Bahamas: pink sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, islands and fishing villages

Big Major Cay is an uninhabited island in the Exumas. Pigs live here and swim in the clear waters, approaching visitors with curiosity. The island has become famous for this unusual phenomenon, drawing travelers who come to experience this rare encounter firsthand.

Nassau is the administrative center of the Bahamas on New Providence island. The city brings together government buildings and businesses in one place. Visitors and locals move through busy streets filled with markets, restaurants, and shops. The water is close by, and you feel the presence of the sea everywhere. The architecture shows colorful houses and buildings from different periods. Nassau serves as the gateway for exploring the other islands of the archipelago.

Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island stretches for 5 kilometers along the shore with distinctive rosy sand. This unusual color comes from tiny red shell fragments from the nearby coral reefs. The water here is a bright turquoise, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The beach captures the tropical essence of the Bahamas and offers visitors a place to relax, swim, and experience the island's natural beauty.

Eleuthera is a long, narrow island known for its pink sand beaches and working fishing villages that show the real character of the Bahamas. The island stretches across large distances and reveals different landscapes on each side. You can walk through villages where fishermen practice their trade and explore beaches that alternate with natural rock formations. The island draws visitors who want to experience authentic life in the Bahamas, away from major tourist centers.

Harbour Island is a small island off the northern coast of Eleuthera, known for its pink sand beaches and old colonial buildings. The houses from earlier times shape the character of the island and tell its story. Many visitors come here to experience the special beaches and discover life on this peaceful island.

Great Harbour Cay is the main island of the Berry Islands and features mangrove wetlands and shallow lagoons that attract numerous water birds. The settlement of Great Harbour serves as the administrative and commercial hub of the Berry Islands, where you will find fishing houses and a quiet island community. The surrounding waters are shallow and calm, making them ideal for fishing and exploring the nearby smaller islands. Bird watchers come here to observe the diverse species that nest and feed in the brackish areas.

Paradise Island is a residential and tourist destination connected to Nassau by two bridges, stretching about 5 kilometers. The island is home to several major hotel complexes and marinas. Visitors come here for luxury accommodations and water activities. As part of an archipelago where each island has its own character, Paradise Island offers access to white and pink sand beaches, clear lagoons, and rich marine life. From here, you can explore the broader collection of Bahamian islands, from Nassau's administrative center to fishing villages like those on Eleuthera, and dive sites around coral reefs.

This town is the heart of Great Abaco and brings together the energy of a working harbor with the charm of the Bahamas. Visitors find a busy marina where sailboats and yachts from around the world dock, local restaurants serving fresh seafood, and small shops selling crafts and island goods. Marsh Harbour serves as the natural starting point for exploring the Abacos, an island chain known for its clear waters and coral reefs. From here, travelers can take day trips to nearby islands, dive at reef sites, or seek out hidden coves that make this region special.

The Exuma Islands form a chain of around 365 islands and cays stretching over 190 kilometers. The water here is so clear you can see straight to the bottom. White sand beaches invite you to relax, and beneath the surface, coral reefs and colorful fish await explorers. This island group is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or simply enjoying nature. Each small island has its own character and secrets waiting to be discovered.

Long Island is a long, narrow island in the Bahamas that stretches across the archipelago. Steep limestone cliffs rise along the eastern shore, creating dramatic views of the ocean. The western side offers sandy beaches perfect for swimming and enjoying the sun. The island is famous for Dean's Blue Hole, a deep underwater sinkhole that attracts divers and explorers. Here you can experience the varied landscapes that make the Bahamas special all in one place.

Dean's Blue Hole on Long Island is a remarkable natural diving site. This deep sinkhole descends about 200 meters (656 feet) vertically into the coral limestone bedrock. The hole sits in shallow turquoise waters, creating a striking contrast that makes it visible from above. It is one of the deepest blue holes in the world and attracts experienced divers who want to explore its depths and the geological formations around it. The site offers a glimpse into the underwater landscape that shapes these islands.

Bimini is a group of small islands in the western Bahamas that attracts sport fishermen and divers. The islands have modern marinas where boats can dock and several dive sites nearby. The clear water draws people who want to fish or explore underwater. Bimini lies closer to Florida than to the other Bahama islands and has a long history as a fishing village.

San Salvador Island stretches about 40 kilometers and contains six saltwater lakes in its interior along with dive sites featuring wrecks of historic ships. This island is part of the Bahamas and offers visitors the chance to explore both the natural landscape and underwater history.

Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama is a nature reserve with underwater caves, coral reefs, and forest trails. The park displays the diverse nature found across the Bahamas and offers space to explore both underwater and on land. Visitors can walk through caves, discover the clear waters, and encounter the plants and animals that make the island home.

Stocking Island is a strip of land east of Great Exuma, known for its beaches where stingrays gather. This island embodies the Bahamas experience, where each island reveals its own treasures. Visitors can observe marine life up close and explore the rich waters that characterize this archipelago, making it an essential stop for those seeking to understand the natural wonders of the islands.

Hamilton's Cave on Long Island is a cave system stretching over 3,200 feet (1,000 meters) in length that holds ancient rock carvings. These petroglyphs were created by the Arawak peoples who lived in the Bahamas centuries ago. The network of passages contains symbols and markings that were carved into the stone walls. Visitors can walk through the dark tunnels and trace the history of the islands' first inhabitants. The cave serves as a window into the pre-Columbian cultures that once thrived in the Caribbean.

Abacos National Park is a protected area covered with Caribbean pine forests where Bahama parrots live. These birds are found only in this archipelago. The park lets visitors observe this rare wildlife in its natural habitat and explore the forested landscapes.

Cat Island is a 77-kilometer-long island in the Bahamas where houses display the typical white and blue colors of colonial Bahamian architecture. This island fits perfectly within the archipelago's diversity and offers visitors colorful villages, quiet beaches, and a look at traditional Bahamian life.

This island group sits at the southern tip of the Bahamas and centers around vast salt marshes. These shallow wetlands are home to thousands of flamingos that live and feed here. The landscape looks raw and natural, shaped by water and salt. It is a place where you can see wildlife in their everyday habitat, away from the crowded tourist areas.

The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve on Eleuthera displays the native plants of the Bahamas across 10 hectares. Walking here, you discover plants found only on these islands. Marked trails lead through different habitats, from dry areas to wetter zones. Information signs explain what you see. It is a place to understand and appreciate the nature of the Bahamas.

The Hope Town Lighthouse is a beacon built in 1863 and located on Elbow Cay in the Abacos. Its distinctive red and white stripes make it a recognizable landmark in the island group. The tower stands on a smaller island and serves as an important guide for sailors and fishermen. From the top, you can see across the surrounding waters and nearby islands.

Preacher's Cave is a large natural cave at the northern end of Eleuthera island. Early settlers used this cave as a place of worship and gathering. Walking through the cave, you can see how people shaped their lives in this space and feel the connection to the island's past. The rock formations and the stories held within these walls make it a meaningful stop.

Cable Beach is a 6 kilometer stretch of sand north of Nassau. Fine white sand characterizes this shore, lined with hotels, restaurants, shops and casinos. This beach fits into the Bahamas collection of island treasures, offering a blend of relaxation and tourist amenities.

Fort Fincastle is a military fortification built in 1793 from limestone with a ship-like shape, designed to protect Nassau from pirates. The structure sits on a hill overlooking the city and harbor. From this location, visitors can understand the history of the Bahamas and learn about the importance of this defensive post. Today you can walk through the fort and explore its old stone walls and chambers while enjoying views of Nassau and the surrounding waters.

Fort Charlotte is a fortress built in 1788 in Nassau. The stronghold features dry moats, underground tunnels, and cannons that once guarded the harbor. Walking through its passages gives you a sense of the military history that shaped these islands. The fort overlooks the waterfront and offers views of Nassau's coast, telling the story of how the Bahamas were protected centuries ago. Visitors can explore the stone walls and learn about the people who lived and worked here.

Glass Window Bridge on Eleuthera marks a narrow passage where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. The original natural rock formation collapsed and was replaced by a road bridge. At this spot, visitors can watch two different seas meet, where the colors and waves look distinctly different. The bridge provides a vantage point to observe this natural phenomenon and understand how the power of the water has shaped the island landscape.

Port Lucaya Marketplace is a commercial center at Freeport's marina offering shops, restaurants and regular events. This place invites you to wander around, especially in the late afternoon when locals and visitors gather together. You will find Caribbean crafts, modern boutiques and restaurants serving local and international food. Its location right on the water gives the marketplace a lively character. In the evenings, as the sun sets over the marina, the marketplace becomes a popular meeting spot.

Andros is a large island in the Bahamas that stretches across vast distances and features a major coral reef and dense forests. This island is home to traditional fishing communities and draws visitors who want to experience natural coastal landscapes. The waters around Andros are clear and full of marine life, making it a place for diving and snorkeling. Andros appeals to those seeking to spend time in nature and explore quieter parts of the Bahamian archipelago.

This island is home to the Freeport tourist complex and numerous diving sites along the coral reefs. Grand Bahama offers visitors access to one of the most active tourism centers in the archipelago as well as diving spots where you can explore colorful underwater life. The island attracts both adventure seekers and those looking to relax while exploring the waters.

Green Turtle Cay is a small island in the Abacos with British colonial homes, white sand beaches, and cozy harbors for boats. This little island has kept the charm of a fishing village and attracts visitors who want to experience authentic life on the Bahamas. The colorful houses date back to earlier times and tell the story of the island. The waters around Green Turtle Cay are clear and welcoming for swimmers and those who want to explore the marine world.

Elbow Cay is an island in the Abacos known for its pastel-colored colonial homes and the distinctive red and white striped lighthouse that rises above the harbor. The island offers protected anchorages for sailors and small coves with clear waters. You will find the traditional architecture of the Bahamas with well-maintained buildings from earlier centuries, while fishermen and local residents shape daily life here. The island suits those seeking to experience traditional island culture alongside water-based activities.

Spanish Wells is a fishing community on St. George's Cay, north of Eleuthera. The village attracts visitors with its colorful houses and working fishing harbor, where boats come and go throughout the day. Life here moves with the rhythm of the sea, as locals catch and sell fresh seafood. You can walk along the docks and see the boats unload their catch. Small shops and restaurants offer meals made with the day's fish. The pace of life is slower here, focused on the water and the work of fishing that has defined this place for generations.