Bahamas Itinerary(Nassau, Exuma & Eleuthera)
The Bahamas are wonderful islands to visit, boasting turquoise waters, gracious people, unique experiences and lovely beaches. We rang in 2018 in the Bahamas and it was very exciting, especially because I came out of it a fiancé! There are ferries between Nassau and some of the islands, as well as flights. It was hard to find direct flights or ferries between the smaller islands, so we traveled back to Nassau between each island. Make sure you plan ahead; the ferries and flights to and from the smaller islands are hit or miss, only certain days and certain times of day! We stepped foot onto 9 different islands during our trip and we stayed on 3; New Providence Island(Nassau), Great Exuma(Georgetown) and Eleuthera(Gregory Town).
Where To Stay:
Courtyard Marriott Downtown: Decent rooms and great location across the street from Junkanoo Beach, around the corner from Señor Frog's and down the road from food and drinks at the "Fish Fry". The beach here is more of a touristy, party beach; nicer beaches would be found on Paradise Island or around main island. It was convenient to walk or ferry over to Atlantis/Paradise Island from this hotel. We stayed there for New Years Eve so we could watch the late-night, lively & colorful Junkanoo parade and celebration happening right around the corner.
Comfort Suites Paradise Island: This hotel is right across the street from Atlantis; less expensive rooms but you get a wristband that provides access to everything at Atlantis. They also offer continental breakfast.
What To Eat:
Frankie Gone Bananas @ "The Fish Fry"
Seafire Steakhouse @ Atlantis
The Beach Bar @ Atlantis
Señor Frog's Nassau
What To Do:
This island is well-known for Nassau and Atlantis on Paradise Island(the small island off of New Providence.): 4 different sea turtle pools, stingray pools, hammer head sharks, The Dig aquarium, lazy rivers and shark water slides. This would be a great place to bring the family! The beaches around Atlantis are really nice and it was fun exploring the casino, bars/clubs/restaurants & strolling through Marina Village to admire the yachts.
Where To Stay:
Hideaways-We didn't stay at the actual hotel, we rented an airbnb a couple minute walk away from the hotel, which allowed us access to the Hideaways hotel amenities. The Hideaways amenities were great; a restaurant right on the water, a small beach with paddleboards and kayaks for guests to use, a game room, gym and pool. There was no wifi in the Poinciana Villas where we stayed. It was also 2 twin beds pushed together; not the most comfortable way to sleep. I would think that the actual Hideaways stay might be better. The location was great and they had a free shuttle service to and from Georgetown.
Where To Eat:
Shirley's @ "The Fish Fry": We quickly realized that most towns had an area called "The Fish Fry." The fresh fish at the Georgetown Fish Fry was great and we loved the local experience.
Chat N' Chill: This restaurant is on a smaller island a short ferry ride away from Great Exuma called Stocking Island. Stocking Island itself has a lot to uncover, but Chat N' Chill itself had
Augusta Bay: Very close to Hideaways
What To Do:
Take a day trip with 4C's Adventures to the other cays(this was the companies the locals who had done all the tours suggested going through, we weren't disappointed). The tour we took stopped at a sand bar, to swim with nurse sharks, to swim with the pigs, to snorkel in a grotto, for lunch, to see iguanas and a couple other stops to see star fish and a sunken plane. I would suggest bringing snacks and alcoholic beverages! They do provide water and soft drinks.
Hop over to Stocking Island for fun in the sun at Chat N' Chill. Take the free shuttle into town at the Hideaways, then grab round-trip boat tickets. The bar and restaurant had really tasty food and drink options. You can swim with sting rays by the short. They also have volleyball nets and a beach to lounge on. If you walk the shore you will stumble upon some other very beautiful and quiet beaches an scenic views!
Where To Stay:
THE COVE! This hotel costs a pretty penny, but we lucked out by going at a time that the rooms were 1/2 price. We got the oceanfront room and it was like a dream; enjoying espresso on the deck overlooking the water each morning and then laying on a lounger on the white sand all day.
Where To Eat:
We mostly ate at the restaurants at The Cove, but one night we went out to Daddy Joe's, which was a fun local experience.
Pink Sands restaurant overlooking the pink sands beaches on Harbor Island.
What To Do:
RELAX! This was our favorite island! It was so beautiful and untouched for the most part. It was quiet and serene and relaxing. We relished in the ability to slow down at the end of our trip and soak it all in.
Ferry to Harbor Island for beach horseback riding, restaurants and a party atmosphere. We rented a golf cart at the marina where the boats dock, which was really fun!
Edwin's Turtle Lake Marine Reserve was a fun morning activity and work out! We rented paddle boards and had a tour guide take us around the lake. We went on a windier day, so I would suggest going on a calm, clear and sunny day. This is a salt water lake that moves with the sea and there are sea turtles in it. We didn't get to see any but it was so peaceful and beautiful anyway. This is where my now fiancé asked me to marry him!
Here's the best of the best from our travels!
New Providence Island
Courtyard Marriott Downtown: Decent rooms and great location across the street from Junkanoo Beach, around the corner from Señor Frog's and down the road from food and drinks at the "Fish Fry". The beach here is more of a touristy, party beach; nicer beaches would be found on Paradise Island or around main island. It was convenient to walk or ferry over to Atlantis/Paradise Island from this hotel. We stayed there for New Years Eve so we could watch the late-night, lively & colorful Junkanoo parade and celebration happening right around the corner.
Comfort Suites Paradise Island: This hotel is right across the street from Atlantis; less expensive rooms but you get a wristband that provides access to everything at Atlantis. They also offer continental breakfast.
What To Eat:
Frankie Gone Bananas @ "The Fish Fry"
Seafire Steakhouse @ Atlantis
The Beach Bar @ Atlantis
Señor Frog's Nassau
What To Do:
This island is well-known for Nassau and Atlantis on Paradise Island(the small island off of New Providence.): 4 different sea turtle pools, stingray pools, hammer head sharks, The Dig aquarium, lazy rivers and shark water slides. This would be a great place to bring the family! The beaches around Atlantis are really nice and it was fun exploring the casino, bars/clubs/restaurants & strolling through Marina Village to admire the yachts.
Great Exuma Cay:
Hideaways-We didn't stay at the actual hotel, we rented an airbnb a couple minute walk away from the hotel, which allowed us access to the Hideaways hotel amenities. The Hideaways amenities were great; a restaurant right on the water, a small beach with paddleboards and kayaks for guests to use, a game room, gym and pool. There was no wifi in the Poinciana Villas where we stayed. It was also 2 twin beds pushed together; not the most comfortable way to sleep. I would think that the actual Hideaways stay might be better. The location was great and they had a free shuttle service to and from Georgetown.
Where To Eat:
Shirley's @ "The Fish Fry": We quickly realized that most towns had an area called "The Fish Fry." The fresh fish at the Georgetown Fish Fry was great and we loved the local experience.
Chat N' Chill: This restaurant is on a smaller island a short ferry ride away from Great Exuma called Stocking Island. Stocking Island itself has a lot to uncover, but Chat N' Chill itself had
Augusta Bay: Very close to Hideaways
What To Do:
Take a day trip with 4C's Adventures to the other cays(this was the companies the locals who had done all the tours suggested going through, we weren't disappointed). The tour we took stopped at a sand bar, to swim with nurse sharks, to swim with the pigs, to snorkel in a grotto, for lunch, to see iguanas and a couple other stops to see star fish and a sunken plane. I would suggest bringing snacks and alcoholic beverages! They do provide water and soft drinks.
Hop over to Stocking Island for fun in the sun at Chat N' Chill. Take the free shuttle into town at the Hideaways, then grab round-trip boat tickets. The bar and restaurant had really tasty food and drink options. You can swim with sting rays by the short. They also have volleyball nets and a beach to lounge on. If you walk the shore you will stumble upon some other very beautiful and quiet beaches an scenic views!
Eleuthera Island:
Where To Eat:
We mostly ate at the restaurants at The Cove, but one night we went out to Daddy Joe's, which was a fun local experience.
Pink Sands restaurant overlooking the pink sands beaches on Harbor Island.
What To Do:
RELAX! This was our favorite island! It was so beautiful and untouched for the most part. It was quiet and serene and relaxing. We relished in the ability to slow down at the end of our trip and soak it all in.
Ferry to Harbor Island for beach horseback riding, restaurants and a party atmosphere. We rented a golf cart at the marina where the boats dock, which was really fun!
Edwin's Turtle Lake Marine Reserve was a fun morning activity and work out! We rented paddle boards and had a tour guide take us around the lake. We went on a windier day, so I would suggest going on a calm, clear and sunny day. This is a salt water lake that moves with the sea and there are sea turtles in it. We didn't get to see any but it was so peaceful and beautiful anyway. This is where my now fiancé asked me to marry him!
~Grateful Travels!~
 |
        |
Comments
Post a Comment