An Insider’s Guide to The Bahamas’ Out Islands

A trip to the Bahamas almost guarantees brilliant sunshine, lapis-hued waters and baby powder-soft sand. While many visitors settle into the popular capital city of Nassau to experience those givens, there’s so much more to the region. The West Indies archipelago of nearly 700 , many of which are completely uninhabited, leaves plenty to explore for the adventurous traveler in search of an off-the-beaten-path escape.

Though many of the Out Islands remain beautifully unspoiled by human intervention, three destinations have made a splash in the Bahamas’ tourism scene: The Abacos, Eleuthera and The Exumas. Each boasts the Caribbean’s signature tranquility but is one of a kind in environment and activities.
Clear-kayaking in The Bahamas reveals an exciting array of sharks and tropical fish; photos courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

So, while you can appreciate the vibrancy of a bustling beach town with a Bahama Mama cocktail in hand, be sure to make time to ditch the crowds at the resort chains and swap them for a more intimate perspective on Bahamian life. Here’s some inspiration.
Snorkeling and diving are highlights in The Abacos Islands;

ADVENTURE IN THE ABACOS

Tucked some 55 miles north of Nassau, Abaco is the Bahamas’ second-largest island, yet one of its lesser discovered.

Natural highlights include dozens of pristine cays and more than 100 blue holes to snorkel and dive in, making it a must for travelers wishing to channel their inner mermaid. But it’s The Abacos’ boating and sailing culture that attracts its biggest crowds. Vessels, both modest and grandiose, ferry camera-toting tourists to sunny hot spots such as Elbow Cay and Sandy Point as well as less-frequented locales such as The Abacos’ mangrove and dry forests, which teem with blue and orange Atala butterflies among Jurassic-looking passion flowers.

But if interaction with people (and not just slivers of untampered wilderness) takes equal priority, there are clusters of studios and shops in marina-lined Marsh Harbour that feature handmade keepsakes such as textured nature paintings, colorful woven baskets and batik-style clothing. Purchasing these souvenirs both supports the local economy and memorializes your trip.

Where to Stay: Marsh Harbour’s Abaco Beach Resort makes a fantastic home base for everything you’ll want to see and do. At the hibiscus-filled property, most suites are fitted with oversize patios to take in oceanside views. Locally caught seafood and locally grown produce such as coconuts and guava are among the indigenous fare that guides the daily menu offerings.
The island setting provides plenty of places to relax, Bahama style; photo courtesy of Pink Sands Resort

ECOLOGY IN ELEUTHERA

Think pink, at least when it comes to Eleuthera. Three miles of its coast radiates a distinct rosy complexion due to the crushed shells of coral insects known as foraminifera. Eleuthera is one of the few places in the Caribbean, along with Bermuda and Barbados, where travelers can witness the awe-inspiring phenomenon.

Beyond this aquatic wonder, the island is celebrated for its variety of iconic landmarks. One such landmark is the Glass Window Bridge, a strip of land that separates and straddles the navy-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Visitors can also take a dip in the Queen’s Baths natural tide pools or venture to Leon Levy Native Plant Reserve, a 30-acre botanical garden that is home to a series of coppice footpaths, mangrove boardwalks and wetland trails.

Where to Stay: Pink Sands Resort’s villa and cottage design is inspired by the colors and textures of Eleuthera’s native environmental gems. This includes oversize slabs of limestone, sprawling vegetation, and pops of—you guessed it—the beach’s signature pink, which can make guests feel as if they’ve simply washed ashore to begin their extended stay.
 Horseback riding on Harbour Island is a postcard-perfect pastime; photo courtsey of Eleuthera

EQUANIMITY IN THE EXUMAS

While The Exumas has become synonymous with the famous Swimming Pigs at Big Major Cay, its primary appeal lies in its sheer beauty and unrivaled calm. After all, there’s no denying that clear ocean water and gently swaying palms can leave even the most jaded or stressed-out traveler covered in goosebumps.

This tranquility is The Exumas’ biggest selling point: The majority of its 365 islands are undisturbed by development and dedicated to maintaining an impression of peace, serenity and isolation.

Quiet surf and ultra-soft sand can be found at beaches such as Tropic of Cancer, Jolly Hall, Forbes Hill and Hoopers Bay, while Shroud, Highborne and Norman’s cays will cradle day-trippers in pockets of paradise with vast stretches of craggy, wave-blocking rock formations.

But perhaps the best way to immerse yourself in The Exumas’ unbridled splendor is to anchor near a patch of nearly inaccessible land, practically begging to be investigated for its flora and fauna treasures. Exercise caution, of course, as you meander through sand bars to witness lemon sharks and hammerheads in their natural habitat as they feed close to shore. Your travel advisor can book a day tour of these hidden coves and empty sandbars where you can simply breathe, disconnect and forget (at least temporarily) about the anxieties left
back home.

Where to Stay: A reservation at the luxury Sandals Emerald Bay in Great Exuma is arguably the most sought-after for its brand recognition and high-end all-inclusive dining and amenities. One of the few lodging options available in this region, it offers six bars, 11 restaurants, a Greg Norman-designed golf course and a mile-long private beach.

EMBRACE THE ESCAPE

Finding a beautiful beach in the Caribbean is easy; looking beyond tried-and-true locations requires a bit more time and effort, of course.

The Bahamas’ Out Islands may not garner the same amount of media attention as Nassau and the like, but they are where you’ll have access to the adventure, ecology and seclusion that make a detour from the mainland worthwhile.