DirectoryAccommdations & Resources

The Islands of The Bahamas

The Islands of

Island Scene is pleased to present The Islands of The

Bahamas Accommodations & Resources Directory, a

comprehensive listing of places to stay and things to do

in Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and

the Out Islands.

This directory has been compiled to include island-by

island listings of accommodations and resources that are

unique to each destination. From resorts to inns, and rest-

aurants to shopping, this section of Island Scene is a con-

venient source of information to assist you with planning

your next vacation. Each island offers visitors excellent

opportunities for snorkeling, diving, fishing, boating,

romance and relaxation.

Whether you prefer to lounge in a hammock, play a

round of golf, spin the roulette wheel or enjoy the warm

Bahamian water, The Islands of the Bahamas have a

little something for everyone.

To learn more about each destination and traveling

to The Bahamas, go online to www.bahamas.com

The Bahamas

AbacoAbacoAbacoAbacoAbacoThe Sea Beyond CompareThe Sea Beyond CompareThe Sea Beyond CompareThe Sea Beyond CompareThe Sea Beyond Compare

In a sparkling acqumarine sea just east of Grand Bahama Island lies the crescent

necklace of Great Abaco, two verdant islands surrounded by dusters of timy,

quiet cays. It;s a place of balmy breezes and unhurried beauty whose naturally

protected waters draw yatchmen from around the globe. So much so that Abaco

is often called the “Sailing Capital of the World.”

With the wind in your sailes, the salty air in your throat, the brilliant sunshine on

your back, sailing the channels of the Abaco’s is a succession of unforgettable experi-

ences. From the powder-soft beaches and quaint settlements of Walker’s Cay in the

north, past the busy hub of Marsh Harbour, and on another hundred miles south to the

great barrier reef at Cherokee Sound and the lighthouse at Hole-In-The Wall, each island,

cove and cay offers its own special charms.

Some of these ports-of-calls echo small, sleepy Nerw England fishing villages with

their colourful clapboard houses, cozy cottages and worn, narrow streets, an atmosphere

brought by the British Loyalists who first settled these cays in the late 1700’s. There are

many excellent marinas along the way which offer every amenity imaginable to the boats

docked at their slips.

You’ll see exclusive private clubs on cays by themselves and sail to other cays that

are totally uninhabited. Silent, out-of-the way places where you can drop anchor and linger

undisturbed for a night or a month, however long you can stay.

Your exploration of The Abacos might begin at the northernmost of these islands

where you’ll find the charming harbour of Walker’s Cay, the protected anchorages of the

Grand Cays and their splendid beaches and superb snorkeling, deep-sea diving and fishing

grounds. On Little Abaco, a short sail south, at the tiny picturesque settlements of Crown

Haven and Fox Town.

Reaching the the northern tip of Great Abaco (the

second largest island in The Bahamas and one cay dwellers

refer to as the “mainland”), you’ll pass the settlements of

Cedar Harbour and cooper’s Town, where you can dock

for supplies.

From Cooper’s Town you also have the option of

driving south by road past low, rolling hillocks topped with

stands of feathery, casuarina pines and grove upon grove

of Valencia orange trees. All settlements on this 80-mile

isle and its many surrounding cays are reachable by road

or ferry and are a joy to explore.

Sailing on you will discover Treasure Cay Beach

Resort and Marina, a luxury development that’s home of

the five most beautiful beaches in the world, an 18-hole, 72-

par championship golf course and modern marina. Here you

can visit the post office, shop, arrange for daily snorkel

trips, scuba dives and fishing charters. You may also want

to hike the two miles to Carlton Point, the authentic site

where British Loyalists fleeing the newly independant

United States established Abaco’s first settlement in 1783.

Fifteen minutes away by water-taxi is historic

NewPlymouthon Green Turtle Cay. In this buoyant

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On Abaco, sailing is only the beginning

fishing village, the old world charm of the Loyalists

is visible everywhere.You'll see it in the tidy rows of

pastel pink, blue and green salt-box houses hemmed

by white picket fences; in the artifacts, paintings and

model ships of the Albert Lowe Museum; in the thirty

Bahamian visages sculpted to represent each differ-

ent island at the Memorial Sculpture Garden; in the

lacy fretwork of the mid -19th century New Ply-

mouth Inn; and, yes, even in Miss Emilie's happy

Blue Bee Bar, where there's no shortage of friendly

smiles and the best Goombay Smash in all the is-

lands!

Strolling Green Turtle Cay's pathways, you'll

hear children spelling in unison in aone-room school-

house. Spot goats and roosters running through thick

The harbour is easy to enter and sheltered

from strong westerly winds. The marinas are filled

with deep-sea fishing boats, speed boats and all

manner of sailboats, yachts,catamarans and sloops.

At Sunsail you can hire an excellent fishing

guide, take a sailing course, ren tbareboats or hire

boats with or without captain and crew.

Beneath swaying palms and an ever-blue sky

you'll shop Marsh Harbour's modern department

stores, hardware stores and fresh-produce groceries.

Sort through souvenirs tands jammed with locally

made crafts and keepsakes. Go to the bank, the

beauty shop. Sip a Goombay Smash under a beach

umbrella. Taste your first conch (pronounced "conk")

fritter, Bahamian turtle steak or wild boar. There's

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clusters of croton and hibiscus.

But in June, these gentle rhythms change when

the cay is flushed with the excitement of The Green

Turtle Yacht Club's annual Invitational Fishing

Tournament, and in July, its famous Regatta.

Pivotal to everything in The Abacos is Marsh

Harbour, the bustling commercial hub and boating

center on the "mainland.” Marsh Harbour carries

with it the air of a colonial frontier town, but one

stroll around reveals this sun drenched settlement is

very much otherwise.

also a good chance one moonlit night will find you

savouring the fare of a gourmet chef and, much later,

dancing to the irresistible rhythms of an island band.

Overnight guests may choose to stay in

one of Marsh Harbour's plush hotels or beachfront

villas. These are sure to soothe your senses with

their manicured gardens, health spas, tennis courts,

swimming pools and stunning white-sand beaches.

And, of course,there are always Marsh Harbour's

shaded clapboard cottages and town houses for

rent, many with housekeeping services.

The transparent waters surrounding Marsh

Harbour as well as Walker's Cay, Treasure Cay

and other locations in the Abacos are ideal for

dedicated dive vacations, too. Each year hundreds

of visitors sign up for a guided scuba diving experi-

ence or a certification course. These explorations take

you to an underwater world of well-formed, vibrant coral

patches teeming with marine life and etched with exciting

caverns, tunnels and ledges. Many of these reefs are

located within the boundaries of nationally sanctioned

marine preserves and are officially protected against

spearfishing or fish capture.

The modest airport at Marsh Harbour accommodates

incoming and outgoing passenge from Nassau, the capital of

The Bahamas, on regularly scheduled flights via

Bahamasair as well as direct flights from South Florida.

(Another way to reach Abaco, if you have the time and an

adventurous inclination, is by Bahamian mailboat.) Incoming

flights, incidentally, are also a signal to watch for ferries

outbound to settlements on the many surrounding cays.

Great Guana Cay is one excursion to make by ferry if

you're in the mood for a quiet, isolated beach that's brushed

with grassy sand dunes and lapped by electric blue waters.

Its low-key Guana Beach Resort has rooms for overnight

guests and a fine marina. The watersports centre where

scuba divers can arrange to swim with dolphins is also on

Great Guana Cay in an area called Treasure Island. Tran-

quil and unspoiled, this is by far one of the nicest beaches in

The Bahamas and a hideaway known to few outsiders.

Across from Marsh Harbour is Man-O-War Cay,

another settlement that will take you back in time. Famous

for its master ship building for well over 200 years, this

industrious little cay still rings with the sound and feel of

colonial days despite its tall palms and tropical breezes. Life

is so peaceful here that there are no police, no jails. What's

more, if you stay long enough, you can watch craftsmen

hand-build an entire boat without plans in a tradition that has

been passed down for centuries.

Hope Town, in the crook of Elbow Cay, also lies off

Marsh Harbour and is one of the most popular excursions

of all. In this picturesque village of clapboard and salt-box

houses, profusions of purple and orange bougainvillea and

other blossoms tumble over the stone and picket fences.

You can smell the aromas of fresh bread baking, hear the

echoes of old Cockney voices, shop in "shoppes," or follow

narrow, winding streets down to gorgeous stretches of

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empty beaches. At Harbour's Edge restaurant on Elbow

Cay, you'll have a perfect view of the boat-packed harbour

and the famous peppermint-striped lighthouse. Looking out

on all this serenity, you'll find itimpossible to believe that

people here once made a living by looting wrecked ships.

As the story goes,"wreckers" used to shine a light to boats

drawing them on to these rocks.T he boats would wreck,

sink, and they would swim out to steal whatever was

salvageable on the ship. It's true, too, because the proof is

all there in the Wyannie Malone Historical Museum.

ElbowCay also happens to be one of Abaco's many superb

deep-sea fishing grounds. At Easter, HopeTown and

Walker's Cay host their annual Anglers Fishing Tournament,

a 20-day event in which anglers will reel in everything from

marlin, wahoo, sail fish and dolphin to kingfish, bonefish,

tuna and barracuda.

Back on Great Abaco, there's another whole region to

explore in the deep woodlands further south. Driving by car,

you'll see glimpses of local life; women strolling along quiet

lanes balancing trays of fruits and vegetables on their

heads, goats grazing by the roadside. You'll pass the settle-

ment of Crossing Rocks and the fork that leads to Casuari-

nas Point, one of Abaco's most sybaritic resorts. Not far

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beyond this you'll enter Abaco National Park, a rich forest

preserve that sprawls over 20,500 acres.

Thick with feathery casuarina pines, flowering plants,

mangrove swamps and tall tropical trees, this quiet ecosys-

tem gives cover to scores of wild animals and exotic birds.

This is the protected habitat of the endangered Bahama

Parrot (a brilliant blue and yellow-winged, ground-nesting

species), the rare reddish egret, pelicans, humming-birds,

spoonbills and blue herons. On a very lucky day, you may

evencome upon a wild boar straying in from the remote

game region of the forest

Reaching the southeast point of Great Abaco you’ll

discover a long, natural perforation of rock known to

seamen as the “Hole- In- The-Wall:’ Above it towers a

major navigational lighthouse faithfully keeping its vigil on

ships out in the distant, ever-changing sea.

Through every turn of your sails and travels, you’ll be

charmed and astonished by the warmth of Abaco’s people.

Cheery, helpful and always ready to lift your spirits, these

gentle islanders know the secret of making you feel at

home and welcome in their small corner of paradise. In

fact, for however long you stay, you’ll find yourself en-

chanted by the mesmerizing isles of Abaco.

n andros fishermen wade out to the best bone-

fishing flats in the world to make their catch. -

Deep-sea anglers gaff marlin, grouper, yellow-

tail and snapper. Farmers harvest wide fields

and orchards. Hunters stalk dark hardwood

forests for quail, duck, marsh hen and partridge.

Divers plunge freshwater blue holes 200-feet

deep. Artisans dye batiks. And sponge fishermen

spread out their hoists to dry beneth a blazing

sun.

This is Andros, the largest of all the islands

in The Bahamas and the nation’s farming and

freshwater heartland. Yet for all its industry, life

moves at a leisurely pace in the settlements along

its 100-mile channel and bight-filled length.

OAndros

On Andros, there is always time to show visitors

at the Village of Red Bays; to point out a soaring

blue heron; and to warn you about disturbing the

impish Chickcharnies, the creatires of local folklore

who can bestow happiness or heartache at will.

Andros has many expert guides who will gladly

take you out to their superb fishing, hunting and

Andros

diving grounds.

For divers and oceanic photographers, few

thrills compare with the coral and sun-filled under-

water tunnellof Turnbull’s Gut, the 1200-foot deep

stalaclites and stalagmites of Benjamin’s Blue Hole;

or gliding “over the wall” of Andros Barrier Reef

to see where it plunges into the 6000-foot Tongue

of the Ocean.

If you’re among those who visit the island each

year, you’ll step into a way of life and soon feel as

if you’ve always lived here. Just wait for the weekly

mailboat to arrive. Like everyone else you’ll be out

on the dock to see what’s arriving, hear what’s new

and, if you’re around long enough, have your own

tale to tell about a mischevious, little Chickcharlie

who........................

Accommodations>Andros

Andros Island Bonefishing ClubCargill Creek, Andros. Phone: 242-368-5167 Fax: 242-368-5235

Fresh Creek, Andros, Phone: 800-688-4752; 242-368-2305, Fax: 242-

368-2300. E-mail: relax@androslighthouse.com

Website: www.androslighthouse.com

Located right on Fresh Creek, this resort offers an 18-slip marina with allthe amenities for visiting yachtsmen, as well as comfortable onshoreaccommodations. Twelve rooms with king-size beds and eight roomswith two double beds feature private baths and cable TV. Great bonefishing and island tours are also available. Fly into Andros Town. Airport(ASD). From the airport, take a taxi to hotel ($10 for 2 people, $2 peradditional person).

Charlie’s Haven Guest HouseBehring Point, Andros. Phone: 242-329-5261

Chickcharnie’s Hotel Fresh Creek, Andros. Phone: 242-368-2025/6. Fax: 242-368-2492

Conch Sound Resort InnConch Sound, North Andros. Phone: 242-329-2060. Fax: 242-329-2338

Creekside Fishing LodgeCargill Creek, Andros. Phone: 242-368-5395

Glatos Bonefishing LodgeJohnson Bay, South Andros

Phone: 800-688-4752; 242-369-4669

Fax: 242-369-4670. E-mail: glatfish@batelnet.BS

Website: www.islandeaze.com/glatos

Located on the waterfront overlooking miles of crystal-clear ocean waterand white sand bars. The lodge specializes in fly and spin-cast fishing forbonefish. This rustic but comfortable lodge has twelve rooms that willaccommodate 24 fishermen. Experience some of the world’s richestmudflats teeming with 8-12 lb. bonefish just waiting to zip your fly. Ourpolicy of catch and release is strictly maintained. Fly into Congo TownAirport (TZN), transportation provided.

Green Windows InnNicholls Town, Andros

Phone: 242-329-2194 Fax: 242-329-2016

Helen’s Motel ComplexMangrove Cay, Andros. Phone: 242-369-0033

ead 50 miles due east of Miami andyou’ll sail right into the blue-green harb-ours of Bimini.

This tiny group of islands is inter-nationally recognized as one of the finestfishing areas in the world for its abun-dance of sailing, tuna, wahoo and otherbig-game fisn. In fact, no fewer than 50world records have been set in these wa-ters, the inspiration for EarnestHemingway’s Islands In The Stream.

The main gateway is Alice town, aresort area with bustling yacht harbours,a straw market and casual open-air barsserving plenty of hot conch chowder andicy daiquiris.

Many championship tournaments areheld here year-round, though anyone wholikes may give big-game fishing a try byrenting a boat with a skipper and a crewwho knows the waters.

Bimini became a rendezvous for rumrunners and wreckers who plunderedships that ran aground on reefs.

H& The Berry Islands& The Berry Islands& The Berry Islands& The Berry Islands& The Berry IslandsBimini

Today, the wrecks of Spanish galleons make for

fascinating dive sites along with the black coral, exotic fishand a mysterious stone formation that some say is the lostcontinent of Atlantis. Onshore, there are plenty of inter-esting sites as well.

As the day goes on and people come in from the sea,the pace in Alice Town picks up. Farther north, away fromthe bustle of Alice Town, are the Tranquil settlements ofBailey Town, Porgy Bay and Paradise Point, with theirbeautiful beaches and azure waters.

Adverturous travellers are drawn to South Bimini, siteof the freshwater pond where Ponce de Leon allegedlysearched for the Fountain of Youth. It’s a local legend thatsome swear by and others dismiss as a fish story. Whethertrue or not, it only adds to the charm of this delightfulstring of islands.

From the time Ponce de Leon was supposedly driftingamong its beaches in search of the Fountain of Youth,Bimini has enjoyed and shared an aura both rakish and

dangerous. Underground cellars where forbidden libationswere stored before being spirited across “the pond” tothirsty, grateful devotees.

Sunken Spanish galleons and the reported lost city ofAtlantis; presidential hopefuls see their chances scuttled bymonkey business and Adam Clayton Powell scrawling hisname on the wall of Barefoot Bar, a place that was sosmall you would have sworn that the builder wanted tobuild a tree house but forgot about the tree and justplunked down on the main street up from the old seaplaneramp. That’s Bimini.

Maybe that’s its fountain of youth. Not a place, asAdam and Earnest knew and thousands more have sincediscovered. Oh there are the pristine beaches, andwatersports with their peculiar charms, but in Bimini, noone visits for these things. For you can go there and be soenraptured with the spirit of the place and the wisdom ofthe people. That’s Bimini.

Bimini

Eleuthera &Listen to the r

wind, the distant

Eleuthera’s soft

peace and quiet,

& Harbour IslandPerfect Peace & Quiet

rhythm of the waves rolling against the shore; the rustles of the palms in the

t cry of a snowy-white egret. These are the sounds you hear as you stroll

pink beaches and look up into her radiant blue skies. It is a place of perfect

, a time of utter contentment you’ll hold to your heart and long remember.

Eleuthera’s sheer beauty reaches as far as the ete cansee. In the north, her tall rugged cliffs divide the turbulentAtlantic from the turquoise calm of the Gulf. Towards thecentre, the land gentles into rolling hills quilted with farmfields and grove upon grove of pineapple. On her southernshores are tiny, New England-like villages nestled in spar-kling coves and small jungles of bright bougainvillaea.

Every inch of the narrow slip of an island, barely amile wide at most places and just 110 miles long is abso-lutely captivating.

An ideal place to begin your Eleutheran holiday is inthe north where the pretty cays of Current Island, SpanishWells and Harbour Island hug the steep, bluff-riddenshores.

Stepping off the ferry in Dunmore Town on HarbourIsland, you’ll be greeted by an aura of peacefulness and ataxi waiting to drive you up Bay Street in the late afternoon

Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Harbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour Island

sun. Past the rows of shops, outdoor cafes and hattedfresh-fruit vendors, you’ll see Victorian homes dating backto 1790; fanciful pink, blue and green houses laced withwhite lattice work, shuttered windows, balconies andgarrets. You may also see two of The Bahamas’ oldestchurches, St John’s Anglican Church and Wesley Method-ist, both of which were erected in the mid-eighteen hun-dreds.

Winding your way up the bluffs to one of Dunmore

Town’s hotels, you’ll pass under leafy canopies of fig treesand casuarina pines and hotels carefully secluded fromeach other and are all truly wonderful choices.

From the balconies of your rooms or stone cottageretreat, you’ll look out over an incredibly gorgeous oceanand beaches tinted pink by crushed sea shells and coral.These exquisite beaches are perfect for long, intimatewalks or basking in the heat of the sun. Your hosts, moving

Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Harbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour Island

almost unobtrusively, will also arrange alfresco lunches,picnics on deserted coves, sunset cocktails and romanticdinner dances beneath star-filled skies.

On a more energetic day, touring Harbour Island bybicycle or golf cart can be great fun. You’ll come across thehistoric Hill Steps that were hand-cut by prisoners and TitusHole, a curious harbourside cove said to have been theisland’s first jail. Once you see the waters, however,youmay decide to rent your own Boston whaler and cruise thesurrounding cays yourself

On SpanishWells you’ll discover a people who’ve madetheir living from the sea for over 300 years.They are thedescendants of the Eleutherian Adventurers who firstsettled this island and named it for the deep fresh-waterwells they found there. Renowned as big-game fishermen,Spanish Wellians are also excellent pilots and fishing guides.

Life is free and easy on this tiny cay where the

standard of living is extremely high. Its lovely homes andflowering gardens are well-kept and never locked. Thereare small resorts here, each serenely appointed withbeautiful cottages and rooms that face the sea.There’s alsoa fine marina that’s well-equipped for seafaring expeditionsof every kind.

Current, another quaint island settlement, gives you themost spectacular oceanic views Eleuthera has to offer.Beneath the water, scuba divers and photographers headfor Current Cut Dive where rich undersea life is visible 50

feet down; to Six Shilling Channel where they can followschools of exotic fish making for the 6000-foot depths ofthe Tongue of the Ocean; or to The Devil’s Backbone, thetreacherous spine of reefs which claimed a Civil War train,freighter and steamship over a century ago.

A short drive from there between Upper Bogue andGregory Town where the island narrows to a 30-foot

formation called the Glass Window Bridge. Standing abovethis “window” carved by eons of relentless wind and surf,you’ll see the pounding Atlantic to one side and the still,turquoise Gulf on the other.

These seas around northern Eleuthera and southwardalong the Gulf also play host to what is undoubtedly thenation’s favourite sport: regatta sailing. Bahamians fromacross the archipelago come in their locally built sloops forthe festivities and to compete in her three annual regattas:the North Eleuthera Regatta held in October, early August’sAll Eleuthera Regatta at Governor’s Harbour in centralEleuthera, and the South Eleuthera Homecoming Regattain March.

If you’re driving Eleuthera, the main road will take youfrom the colonies of Current, Gregory Town and HatchetBay in the north to the southernmost tip of the island, amere two hours or so away.

As you travel south, you’ll soon pass through the hilly,green farmlands and pineapple groves surrounding the sea-side village of Gregory Town. Here red-roofed, white villasand weathered clapboard houses stair-step down the hills tothe Atlantic, where waves crash against the shore andprovide some of the best surfing in the area.

This beach, sensational for watersports of all kinds,also hosts two island-wide festivals.The Pineapple ArtFestival, an exhibition of islander music, crafts and fine art,is held the third Saturday in March and the popular AnnualPineapple Festival, a pineapple recipe contest and fair,during four days of the first week of June.

Near Hatchet Bay, a once prosperous plantation,you’ll see a sign marking the entrance to The Cave. Thiscave, cut from rough coral and columned by magnificentstalagmites and stalactites, looks and feels like a vast,underground cathedral in the eerie light.

The next town you’ll reach is Governor’s Harbour incentral Eleuthera, the island’s seat of government and asettlement which looks as if it’s been transported intactfrom New Hampshire. Mesmerizing hills of bright-red royalpoinciana spill down the cliffs into the magnificent,sheltered harbour.

Across the bay, on Cupid’s Cay, are the ruins of thefirst permanent Eleutheran community in The Bahamas.Tourists along these pink beaches are also few and farbetween.

Further south, at Tarpum Bay, watch out for goats

Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Eleuthera & Harbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour IslandHarbour Islandwandering the lanes.

Driving on you’ll come to the quaint, clapboard villageof Rock Sound. In the center of this spotless little town isOcean Hole, a landlocked, fathomless, saltwater pool whererainbow and parrot fish come to the surface to be fed.

A bridge from Rock Sound leads overthe bay to Windermere Island, The Bahamas’ hideaway forthe affluent. Serene and secluded, this luxurious islanddiscretely houses many private homes and villas.

On Eleuthera and Harbour Island you’ll discover thesame sense of freedom from the rest of the world that theEleutheran Adventurers did so many centuries ago. Carriedby a slow, steady pace and soothed by the islands’ naturalbeauty, you will rejuvenate your spirit more than you dare todream.

Eleuthera / Harbour Island/Spanish Wells

Miles of glistening pink-and white-sand beaches, serene colonial villagesand Laughing Bird Apartments rolling acres of pineapple plantationsmake Eleuthera an island of the most casual sophistication. Much of theisland’s architecture and way of life were influenced by Loyalist settlersin the late 1700s. With its companion, Harbour Island, Eleuthera has longbeen a favored destination among travelers seeking a bit of quiet charm. Tolearn more about Eleuthera/Harbour Island call 800-0UT ISLANDS (800-

688-4752) or visit www.islandscenemagazine.com.

Accommodations>>Eleuthera

Adventurer’s ResortSpanish Wells, Eleuthera. Phone: 242-333-4883 Fax: 242-333-5073

Atlantic SuitesPalmetto Point, Eleuthera Phone: 242-332-1882 Fax: 242-332-1883

Bayshore Inn Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera Phone: 242-334-4009, v9 Fax: 242-334-4006

The Buccaneer ClubGovernor’s Harbour, Eleuthera.

Phone: 242-332-2000 / Fax: 242-322-2888

ExumaAnother Universe Entirely

Flying into the Exumas is one of the most beauti

ful sights your eyes wil ever see. Beneath high

clouds her tiny islands float out over a 150-

mile coral reef, limestone and sand-bar plateau; 365

individual cays converging rivers of deep green, tur-

quoise and ocean blue.

Here the waters are so clear, you can lean

over the side of your boat and watch the sand rippling

the ocean floor 60 feet below, even spot the shadows of

bonefish long before they

approach. You can walk mile after mile of empty beach

combing for driftwood, sand dollars and other sea-

brought treasures. Swim in quiet, hidden coves. Snorkel

between schools of neon-bright fish and vast, coral

castles. And never duplicate your location, even if you

visit one island a day, every day, for a year.

Exploring Exuma’s Land and Sea Park is a given

when you’re in these waters. Approachable only by boat,

the island preserve covers 176 square miles and is a

silent, underwater universe of limestone, coral reefs, blue

holes, caves and drop offs and enchanting sea creatures.

Among the thousands of natural coves

and harbours is Exuma’s capital, George

Town on Great Exuma Island. If youre sailing

these channels, you’ll want to stop in to stock

up. Long known for its hospitality, this settle-

ment has excellent full-service marinas, supply

stores and shops, a bank, post office and a

busy, little straw market. If you’re staying,

you’ll fall in love with their quaint cottage

hideaways.

Life in this sleepy quarter wakes up once

a year when hundreds of visiting yachtsmen

and their families come to compete With

Bahamian sailors in the wildly festive

Annual Cruising Regatta. For that week

in March, George Town is a whirl of feasts,

bonfire parties, sailing contests and talent

shows and not an empty inn is to be found

anywhere.

If you’re looking for a place of radiant

waters and blissfully quiet days filtered in

every hue of ocean, coral, sky and cloud,

take heart. You’ll find it in the romantic

isles of Exuma.

rand Bahama Island lies fifty-five miles off the coast of

Florida and north of Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas.

Her climate is tropical, a warm eighty degrees throughout

the year and cooled by billowy ocean breezes.

Major areas are the more metropolitan town of

Freeport and the contrastingly quiet bay of Port Lucaya.

At West End, the island’s oldest settlement, you’ll find local

fishermen pulling in their catch in much the same manner

as their ancestors did centuries ago.

Above and below her 51-mile shoreline, this glorious

island has it all. Shallow, sea-green waters as clear as

glass. Championship-rated golf courses. Sea dives with

dolphins. Fabulous multi-million dollar resorts. Junkanoo

Festivals. Haute cuisine. Pink flamingos. The best bar-

gain-buys anywhere (worldly and Bahamian). Tamarind

forests. And of course, all those exquisite miles of serene,

powder-soft beaches.

Divers come here to hunt ancient shipwrecks (some

recovered coins are valued in the millions) and to try the

“The Dolphin Experience” first hand. An equally exhila-

rating dive which can be arranged through UNEXSO is in

the “blue holes” of Lucayan National Park; openings in

the land which lead to the largest explored underwater

cave system in the world.

GBahama Island

Grand

ack on terra firma, duty-free shopping is another

heady sport. Strike out for the fascinating International

Bazaar where imports from four continents are priced

as much as 40% Delow retail (luxuries like South

African emeralds, French perfumes, Irish linens). Hit

the malls at the Regent Centre downtown or the eighty-

five waterfront shops at Port Lucaya. And be sure not

to miss the big local Straw Market, where bartering for

island-made curios is loads of fun.

Speaking of hits and misses, few islands compete

Grand Bahama Island

with Grand Bahama’s exceptionally well-designed golf

courses. Packed with water, bunker and prevailing-

wind hazards, her 18-hole, 12-par championship

courses have tested the skill (and patience) of some

of the game’s best players.So grab your sunglasses,

bathing-suit and an empty carry-back bag or two.

Pack your goggles, snorkels, tennis racquet and

camera, your most trusted golf clubs and putter.

Grand Bahama Island is waiting to welcome you to

her shores!

B

I n the heart of New Providence lies the capital of our country.

Welcome to Nassau, bustling hub of The Bahamas since the

shipwrecking days of the legendary pirate Blackbeard.

Prized for its sheltered harbour, history was made and

beautifully preserved here in Victorian mansions, cathedrals, 18th-

century fortresses and a Queen’s Staircase, whose 66 steps lead to

a not-to-be missed view.

Bordering the harbour is Bay Street, Nassau’s oldest

thoroughfare lined with cosmopolitan restaurants and shops. Here,

you can buy goods, from around the world, duty-free, or in our

famous Straw Market, handicrafts you won’t find anywhere else.

Pick your favourite straw hat and explore the rest of the

island. There are botanical gardens to visit, glass-bottom boats to

ride and beaches to bask upon. Then, head to the Cable Beach

strip or Paradise Island, where the nightlife is nonstop, from the

glittering casinos to the stars in the island sky, marking the end

of another near-perfect day.

There’s so much to do and see in New Providence, the best

place to start is with an overview of all the plush resorts, colonial

forts, local clubs and international shops found throughout this

nonstop island.

The gateway to Nassau is Rawson Square, where y ou’ll find

the Minis try Of Tourism Information Centre with plenty of

brochures, maps and helpful suggestions . It’s the place to start

a free guided walking tour along the shady streets of Old Nassau

or to engage a horse-drawn surrey for a pleasant excursion

around town Just a short walk from Rawson Square you’ll find

Prince George Wharf, the bustling waterfront where cruise ships

dock and glassbottom boats depart for sea-garden tours.

Nassau & Paradise Island

Parliament Square in downtown Nassau is the traditionalcentre of the Bahamian Government. Here, picturesquepastel buildings built in the early 1800s by Loyalists

include the Houses of Parliament, the old Colonial Secretary’sOffice, the Supreme Court and marble statue of Queen Victoria .

Each January, April, July and October, the stately SupremeCourt Opening Ceremonies are held, filling the square with pompand pageantry.

If you were sentenced to a jail term in the early 19th century,you probably would have ended up in the octagonal buildingnearby . The former jail is now the Nassau Public Library, and ithouses one of the finest Bahamian book collections, fascinatingold prints, maps, photos and Arawak artifacts .

In contrast to Old Nassau, Bay Street is very much up-to-theminute with its cosmopolitan restaurants and shops . Hereyou can find British woollens, French perfumes, Japanesecameras, Swiss clocks, English china, Italian leather, SouthAmerican gems and many more goods from aroundthe world, atduty-free prices.

For original Bahamian handicrafts, our colourful Straw

Market is the place to go where you strike your own bargain onmats, hats, baskets, handbags, jewellery and wood carvings. Oneblock west of the Straw Market is Pompey Museum, home ofBahamian art.

Just a short walk from downtown you’ll find Fort Fincastle,built in 1789 in the shape of a paddle-wheel steamer. The nearbyWater Tower is the highest point on the island, giving a stunningpanoramic view from over 200 feet above sea level.

Getting to both is easy . Just climb the Queen’s Staircase,66 steps carved from the limestone hill overlooking Nassau andthe harbour.

You’ll likely recognize the Government House even if you’venever been to Nassau. Built in 1801, the elegant pink and whiteneoclassical mansion is one of The Bahamas most photo-graphed landmarks.

The statue of a proud Columbus on the front steps com-memorates his first landfall in the New World in 1492 on theshores of San Salvador. A change of the Guard ceremony takesplace here at 10 a.m. every other Saturday morning.

Farther west of downtown stands one of Nassau’s most

Nassau & Paradise Island

impressive forts. Fort Charlotte was built in 1788, complete with amoat, open battlements and dungeons. For all its imposingfortifications, it never fired a shot in anger.

One of The Bahamas’ first marching birds is one blockwest:the famous, flambo yant marching flamingos of theArdastra Gardens and Zoo . The tropical gardens and

exotic animalshere also put on quite a show. Nearby, the Nassau BotanicalGardens has an extensive collection of plants native to TheBahamas, as well as lily pools, tropical fish, cactus gardens and aquarry stone grotto.

Arawak Cay , located on West Bay Street across the streetfrom historic Fort Charlotte, is a nice spot for a quick, local stylelunch. Known to the Nassau residents as “The Fish Fry”.Arawak Cay is one of the best places to chat with locals, play agame of dominoes or sample Bahamian fare.

Heading farther west, you’ll notice you’ve left the quickpace of Nassau behind. Indeed, the winding section of WestBay Street that leads to Cable Beach is nicknamed “Go SlowBend,” as people frequently stop to view the luxurious resorts,

Nassau & Paradise Island

restaurants, shops and beautiful beaches.Beyond Cable Beach, the road curves along the coast

through a series of small villages and quiet beaches, revealingstunning views of the ocean around each bend.

The Caves, carved out of limestone by the waves, are said tohave sheltered Arawak Indians long ago. Just beyond thehistoric hilltop of Gambier Village is Love Beach, said to be theprettiest stretch of sand on New Providence. The underwaterview rivals that of the scenery above water with its acres of seagardens and colorful coral reefs.

The road continues along the southwest coast of the island,then winds its way east past a sprawling resort with achampionship golf course, the historic villages of Adelaide andCarmichael and a pine forest dotted with palmetto palms.

On the eastern part of New Providence you’ll find TheRetreat, the headquarters for our national parks, with one of thelargest private collections of exotic palms inthe world.

Both New Providence’s oldest fort and The Bahamas’ oldestchurch are nearby. Fort Montagu was built in 1741, and unlike

Fort Charlotte and Fort Fincastle, saw action when it was seizedfor one day by the Americans during the Revoluionary War.

St. Matthews Church, noted by its unusual tower andsteeple, opened for service in 1802 and still retains its originalstained-glass window.

Next is the bridge to Paradise. But before you walk, cycleor drive over it, be sure to visit the lively fruit andvegetable market on the western side of Potter’s Cay.

The bustling market here at Potter’s Cay is where fishermenbring their fresh catch of the day and where farmers ship theirfresh fruit and vegetables. The pace is always pleasantly busyfrom the locals cracking conch to the mailboats hauling theirgoods from The Islands.

Once over on Paradise Island, the winding street is linedwith plush resorts, fine shops and gourmet restaurants. Turn leftand you’ll find yourself on a quiet drive, where tall casuarinatrees bow for all who enter.

The lush, peaceful Versailles Gardens are on the eastern partof the island with statues, fountains and elegant terraces thatlead to the French Cloisters, stately columns that overlook theNassau Harbour. Built in the 14th century by Augustinian monks,the Cloisters were shipped here 600 years later and recon-structed stone by stone.

The lovely Paradise Island beach is a perfect place to relax.It’s also one of the many places to delve into New Providence’smany sports.

You can dive, windsurf or waterski almost everywhere inNassau and Paradise Island, and learn to parasail at majorNassau and Paradise Island Hotels.

New Providence has excellent dive sites. There are shallowreefs, deep blue holes, old shipwrecks, caves, drarna tic drop-offs and colourful sea gardens surrounding the island.

Two James Bond thrillers were filmed in these waters:Thunderball, shot in the shallow Thunderball Reef and NeverSay Never Again, filmed on location in one of The Bahamas’most spectacular shipwrecks. Boats of any size can be charteredfor hours or days at a time, from marinas along the northeastastern shore of New Providence. Big game fishing, reeffishing and tackle fishing are also popular, fully equipped boatsare available for half-and full-da y charters . V arious tournamentsare held throughout the year.

One of the inviting things about New Providence is thatyou can enjoy both water and land-based sports in the samevacation.

The Bahamas is an official golf destination of the PGA Tourand PGA of America. You can playa round of golf in Nassau,Cable Beach or Paradise Island on your choice of three top-ratedcourses: South Ocean Golf Club (6,707 yds, par-72), designed byJoe Lee; Cable Beach Golf Course (7,040 yds., par-72), laid outaround 13 lakes and 50 sand traps and The Paradise Island GolfClub (6,770 yds., par-72), which offers several ocean-view holes.

Tennis buffs have no fewer than 100 courts from which tochoose at” hotels and resorts throughout Nassau, Cable Beachand Paradise Island. Many courts are lighted for evening play.Instruction in daily clinics and private lessons are also standardat most large resorts. Tennis tournaments are part ofthe year’s calendar of events.

Celebrations

Our country is known for its variety of exciting festivals andwe’d love to have you join in the fun.

On December 26, we celebrate our most famous festival ofall, Junkanoo. Rest up: the festivities don’t even begin until 3

Nassau & Paradise Island

a.m. For this thrilling African-borne festival, thousands ofrevellers parade through downtown Nassau in spectacularcostumes and masks, setting the night ablaze with colour. Thepulsating rhythm of cowbells, horns and whistles, and goatskindrums can be heard for miles as the dancers compete for prizesawarded to the best costumes, music and performances. OnNew Year’s Day, the entire entourage comes back for a stunningrepeat performance.

There is an intense rivalry be tween groups to create themost colourful, imaginative costumes. In fact, many groupsbegin creating their costumes as early as August, thoughcostume themes are a closely guarded secret until the actualevent.

Discovery Day, October 12 commemorates Columbus’landing on San Salvador in 1492.

July 10 marks the anniversary of the independence of TheBahama Islands with parades and fireworks throughout the week.

Emancipation Day, the first Monday in August, commemo-rates the liberation of slaves in 1834. Fox Hill Day is celebratedthe following Tuesday with a variety of cultural events.

Dining

All this activity is bound to make you hungry. New Provi-dence offers many choices in the way of dining: European,American, Chinese, Greek, Polynesian but our Bahamian faretops the list.

Bahamians have depended on conch and fish for centuries,and have learned a wizardry with the foods of the sea that willdelight and tingle the palate.

Everyone who visits the Bahama Islands should try ournative specialities at least once. Conch fritters, grouper fingers,peas’n rice, boiled fish, johnnycake and guava duff are just a fewof our tasty dishes, all of which go nicely with our famoustropical drinks.

Dining can mean anything from informal beach barbecues to

casual cafes to romantic gourmet restaurants with breathtakingviews. You decide.

Nightlife

There aren’t enough hours in a day to experience all thenightlife New Providence has to offer .

In Nassau and Paradise Island, you can choose from bistros,nightclubs, discos and two of the most spectacular casinos thatare to be found anywhere.

There are bands that play everything from Jazz to Calypsomusic to our own “Rake ‘n Scrape” and “Junkanoo.”

The two casinos, one on Paradise Island and the otherlocated on Nassau offer slot machines and a complete selectionof games, including blackjack, roulette and baccarat. They willalso teach you how to play if it’s your first try. Guests over 18may gamble.

The Dundas Centre, Nassau’s performing arts theatre,stages plays and performances by local troupes and out-of-townartists throughout the year .

Getting Around

So now that you know the places to go, how do you getaround? There are taxicabs at the airport, downtown Nassau andmajor hotels; rental cars at the airport and various locations(please remember, we drive on the left sideof the road); motor scooters at hotels and in downtown Nassau(helmets are compulsory); rental bicycles at various locationsand jitneys that run throughout the island from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30p.m. If you’re not in a big hurry (you’re on vacation, after all) trysome of our more scenic ways ofgetting about New Providence.

We have day cruises to nearby islands where you can sun,swim and snorkel; catamaran sightseeing tours and romanticdinner cruises through the Nassau Harbour.

Nassau & Paradise Island