Bahamas accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “The Islands of Song”.
Bahamas known for: pirate legends, white / pink sand beaches, conch, underground caverns, mangrove estuaries, Bahama Mama cocktails, watersports, sportfishing, swimming pigs
Located a few-hundred miles southeast of Florida, the Bahamas consists of 700 islands and 2,400 cay archipelagos. Bahamian waters are some of the world’s clearest (visibility approx. 200 feet below surface). Found on New Providence (island), Nassau is the Bahamas’ capital city. Several legendary pirates were once based in Nassau: Henry Every (Long Ben), Benjamin Hornigold (turncoat pirate hunter), Henry Jennings (turncoat pirate hunter), Edward Teach / Edward Thache Jr. (Blackbeard), Charles Vane, John Rackham (Calico Jack), Samuel Bellamy (Black Sam). Andros is the Bahamas largest island.
Bahamas points of interest: Blue Lagoon Island, Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park, Dean’s Blue Hole, Cable Beach, Paradise Island
Bahamas (Nassau) main airport: Lynden Pindling International Airport
Domestic flight service: Titan Air, Le Air, SkyBahamas (to Cat Island)
United States (Fort Lauderdale) to Andros flights: Makers Air, Aztec Airways
Nassau airport car rental agencies: Avis Bahamas
Cars travel on the left-hand side.
Rideshare service: unavailable
Ferry service: Bahamas Ferries
Bahamas top events: Junkanoo, Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival, Cat Island Rake And Scrape Festival, Eleuthera Pineapple Festival, All Andros Crab Festival
More fun things (from Nassau): Scenic Powerboat Trip with Swimming Pigs, Catamaran Cruise & Swimming Pigs
Bahamas currency: Bahamian Dollar (USDs readily accepted)
Legal drinking age: 18 years old
When traveling to the Bahamas there are some things to keep in mind. English is the Bahamas’ primary language. It’s best to avoid swimming in the ocean at night (sharks). Local dialects include words such as “tings” (things) and “tanks” (thanks). Bahamas’ licensed taxis will have the word “Taxi” on the license plate. In addition to Lynden Pindling, 19 Bahamian airports provide international flights. Getting from New Providence (Nassau) to other Bahamian islands (ex. Andros) requires a domestic flight or ferry trip. A domestic flight from Nassau to Andros takes about 20 minutes. Direct flights to Andros are also possible from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Bahamas accommodations are some of the Caribbean’s best. Before we get to Bahamas accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
Relocating from Hispaniola, the Taino people (South American) likely were the first to inhabit the Bahamas sometime around 500 AD. The “Lucayan” people (original Bahamians) numbered around 30,000 when Christopher Columbus (first known European to discover Bahamas) arrived circa 1492. Columbus likely made landfall on “San Salvador” island (locally known as Guanahani). Claiming this “New World” for the Crown of Castile, Columbus exchanged goods with local “Indians”. The 1494 “Treaty of Tordesillas” between Portugal and Castile saw Spain take official control of the Bahamas. Castile shipped native Lucayans back to Hispaniola as slaves (1513-1648), thus depleting the Bahamas’ population. Led by William Sayle, European “Eleutheran Adventurers” would settle on the Bahamas between 1646 and 1648. Seeking a place to worship God freely while establishing England’s claim to the Bahamas archipelago, Sayle settled on the island of “Segatoo” (later renamed Eleuthera after Greek word meaning “freedom”). King Charles II granted the islands to the “Lords Proprietors of the Carolinas” in 1670. From there the Golden Age of Piracy began. Juan de Alcon (Spanish corsair) raided “Charles Town” (later renamed Nassau) in 1684. In March, 1696 Henry Every (English pirate) anchored at Royal Island (off Eleuthera) captaining the ship Fancy. Having bribed then-governor Nicholas Trott with gold and silver, Avery established a safe-haven pirate base at Nassau. Under Benjamin Hornigold’s tutelage Edward Teach (Blackbeard) sought refuge in Nassau around that time. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1703) a joint Franco-Spanish expedition occupied Nassau briefly. Led by Hornigold, Nassau’s “Republic of Pirates” was established in 1713. Woodes Rogers (English sea captain, privateer & slave trader) was sent by the British crown to restore order in the Bahamas. George I’s “Kings Pardon” granted clemency to any pirate who agreed to forsake piracy by September 5, 1718. Many pirates (including Hornigold) agreed to the King’s Pardon and became “pirate hunters”. Others who disagreed such as Calico Jack and Charles Vane were ultimately gibbeted (hanged and left for public ridicule). Meanwhile Blackbeard was covertly killed in action (decapitated). Following the Golden Age of Piracy African slaves were brought to the Bahamas and made up the majority of the population until 1834 (slavery abolished). The Bahamas became an “independent Commonwealth realm” in 1973. From there tourism and offshore finance would help boost the local economy.
Home to over 400,000 “Bahamians”, the Bahamas is an island-country in the West Indies’ Lucayan Archipelago. The Bahamas official name is “Commonwealth of The Bahamas”. Encompassing 500+ square miles of land and 100,000+ square miles of ocean, the Bahamas is actually one of the Americas’ wealthiest countries. The Bahamian Dollar keeps a 1-to-1 fixed exchange rate with the United States Dollar. Of the Bahama’s roughly 5.8 million annual visitors about 70% are cruise travelers. Mandated in the name of the King to defend the territory is the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (navy). The Islands of Song has official music known as Goombay (method of storytelling / dancing – tropical calypso style melody). Other musical style are Rake ‘n’ Scrape and Junkanoo. Flush with natural surroundings, the Bahamas is home to diverse wildlife including conch, flamingoes, sea turtles, Abaco parrots, Bahamian rock iguanas (vulnerable), Sandy Cay iguanas (critically endangered), dolphins, tiger sharks (Tiger Beach – hour boat ride from West End – local guide recommended if diving), Caribbean Reef Shark (endangered) and the famous Exumus “swimming” pigs. Hamilton’s Cave (inland – inhabited by Lucayans c. 500 AD) is the islands’ largest cave system, while mangroves (important ecosystems) are found in shallow waters throughout the islands. Characterized by a tropical-Savannah climate, the Bahamas enjoys high temperatures throughout the year (ranging 77-90 °F). Peak hurricane season occurs August-September.
Bahamas local foods: cracked conch (Bahamian signature dish), rock lobster, stew fish, Johnnycakes (cornmeal flatbread – early-American staple), conch salad, pigeon peas and rice, baked crab, souse (head cheese), grouper with grits, rum cake
Popular drinks: rum punch, hibiscus margaritas, the “Bahama Mama” (rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, crushed ice), the “Bushwacker” (rum-based, coffee-like cocktail), switcha (Bahamian national drink – non-alcoholic, lemon-lime flavored)
With some background information on the area, we’re ready for Bahamas accommodations that will help make for an incredible experience.
The Island House
Mahogany Hill, Western Road, Nassau
Old Fort Bay Nassau
Hotel amenities: restaurant, 82-foot lap pool, terrace, spa center, fitness room, local art, flat-screen TVs, energy-conserving automated lights, hairdryers, 24-hour front desk, free yoga classes, squash court, paddle tennis court, water sports facilities, cinema, car rentals
Nearby: Cocoplum Bistro, Island Brothers Cie (French bistro), The Captain’s Table (restaurant), St Paul The Apostle Catholic Church, Captains Beach, Lyford Cay Club Marina
Within feet:
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- Old Fort Bay Nassau
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Within 7 miles:
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- Cable Beach
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Within 12.4 miles:
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- Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park
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Within 2.9 miles:
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- Lynden Pindling International Airport
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Approximate cost per night (executive suite): $1,063
Cost per person (four people): $266
KettleStone Luxury Villa
Private Lane, Andros Town, Central Andros, Fresh Creek
Coakley Town | Fresh Creek | Androsia Batik Works Factory
Villa amenities: oceanfront, 3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, private pool, hot tub, kitchen, parking
Nearby: The Beach House (bar), Andros Distributors (supermarket), Gaitor’s Variety Store & Deli (grocery store), 700 Wine & Spirits (liquor store), Captain Bill’s Blue Hole (tourist attraction), Fresh Creek Inlet Shipwreck (tourist attraction)
Within feet:
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- Coakley Town
- Fresh Creek
- Androsia Batik Works Factory
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Within 12 minutes:
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- Blue Holes (national park)
- Somerset Beach
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KettleStone Luxury Villa on Andros Island is reachable by domestic flight from Nassau or from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (see above for more details).
Approximate cost per night: $1,063
Cost per person (eleven people): $96
Eleuthera Retreat
North Shore, North Palmetto Point
North Palmetto Point Beach
Hotel amenities: private pink sand beach area, sea views, garden, free Wi-Fi, fully-equipped kitchens, hair dryers, private entrance, private parking
Nearby: Lanny’s Restaurant and Bar, Fran&Fab Tree (tourist attraction)
Within feet:
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- North Palmetto Point Beach
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Within 2.4 miles:
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- Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve
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Within 3.5 miles:
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- French Leave Beach
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Within 11 miles:
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- Governor’s Harbor Airport
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Eleuthera Retreat is 19 miles from Rock Sound International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Beach Front Villa): $1,479
Cost per person (eight people): $184
Pineapple Fields
Banks Road, Governorʼs Harbour
Tippy’s Restaurant and Beachside Bar
Hotel amenities: outdoor pool, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, fully-equipped kitchens, free parking
Nearby restaurants / bars: Buccaneer Club (restaurant), Pammy’s (restaurant), New Sunset Inn (restaurant), Four Friends Restaurant, Fish Fry – Home of the “Rum Bubba” (restaurant), 1648 – An Island Restaurant, Tootsie’s Treats (takeout restaurant), Cocojo (bar), Ronnies Hi-D-Way (bar)
Nearby misc.: LMN’s Sweet Treats (ice cream shop), Bacchus Fine Foods (grocery store), Burrows One-Stop Grocery Store, The Tea Kettle Gift Shop & Cafe, Norma’s (gift shop), Edwin’s Turtle Lake Marine Reserve, Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (national park), Twin Coves Beach, French Leave Beach, RBC ATM
Within feet:
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- Tippy’s Restaurant and Beachside Bar
- North Palmetto Point Beach
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Within 1.3 miles:
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- French Leave Beach
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Within 2.6 miles:
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- Twin Coves Beach
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Within 10 miles:
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- Governor’s Harbor Airport
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Approximate cost per night (one-bedroom apartment – top floor): $436
Cost per person (three people): $145
Casablanca Bahamas
Palm Cay
Port New Providence Waterway
Condo amenities: private beach, restaurant, bar, 3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, pool with view, spa, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, kitchen, private check-in / out, free parking
Nearby: Cay Village (amenity hub), Fly Fishing Nassau (fishing charter)
Within feet:
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- Port New Providence Waterway
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Within 2.6 miles:
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- Blackbeard’s Tower
- St Augustine’s Monastery
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Within 3.9 miles:
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- The Retreat Garden National Park
- Doongalik Studios
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Casablanca Bahamas is 37 minutes from Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $552
Cost per person (six people): $92
Paradise Bay Bahamas
Queen Highway – Roker’s Point, Farmerʼs Hill
Flamingo Bay Beach
B&B amenities: restaurant, sun terrace, garden, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, desks, boat tours, Jet Skiing, surfing, wakeboarding, car, scooter & kayak rentals, free private parking
Nearby restaurants / bars / pubs: Cocoplum Bistro, Exuma (restaurant), Big D’s Conch Spot (restaurant), T’n’T Delights (restaurant), Eva’s Place (takeout restaurant), Peninsular Bar and Seafood Grill (bar), The Drunken Duck Pub (Irish pub)
Nearby misc.: Emerald Bay Marina, Lighthouse Cafe & Ice Cream Parlor, Exuma ATV Adventures
Within feet:
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- Flamingo Bay
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Within 1.1 miles:
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- Flamingo Bay Beach
- Emerald Bay Beach
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Within 2.6 miles:
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- Coco Plum Beach
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Within 6 miles:
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- Exuma International Airport
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Approximate cost per night: $320
Rollezz Villas Beach Resort
Joe Sound Creek, Cat Island, Old Bight
Cat Island
Resort amenities: restaurant, private beach area, sea / mountain views, patio, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, full kitchenettes, free bike rentals, free parking
Nearby: Sunshine Restaurant, J&R’s Restaurant, Da Pink Chicken (bar & grill), Favor’s Service Centre (gas station)
Within feet:
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- Cat Island (secluded Out Island – pink-sand beaches, plantation ruins, diving, kiteboarding)
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Within 4 miles:
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- Mermaid Lake
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Within 7 miles:
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- Mount Alvernia
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Within 33 miles:
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- Arthurs Town Airport
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Rollezz Villas Beach Resort is reachable from Nassau by domestic flight (see above)
Approximate cost per night (Three-Bedroom Villa): $695
Cost per person (eight people): $87
So there they are, Bahamas accommodations that will help make for an incredible trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most of all, that you enjoy your time in the Caribbean!