Have a yen for a Caribbean
honeymoon—but don't want to travel far? The Bahamas, which get their start a
mere 55 miles off Florida's coast, consist of more than 700 islands and about
2000
cays. That
means there’s a whole lot of coastline in this stunning Atlantic Ocean
archipelago.
Of the 700 Bahamian islands,
only about 30—each with its own unique charms—are inhabited. If you're seeking a luxury-resort
honeymoon with great shopping, lots of nightlife, and lively beaches, you'll be happy on
New Providence/Paradise or Grand Bahama
islands. Prefer
something slower, with fewer people? Head to the sister islands—Great
Exuma and Little Exuma—or another less-developed island (see "The Out
Islands," below).
Beachin' It: Although
the Bahamian islands contain thousands of gorgeous beaches,
they can be classified into two basic types: beaches filled with fun
activities, lots of water sports, cafés and bars; and beaches that won’t
have a soul on them except the two of you (nice thought, eh?).
Most dish up sugar-white sands, although you’ll find
exceptions such as the justly-famed, 3-½ mile pink-sand beach on
Harbour Island—protected by reefs, it makes for
gentle swimming and good snorkeling. Just outside Nassau is
Cable Beach; a four-mile-long crescent of pristine sand lapped by crystal
waters, it’s lined with luxury hotels, stylish boutiques, casinos, clubs, and
restaurants...not to mention the bountiful array of water sports. Much
different is lovely Tahiti Beach on The Abacos,
reachable only by walking, biking, or boat. One thing almost every
single beach has in common: shallow, see-through waters extending outward
quite far. Forever and ever, in fact.
Nassau: As you'd
expect of the nation's capital and commercial center, Nassau—located on New
Providence Island—is a vibrant city with much to do. What might surprise you
is that, while thoroughly modern, the place manages to exude Old World charm
with its colonial-era architecture, 18th century
Fort Charlotte, and a lingering British sensibility. At the
Pirates of Nassau Museum you'll hop
aboard the pirate ship Revenge and adventure into the Golden Age of the town's
pirates. Or climb the town’s most visited attraction, the Queen’s Staircase (photo), whose 65 steps were carved
from solid limestone in 1793. Top it all off with a free tour of the Bacardi distillery, where you can sample the wide
variety of rums—tours take place each day. At the Straw
Market you can pick up hand-crafted straw hats and bags, pots of local
guava jelly, wood carvings, and lots more. Nearby
Bay Street is lined with upscale boutiques lke Gucci and Fendi.
Ardastra Gardens & Zoo:
One of the most popular attractions on New Providence,
Ardastra consists of 5+ acres of lush
tropical plants, including orchids, bright-colored bougainvillea and hibiscus,
coconut palms, Tarzan-sized climbing vines, and loads of other botanical
exotica. It's all a
splendid backdrop for animals (many endangered) who roam freely about in
beautifully-landscaped spaces. You'll love the aviary filled with rare
tropical birds arrayed in dazzling plumage. And be sure to take in a performance by those amazing
marching flamingos.
Local Comfort Food: Pigeon Peas & Rice is a popular staple all
aruond the Bahamas (and throughout the Caribbean). You'll encounter
it frequently as a side dish; just think of it as the Caribbean equivalent
to french fries, but lots healthier. Easy to grow in poor soil and tropical conditions, the
pigeon pea—it's actually a bean—came to the Americas in the 1600s with
African slaves. You can find a recipe for Peas & Rice
here.
»»Check out
other comfort foods
in the
USA and
around the world
Paradise Island: A short walk over one of
two bridges that cross Nassau Harbor, this posh, 685-acre island is home to
Atlantis. A $450 million, 600-acre
megaresort and casino, it's decorated with waterfalls, lagoons, and
underground grottos; throbs with casino action and Vegas-type shows; maintains
dozens of restaurants and bars, a massive aquarium, a golf course, a dolphin
habitat; and on and on. One of the most touted features is the miles-long
series of themed waterways where you'll float at a leisurely pace on
personal flotation devices. Atlantis employs about 6000 people to make this
Tropical Vegas work. If you're seeking a high-energy, constantly-entertaining
honeymoon destination, this may be it.
Versailles
Gardens: A 15-minute walk from Atlantis is Versailles Gardens, on the grounds of the
luscious One&Only
Ocean Club—where James Bond won an Aston Martin from the villainous
Demetrius in the 2006 remake of Casino Royale. The Club is very
expensive, but the Gardens are free, open to the public, and completely
visit-worthy. You'll find the unexpected: a medieval cloister from
Southwestern France! Originally purchased by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920s,
it was reassembled here and surrounded with 12th century classical statues and
massive amounts of colorful tropical flowers. You'll easily while away an hour
or two...and what a superb place to watch the
sun set!
Honeymoon Splurge:
Want to stay in the same suite where such
luminaries as Oprah Winfrey,
Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Michael Jackson have also lain their
weary heads? One small problem: it ain't cheap. At $25,000 per night—and
you've got to stay a minimum four nights—Atlantis’s Bridge Suite is right
up there with the world's most expensive hotel rooms. In case you're
wondering what you get for the money: a ten-room suite with high ceilings and a great view, hand-painted
linens, a butler, a cook, and separate master bathrooms.
»»Read about
other honeymoon splurges around the world
Lucayan National Park:
The eco-conscious Bahamas guards its natural gifts in many ways, but particularly through
national parks that help preserve diverse environments (from sand dunes and mangrove swamps to hardwood
forests) and living creatures (including the endangered Bahamian rock iguana,
the Hawksbill turtle, the world's largest nesting colony of West Indian
flamingoes, and the Abaco parrot). Forty-acre Lucayan
NP will delight anyone
with a green sensibility. About 25 miles from
Freeport,
the Park shelters rare orchids and other flowers, mangrove waterways,
bonsai-like ming trees, extensive trails, and caves bristling with stalagmites. It's
also home to beautiful Gold
Rock
Beach,
with its high sand dunes and endless vistas. ~ At 25,500 acres,
Abaco National Park includes a
5000-acre pine forest preserve that provides prime habitat and nesting for the
Abaco parrot.
The Shopping Scene: Ten categories of goods can be purchased
duty-free in the Bahamas: Perfumes & Fragrances, Crystal, Leather Goods, Jewelry, Fine
Linens & Tablecloths, Watches & Clocks, Photo Equipment, China,
Binoculars, and Telescopes.
Grand Bahama Island:
Closest to the U.S.,
Grand Bahama
Island combines the modern pleasures of cosmopolitan towns
(Freeport, Port Lucaya, and West End) with charming old fishing villages and
great scenic beauty. Ninety-six miles long, it's a great place to explore in a
leisurely fashion. ~ Why not take up diving on your honeymoon? The
Underwater
Explorers Society
offers dive boats and instructors that can get you going. If you're more
experienced, they'll challenge you with open-sea shark or dolphin
encounters—or help you explore one of the underwater cave systems. Or simply relax and
try the fabulous snorkeling
at the island's Deadman's Reef, just off the beach at secluded Paradise Cove. Snorkeling is a great alternative to full-on diving,
and most hotels can
provide you with the necessary equipment. ~ For shopping,
Freeport’s waterfront Port Lucaya Marketplace has
it all: dozens of duty-free shops offering everything from local crafts to
designer duds, restaurants, and live entertainment every night.
The Out Islands: If you're adventurous and like to explore, you could have a dreamy honeymoon traveling
to
these less-visited gems... Inagua, home to more than 60,000 pink
flamingoes flourishing in the protected habitat of
Inagua National Park. Exuma, where two
early James Bond movies (Thunderball and Never Say
Never Again) were filmed...and where you'll swim through a crystal-clear pool
deep in a cave. Eleuthera, with its
picturesque pineapple plantations, lovely beaches, extensive cave network, and ideal surfing conditions,
is always a favorite. Bimini, fabled as the
location of Ponce de Leon's fountain of youth. Acklins
Island, rugged
and undeveloped, offers some of the best bonefishing in the Caribbean.
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