country
The BahamasThe Bahamas
First trip: 3–4 nights on New Providence (Nassau and Paradise Island), then fly to one Out Island (Exuma, Eleuthera or Abaco) for 4–5; trying to hop three islands in a week spends the week in airports.
The Bahamas is an independent country of about 700 islands and cays spread over hundreds of kilometres of ocean, and almost everything routes through Nassau. Inter-island travel is by small plane, fast ferry or mail boat, all of which run less often than visitors expect and stop first when weather turns. Pick one Out Island, not three, and treat hurricane season (June–November) as the main planning constraint.
Regions
Capital, main airport and cruise port; the hub for everything else
3–4 nights
Freeport and Lucaya; second airport, nearest island to Florida
3–4 nights
Cays, sandbars and boat days out of George Town
4–6 nights
Long islands with quiet beaches and sailing; car needed
4–6 nights
Arrive
NAS
Lynden Pindling International (Nassau)
About 20–40 min by taxi to downtown Nassau or Cable Beach; hub for all Out Island flights
FPO
Grand Bahama International (Freeport)
Short taxi ride to Freeport and Lucaya
Time math
- 3 days
- Nassau and Paradise Island 3
- 7 days
- Nassau 3 + one Out Island 4 (fly)
- 10 days
- Nassau 3 + Out Island 4 + a second Out Island 3, only with direct connections
Country rules
- Check entry rules for your passport on the official Bahamas government sources before you fly; requirements differ by nationality.
- Respect marine protected areas: fishing, collecting shells or coral and anchoring rules are enforced in national parks such as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
- Do not bring firearms or ammunition; even a single forgotten round in a bag can lead to arrest.
Etiquette
- Beachwear is for the beach and resort: cover up in town, shops and restaurants.
- Greet people before asking for anything; 'good morning' and 'good afternoon' matter.
- Island time is real on the Out Islands: plan slack into every connection.
- Junkanoo (Boxing Day, Dec 26, and New Year's Day)
- Street parades through the night in Nassau; roads close and the city is packed.
- Spring break (Mar–Apr)
- Nassau and Paradise Island fill with students; prices rise.
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov, peak Aug–Oct)
- Storms can close airports and ports for days; ferries and small flights are cancelled first.
Money & passes
Cash necessity: 3/5
- Currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), held at par with the US dollar; US dollars are accepted everywhere and change often comes back mixed.
- Cards work in Nassau and resorts; on the Out Islands, small shops, taxis and boat operators often want cash.
- ATMs are few on the smaller islands: take enough cash from Nassau before you fly out.
Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry
Safety
- Traffic drives on the left; many rental cars are left-hand drive, which makes overtaking harder.
- Crime is concentrated in parts of Nassau, especially after dark: use licensed taxis and do not walk alone at night away from busy areas.
- Boats and water sports: use operators with safety equipment and check the weather before long boat trips.
- Sun and sea: the sun is strong all year; watch for currents and rip tides on unpatrolled beaches, and swim where locals swim.
- Hurricane season (Jun–Nov): follow local warnings and your airline; if a storm is forecast, leave early or shelter where your accommodation tells you.
The Bahamas is a short flight from Florida; Turks and Caicos, just to the south-east, is a separate territory with its own entry rules.
Sources
- Wikivoyage — The Bahamas (secondary)
- UK FCDO travel advice: The Bahamas (official)