THE BAHAMAS
10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1 About 700 islands make up the Bahamas, tossed across the lower Atlantic between Florida and Cuba. Only 30 of them are inhabited.2 The water is so clear in the Bahamas that divers experience visibility of up to 200 feet.3 The4 Nassau, the capital city, is extra-crowded during March and April, when spring-breakers invade. It is also one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.5 Grand Bahama Island, the fourth-largest island in the chain, is only a 50-minute flight from Miami and exudes an airy, spread-out feel compared to busy Nassau. Take diving lessons or browse duty-free bounty at the International Bazaar or the Port Lucaya Marketplace in Freeport6 Looking for excitement? Don’t miss Junkanoo, a Bahamian costume parade in which people dance to copper cowbells, goombay drums and whistles. The parade goes from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. (yeah, you read that right) on December 26 and January 1.7 The Abaco islands are famous for sailing and bird-watching, while the Exumas and Pelican Cays feature incredible land and sea parks.8 Popular cuisine includes locally grown guava, mangoes, papaya and plantains with conch, kingfish, wahoo and grouper—all washed down with pineapple wine from Eleuthera.9 Boats are available for chartering or group tours, including Sail Nassau’s two multimillion-dollar Racers, where you can take the helm or just sit back and feel the wind in your hair.10 The Bahamas are just a 75-minute plane trip from Florida, making them a quick trip for destination weddings and honeymoons alike.
