  ADVENTURE IN THE BAHAMAS

Looking for adventure in The Bahamas? Try diving for sunken Spanish Galleons off Grand Bahama Island. Or set off on a sailing trip in The Abacos, the boating capital of the world. Whatever excites you, you'll find it in The Islands Of The Bahamas.

ü  ROMANCE IN THE BAHAMAS

From breathtaking panoramic views to soft white- and pink-sand beaches to spectacular sunsets and exotic hideaways, The Bahamas is proud to say that each and every one of our islands is the perfect destination for a romantic escape. Looking to celebrate? Weddings, honeymoons, anniversaries, engagements — whatever your milestone, celebrate in paradise.

ü  KIDS AND FAMILIES IN THE BAHAMAS

The Islands Of The Bahamas has something for the whole family. Have fun together on one of our many family-friendly beaches, including boat trips, snorkeling, and more. Or enjoy beachside pampering while your kids play in the sand. Share The Bahamas together and you'll make memories that will last a lifetime.

ü  LOCAL CULTURE IN THE BAHAMAS

Step into The Bahamas and realize beauty extends far beyond our extraordinary natural wonders. It’s the smiles on the faces of the Bahamian people. The unique sounds of our rich culture. The warm hospitality of our heritage and our colorful history.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.bahamas.com

I can have fun anywhere, as long as I'm with good people. But in the offseason, I like to go somewhere warm, a nice spot in the Caribbean.

Derek Jeter

Travel to experience memories that will last a lifetime!

IT’S BETTER IN THE BAHAMAS

BAHAMAS,"700 ISLANDS"

BY CLAY LARROY

The preparation for a vacation is almost as exhilarating as the vacation itself. I love printing out the tickets and confirmations while thinking about how much fun I will have on vacation. I think that some of the best destinations in the world are located in the Caribbean. So I am continuing my tour across around the Caribbean Islands. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Things to see and do in Bahamas

Andros

Revel in the natural creeks, bird-filled forests, thick mangroves, and pastel-coloured coral on unexplored Andros - the world's third-longest barrier reef, set amongst the Out Islands.

Beaches

The pale pink sands of Harbour Island are a sight to behold, while the powder-fine alabaster beaches of Paradise Island are home to soaring seabirds and gently rustling palms.

Blue Lagoon Island

At Blue Lagoon Island you can interact with sea-lions displaced by Hurricane Katrina and frolic with bottle-nosed dolphins in waist-high pools - many played starring roles in the movie Flipper. Whilst dolphin shows in much of the Caribbean have notoriously dubious ecological credentials, this experience is a class above: it’s interaction, rather than getting dolphins to perform.

Columbus' landing spot

Stand in Columbus' first 'New World' landing place near Cockburn Town on San Salvador, home to 40,000 Lucayans at the time of his 15th-century arrival and now a prime scuba-diving spot.

Eleuthera's colonial charm

Eleuthera – the jewel of the Out Islands - is where the first colony on the Bahamas was established and wandering the streets of the charming colonial villages and rolling pineapple plantations is certainly a scenic trip back in time. There are some memorable seafood restaurants to sample, too.

Fishing in the Abacos Islands

Ok, so fishing is possible almost anywhere in the Bahamas, but the Abacos have cultivated a reputation as the angler's choice port of call. It's not just the several annual world-class fishing tournaments here, but also the top-quality professional guides (like the incomparable Edward Rolle, with twenty years' experience) to show you tricks of the trade. Besides the Abacos, there's also Andros, the "bone-fishing capital of the world" and Bimini, dubbed "big-game fishing capital of the world." Meanwhile, at 1,800m (6,000ft) the fertile deep water trench dubbed Tongue of the Ocean is a prime deep-water spot for a major haul.

Golf

The islands have some memorable golf courses. Perhaps the prettiest course, at Cable Beach, is also the oldest. Take advantage of the twilight green fees to get a cheap round in on the beautifully-kept fairways. There are five other world-class courses on Grand Bahama Island to choose from. Exuma's Emerald Reef course (www.thereefexumas.com) was designed by golfer Greg Norman, while the Abaco Club (www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Abaco/Golf)boasts a Scottish links-style course.

Grand Bahama Island

Outside fancy Freeport and Lucaya with their wide tree-lined streets, restaurants and cruise port facilities, the smaller settlements of Grand Bahama are surprisingly low-key, and among the friendliest places in the country to boot. Towns like McLean's Town and Eight Mile Rock are fabulous places to get to grips with real Bahamian culture.

Inagua

Inagua, the two islands making up the southern-most part of the Bahamas archipelago, is an eco-lovers paradise, with much of Great Inagua being taken up by a large body of water, Lake Windsor. This is an internationally important bird reserve with an 80,000-strong population of West Indian flamingoes (nesting time is April/May) as well as several fascinating endemic bird species. Besides the birds, there's limestone caves to explore and great scuba diving.

Junkanoo festivities

This is the nation’s number one party: street processions and dance bands fill the streets, along with a lively party crowd, at the Bahamian Junkanoo festivities on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. The event follows the pattern of the Caribbean carnival, with revelers in elaborate costumes made from crepe paper and cardboard wheeling through the streets. Nassau’s Junkanoo is the liveliest, but there are other processions in Eleuthera, the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island. There are also Junkanoo summer festivities - see Events. (www.bahamassummerjunkanoo.co.uk)

Long Island

An expansive, soft, stretch of sand, as its name suggests, Long Island is 130km (80 miles) in length but easily navigable at rarely more than 6km (4 miles) wide.

Lucayan National Park

This 40-acre protected reserve on Grand Bahama secretes one of the world's longest underwater cave systems, and with it its own unique wildlife (such as the Remipedia bat) – incredible given the diminutive size of the park. A great way to see the park highlights is to kayak through: much of it is made up of navigable waterways.

Meet the locals

The Bahamas' People-to-People scheme (www.bahamas.co.uk) helps you learn about the cultures, music and oratory traditions of the islanders. You'll be paired with Bahamian locals of a similar age to enjoy rocking-chair tales, church meetings, family lunches, local bands or just plain out-fashioned sip-sip (local gossip).

Mount Alvernia, Cat Island

Climb to the highest point in the Bahamas on Cat Island's Mount Alvernia, 63m (206 ft) above sea level. Straddling the summit is a photogenic medieval-style monastery, a labour of love by one father Jerome, who had the steps carved out of solid rock. It's one of the best viewpoints on the Bahamas too, and a great spot to get away from it all. With its high cliffs and emerald forests there's plenty more opportunities for solitude-seeking on Cat Island too.

Nassau Old Town

Explore the 18th-century forts and pastel-coloured Georgian architecture of Bahamian capital Nassau on New Providence Island – on foot or, better still, by Surrey, a kind of horse-drawn cart. Climb the 18th century Queen's Staircase, carved out of solid rock, for superb panoramas of the city. For more fascinating history and culture, check out the Pompey Museum and its fine collection of island artefacts and exhibits.

Rum cocktails

There are few pleasures in life as simple as sipping rum-laden cocktails (a Bahama Mama is an essential experience) on Abaco Beach at sundown, watching the golden sky turn a dramatic pink-crimson. To add to the magic, fairy-lights illuminate the shore as dozens of boats gently bob out in the harbour.

Sailing

The picture-perfect pristine cays and spectacular reefs of the Exumas archipelago are perfect for a leisurely sail. There's also an upscale boating scene in the marinas, bays and regattas of Nassau/Paradise Island to enjoy.

Shopping in Nassau

Dozens of colourful stalls at Nassau's bustling straw market produce a melee of crowds bartering over local goods. You can join them, or, for a sophisticated shop, splash some cash in the swish stores at Bay Street, a haven of designer brands.

Wreck-diving and scuba-diving off the Abacos

Amongst the wrecks strewn off the coast of the Abacos lies America's first steamship, the San Jacinto. Some of the best dive instructors in the Bahamas are on hand in the Abacos to make your dive experience first class. There are also the stone ruins off Bimini, said to be the remains of the lost city of Atlantis, to explore. The underwater preserve of Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park are also open to divers.

 REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/blog/index.php/destination-guides/

“... everyone knew that all islands were worlds unto themselves, that to come to an island was to come to another world.”

― Guy Gavriel Kay

Travel to create marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!