Travel Guides The Bahamas Is Home to Beautiful Blue Waters, Luxury Resorts, and Private Islands — How to Plan the Perfect Trip Everything you need to know to plan the perfect Bahamas vacation, including when to visit, where to stay, and what do do. By Skye Sherman Skye Sherman Facebook Instagram Twitter Website Skye Sherman is a freelance travel writer based in West Palm Beach, Florida, a (rare) fourth-generation Floridian. After completing an internship at Palm Beach Illustrated and graduating from college in 2016, she dove into travel writing, testing the waters by growing her own blog and Instagram. Upon embarking on a six-month trip around the world as a digital nomad — and eventually diving into freelance writing full-time — she began writing for major publications, soon seeing her byline in USA Today, Atlas Obscura, Matador Network, The Epoch Times, and various other print and digital publications. Skye began writing for Travel + Leisure in 2018 (her first assignment was to break the news about Florida's Brightline train between Miami and Orlando and was due back the same day). She has written for a wide variety of print and digital publications, penning everything from cover stories on up-and-coming actresses to travelogues of cross-country train rides to the Palm Beaches' 30 Under 30 to breaking news. Before pursuing travel writing, she worked as the influencer marketing manager at Monq, a wellness company. She has also edited a handful of independently published books. Aside from traveling, she's also a private pilot, scuba diver, and self-proclaimed bookworm. She has visited 45 countries so far and hopes to visit all 195 during her lifetime. When she's not writing, she's probably watching a documentary or laying in the sunshine reading a thriller. * 10+ years of experience working as an editor * 5+ years of experience working as a freelance writer covering travel and lifestyle topics * 5+ years of experience in SEO and content strategy * Former contributing editor at Palm Beach Illustrated (print) * Essay accepted for presentation at Sigma Tau Delta 2015 Convention * Named Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges in 2014 * Ongoing supporter of Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County * Received a bachelor's degree in English from Palm Beach Atlantic University, with a minor in psychology Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on April 21, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Paradise is closer than you think. The Commonwealth of the Bahamas, better known simply as the Bahamas, is a chain of islands spread out over 500 miles in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical and laid-back, these Caribbean islands are a favorite for vacationers because they're easy to reach yet provide an experience far removed from the ordinary, thanks to turquoise waters, warm, salty breezes, and plenty of opportunities to learn how to enjoy life to the fullest from the locals. Henrik Landfors/Getty Images Freeport on Grand Bahama Island is located just 70 nautical miles off the east coast of Florida, and many Floridians boat there on a regular basis. For everyone else, however, it's just a quick flight away. Plan a trip to the Bahamas for your next getaway and you'll see that you don't have to travel far to feel like you've landed in paradise. Courtesy of Mehroz Kapadia Best Time to Visit the Bahamas The best time to visit the Bahamas depends your goals. Peak season here lasts from mid-December to mid-April, when the weather is at its most glorious. However, this is also when crowds descend on the islands, so you'll have to contend with higher prices and other tourists. It never gets much colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the Bahamas, so there's never a bad time to visit if you're worried about winter, but keep in mind the Atlantic hurricane season stretches from June to November. Traveling during hurricane season doesn't guarantee a storm will disrupt your trip, but it's worth considering as you book. The summer months are also rainy, so you may get wet, but there will be fewer crowds and more affordable rates. Tourist numbers dip lowest in September and October, so plan a trip during these months if you want to visit the Bahamas when crowds are at their thinnest. Best Things to Do in the Bahamas If you're traveling to the Bahamas, you likely want to visit the beach. Luckily, all the islands in the Bahamas have beautiful beaches to enjoy. Other popular pastimes include boating (you can book a day trip or charter a private boat with a captain), visiting private islands, and diving and snorkeling. If it's an activity in or on the water, you can (and should) probably do it in the Bahamas. The water here is clear, warm, and beautiful — not to mention filled with sea life. Daniel Piraino/Getty Images One of the most popular things to do in the Bahamas is visit the Atlantis, a resort located on Paradise Island in Nassau. Many flights stop in Nassau, and there's a lot to do whether or not you stay on the property, making it a convenient destination. Plus, you don't have to be a guest to purchase a day pass to the thrilling 141-acre Aquaventure water park. There's also a casino, golf course, and multiple restaurants to enjoy. Other draws in Nassau are the Versailles Gardens, Bahama Barrels winery, tours of John Watling's Distillery, and learning to make your own chocolates at Graycliff Chocolatier. Denis Tangney Jr/Getty Images Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island is another favorite, though most people only visit this island if they're stopping here on a cruise. You can kayak through mangroves or simply stroll around. If you're in Nassau, Clifton Heritage National Park is great spot to snorkel because there are underwater statues. Where to Stay in the Bahamas Pola Damonte/Getty Images Atlantis on Paradise Island is one of the most popular resorts in the Bahamas — Prince William and Kate Middleton even spent the night on a recent tour of the Caribbean. There are five different hotels on the massive property, so you can choose the vibe that's right for you. Flying into Nassau will get you closest to the hotel. Tadeu Brunelli/Courtesy of Hyatt Baha Mar is another popular option for those flying into Nassau. This 1,000-acre luxury resort complex is located on the island of New Providence and has three different hotel options to choose from. There are also properties on other islands, from Bimini to Harbour Island, plus private islands if you want to splurge. How to Get to the Bahamas Tyler Tomasek/Getty Images When you think of the Caribbean, you might assume flying is the only way to get there. And while this is true in some cases for the Bahamas — across the islands, there are 20 international airports with regularly scheduled flights from around the world — many choose to travel there via cruise. Keep in mind that Nassau is the most connected destination with regular flights and a busy airport, while getting to the Out Islands can be a bit more complicated (though totally worth it). Just be aware that your flight to the Out Islands will probably connect via Nassau. Private charters are also a popular option. Though flights in and around the Bahamas are available, cruises are perhaps the most common way to get to the Bahamas. Most cruise lines include the Bahamas on their Caribbean routes, and some even have private islands, including Disney (Castaway Cay), Carnival (Half Moon Cay), Norwegian (Great Stirrup Cay), Princess (Princess Cays), MSC (Ocean Cay — MSC Marine Reserve), and Royal Caribbean (Perfect Day at CocoCay). Virgin Voyages also has a private destination on Bimini called the Beach Club at Bimini. N.Morley/Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville brand even has a Margaritaville at Sea cruise ship that sails from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island on a regular basis. Bottom line, if you want to visit the Bahamas, you have options when it comes to how to get there. The Bahamas Islands There are more than 700 islands in the Bahamas, so you're not going to be able to visit them all in one trip. Some are unpopulated and tiny, but there are a few major hot spots. tomalu/Getty Images The main islands are the Abacos, Andros, Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exumas, Grand Bahama Island, Paradise Island, and New Providence Island, home to Nassau. There are also thousands of little cays sprinkled throughout, so if you visit the Bahamas and fall in love — a very likely scenario — you'll have enough places to explore for a lifetime. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit