Are the Bahamas Islands Calling You for Your Next Port of Call?

Imagine setting foot in a tropical paradise spread out over seven hundred islands, mostly untouched and uninhabited. See yourself surveying the clearest water in the world that extends over five hundred miles of beaches in a one hundred thousand-square mile archipelago. Visualize the ocean spray splashing against large rocks and playing in deserted cays all at your bare feet.

Feast your eyes on sunny tropical weather with all blue skies and warm air and feel that sea breeze gently caressing your face. Dive in the beautiful wildlife underwater, sit back, relax and take a sip of the islands famous drink. Dreaming of this? Well, this place is not a dream. Welcome to the Bahamas Islands.

Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the largest of the islands was termed Gran Bajamar meaning "Great Shallows." As the name changed through centuries, it became known as Grand Bahamas. Only sixty eight miles from West Palm Beach, the Bahamas Islands are a popular destination that can be reached by boat or plane where you can be in the tropics while still being close to home.

Each of Bahamas islands has its own diversity in its natural ecosystem, whether at the center of civilization or as an out island. The Bahamas Islands' capital city is Nassau, which is located on New Providence Island which is connected with a bridge to Paradise Island.

The Grand Bahamas Island is one of Bahamas' islands that offer an exciting combination of ecological wonders as well as manmade attractions. On Grand Bahamas Island, vacationers find long stretches of deserted clean-white beaches, a major casino, night time entertainment, inviting hotels, and world class scuba diving facilities as well as land and sea sport. The serene and quaint settings on the eastern and western ends of the Island allow you to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle. The oldest city on Grand Bahamas Island can be found on the West End, located on the western tip of the island.

The out islands of the Bahamas are the most remote of the Bahamas Islands. Being secluded offers tourists many areas to explore and appreciate. The Abacos is one of the out islands of the Bahamas islands. This island provides an all-new meaning to boating and sailing. Travelers can find a perfect private spot for watching the beautiful sunset or reading a good book.

The Acklins/Crooked Islands are remote islands where divers, snorkelers, and fishermen can bring home an unforgettable and one-of-a-kind experience. The Andros is the largest of the Bahamas islands and the least explored too, it is of two thousand three hundred square miles and its waters are well known to have the second largest reef in the Northern Hemisphere, and recognized for being the bone fishing capital of the world.

The Berry islands are a cluster of thirty cays and are home to the Chub Cay, Billfish capital of the Bahamas islands. Sport fishing is not the only event here; the islands offer miles of isolated beaches, dozens of uninhabited cays, and bracing dive sites. Bimini is one of the smallest of the Bahamas islands that is just fifty miles from the east coast of Miami and is a tiny fishing heaven. Cat Island offers beyond natural beauties, traces of early cultures blend among the small inns and guest houses. Eleuthera/Harbour Island stretches out one hundred miles long and a mere two miles wide, it attracts and charms travelers from all over the globe for its near pink and white sand beaches as well as its colonial villages and pineapple plantations.

Other Bahamas islands include The Exumas, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, and San Salvador, all of which brings to each traveler that incomparable and diverse experience for unforgettable and lasting memories.

With all of these places to visit and explore, the Bahamas Islands offer vacationers an excellent venue for their next port of call. Feel the sun on your arms? Taste the tropical rum? Smell the salty sea spray? Hear the breeze whispering, "Come, visit me?" The Bahamas Islands are calling your name.