Bahamas Luxury Yachting Guide

For an exquisite mix of breath-taking natural beauty, the Bahamas are the premier destination. Composed of a gorgeous 16-island chain, this lush island group is a stunning mix of tropical perfection and rugged landscapes. Diamond white-sand beaches curl invitingly around the luscious coastline, alluringly secluded and waiting to be explored.

Known for its laid-back attitude and genial natives, the Bahamas are thick with vibrant island culture and it shows in the music which is a mixture of African drum rhythms, Caribbean Calypso, Bahamian Goombay and English folksongs. The most popular of the 16 islands are New Providence, Grand Bahama and San Salvador, though every island is home to its own unique atmosphere.

The land mass itself is a series of mountain plateaus that rise majestically from the depths of the crystalline sea. The Bahamas are an archipelago thick with festivals, traditional and religious: all are a vivid sight to behold, not just for the wild and brazen parades but the friendly welcome given by the locals. At the end of a colourful day of rich exploration, relax into the ultimate Bahamian invention: the hammock.

Nassau
Capitol of the Bahamian island group, the city of Nassau on New Providence Island is pulsing with a rich Colonial history. Home to sprawling colonial fortresses and pristine Victorian homes complete with picturesque English gardens, the historical perspective of Nassau provides a rare snapshot of life in the Caribbean as it existed more than a century ago. For a breath-taking view over the glittering Caribbean Sea, climb up the 65 stairs of the Queen’s Steps, named in honour of Queen Victoria’s 65-year reign. Shopping enthusiasts needn’t fear: Nassau is home to several centres boasting unique boutiques and premier designers alike.

Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama is a true sportsman’s paradise, with its main cities of Freeport and Lucaya offering a multitude of exciting outdoor activities. Championship golf, tennis, diving of all kinds and sport-fishing are all on offer here. The eastern coast of Grand Bahama plays host to long stretches of beautiful, deserted beach and alluring underwater caves as yet mysteriously unexplored. Shop at the lively International Bazaar, swim with the friendly coastal dolphin families or walk among wild flamingos: anything is possible on the island of Grand Bahama.

San Salvador
San Salvador has the distinction of being the first island in the New World that Christopher Columbus set foot on. He is recorded as saying, at the time of landing, “The beauty of these islands surpasses that of any other and as much as the day surpasses the night in splendor.” This still holds true today as San Salvador is the least developed of the main islands of the Bahamas. With glorious, unspoiled beaches of pearly sand that stretch for miles, it’s possible not to see another person for hours at a time. The reefs off of the coast are rich in marine life and thick with incredible wrecks able to be explored by even the most novice diver. Though quiet compared to its sisters, San Salvador embodies the true meaning of a luscious island escape.