The 12 Best Bahamian Islands to Visit
The Bahamas isn’t just one island — it’s a constellation of over 700 islands and cays, each with its own personality and pace. Whether your trip calls for total relaxation, stylish nightlife, or an off-the-grid escape, there’s a Bahamian island perfectly tailored to your vibe.
It just so happens to be a goal of mine to hit as many islands as I can in the Bahamas to explore them all. They are home to some of the most gorgeous water in the world and I love seeing what they each have to offer.
Here’s your ultimate guide to the 12 best Bahamian islands for your next getaway — complete with where to stay, what makes each island special, and how to soak up the best of paradise.
1. New Providence Island (Nassau)
The vibe: Sophisticated, lively, and convenient. As the heartbeat of The Bahamas, Nassau blends city life with island charm. It’s where luxury shopping, colorful colonial streets, and turquoise beaches meet. Perfect for girls who want to mix pampering and partying.
Do: Visit the Nassau Straw Market, explore the historic Queen’s Staircase, or take a rum tasting tour at John Watling’s Distillery. Spend afternoons beach-hopping, then enjoy rooftop cocktails overlooking the harbor.
Stay: The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort — famed for its Versailles-inspired gardens, oceanfront suites, and serene sophistication. Or stay at the newer Baha Mar resort. It is just 20 minutes from the Nassau airport with tons to do. You can read all about our trip here.
2. Paradise Island
The vibe: Energetic, glamorous, and iconic. Linked to Nassau by a short bridge, Paradise Island is home to the legendary Atlantis Resort, a playground for adults and kids alike. Expect high-end dining, entertainment, and nonstop fun.
Do: Spend a day floating through the Atlantis waterpark, relax on Cove Beach, or try your luck at the casino. After sunset, enjoy dinner at Nobu or Dune by Jean-Georges.
Stay: Atlantis Paradise Island — choose The Cove for sleek luxury or The Reef for residential-style comfort. You can read about our stay at Atlantis here.
3. Great Exuma
The vibe: Barefoot luxury with a local twist. Known for its crystal-clear waters and famous swimming pigs, Great Exuma offers a laid-back yet luxurious escape that feels exclusive but welcoming.
Do: Charter a boat to visit the Exuma Cays, swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, or have a beach picnic on a deserted sandbar.
Stay: Grand Isle Resort & Residences — elegant villas overlooking Emerald Bay with a golf course, infinity pool, and marina access. We are huge fans of Exuma and usually rent a house but have also stayed at the Sandals resort on the island that you can read about here. I would recommend Grand Isle over Sandals and a house if you are coming with a group. I have a full Exuma travel guide here.
4. Eleuthera
The vibe: Wild beauty and understated elegance. Eleuthera is the island for nature lovers and free spirits. With its secluded coves, dramatic cliffs, and pink-sand beaches, it’s the perfect spot for a quiet, restorative girls’ retreat.
Do: Visit the Glass Window Bridge where the deep blue Atlantic meets the turquoise Caribbean, explore Hatchet Bay Caves, or sip cocktails on French Leave Beach.
Stay: The Potlatch Club which is exclusive and beautifully designed and decorated. You can read about our stay from Summer 2024 here. or you could try The Cove Eleuthera — chic, minimalist villas nestled between two private beaches.
5. Harbour Island
The vibe: Chic, pastel perfection. A favorite of celebrities and designers, Harbour Island is effortlessly stylish — known for its pink-sand beach, charming colonial cottages, and easy-breezy sophistication.
Do: Rent a golf cart to explore Dunmore Town’s pastel houses, grab lunch at Sip Sip (a local icon), and spend lazy afternoons on the pink sands.
Stay: Pink Sands Resort — charming cottages tucked within lush gardens, steps from the iconic beach. Or the newly renovated Coral Sands which we stayed at for one night on this trip.
6. Andros Island
The vibe: Remote, natural, and unspoiled. The largest island in The Bahamas — yet one of the least developed — Andros is a sanctuary for eco-travelers. Think blue holes, coral reefs, and untouched wilderness.
Do: Dive or snorkel the world’s third-largest barrier reef, kayak through mangroves, or explore inland blue holes.
Stay: Tiamo Resort — a boutique eco-luxury hideaway with overwater bungalows and barefoot elegance or the Caerula Mar Resort on the south side of Andros. We landed on Andros Island when we took our trip to Kamalame Cay (read more below).
7. Bimini
The vibe: Sporty, chic, and full of history. Just 50 miles from Miami, Bimini is known as Ernest Hemingway’s favorite fishing getaway — but today, it’s a stylish island with luxury resorts and a lively marina scene.
Do: Snorkel the mysterious Bimini Road (believed to be part of the Lost City of Atlantis), enjoy water sports, or relax poolside with ocean views.
Stay: Resorts World Bimini — sleek modern luxury with infinity pools, a casino, and private beaches. I’m most excited about the new Banyan Tree Bimini Resort coming soon with over water bungalows that look absolutely stunning.
8. The Abaco Islands
The vibe: Nautical charm and island sophistication. A paradise for sailors, The Abacos are dotted with quaint villages, pastel cottages, and protected harbors. Perfect for a girls’ trip that’s both upscale and outdoorsy.
Do: Explore Hope Town’s candy-colored lighthouse, go island-hopping by boat, or enjoy fresh conch salad at a local beach shack.
Stay: The Abaco Club on Winding Bay — an exclusive, private club with beachfront cottages and a world-class golf course. You can also rent the most adorable homes on Hope Town which are a great option. You can read about our stay at the Abaco Club here.
9. Long Island
The vibe: Quiet, authentic, and postcard-perfect. Long Island is a hidden gem, stretching between the calm Caribbean and the rugged Atlantic. It’s ideal for travelers who want seclusion and raw natural beauty.
Do: Visit Dean’s Blue Hole (the world’s second deepest), explore caves at Hamilton’s, and unwind on secluded beaches that feel untouched.
Stay: Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort & Villas — beachfront villas on one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the Caribbean.
10. Cat Island
The vibe: Spiritual, soulful, and serene. Named after the pirate Arthur Catt, Cat Island remains one of The Bahamas’ most untouched islands. Expect friendly locals, cultural charm, and total tranquility.
Do: Hike to Mount Alvernia (the highest point in The Bahamas), attend a rake-and-scrape music night, and enjoy pristine, crowd-free beaches.
Stay: Fernandez Bay Village — cozy beachfront cottages with a welcoming, family-run vibe.
11. Kamalame Cay (Private Island)
The vibe: Barefoot luxury and exclusivity. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Kamalame Cay is a private island where luxury feels personal and unpretentious — the ultimate girls’ trip splurge.
Do: Indulge in spa treatments at the overwater spa, enjoy private beach picnics, or snorkel right off your villa deck.
Stay: Kamalame Cay Private Island Resort — dreamy beachfront bungalows and overwater suites with impeccable service. You can read about our stay on Kamalame Cay here.
12. San Salvador
The vibe: Adventurous, sunny, and all-inclusive fun. Steeped in history (believed to be Christopher Columbus’s first landfall in the New World), San Salvador is a diving and snorkeling paradise.
Do: Dive shipwrecks, visit the island’s scenic lakes, and take a bike ride through local villages.
Stay: Club Med Columbus Isle — an adults-friendly, all-inclusive resort with world-class diving and beachside yoga.
✨ Final Thought
From the chic boutiques of Harbour Island to the untouched serenity of Andros, The Bahamas is a tapestry of experiences — each island offering its own distinct rhythm. Whether you’re craving barefoot luxury, vibrant nightlife, or quiet connection with your best friends, there’s a Bahamian island waiting to host your dream girls’ trip.
