Bahamas Holidays: Nassau, the Exumas, Eleuthera & the Best Time to Visit

T By Thomas · Updated 20 October 2026 · 4 min read

Airports

Lynden Pindling International, Nassau (NAS); Grand Bahama (FPO); Exuma (GGT)

Flight time

about 9h 30m from London to Nassau, direct

Best time to go

mid-December to April for dry, warm weather; May and November for value

Currency

Bahamian dollar (B$), pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, which is accepted everywhere

The Bahamas is a sprawling archipelago of around 700 islands and cays stretching from just off Florida towards Cuba, and the water here is some of the clearest and most dazzling on earth. Most visitors land in Nassau, the capital, with its pastel colonial buildings and the mega-resorts of Paradise Island, but the real magic is in the Out Islands: the Exumas, Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Andros, where you might share a beach with a handful of people.

For UK travellers, there is a direct flight from London, English is the official language and cars drive on the left, though most hire cars are left-hand drive American imports. The Bahamas is 5 hours behind the UK all year, since both switch clocks in spring and autumn. Electricity is 120V with US-style plugs, so you'll need an adaptor and possibly a converter for some appliances. Be ready for prices closer to the US than the Caribbean average.

Entry requirements

British passport holders can usually visit the Bahamas as tourists without a visa, normally for up to three months. Your passport should be valid for your whole stay, and you'll need proof of onward travel. If you're connecting through the US, you'll also need an ESTA. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.

Where to go in the Bahamas

Nassau and Paradise Island

Nassau, on New Providence island, has the busiest port and the most hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Wander Bay Street, the Queen's Staircase and the forts, and eat conch at the Arawak Cay fish fry. Across the bridge, Paradise Island is home to the vast Atlantis resort and its waterpark, while Cable Beach to the west has long sands and big resorts.

The Exumas

A chain of more than 360 cays, the Exumas are the Bahamas of screensavers: sandbars, turquoise channels and the famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay. Base yourself in George Town on Great Exuma and take a boat tour into the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, a protected area with superb snorkelling.

Eleuthera and Harbour Island

Long, skinny Eleuthera has pink-sand beaches, the Glass Window Bridge where the Atlantic meets the calm bank, and a sleepy, low-rise feel. Tiny Harbour Island, a short water taxi away, is the chic option, with golf carts instead of cars and a three-mile Pink Sands Beach.

Grand Bahama

The second city, Freeport, and the resort area of Lucaya make Grand Bahama a more affordable choice, with beaches, Lucayan National Park and its underwater caves, and dolphin and diving trips. It is still rebuilding some facilities after Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Andros, Bimini and the Abacos

Andros, the largest island, is wild and lightly populated, known for bonefishing, blue holes and a long barrier reef. Bimini is the closest island to Florida and a big-game fishing haunt, while the Abacos are a sailing paradise of small cays and colourful villages, much of it rebuilt since Dorian.

Best time to visit the Bahamas

Getting to the Bahamas from the UK

British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Nassau, taking about nine and a half hours, though schedules can vary through the year. Otherwise connect via Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York or Atlanta, which gives far more choice and often lower fares; you'll need an ESTA to change planes in the US. From Nassau, Bahamasair and smaller airlines fly on to the Out Islands, and some islands have direct flights from Florida.

Getting around

On New Providence, jitney minibuses are cheap but stop running in the early evening, and taxis are pricey with fares set by zone. Car hire is useful on Eleuthera, Exuma and Grand Bahama. Island hopping is done by small plane or by ferry: Bahamas Ferries and the traditional mailboats link Nassau with many Out Islands, slowly but cheaply. On Harbour Island and some small cays, golf carts and water taxis are the norm.

Money and costs

The Bahamian dollar is pegged to the US dollar, and both are used side by side. The Bahamas is one of the most expensive destinations in the region because almost everything is imported. A mid-range trip typically costs around £200-300 per person per day including accommodation, and the Out Islands can be pricier still. Restaurants commonly add a 15% gratuity, and VAT is added to most bills. Card payments are widely accepted in Nassau, but carry some cash for the smaller islands.

We research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.