The Bahamas are a coral-based archipelago, made up of over 700 islands and 2,000 cays and rocks scattered across the ocean between the Atlantic and the Caribbean.
The trade winds and the all-year warm weather make yacht charter Bahamas the ideal way to take in all that the islands have to offer visitors. Each island has its own distinctive character and unique sights – both natural and manmade.
Although the islands have earned a reputation for being a playground for the rich and famous, sailing holidays there will appeal to all members of the family – no matter their ages.
Water-based activities
There is no doubt that one of the greatest attractions of a sailing holiday in the Bahamas is the wide range of water-based activities from swimming to deep-sea fishing with a fishfinder GPS off Bimini Island. The water is so clear in some areas that on a good day, visibility is possible up to 30 metres. Even young kids can wear a mask and enjoy seeing the wide variety of marine life in their natural environment.
For adults, diving and/or snorkelling is one of the main reasons so many holidaymakers visit the islands. The island Andros boasts the third biggest barrier reef in the world and also has freshwater blue holes and underwater caves to explore. With 5 national parks set in mangrove swamps, mudflats and forests, it is the ideal place to see the full range of the islands’ flora and fauna.
On the eastern edge of the island group, the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is the first marine protected area in the Caribbean where you see everything from undersea gardens to sea turtles.
Historic Nassau
Nassau, the capital of New Providence Island, is a bustling town where tourists can enjoy the amenities of a larger town – stock up on provisions, do some souvenir shopping and/or sample local cuisine at its many restaurants. Its centrally-located downtown area is full of pastel-coloured colonial buildings which give a glimpse of a bygone era.
Because of its safe anchorage, Nassau used to be a popular port of call for pirates. It’s Pirate Museum, located in a redbrick building, contains objects and artefacts of this golden age of piracy. With its interactive exhibits and references to the popular ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ film series, it will definitely be a big hit with kids of all ages.
Children would also enjoy a visit to Fort Charlotte which overlooks Nassau harbour and is a short walk from the centre. This fort, constructed in 1789, contains everything to seize children’s imagination from dungeons to a drawbridge. Arranged tours, with characters in costume and culminating in the firing of a cannon, bring history alive.
Situated 6 kilometres outside the capital, the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre is another popular site for families to visit on a day-trip. Apart from over 300 species of indigenous fauna and flora, many of which are endangered, it is also worth taking a relaxing stroll in its extensive tropical gardens.
Sailing holidays in the Bahamas offer a range of activities and sights to entertain the whole family.