Which is the best island in the Bahamas? They’re all exquisite, scattered like gems across the aquamarine sea, but each offers something different.
Journey through and across turquoise waters and sandy beaches while experiencing vibrant island culture for a sun-filled escape. Explore caves, leafy national parks, and outstanding Bahamian cuisine—all wrapped up in this idyllic archipelago.
From Grand Bahama’s gorgeous landscapes to Paradise Island’s resort-themed fun and luxury, every Bahamian destination you visit will enchant you.
New Providence
Cable Beach, Nassau
One of the best islands to visit in the Bahamas is, without a doubt, New Providence. This island serves as the Bahamas’ beating heart, where Nassau’s dynamic atmosphere meets the serene beauty of the island’s spectacular beaches.
New Providence is where you’ll find everything from high-end resorts to secluded stretches of powdery white sand and tiny offshore cays.
Chill out on Cable Beach’s warm sand while gentle waves lap against the shore, or head to Love Beach for a more secluded retreat with great snorkeling opportunities.
Queen’s Staircase, Nassau
Beyond its sandy shores, the island features a rich cultural heritage with some stately architecture showcasing Nassau’s British history, offering a scenic backdrop to landmarks like Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase.
The Queen’s Staircase, which was carved by slaves out of limestone between 1793 and 1794, connected Fort Fincastle directly with downtown Nassau. The limestone structure includes 65 steps that pay tribute to Queen Victoria’s 65-year-long stint as sovereign of Great Britain. It celebrates the monarch’s role in abolishing slavery in the British Empire in 1838.
Nassau
Nassau is also home to many historic buildings that showcase a colorful mixture of colonial architecture and tropical elements, including a heavy use of attention-grabbing pastels and Bahamian louvered shutters, adding to the overall tropical vibe.
One of the best things to do in Nassau is to visit the Straw Market, known for its impressive range of handcrafted goods. Try out some Bahamian flavors at Arawak Cay as well, where you’ll find tasty local fare such as fresh conch salad and fried snapper.
Bimini
Bimini
Bimini, the westernmost chain of islands in the Bahamas, is a dream destination for fishing fanatics. For years, anglers have come here to catch marlin, tuna, sailfish, and bonefish.
The celebrated writer Ernest Hemingway found Bimini’s allure irresistible and often visited the island for sport fishing. Bimini is surrounded by clear waters, creating the ideal conditions for snorkeling and diving adventures, too.
SS Sapona, Bimini
You don’t even need to be a diver to explore the haunting hulk of SS Sapona shipwreck, one of the best places to visit in the Bahamas, as it lies in just 20 feet of water. The wreck has long been colonized by marine life, so is a great spot to admire corals and tropical fish. If you’re more of a sunbathing fanatic, both Radio Beach and Blister Beach feature silky sand and lovely vistas.
Experience the local scene by visiting Alice Town on North Bimini Island. Here, you can check out the Dolphin House Museum, constructed by a local historian out of materials reclaimed from the sea, and then sample some fresh seafood at one of the island’s restaurants.
Rose Island
Rose Island
Rose Island provides a magnificent getaway that’s only a brief boat journey from Nassau. This uninhabited island features terrific beaches, aquamarine waters, and a tranquil setting that contrasts with nearby New Providence’s busier destinations.
The snorkeling here, just offshore, offers exceptional visibility, letting you explore vibrant coral reefs that host a variety of colorful fish.
Catamaran tours ferry visitors to the island for beachside barbecues and tropical cocktails beside the sea. Kayaking and paddle boarding are options too, making Rose Island even more desirable as a day trip out of Nassau.
Pearl Island
Pearl Island
Another short boat trip from Nassau will land you on Pearl Island. This secluded private retreat, numbering among the best islands in the Bahamas, will offer you a dreamy island escape.
The powdery white sand and crystal-clear waters here make it an optimal locale for relaxation, snorkeling, and water sports like kayaking.
Pearl Island
If you enjoy photography, the island’s lighthouse and panoramic ocean views are the perfect “muse” for snapshots. This is also one of the best spots for snorkeling in the Bahamas, thanks to the island’s proximity to shallow reefs chock-full of marine life.
The signature beachside cabanas and hammocks at Pearl Island will let you kick back while you enjoy a drink and some fine Bahamian cuisine—with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood— letting you recover your energy after swimming, snorkeling, and exploring.
Gun Cay
Gun Cay
Tiny Gun Cay, reachable from Bimini, is the quintessential tropical retreat. The primary attraction on this small island is Honeymoon Harbour, which boasts clear, shallow waters where wild stingrays congregate.
Enter the water and engage with these docile creatures for a truly memorable experience. The tour guides will give you tidbits to offer the stingrays as they mill around.
Much of Gun Cay’s allure stems from its immaculate beaches, which are well-suited for sunbathing, leisurely swims, and picnicking. Except for the island’s historic red and white lighthouse, you won’t find much development in this natural haven.
The snorkeling is fantastic here, thanks to the abundant coral structures and thriving marine ecosystem.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Perfect Day at CocoCay
Award-winning CocoCay delivers a resort experience with thrilling attractions, fun activities, and plenty of beachside chillout zones.
When you arrive, you can enjoy Chill Island’s beaches, private cabanas, and hammocks, or head to South Beach for paddle boarding, glass-bottom kayaking, and some friendly or competitive volleyball matches. Families will love the Oasis Lagoon, the biggest free-form pool in the Caribbean.
Thrill Waterpark, Perfect Day at CocoCay
Next, swing by the state-of-the-art water park. Thrill seekers should check out the spectacular Daredevil’s Peak, the highest waterslide in North America. For a more peaceful experience, take a “ride” in the tethered balloon, for superb aerial views across the island.
The Coco Beach Club, meanwhile, delivers an élite escape via its overwater cabanas and ocean-facing infinity pool. These cabanas are the ultimate indulgence, each one with its own slide so you can glide straight into the blissfully warm water.
Perfect Day at CocoCay
You’ll never go hungry at CocoCay, where you can choose from plenty of different dining venues. The Coco Beach Club Restaurant delivers an upscale Caribbean sit-down dining experience on the beachfront, with menu items including ceviche and lobster sandwiches.
And if quick and casual bites are more your style—leaving more time for sand- and water-based fun—check out Skipper’s Grill or Chill Grill. These restaurants serve buffet-style BBQ meals, including burgers and chicken, with lots of tasty sides.
Grand Bahama Island
Gold Rock Beach, Grand Bahama Island
Grand Bahama Island offers a fantastic array of exciting activities alongside natural wonders and Bahamian culture. Lucayan National Park is a big draw, as it’s home to one of the planet’s largest underwater cave systems. Two of the caves are currently open for visits.
When you visit the park, you can stroll across wooden boardwalks through tranquil mangrove environs. The boardwalk eventually leads to Gold Rock Beach, a secluded shoreline with supple white sand and shallow turquoise water. This beach is rarely crowded and has a real castaway feel.
Port Lucaya Marketplace in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
The Port Lucaya Marketplace in Freeport is a colorful center for shopping and dining. It offers local crafts galore, waterfront eateries, and live musical performances.
The Rand Nature Centre National Park provides scenic trails for trekking while you learn about the wildlife of the Bahamas. The island also features many picturesque beaches, like Taino Beach and Fortune Beach, for swimming and sunbathing.
Garden of the Groves, Grand Bahama Island
Another serene locale on the island is Garden of the Groves, brimming with verdant foliage and brilliant nature hues. Follow sunlit trails to pretty grottos and waterfalls while passing by fish-filled ponds or watching different bird species, among them bullfinches, kingfishers, and warblers.
Other animals, such as curly-tailed lizards and Bahamian raccoons, also spend their time among the exotic blooms. You can visit the garden’s hilltop chapel if you plan on getting married or, more likely, simply want to enjoy the views of nature. What’s more, there’s a café and a shopping village selling locally made items.
Paradise Island
Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island
A journey to the Bahamas pretty much demands a visit to Paradise Island’s lavish resorts, beaches, and endless entertainment options, making it one of the best islands to visit in the Bahamas.
For many, the world-famous Atlantis Bahamas—with its Bridge Suite connecting the two main towers high up in the air—is the island’s most instantly recognizable complex.
Paradise Island is linked to Nassau via two bridges and boasts attractive beaches, such as Cabbage Beach, perfect for swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and sunbathing, with private cabanas available to rent. The island also features an 18-hole championship golf course, multiple restaurants, and plenty of high end boutiques.
Aquaventure, Paradise Island
The massive Aquaventure water park, the exotic marine life display at the aquarium, and glitzy casino define Atlantis as a one-stop entertainment destination.
Families will love Aquaventure, with more than 100 waterslides to try. Become intimately acquainted with the iconic Leap of Faith water slide with its near-vertical plunge.
Next up, navigate the twists of the Serpent Slide through the Mayan Temple, or opt for The Rapids River, treating you to a float down some artificial rapids, which is a more serene experience. With more than 100 water slides to choose from, you’re bound to find one that’s perfect for you.
Blue Lagoon Island, or Salt Cay
Blue Lagoon Island
Blue Lagoon Island, also known as Salt Cay, is a private island close to Nassau, famed for its spectacular scenery and marine life.
This island is fringed by many of the Bahamas’ most stunning beaches, with paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling on offer.
Trek along nature trails flanked by swaying coconut palms or join an eco-nature walking tour. Blue Lagoon Island offers beauty, wildlife interactions, and a romantic sanctuary away from crowds.
Sweeting’s Cay
Sweeting’s Cay is located along Grand Bahama Island’s eastern edge. It’s a small cay that can only be reached by boat, which enhances its isolated appeal.
The island serves as a window into the way of life enjoyed by the Bahamians living in the outer islands, away from the more developed regions. This pretty little fishing village invites you to walk its paths, where you can meet locals and taste the day’s fish haul.
During your visit, you can kayak through an immaculate mangrove habitat—and perhaps sight a few sea turtles—then dive into the water to snorkel through the sunlit shallows for an unbeatable day outdoors.
Read: Best Things to Do in the Bahamas
CocoCay
Browse Celebrity’s cruises to The Bahamas discover dreamy island beaches, wild nature, and a vivacious local culture.
