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The Bahamas is an archipelago of around 700 islands and more than 2,000 cays (low-lying sandy islands situated on a coral reef) that form an impressive arc stretching from just off the Atlantic coast of Florida to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Lapped by the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, this is a popular wedding and honeymoon destination, and easily combined with a trip to the USA.

The Bahamas has an incredible barrier reef and is renowned for some of the best diving in the world. The waters are teeming with marine life including turtles, stingrays, colourful reef fish, sharks and dolphins. With its shallow and very clear waters, snorkelling is a great alternative if you aren’t a certified diver.

Direct flights link London with the city island of Nassau, which has a wide choice of sophisticated hotels, excellent restaurants and all-inclusive resorts. The James Bond 007 movie, Casino Royale, was filmed here at the glamourous Four Seasons Resort. Nassau is linked by a bridge to much smaller Paradise Island, which offers more luxury hotels including the famous Atlantis. If you are staying for over a week, you can also enjoy island hopping by ferry or air to some of the scarcely populated outer islands.

Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas and popular for snorkelling and diving, with many exquisite ‘blue holes’. It also offers excellent birding with 6 endemics. Harbour Island is a hidden gem, with quaint boutique hotels, endless pink sandy beaches and aquamarine waters, ideal for kayaking through mangrove forests, snorkelling and diving. Grand Bahama is home to Lucayan National Park, a 40 acre protected area of mangroves, palm and pine trees that contains one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems and some breathtakingly wild and secluded beaches, such as Gold Rock. Cat Island is the highest in the country and small Bimini, known for fishing, is easily reached by ferry from Miami. Kamalame Cay is an exclusive private island. You can also escape the crowds on Eleuthera Island, which has wild pink and white beaches, sand dunes, pineapple plantations, excellent surfing and some great diving wrecks.

With 32 national parks, these islands also offer some wonderful wildlife experiences - from swimming with pigs at Exuma Cays to swimming with turtles, sharks and iguanas at Allan’s Cay. For sailing enthusiasts there are several regattas each year, with people coming from all around the world to watch or take part.

The Bahamas have a swashbuckling history and you can immerse yourself in fascinating stories of pirates and smuggling, and listen to the irresistible rhythms of local calypso and rake and scrape music. The Bahamas Fish Fry offers a perfect introduction to island cuisine, featuring conch and other seafood, usually accompanied by a cold Kalik beer. Friday nights are lively affairs, with a Junkanoo band to get into the swing of things. Celebrations go on right through the night at the Junkanoo Carnivals, held on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Since Christopher Columbus stumbled upon these islands in 1492, they have become the epitome of luxury Caribbean holidays, with their brilliant aquamarine waters and famed pink sandy beaches, formed from finely ground coral. They are also a popular wedding and honeymoon destination – you can even get married underwater here!

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. Economy flights from London and local airport transfers are included.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance. The FCO should also be consulted.