New Providence is one of The Bahamas' best islands, and it's usually the first stop for most tourists to the archipelago. It is the location of Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. This dynamic city is recognized for its diverse array of resort casinos, sophisticated restaurants, and one-of-a-kind museums. Climbing the 18th-century Queen's Staircase to Fort Fincastle, where you can enjoy breathtaking views from the highest point on the island, is a must-do.

Numerous glass-bottom boats depart from Nassau's harbor to take you to the archipelago's natural reefs. Of course, golden sand beaches abound on the island of New Providence, with highlights being Cable Beach, Caves Beach, and Delaporte Beach.

Salient features: The Bahamas’ main commercial hub.

Due to two footbridges connecting Nassau and this beautiful retreat, Paradise Island is the closest to New Providence. The Atlantis Bahamas is the island's focal point, with an oceanfront resort, a 24-hour casino, an aquarium, marine habitats, a private 18-hole golf course, and a marina. Aquaventure, the resort's 153-acre waterpark with lagoons, swimming pools, river rides, and waterslides, is popular with families.

Paradise Island is one of The Bahamas' most upscale resorts. Jewelers and designer stores may be found in Crystal Court Shops, as well as a wide variety of handicrafts and dining options in Marina Village. On the island, there are many beautiful places to visit, such as Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, Cabbage Beach, and Cove Beach.

Salient features: Luxury villas, extravagant casinos, and couture boutiques.

Adventurers and those looking for a private escape in The Bahamas will like Grand Bahama Island. The main towns on the island are Freeport and Lucaya, both of which have good lodging, shopping, dining, and nightlife options. You can also visit the southern shore, which has almost 50 kilometers of secluded beaches.

The Lucayan National Park, approximately 25 miles northeast of Freeport, is also located on the 530-square-mile island. In this 40-acre mangrove forest, you may see a variety of native and migratory species, explore underwater limestone caverns, and relax on the pristine sands of Gold Rock Beach, which served as the filming location for the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise.

Salient features: A natural playground with mangroves, underwater caves, and pristine beaches.

Andros is an archipelago made up of three main islands, five national parks, dense mangrove estuaries, and hundreds of islets. It's known as The Bahamas' largest unknown island, making it a favorite destination for adventurers wishing to escape away from the Caribbean's busier islands.

Central Andros National Park includes a vast network of trails that wind through mangrove flats, whilst Blue Holes National Park has dozens of circle-shaped blue holes or underwater caves. Divers frequently visit Andros to investigate the Andros Barrier, the world's third-biggest reef system.

Salient features: Enjoy life like a local on The Bahamas’ largest island.

Harbour Island, with a population of roughly 2,000 people, is one of The Bahamas' smallest islands. Dunmore Town is the only town on the island, and its streets are lined with British colonial-style houses, pastel cottages, gourmet restaurants, and bougainvillaea.

Pink Sands Beach is located on Harbour Island's eastern coast. Because of a unique mix of foraminifera, coral, shattered shells, small boulders, and calcium carbonate, this stretch of rose-colored sand is absolutely stunning. If you want to explore the Atlantic Ocean, take a sailing or snorkeling trip to Devil's Backbone — this healthy coral reef system is ideal for spotting turtles and stingrays.

Salient features: Known for unique pink beaches and pastel-hued cottages.

Cat Island is one of the few places in The Bahamas that hasn't been overrun by tourists. While many visitors come to relax and unwind, there is still plenty to see and do on this 150-square-mile island. Hikers can ascend a stone staircase to Mount Alvernia's peak, which rises 206 feet above sea level.

The island's most unusual features include Boiling Hole, Mermaid Hole, and Big Blue Hole, which are all claimed to be the homes of mystical aquatic animals. If you wish to spend time in the ocean, you can join diving expeditions to a variety of spots off Cat Island's shore. Santa Maria Teresa, the ruin of a 360-foot Spanish battleship lost in 1898, is a famous destination.

Salient features: Excellent for disconnecting from the world.

Exuma is a Bahamas Out Island that contains up to 365 cays. The most well-known and inhabited islands in the Exuma chain are Great Exuma and Little Exuma. Both islands provide a variety of lodging, dining, and nightlife options, while Big Major Cay is the primary attraction on Exuma.

Swim with cute Bahamian pigs at Pig Beach on Big Major Cay. They're pretty docile critters, but everyone don't recommend feeding them. Exuma is home to a wide range of marine wildlife, including turtles at Bay Beach, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, and stingrays at Stocking Island.

Salient features: Home of the iconic swimming pigs of the Bahamas.

Eleuthera is one of the Out Islands of The Bahamas, along with Harbour Island, Windermere Island, Current Island, and Man Island. Gregory Settlement is the main town on the island, with pastel houses dotting the steep hillsides. There are also acres of pineapple orchards, which has earned the town the nickname "Pineapple City".

Eleuthera, like most Caribbean islands, boasts miles of golden beach facing the Atlantic Ocean. The Glass Window Bridge, a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Bight of Eleuthera, is a distinctive feature of the island. Bring your camera to capture this one-of-a-kind spectacle of deep blue and vivid turquoise.

Salient features: Pink-sand beaches and inland swimming holes

Long Island is located in The Bahamas' southernmost region. The island's 80-mile length has contrasting faces, with tranquil sandy beaches on the west and rugged headlands in the east. You may relax on the smooth beach or get active with a variety of activities such as fishing and diving.

Dean's Blue Hole is one of the world's deepest marine caverns, reaching a depth of nearly 660 feet. This natural gem can be seen in a bay about 4.4 miles west of Clarence Town, Long Island's capital. Wade to the edge of the shallow water and swim across the 115-foot-wide hole securely.

Salient features: Home to one of the world’s deepest blue holes.

San Salvador is a hilly island with an interesting legend. It’s supposed to be the first land spotted and visited by Christopher Columbus during his first expedition in 1492. You can head to Long Bay and find a large white cross that marks the exact spot where Columbus made landfall.

Although it's one of the smallest populated islands in The Bahamas, you can find plenty of activities and cultural gems throughout your stay. San Salvador Island has miles of secluded beaches backed by shallow coral reefs, allowing snorkelers to observe a variety of marine creatures. Popular stretches include Snow Bay Beach, Grotto Beach, and Long Bay Beach. If you’re an experienced diver, over 50 dive sites are just off the coast.

Salient features: Pristine beaches with interesting historical lore.