Bahamas Travel Guide: Pink Sand Beaches & Crystal Clear Water

🇧🇸 Why the Bahamas?

The Bahamas is 700 islands and cays stretching across 100,000 square miles of the most spectacular water in the world. Nassau is the cosmopolitan capital with world-class resorts and casinos. The Exumas are the undisputed jewel — tiny cays surrounded by water in 17 impossible shades of blue, swimming pigs at Pig Beach, and the Thunderball Grotto where James Bond was filmed. The Out Islands (Family Islands) offer complete serenity and some of the most secluded beaches on earth.

🐷 Things to Do

Swimming with the famous swimming pigs at Pig Beach on Big Major Cay in the Exumas is a bucket list Caribbean experience — pigs that swim out to your boat in turquoise water. The Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay is a snorkeling cave filled with tropical fish made famous by two James Bond films. Paradise Island's Atlantis resort and water park is an experience in itself. The pink sand beaches of Harbour Island (Dunmore Town) are among the most beautiful beaches in the world — the sand really is pink.

Book a private boat charter in the Exumas — it's the only way to see Pig Beach properly
Harbour Island's pink sand is best photographed at golden hour
Nassau is walkable — Cable Beach and the Straw Market are both excellent
Ferry from Nassau to Harbour Island is scenic and affordable

🍽️ Where to Eat

🍽️ Food Recommendations

Graycliff Restaurant (Nassau) — Bahamian fine dining in a 250-year-old colonial mansion. The most celebrated restaurant in Nassau.

Pisces Restaurant (Harbour Island) — Fresh seafood steps from the pink sand beach. The fish tacos are incredible.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club (Exumas) — Casual island bar and restaurant. Cold Kalik beer and fresh-grilled fish after swimming with pigs.

Arawak Cay Fish Fry (Nassau) — The local institution. Open-air stalls serving fried fish, conch fritters, and conch salad. Go at night.

Conch Fritters Everywhere — The national street food. Fresh-fried conch fritters with dipping sauce at any roadside shack.

🏨 Where to Stay

🏨 Hotel Recommendations

Atlantis Paradise Island — The iconic mega-resort on Paradise Island. Water park, casino, and incredible beaches. A full vacation in itself.

The Ocean Club (Four Seasons) — Ultra-luxury boutique resort on Paradise Island. One of the finest hotels in the Caribbean.

Pink Sands Resort (Harbour Island) — Legendary boutique resort steps from the pink sand beach. A classic Caribbean escape.

Staniel Cay Yacht Club (Exumas) — Rustic, authentic island experience in the heart of the Exumas. The Pig Beach base camp.

📘 Getting There & Practical Tips

Fly into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau. American, Delta, and United have connections from Houston through Miami. No visa required for US citizens. Currency is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD) — pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and both currencies are interchangeable. The Exumas require a puddle-jumper flight or private boat charter from Nassau.