The Bahamas is comprised of hundreds of islands (also called cays) that you could explore. But no matter where you stay in The Bahamas, there are some activities you won’t want to miss. So I’ve rounded up the top 10 things to do in The Bahamas.

Which Bahamas Island Is Best for Your Trip?

Pro Tip: Before choosing an island to stay on, determine what activities you want to do and what islands and cays you want to visit, then pick a home base that’s centrally located for what’s on your to-do list.

Here are the top 10 things to do in The Bahamas!

Snorkel

There are lots of incredible snorkeling and dive spots in The Bahamas. The coral reefs, the sound of the sea underwater, and the light reflecting in the crystal-clear water create a mesmerizing environment to explore.

Thunderball Grotto is one of the most famous snorkeling spots, which is included on most boat tours of the upper Exuma islands. But no matter which island you’re staying on, you won’t have to go far for some incredible snorkeling.

Pro Tip: if you need to save some money, instead of paying for a snorkeling tour, visit a beach with good off-shore snorkeling, and then just rent snorkel gear.

Swim With Pigs

The swimming pigs are arguably The Bahamas’ most famous residents. It’s a mystery how these wild pigs ended up on the uninhabited island of Big Major Cay, but it’s not a mystery why this is an iconic activity.

This is a very “touristy” experience, but as long as your expectations are realistic (you will not be the only person vying for the pigs’ attention), then you’ll still love this excursion. Most people visit the pigs as part of a boat tour through the upper Exuma islands.

Pig Beach is just a short boat ride from Staniel Cay if you’re staying on this island or taking a seaplane ride here for a day trip.

Go on a boat tour

The Bahamas comprises around 700 islands (about 30 are inhabited) spread out over 760 miles. So going on an island-hopping boat tour is one of the best day trips you could do no matter which island you’re staying on.

The majority of visitors do a boat tour of the upper Exuma islands because these are centrally located to the other island regions, and it’s where the nurse sharks and pigs are. You could opt for a leisurely catamaran cruise to see a few nearby islands, or you could go for a luxury speedboat to sample a variety of other islands.

Swim With Nurse Sharks

The famous nurse sharks of Compass Cay are waiting for you to swim with them! This was my favorite wildlife encounter during my trip to The Bahamas. It’s a very “touristy” experience, but that didn’t lessen how incredible it was to interact with these beautiful fish.

If you’re visiting Compass Cay as a day trip and not as part of a tour, then arrive early to swim with the sharks before most of the boat tours start arriving. If you want to spend more time on Compass Cay, this island is also home to some incredible beaches, snorkeling, and fishing.

Have some beach days

This may seem like an obvious activity for The Bahamas, but many people don’t give themselves enough time to just lay out on a beach. The powdery white sand of these islands is one of the most alluring reasons to come here.

Most resorts and hotels in The Bahamas are located on or near a beach. But even if you’re staying in one of the best vacation homes in The Bahamas, you won’t be too far from a public beach. 

Know Before You Go: many restaurants have beach access and amenities available to paying customers. Most public beaches won’t have showers for rinsing off or chairs or umbrellas to rent, so you’ll need to bring your own beach gear.

Sample the local food and drinks

It’s tempting to just eat at your resort, but Bahamian food (a delicious mix of South American and Caribbean cuisine) is best experienced in a local restaurant.

I highly recommend trying cracked conch, rock lobster, and the local Kalik beer. My favorite cocktail is The Yellow Bird (rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, Galliano, apricot brandy, and banana liqueur).

Visit A National Park

The Bahamas is home to 32 national parks, where you can escape the crowds, see pristine landscapes, and interact with wildlife. No matter which island you’re staying on, there will likely be a park near you.

Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (spread over 112,640 acres of islands and water) is the most-visited. Blue Holes National Park is a diver’s paradise with the highest concentration of blue holes in the world. Inagua National Park is home to West Indian flamingos. And the list goes on and on!

Sea Kayak

Most of The Bahamas’ islands have lots of coves that let you kayak in the Caribbean while remaining in relatively calm water. If you’re feeling adventurous, then you could also try paddleboarding. I fell a lot before I got used to paddling in the sea, but it was well worth it once I got the hang of it.

Most resorts and hotels will provide or rent kayaks and paddleboards to their guests for self-guided paddling. You can also book guided paddling tours to different parts of certain islands. For example, kayaking in Bonefish Pond National Park is a popular day trip from Nassau.

Take a Day Trip To Another Island

The Bahamas comprises around 700 islands (about 30 are inhabited) spread out over 760 miles. So while it would be impossible to explore all of this country during your trip, I highly recommend taking at least one day trip to explore a different island than the one you’re staying on.

Some of the most popular Bahamas day trips are:

From Nassau, Paradise Island, and New Providence – Blue Lagoon Island, The Exumas, Harbor Island.

From Great Exuma – Stocking Island, The Exumas.

From Staniel Cay – Compass Cay.

Go Shopping

Every inhabited island in The Bahamas has local markets you’ll want to visit. You can buy hand-made baked goods for a snack, fresh seafood to cook a meal, and some of The Bahamas’ famous souvenirs, such as conch shell jewelry, Junkanoo art, and wood carvings.

Shopping at markets (instead of the airport gift shop) is one of the best ways to support the local economy when you’re visiting The Bahamas.

Know Before You Go: haggling isn’t common, so you’ll need to pay the stated price.

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