Bahamas [best]

The heart of the country, home to the capital city, Nassau, and a vibrant hub for tourism and nightlife.

For most visitors, including U.S., UK, and Canadian citizens, these are the core requirements:

Located in the northernmost stretch of the archipelago, Grand Bahama offers a perfect blend of historic charm and natural wonders. Bahamas

The Bahamas' natural beauty is also its greatest vulnerability. As a low-lying nation, it is on the front line of climate change, facing threats from rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and an increased intensity of hurricanes. Hurricane Dorian in 2019 was a catastrophic example, destroying a third of the mangrove forests on Grand Bahama and causing severe damage to the coral reefs.

The civil rights movement in the US inspired the Bahamian equivalent. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), led by the charismatic, Harvard-educated lawyer Lynden Pindling, began a campaign of peaceful but determined protest. The 1965 "Black Tuesday" riot, in which peaceful marchers were beaten by police outside Parliament, was a turning point. The UK, embarrassed and under pressure, finally insisted on universal adult suffrage. The heart of the country, home to the

Getting around the Bahamas is part of the adventure, as you will likely need to fly or take a ferry to island-hop between major hubs. Once on an island, options vary. In Nassau and Freeport, you'll find jitneys (minibuses), taxis, and rental cars. For the Out Islands like the Exumas or Eleuthera, renting a car or a golf cart is often the best way to explore at your own pace. One unique note for Harbour Island: golf carts are the primary mode of transport, as no regular cars are allowed.

: The islands became a British Crown colony in 1718 after Royal Governor Woodes Rogers successfully expelled the pirates. The Bahamas remained under British rule until July 10, 1973, when it gained full independence. Culture and Wildlife Bahamas facts! | National Geographic Kids As a low-lying nation, it is on the

Let’s get the geography out of the way. The Bahamas sits atop vast underwater plateaus, which is why the water shifts from deep navy in the “Tongue of the Ocean” to translucent lime green over the sandbars. It is a liquid kaleidoscope.

The Bahamas: A Complete Guide to the Archipelago of Shallow Seas