What to Do in the Bahamas

Swimming with Legend: The Exuma Cays

Any consideration of what to do in the Bahamas inevitably leads to the Exumas, an archipelago of 365 islands where the seabed glows with such luminous clarity that judging depth becomes nearly impossible. Big Major Cay has achieved global fame for its swimming pigs, descendants of animals abandoned by sailors centuries ago who now paddle enthusiastically towards arriving tenders. Early morning visits capture these improbable residents at their most photogenic, golden light catching the rosy sand before day-tripper boats arrive.

The true revelation lies beyond viral wildlife encounters. Near Staniel Cay, Thunderball Grotto presents an underwater cave system that featured in two James Bond films. Swimming through the submerged entrance means passing sergeant majors and angelfish before surfacing inside the grotto, where light streams through an oculus in the limestone ceiling like nature’s own cathedral. This otherworldly beauty finds gentler expression at Compass Cay, where nurse sharks glide through shallow waters with such docility that close observation becomes mesmerising. At Hoopers Bay, endangered Green, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead turtles drift through the shallows with prehistoric grace.

Such encounters unfold within the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, which protects over 450 square kilometres as the Caribbean’s largest marine sanctuary. Dozens of anchorages await, each offering distinct character. Shroud Cay features "The Washing Machine," where Atlantic and Caribbean waters collide, while Warderick Wells Cay rewards those who climb Boo Boo Hill with panoramic views across a seascape studded with islands.

Beneath the Surface: Diving into Blue

The underwater realm demands serious attention when considering what to do in the Bahamas, beginning with the Andros Barrier Reef, which stretches 190 miles and represents the world’s third-largest reef system. Here, submerged shipwrecks have transformed into artificial reefs, where spotted scorpionfish lurk amongst coral while blue tangs swirl in electric clouds. The area also conceals numerous underwater blue holes—vertical caves plunging into darkness, their walls encrusted with sponges and soft corals.

Long Island takes this geological drama to extraordinary depths. Dean’s Blue Hole drops 663 feet, making it the second-deepest blue hole globally. Sitting within a natural rock amphitheatre, the water glows with such intense azure that it seems lit from within, drawing freedivers for the annual Vertical Blue competition. Most visitors prefer swimming the shallows, though even from the surface the vertiginous drop proves mesmerising.

The Abacos present underwater treasures through more delicate means. The Catacombs off Green Turtle Cay have earned renown as a coral garden where massive brain corals and Elkhorn formations create what resembles an underwater sculpture park. The surrounding barrier reef—another of the world’s three largest systems—offers protected waters where marine life flourishes in remarkable abundance.

Pink Sands and Colonial Grace: Harbour Island

Harbour Island answers the question of what to do in the Bahamas with an entirely different proposition: slow down. This three-mile sliver off Eleuthera’s coast has cultivated a reputation for understated elegance. Pink Sands Beach stretches along the eastern shore with a distinctive rosy hue created by crushed foraminifera shells mixed into white sand, the colour most pronounced in late afternoon’s slanted light.

This commitment to refinement extends inland to Dunmore Town. The former Bahamian capital preserves its colonial heritage through pastel-painted cottages and narrow lanes where golf carts have replaced motor vehicles. Properties like those at Hibiscus Hill maintain authentically Bahamian interiors—dark mahogany four-poster beds beneath overhead fans turning lazily above polished wooden floors.

The culinary scene shares this philosophy of excellence without pretension. The Landing has earned particular acclaim, though competition arrives from the Rock House Hotel, which draws evening crowds for grilled Bahamian lobster tail. Queen Conch prepares its signature conch salad tableside, combining the sweet shellfish with fresh lime, chilli peppers, and tomatoes.

John Watling’s Distillery extends this commitment to craft. Situated on the two-acre Buena Vista Estate, the operation produces coconut-filtered rum available for tours and tasting, each visit offering insight into the spirit that has fuelled Caribbean celebration for centuries.

Natural Wonders Beyond the Postcard

Eleuthera, the long, thin island neighbouring Harbour Island, proves that what to do in the Bahamas encompasses geological drama alongside famous beaches. Glass Window Bridge offers the most striking example, where dark Atlantic waters meet the turquoise Bight of Eleuthera in such sharp contrast that the boundary appears artificially drawn.

Queen’s Baths offers a gentler expression of the islands’ geological character. Saltwater pools carved into the limestone coastline fill with warm water as the tide flows through channels in the rock, while nearby blowholes send columns of seawater shooting skywards when conditions align.

The Lucayan National Park reveals what happens when this erosive process continues underground. Protecting one of the world’s most extensive underwater cave systems across 40 acres, the park maintains two caves open for swimming and exploration, their submerged chambers creating an exhilarating experience.

The Art of Island Living

Understanding what to do in the Bahamas requires recognising that some of the finest moments arrive unscheduled: an afternoon at Nassau’s Fish Fry, where local vendors prepare fresh conch while reggae drifts from speakers, a day trip ashore to experience Atlantis Paradise Island’s marine habitats, watching the sunset from your yacht’s sundeck with a frozen daiquiri in hand, or discovering a deserted beach accessible only by tender. These spontaneous pleasures form the foundation upon which more structured experiences build.

The Junkanoo Festival exemplifies how Bahamian culture transforms a simple celebration into an unforgettable spectacle. Held on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, this tradition dates to the 17th century, when enslaved Africans celebrated rare time with their families. Modern iterations feature elaborate costumes, live bands, and competitive parades that transform Nassau’s streets into rivers of colour and sound.

Baker’s Bay on Great Guana Cay in the Abacos takes a different approach to exclusivity. This private members-only resort and club features a Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course so impeccably maintained that barefoot play becomes genuinely possible, attracting celebrity golfers and Hollywood regulars who value discretion as much as coastal views. Those seeking to explore an Exuma itinerary will discover equally impressive facilities throughout the islands, each designed to complement the yacht charter experience with seamless service.

Discovering The Bahamas with Fraser

The method of exploration profoundly shapes every Bahamian experience. Fraser’s charter fleet and expert brokers specialise in connecting discerning travellers with vessels perfectly suited to these waters, where shallow draught capabilities matter as much as the crew’s familiarity with hidden anchorages and seasonal timing. Explore Bahamas yacht charter opportunities to begin planning your own discovery, where seven decades of yachting expertise ensure every detail receives the attention it deserves.