Bahamas holidays

Bahamas holidays

Glorious weather, great beaches and fantastic water sports make the Bahamas a destination that’s topped many a must-visit list. Close to the USA and part of the Caribbean (although technically in the Atlantic), you’ll find the Bahamas’ north-west point to be 760 miles off the Florida coast, with the island chain stretching towards Haiti in the south east.

Things to do

Blush pink sand, azure shallows and inky blue depths - the coasts surrounding these incredibly beautiful islands have to be seen to be believed. Busy and bustling resorts sit alongside hidden coves and undisturbed sandy strips, making for a sunbathing, rock-pooling, wild swimming, snorkelling paradise.

Grab a conch at one of the Bahamas’ many beachside food shacks, or a main meal in an open-air cabana overlooking the water. Wherever you go, you’ll find the seafood always has that just-caught taste and the Gully Wash always quenches that thirst after a long, hot day. 

The Bahamas are named after and famous for the shallow waters that surround it. Teenagers will love exploring the nearby caves, cenotes and reefs, while younger tots can splash about in the still waters. Take a whale-watching tour or charter a boat to explore the Exumas, and you might spot the swimming pigs and the sun-basking iguanas these beaches are famous for.

The capital city of Nassau on the island of Grand Providence is the Bahamas’ most colourful city. Here you’ll find a range of modern bars, world-class restaurants and visitor attractions. Older folks can learn how to roll cigars, go on a rum-tasting tour or knock back a Sky Juice or two - a local drink made of coconut water and gin - while listening to an authentic rake and scrape band. As for PG activities, Aquaventure caters to big kids and toddlers with 141 acres of fun including rapid waterslides and shallow splash pools.

Unsure of the best time of the year to visit? Check the weather in Bahamas to see which month is right for you.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Antigua | Aruba | BarbadosCuba | Dominican Republic | Jamaica | Mexico | St LuciaTobago

 

20°C - 32°C

With temperatures rarely falling below 20°C, there’s no bad time to jet off to the Bahamas. July and August see the hottest temperatures, but with temperatures still hitting a balmy 24°C and no hurricane threat, winter is just as popular. 

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9 - 10 hours

Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is the oldest and largest airport in the Bahamas.

Bahamas is best for...

Waterbabies: Trips to the Bahamas are perfect for those who love exploring the ocean floor. Keep your eyes peeled for incredible marine life including clownfish, angelfish and barracuda, not to mention, Atlantic spotted dolphins. But the biggest attraction is the swimming pigs, who are often found catching some rays on the aptly named ‘Pig Beach’.

Couples: Spend your days drinking cocktails to the sound of the ocean, before some head-to-toe pampering with your other half. All courtesy of the island’s fantastic selection of boutique hotels. 

Shopholics: If you want to pass some time with a little retail therapy, the Bahamas is the place to do it. Duty-free shopping is the main draw, particularly Port Lucaya Marketplace and New Providence’s island. You’re bound to dip into your holiday spends at these shopping hotspots. 

Fast facts for Bahamas

Language: As a member of the British Commonwealth, the official language in the Bahamas is English. But don’t be surprised if you hear some variations including Bahamian English and Haitian Creole.

Currency: The currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar.

Local time: The Bahamas is 5 hours behind the UK (GMT-5). 

Fly to: Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is located 13 kilometres from the downtown area of Nassau, the capital. It takes just 15 minutes to reach the centre by taxi.

Flight time from UK: 9 - 10 hours

Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found at the Bahamas’ tourism website.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, check the latest advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

 

Bahamas safety and security

For up-to-date advice on travelling to the Bahamas, please visit the FCDO website.

Bahamas weather

The tropical trade winds means the weather in the Bahamas is always warm. The islands boast an average of 340 sun-filled days every year, making it a popular year-round destination. It’s driest in the period from December to April, when daytime temperatures hit a predictable 26–28°C, which is the Bahamas’ peak season for visitors. So, make sure you have plenty of sun cream.

The UK summer can be a great time to visit the Bahamas because, although slightly wetter statistically, it’s also hotter, with temperatures in the low 30s. The occasional tropical storm tends to be short-lived, and you’ll often see the weather switch quickly, brightening into glorious sunshine just minutes later. Officially, hurricane season lasts from 1 June to 30 November, but the good news is you can make good savings on room rates and flights during this period.

If you’re travelling at the tail end of this season, between August and October, bear in mind that some of the outlying islands may be closed down, so it’s best to stick to the main tourist routes of the Exumas and Grand Bahama. You’ll find late April to June is the ideal time to travel to the islands, when the weather is settled, but everywhere’s quieter, with the peak season over.
 

Best hotels in Bahamas