Source: Courtesy / Weber Shandwick
The Islands of The Bahamas brought their beautiful country to the city of Los Angeles last week with an event filled with Bahamian culture, music, cocktails and history. As the Bahamas gears up to celebrate 50 years of independence next month, we want to share 50 reasons why you should visit their beautiful islands inside.
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On Tuesday, June 13, we had the opportunity to experience an authentic taste of the Islands of the Bahamas. The event was filled with Bahamian cocktails/mocktails by Marv “Mr. Mix” Cunningham, food by Chef Kevyn Prat, and a live performance by the Chambers Jankanoo Band. There were also special guests, who spoke to the country’s culture and history, encouraging attendees to book their travel as soon as possible. The guests included the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honorable I. Chester Cooper, and Director General Latia Duncombe.
It left us feeling inspired to play our next trip to their 16 unique destinations around the country from the bustling tourist attraction of Nassau, which most people are more familiar with, to the off the beaten path islands we discovered after Tuesday’s successful event.
As the beautiful Islands of the Bahamas celebrates the 50th Anniversary with the long-awaited non-stop JetBlue flights from LAX, starting in November, we wanted to share 50 reasons why you must visit for yourself.
Here are 50 reasons why the Bahamas has to be your next travel destination:
The unique geographical diversity
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1. 700 islands and 2,400 cays for endless island exploration and island hopping
2. 16 unique island destinations, with options suited for every type of traveller
Their endless land and sea adventures
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3. The clearest waters in the world where you can swim, snorkel, kayak, fish or sail
4. The plentiful blue holes across the islands, from Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island to Captain Bill’s on Andros to Sapphire Blue Hole on Eleuthera
5. Catch-and-release bonefishing across the Southern Islands, from Acklins & Crooked to Mayaguana to Ragged Island
6. Off-the-beaten-path adventure on one of The Bahamas’ smallest islands, San Salvador (home to 50 dive sites!)
7. The local dive shop operators that offer world-class snorkelling, scuba diving and free-diving experiences
8. Scenic golf courses where novice and professional golfers are welcome
9. The nautical sailboat lifestyle where sailing is the National Sport of The Bahamas
Its’ laidback island lifestyle
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10. The luxury of a “private island feel” on our secluded beaches and jaw-dropping sandbars
11. Golf cart cruising across the Out Islands, from Green Turtle Cay to Harbour Island (don’t forget to keep to your left!)
12. The Pink Sand Beaches and pastel-coloured buildings on Harbour Island
13. Golden sunsets and dreamy seclusion on Rum Cay
14. The irresistible cays in the Berry Islands, including Great Harbour Cay and Chub Cay
The people, culture and heritage
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15. The warm, hospitable, cheerful and great-humoured nature of the Bahamian people
16. The establishments, landmarks and settlements named after The Bahamas first ‘original inhabitants, the Lucayans of the Arawak tribe
17. Bahamian slang like soon reach, sip sip, tingum and bey
18. Storied Bahamian folklore that has stood the test of time
19. The rich traditions, colourful handmade costumes and pulsating sounds of Junkanoo – “the spirit of The Bahamas”
20. Local Bahamian-owned businesses that keep the heart of our country and our culture alive
21. The sounds of Rake ‘n’ Scrape, the traditional music of The Bahamas
22. The Bahamas People-to-People Programme, where you can experience the destination like a local
23. The humbled beginnings of the legendary Sir Sidney Poitier on Cat Island
24. Endless cultural celebrations and festivals, from the Pineapple Festival on Eleuthera to Homecoming festivals to our exhilarating sailing regattas across the Out Islands
25. Various art galleries and museums across the country that allow you to see The Bahamas through the lens of local artists
26. The everchanging mosaic artwork at Dolphin House in Bimini infusing passion, pride and creativity into every meticulously placed tile, seashell and recycled fragment
27. The tropical hues of Androsia Batik fabrics hand made on Andros
28. Bahamian straw markets and canvas shops, where each item is handcrafted with love
29. Bahamian Bush Tea and remedies such as lemongrass, neem and soursop
The natural wonders and wildlife encounters
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30. The Long Island swimming goats, Exuma swimming pigs, Grand Bahama Island stingrays, and sea turtles and iguanas
31. Up-close diving with sharks – from Tiger and Hammerhead to Reef and Nurse
32. The coral reefs, mangroves and oceans we must protect to ensure our Bahamian beauty and wonders last for years to come
33. Bimini Mangroves guided by the legendary Ansil Saunders, companion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
34. The ecological wonders of our 32 Bahamian National Parks, conserved and protected by the Bahamas National Trust
35. The vibrant wildlife that can be found in Inagua National Park, home to the world’s largest breeding colony of West Indian flamingoes, featuring over 80,000 flamingoes plus 140 species of other native and migratory birds worthy of birdwatching
36. The undeniable beauty of The Exuma Cays from its Land and Sea National Park to the famous swimming pigs to James Bond adventures in Thunderball Grotto
37. The contrasting blues at Glass Window Bridge where the roaring royal blue waters of the Atlantic meet the quieter turquoise tints of the Bight of Eleuthera
38. The stunning display of caves and caverns of The Bahamas
Their delicious cuisines and libations
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39. A johnny cake to start the day and deliciously sweet guava duff to end dinner with
40. Seafood delicacies from grouper to stone crab, served fresh throughout our islands
41. Conch all ways – conch salad, conch fritters, conch bites, stewed conch, grilled conch, fried conch, conch burgers and more
42. Bahamian-favourite cocktails including Goombay Smash, Bahama Mama and Gully Wash
43. Ice cold Kalik or Sands beer by the sea, visits to John Watlings Distillery or The Graycliff’s Winery
44. The smell of delicious Bahamian spices sizzling over spitfires at the local fish fry
Its’ historical landmarks and unexpected experiences
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45. The view from the top of Nassau’s Queen’s Staircase, Fort Charlotte, Fort Montagu and Fort Fincastle
46. Elbow Reef Lighthouse in Abaco – the last kerosene-burning lighthouse in the world
47. Celebrity sightings (you never know who you’ll see!) and various opportunities to experience The Bahamas’ cinematic history
48. The long-standing history of pirates, ancient shipwrecks and buried treasure
49. The friendly potcake pups that roam around the islands
50. The highest point in The Bahamas, Mt. Alvernia, on Cat Island
Visit the official Bahamas website for more details to plan your next visit.
50 Reasons You Must Visit The Islands of The Bahamas As They Celebrate 50 Years Of Independence This Year [List] was originally published on globalgrind.com
