If you are looking for a romantic vacation destination with amazing natural beauty and almost unbelievable sights, consider traveling to the Bahamas. This storied region has long been associated with Ernest Hemingway, Jacques Cousteau, Jimmy Buffet and James Bond. When people think of the Bahamas island chain in the Caribbean near the western Atlantic Ocean, they usually think of busy Nassau, a popular cruise ship port with its bustling shops, restaurants, high rise hotels and gambling. But there is another aspect to the Bahamas that makes this island nation a true tropical paradise. On the Out Islands of the Bahamas you will find secluded beaches, pristine turquoise waters teeming with sea life, romantic hotels with a “barefoot chic” atmosphere, and often, jaw-dropping exotic marvels that amaze even the most experienced travelers.
Pink Sand Beaches
Visitors to Harbour Island on Eleuthera, part of the Out Island chain, will be amazed at the sight of vibrantly colored pink sand beaches. The surprising color is set off by crystal clear turquoise water and the colorfully painted New England style cottages that dot the area. Gorgeous Pink Sands Beach stretches for 3 miles to the east of Harbour Island. Take a walk on the beach and enjoy the sight of private villas and low-rise hotels that overlook the sea. Pink Sands Beach is protected by an offshore coral reef, making it a safe swimming spot that is perfect for snorkeling.
Swimming with the Pigs
Go to the Exumas in the Out Islands, a chain of islands strung out like pearls in a necklace a hundred miles from Nassau if you want the wild and wacky experience of swimming with pigs who view you as a source of lunch. As you approach Pig Beach on Big Major Cay, the noise of your boat is likely to wake the pigs sleeping in the underbrush protected from the midday sun. Eager for a meal, the enthusiastic pigs will doubtless swim out to meet your boat. You may be tempted to jump over the side to swim along with the pigs, but if you do, be aware that hungry pigs can sometimes become insistent in their pursuit of food.
Exploring in the Footsteps of James Bond
Thunderball Grotto, also in the Exumas, is the site of the filming of the James Bond movies Thunderball and Never Say Never Again. Located on Staniel Island, Thunderball Grotto is protected under the Bahamas National Trust. Time your visit to the grotto for low tide so you can enjoy the memorable experience of snorkelling in crystal clear waters teeming with fish and other sealife. The opening in the rock at the top of the grotto forms a natural skylight, resulting in the almost other-worldly experience of rays of sunlight streaming down to illuminate the water.
Wall Diving from the Tongue of the Ocean
The Out Islands draw snorkelers and divers from all over the world, and nowhere is more exciting than the incredible trench called the Tongue of the Ocean. Although the water around the Out Islands is shallow, this spot near New Providence Island just a mile from the east coast of Andros opens up to an underwater drop of an amazing 6,000 feet. Only experienced and trained divers can participate in a wall dive, but others can appreciate the big game fishing for tuna, marline and sailfish in these waters, as well as striking coral formations and a profusion of sealife.
Exotic Blue Holes
Mysterious blue holes have intrigued visitors to the Bahamas ever since Jacques Cousteau, the famed oceanographer, came to the Out Island of Andros to examine the blue holes found on the island. He discovered that blue holes are the surface of a complicated limestone cave system that formed over many years beneath the sea. The brightness of the white sand beneath the blue holes gives the water a high degree of transparency and a deep indigo color. Long Island’s Dean’s Blue Hole is the deepest blue hole in the entire world, reaching a depth of over 660 feet. As with the Tongue of the Ocean, divers who wish to dive into a blue hole must be experienced and receive special training. They should also have specialized equipment for safety.
The Road to Atlantis
Divers around the Out Island of North Bimini discovered an underwater rock formation in the 1960’s called the Bimini Road, believed by some to be the path to the lost city of Atlantis. This half mile structure is made up of 10 foot stone blocks with rounded corners that seem to be placed there by human hands. However, investigation by archaeologists and anthropologists turned up no such evidence. It is now believed that the Bimini Road is a natural occurrence and the perfect place to snorkel and dive in magnificent coral formations to view sea life including eels, lobsters and colorful tropical fish.
