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Graced with beautiful beaches of soft pink and white sand, evocative windswept panoramas, abundant sunshine and countless opportunities for diving, snorkelling and fishing, the islands of the Bahamas are well established as one of the world's top draws for both intrepid explorers and casual holiday makers. An island chain beginning a mere 55 miles east of Miami, Florida, the Bahamas offer an array of tourist hotels, all-inclusive resorts, rustic lodges and cottage rentals. More than three million travellers each year choose the islands as their holiday destination for watersports, sun worship, casino gambling and, on some of the slightly more remote spots, eco-tourism.
The Bahamas encompass around seven hundred mostly uninhabited islands, cays (pronounced "keys") and rock outcroppings, strewn in a wide arc extending from just off the Atlantic coast of Florida to the waters surrounding Cuba, where Great Inagua sits only sixty miles from shore. Although deep oceanic troughs surround some of the islands, most are encircled by shallow, crystalline water that is turquoise and jade-hued during the day and glows with purple luminescence at night. This combination of shallow and deep water makes diving and snorkelling both challenging and intriguing, with numerous reefs, blue holes and underwater canyons waiting to be explored just beyond the surf.
| Bahamas highlights |
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Sea kayaking in the Exumas
Glide through turquoise waters, stopping for a picnic along the way.
The beaches of Eleuthera
A different deserted strand of soft white or pink sand to explore each day of the week.
The Cat Island Music Festival
Traditional rake ‘n' scrape music, lots of food and an excuse to socialize Out Island style.
Out Island Regatta
Sloops from all over the Bahamas gather in April for George Town's main event.
The Exuma Land and Sea Park
Nature lovers will thrill to the fertile coral reefs, untouched beaches and native wildlife here.
Diving and snorkelling
The Bahamas offer some of the very best diving and snorkelling in the world, especially off Andros, the Exumas, New Providence and Grand Bahama.
Junkanoo Festival
Thousands of masquerading revellers take to the streets for this hedonistic Christmas celebration in Nassau.
Long Island
Pretty and peaceful and virtually untouched by tourism.
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