CONTENTS

List of Maps vi

1 THE BEST OF 1 The Best Beaches 2 The Best Honeymoon Resorts 10 The Best Diving 3 The Best Family Vacations 11 The Best Snorkeling 6 The Best Places to Get Away from It 12 The Best Fishing 7 All 12 The Best Sailing 8 The Best Restaurants 13 The Best Golf Courses 9 The Best Nightlife The Best Tennis Facilities 9

2 THE BAHAMAS IN DEPTH 15 The Bahamas Today 15 The Lay of the Land 32 Looking Back at The Bahamas 17 BEACHES 101: PARADISE ISLAND, CABLE BEACH & MORE 36 DATELINE 20 38 The Bahamas in Pop Culture 22 Responsible Travel GENERAL RESOURCES FOR RESPONSIBLE BAHAMIAN FOLKLORE 24 TRAVEL 39 Eating & Drinking 26 Special-Interest & When to Go 28 Escorted Trips 40 THE BAHAMAS CALENDAR OF EVENTS 30 3 (NASSAU/CABLE BEACH) 44

Orientation 46 Seeing the Sights 75 FAVORITE NEW PROVIDENCE TO MARKET, TO MARKET AT POTTER’S EXPERIENCESCOPYRIGHTED 47 CAY MATERIAL 76 Getting Around 48 MEET THE BAHAMIANS 79 FAST FACTS: NEW PROVIDENCE 49 WALKING TOUR: HISTORIC NASSAAU 81 Where to Stay 50 THE “PIRATE” OF THE BAHAMAS 81 JUNKANOO FESTIVALS 58 JOURNEY INTO THE WILD 86 Where to Eat 62 Shopping 87 Beaches & Outdoor Pursuits 70 New Providence After Dark 90 THE ISLAND’S BEST PICNIC FARE 70

002_9781118287514-ftoc.indd2_9781118287514-ftoc.indd iiiiii 66/11/12/11/12 11:25:25 PMPM 4 PARADISE ISLAND 93 Orientation 94 Beaches & Outdoor Pursuits 109 Getting Around 94 FAVORITE PARADISE ISLAND EXPERIENCES 110 Where to Stay 95 110 PROUDLY REMAINING ADULT AT Seeing the Sights ATLANTIS 99 Shopping 112 Where to Eat 104 Paradise Island After Dark 112 5 GRAND BAHAMA (FREEPORT/ LUCAYA) 114

Orientation 116 Beaches & Outdoor Pursuits 133 Getting Around 117 THE ULTIMATE IN RELAXATION 137 FAST FACTS: GRAND BAHAMA 119 Seeing the Sights 139 Where to Stay 119 Shopping 140 ESPECIALLY FUN PLACES FOR KIDS 126 Grand Bahama After Dark 142 Where to Eat 128 A Side Trip to West End 143 6 , THE & ANDROS 145 Bimini 146 FAST FACTS: THE BERRY ISLANDS 156 FAST FACTS: BIMINI 148 Andros 159 The Berry Islands 155 IN SEARCH OF THE CHICKCHARNIES 160 ISLAND IN THE STREAM 155 FAST FACTS: ANDROS 164

7 THE ABACOS 173 Abacos Essentials 173 Great Guana Cay 190 Marsh Harbour (Great Abaco Treasure Cay 192 176 Island) (New FAST FACTS: MARSH HARBOUR ISLAND 176 Plymouth) 195 Elbow Cay () 183 FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD 195 FAST FACTS: ELBOW CAY 184 FAST FACTS: GREEN TURTLE CAY 196 Man-O-War Cay 189 Spanish Cay 202

002_9781118287514-ftoc.indd2_9781118287514-ftoc.indd iviv 66/11/12/11/12 1:251:25 PMPM 8 204 Eleuthera Essentials 206 FAST FACTS: GOVERNOR’S HARBOR 211 Rock Sound/Cape Eleuthera 207 Hatchet Bay 215 Tarpum Bay 209 Gregory Town 216 Windermere Island 209 The Current 219 THE ELEUTHERIAN ADVENTURERS 210 Harbour Island 220 Palmetto Point 210 FAST FACTS: HARBOUR ISLAND 221 Governor’s Harbour 211 Spanish Wells 230

9 THE 231 Exumas Essentials 232 A ROMANTIC LEGEND & A MOVIE STAR 246 George Town 235 Little 246 FAST FACTS: GEORGE TOWN 235 Staniel Cay 247 IN SEARCH OF THE RED-LEGGED Sampson Cay 249 THRUSH 241 NORMAN’S CAY: A SHADY PAST 250 WHY IS EVERYONE NAMED ROLLE? 244

10 THE SOUTHERN BAHAMAS 251 Cat Island 251 RAGGED ISLAND & JUMENTO CAYS 269 Cat Island Essentials 252 Island & FAST FACTS: CAT ISLAND 254 Crooked Island 270 257 FAST FACTS: ACKLINS ISLAND & CROOKED 271 FAST FACTS: SAN SALVADOR 258 Island 272 THE COLUMBUS MYSTERY 259 Great 274 Long Island 264 FAST FACTS: GREAT INAGUA 275 FAST FACTS: LONG ISLAND 265 WITH SALT, PLEASE 276 11 PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO THE BAHAMAS 277 Getting There 277 ONLINE TRAVELER’S TOOLBOX 299 Tips on Accommodations 281 Airline Websites 300 FAST FACTS: THE BAHAMAS 285

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The Bahamas’ Best Beaches 4 Bimini 147 New Providence Island 45 The Berry Islands 157 Where to Stay & Eat in Nassau 52 Andros 161 Where to Stay & Eat in Cable Beach 57 The Abacos 175 What to See & Do in Nassau 77 Eleuthera 205 Walking Tour: Historic Nassau 83 The Exumas 233 Where to Stay & Eat on Paradise Island 96 The Southern Bahamas 253 Grand Bahama Island 115 Where to Stay & Eat in Freeport/ Lucaya 120

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