Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Bahamas Beaches and Islands

Holidays In The Bahamas - Tranquillity Is Never Far Away

The capital of the Bahamas is on Nassau, an island of tremendous vibrancy where Luxury hotels have hosted some very illustrious guests. Its much-prized sheltered harbour gave rise to stately Victorian mansions and cathedrals and impressive fortifications that still stand majestically over the harbour today, reminiscent of the age of piracy in the Bahamas.

The 3000 sq ft of fabulous sand at Cable Beach is lined with plush Hotels and lavish casinos, although tranquillity is never far away. Bahamas holidays are well suited to those who prefer a bit of palm-fringed seclusion, as there are miles of fine white sand beaches along the island’s perimeter


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Spectacular Sands - Beach Holidays In The Bahamas

Across the bridge to the aptly named Paradise Island, glamorous Hotels and casinos offer an exciting mix of tranquil exclusivity and lively nightlife in the midst of tropical splendour. On Grand Bahama Island you can enjoy the miles of gorgeous beaches whichever way you choose. Bahamas holidays are equally popular with those who prefer a bit of activity on the beach. Lucayan beach and Taino beach cater for water sports including windsurfing, parasailing, snorkelling and such like.

For a more secluded beachside experience there is miles of spectacular sand along the southeast and southwest coast of Grand Bahama just waiting to be discovered. Bahamas holidays offer even more away from the beaches. Casinos and buzzing nightlife, not to mention the duty free shopping are all part of this Caribbean-style utopia.

Attractions of the Bahamas

Book your Bahamas holidays around May or June when the Bahamas host a Caribbean muzik festival that starts with a vibrant street party kicking off a flurry of entertainment with plenty of local cuisine, dancing and the sounds of Reggae and Soca resonating through the streets. Lucayan national park is a 40-acre area of forests, rare wild flowers and remarkable limestone caves accessible from land and sea.

Port Lucaya marketplace is a typically Bahamian waterfront shopping complex where you can pick up some duty free goods including jewellery and arts and crafts. Bay Street, the main thoroughfare on Nassau is another good place to enjoy the atmosphere of a Bahamas holiday emanating from the historic buildings that line the way, and to pick up a few more bargains in the shops.


Cat Island

If your ultimate holiday experience is getting away from it all, then Cat Island holidays could be the perfect destination for you. This long, slim island is the most untamed, yet perhaps the most beautiful in the whole of the Bahamas. Peace and tranquillity wash over you as you breathe in the panoramic view of lush green forests, endless pink and white sands and, of course the refreshing aroma of the majestic Atlantic Ocean stretching well beyond the horizon. Visit the highest peak on Cat Island holidays; Mount Alvernia stands 206 feet high and is where you’ll come across a haunting mediaeval monastery, built centuries ago by a local hermit for his meditation, and the ideal place to find solitude and inner peace.

Legend has it that the island is named after Arthur Catt the famous sea captain or notorious pirate depending on whose side you were on, however others say the island is simply named after the immense colony of cats that lived here many years ago. The islanders are a very welcoming bunch and greet everyone as though they have known you all their life. Many are descendant of the original settlers and as generations pass away, their homes are left empty for the spirits to claim and new ones built from the crumbling remains. To the north of the island, spindles are place on top of the houses to keep the evil spirits at bay and diminishing slave villages and empty Arawak caves could tell many stories of years gone by while the whispering winds hold secrets, never to be told.

Ease Into The Spirit Of Caribbean Life…

Holidays to Cat Island are not for those seeking a week or two of luxurious pampering, life is very simple here and guest houses and traditional inns welcome all visitors with open arms. Meals are family affairs and evenings are spent listening to local music and generally entering into the spirit of the Caribbean way of life. The royally named Queen’s Highway runs from one end of the island to the other and hiring a car is the best way to ensure you see every nook and cranny whilst exploring on your Cat Island holidays. Discover unclaimed beaches and explore mangrove swamps, ride the waves of the Atlantic on a surfboard and scuba dive beneath the south coast’s magical reefs. You can wander miles along the beaches without seeing another soul, and gaze endlessly across the open ocean where the real world seems far, far away.

Cat Island is the perfect destination for those looking for cheap holidays to the Bahamas; there are no high rise hotels and cosmopolitan resorts to spend your money in here. You take the locals as you find them which is usually very laid back and hospitable so you’ll soon find yourself easing into the spirit of Caribbean life. Time seems to stand still on holidays to Cat Island as one hour rolls lazily into the next and before you know it, you’ve enjoyed another peaceful day in paradise.


Long Island

Nestled away in the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island is one of the most scenic and tranquil retreats in the spectacular Islands of the Bahamas. Only 4 miles wide and 80 miles long, package holidays to Long Island are renowned for their world-class scuba diving and bonefishing. Home to one of the oldest dive operations in the Bahamas, Long Island boasts a wide range of deep and shallow dive sites, but is famous for the outstanding Dean’s Blue Hole, which at 600 feet is the deepest recorded blue hole in the Bahamas. An underwater playground for snorkelers and divers alike, this freediving hotspot sees divers discovering the tropical treats which lurk in these mystical depths. Imagine a salt-water swimming pool with deep, calm waters brimming with colourful fish, patrolled by a school of silver-plated tarpon and visited by curious turtles, rays and small seahorses and you won’t want to leave this sensational site.

An island of two contrasts, Long Island is divided by the Tropic of Cancer and bordered on either side by divergent coasts – one with rocky headlands which merge into the sea, creating boundaries for the crashing waves, and the other with soft white sparkling sands, perfect for lazy days spent soaking up the Caribbean sunshine. The western shoreline’s soft powder-like beaches see holidaymakers basking in the stunning surroundings of warm blue waters and rich green mangroves. With the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Long Island holidays are ideal for sailing, yachting and especially fishing. Holidays in Long Island offer something different from your typical Bahamas holidays, with picturesque landscape, dramatic scenery and tranquil surrounds, you won’t want to leave this tropical retreat.


Paradise Island

Sitting just a stone’s throw away from Nassau is the enchanting Paradise Island. Just four miles long and half a mile wide, holidays to Paradise Island provide that perfect escape for couples and families alike, seeking sun, sea and spectacular surroundings. If you’re looking for a peaceful stay then things don’t get any better than relaxing on Paradise beach with its crisp, white, palm-fringed sands which shelve gently into the warm, turquoise waters. For those who prefer exploring the depths of the deep blue sea, you certainly won’t be disappointed here, with tropical fish and sea creatures in abundance, you’ll be swept away by the beauty of what lies beneath. Head to the east of Paradise Island where you’ll find Athol Island, a diver’s paradise, with waters filled with wrecks, coral colonies and tropical treats.

With plenty on offer beyond beach fun, golf enthusiasts will appreciate the championship level Cable Beach Golf Course, along with the most affordable prices on golf in the Bahamas. Cable Beach Golf Course is popular among both tourists and locals not only for its great value but for its unpretentious and vibrant atmosphere, charming, well-kept greens and its player-friendly course. If golf isn’t quite for you, spend a day island hopping as you sail around the spectacular Bahamas discovering reefs as you sip champagne. For the more energetic, try your hand at deep-sea fishing, take a biking tour along the scenic coast or try trekking on horse-back along Nassau Beach.

Sun-Bleached Sands, Sparkling Turquoise Waters...

Holidays in Paradise Island comprise of quiet evenings centred on good food and drink. If you are a lover of fresh fish and seafood dishes you’ll adore the restaurants Paradise Island has to offer. Dishes include French, Asian, Italian, Pacific Rim and traditional Caribbean and can be enjoyed by the beach where you can relax and watch the sun set with an ice-cold drink in hand. After dinner, venture into Nassau where you’ll find casino’s and live music bars where you can try your hand at a game of blackjack and later, dance the night away. Paradise Island holidays bring together that perfect blend of sun-bleached sands, sparkling turquoise waters and activities for all the family to enjoy, with something to suit everyone’s tastes. True to its name, Paradise Island says it all in the title, this blissful escape is ideal for those looking to relax and unwind under the blazing sun with stunning surroundings and breathtaking scenery.

Eleuthera Island

For an undeveloped, untamed escape, visit the stunning Eleuthera Island for your summer getaway and be wowed by its elegance and natural beauty. Holidays to Eleuthera Island bring you to this pencil-thin island where size doesn’t matter. Only 2 miles wide and 110 miles long, Eleuthera Island boasts miles of pink and white dazzling sands which shelve gently into crystal clear sparkling waters. A haven for those who come in search of peace and quiet, Eleuthera Island is free from crowds, cruise ships and casinos. Relax, unwind and slip into the laid-back way of life on your Eleuthera Island holidays and you’ll fit in just fine, with your mobile phone and watch stowed away safe, you can come and go as you please without worrying about time or your day-to-day woes

Although holidays in Eleuthera Island generally comprise of peaceful days and quiet nights, it’s not all sand and water here. Divers and snorkelers can take advantage of the excellent conditions provided and visitors can enjoy a visit to Harbour Island where they’ll find more silver sands along with historical landmarks set in a tropical paradise. Dotted with quaint fishing and colonial villages, including friendly towns such as Tarpum Bay, Bannerman Town and Hatchet Bay, this Bahamian island is also famous for pineapple plantations and locals enjoy nothing more than serving up traditional

Best Nassau Beaches

New Providence Island

New Providence Island, also known as Nassau after its capital city, is a tiny little island lazing in the sunny Bahamas, and one that effortlessly attracts holidaymakers back to its lively shores and cosmopolitan resorts, year after year. Holidays in New Providence Island and its little sister Paradise Island absolutely ooze Caribbean colour and tropical charm. Boasting lavish hotels that line the stunning coastline all inclusive holidays to New Paradise Island provide the ultimate in rest, relaxation and luxury.

The islands resorts and hotels offer an old world charisma with a very modern outlook on life and you are easily transported from the elegance of well-preserved colonial style buildings to sophisticated modern features. Nassau is at the heart of whatever is happening on holidays to New Providence Island, be it showing off its classical architecture, its duty free shopping, or its amazing range of land and sea sports, and that’s before we even start on the superb beaches, tantalising cuisine and fascinating culture.

Visit Casinos That Will Rival Las Vegas…

Nassau is also the hub of the Bahamas commerce and industry yet never loses its roots and is also home to one of the Caribbean’s largest straw markets. Holidays to New Providence Island also incorporate the tiny little Paradise Island, linked to the mainland by a bridge and home to some very affluent all inclusive properties, a world class golf course, and casinos that will rival Las Vegas.

Hotels on New Providence Island holidays offer spa treatments and hot tubs, a la carte menus and fine wines, they indulge you in a spot of well deserved luxury and help you to unwind and leave the outside world behind. If you are looking for cheap holidays to the Bahamas then perhaps this is not the island for you, however if you fancy living in the lap of luxury for a week or two, then holidays to New Providence Island are available to book at Holidayhypermarket today.

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