The Bahamas, Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are The Bahamas?

A. The Bahamas are comprised of more than 700 islands and 2,400 cays, islets and rocks. Only the 30 largest islands are inhabited.

Q. Where are The Bahamas located?

A:The various islands and cays of The Bahamas begin approximately 50 miles southeast of Florida's coast. They create a 760-mile arc through the Atlantic and form a natural barrier across the eastern gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. The island of Bimini is closest to Florida, while the southernmost island, Inagua, is 60 miles from Haiti.

Q. What are The Bahamas known for?

The Bahamas are famous for their scenic beauty and year-round tropical weather. They are one of the most visited tourist spots in the world.

Q. Where are most visitors to The Bahamas from?

A. About 80% of the people vacationing in The Bahamas are from the United States. The balance are a combination of Europeans, South Americans, Canadians and others.


Q. What are the most popular destinations?
A. The two most popular destinations in The Bahamas are the city of Nassau/Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island.

Q:Which of the islands is the most prominent?

New Providence is economically the most important island of the group and contains more than half of The Bahamas' total population.

Q. What is the capital of The Bahamas?

A. The capital of The Bahamas is Nassau. It is located on New Providence Island. Known for its charm and rich colonial history, it offers opportunities for sports activities, shopping and sightseeing.

Paradise Island is linked by bridges. A popular tourist destination, Paradise Island is known for the world-famous mega-resort Atlantis.

Q. What does Grand Bahama Island offer?

A. Grand Bahamas Island contains the city of Freeport which is a modern resort-residential complex. It is more cosmopolitan and sports oriented than Nassau. Grand Bahama was developed more recently than Nassau and has become a favored resort, due in part to its nearness to Florida.

Q. What are the Out Islands?

A. The Out Islands are renowned for fishing, scuba diving, sailing, pristine beaches and their clear-blue water. The most notable Out Islands are Abaco, Andros, Bimini, Cat, Eleuthera, Exuma and Long Island.

While there are resorts on these islands that cater to diving and fishing enthusiasts, they are noted for their lack of commercial development.

Q. What is the history of The Bahamas?

A. The Bahamas claim the distinction of being Christopher Columbus' first New World discovery. Throughout their history, the islands have been dominated by the Spanish and English.

Since it was located close to Florida and well-traveled shipping channels, the Islands of The Bahamas caught the attention of explorers, settlers, invaders and traders. These people shaped the colorful history of The Bahamas and made the country what it is today.

At various times, the islands were occupied by pirates like Blackbeard and Calico Jack. In addition, Confederate blockade runners during the American Civil War and bootleggers during America's Prohibition Era also exploited the island because of its proximity to Florida.

A key turning point in The Bahamas' history came in 1961, when Cuba (with its glitzy casinos and beach resorts) was closed to American tourists.

Capitalizing on its close proximity to the United States, the government of the Islands of The Bahamas set out to increase the number of people who visited it each year. It dredged Nassau's harbor so that it could accommodate up to six cruise ships at a time, and it built a bridge connecting Nassau to Paradise Island.

In 1964, Great Britain granted the Islands of The Bahamas limited self-government, and in 1969 the colony of The Bahamas became a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. It then legally became a nation on July 10, 1973, which is celebrated today as Bahamian Independence Day.

To this day, The Bahamas retain many legacies from the years of British rule, including the distinctive Bahamian accent and two popular spectator sports - cricket and rugby.

Q. What is the population of The Bahamas?

A. About 305,000.

Q. What is the weather like?

A. The climate is warm and tropical with temperatures in The Bahamas averaging between 75 degrees F and 85 degrees F in both winter and summer.

Q. What language is spoken in The Bahamas?

A. English.

Q. What currency is used in The Bahamas?

A. The currency is the Bahamian dollar which is tied to the U.S. dollar so that they are always equivalent. U.S. currency is widely accepted particularly on Grand Bahama island.

Q. What documents are required to visit The Bahamas?

A. To enter The Bahamas, you need proof of U.S. citizenship (a passport or original birth certificate) and a return or through ticket are required. No visa is needed for stays up to one month. Starting January 1, 2007, the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security will require all U.S. citizens returning from the Caribbean to present a valid passport.

Q. What U.S. airlines service The Bahamas?

A. Air service from the East Coast and the Midwest is available aboard many major carriers to Nassau International Airport and Grand Bahama Island International Airport.

American Eagle, BahamasAir, Chalk's Ocean Airways, Delta, Continental Connection/Gulfstream International, S Airways and others depart daily from Miami.

Jet Blue and Song Airlines offer daily non-stop flights between New York and Nassau, and Spirit Airlines flies daily from Ft. Lauderdale. Flight time from Miami to Nassau is about 35 minutes.

Q. What is the Bahamian government's policy toward new development?

A. The government is very pro business and is putting money into tourism infrastructure, especially on Paradise Island, across from Nassau, as well as Freeport/Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island. Outside investors are encouraged to develop in the islands.

A major contributor to The Bahamas economic growth has been cruise-ship tourism which continues to increase. As a result, a more upscale crowd is coming to The Bahamas.

On the whole tourism is booming with approximately 1.6 million visitors from all over the world coming to the islands each year.

Q. Are The Bahamas politically stable?

A. Perry Gladstone Christie, Progressive Liberal Party, has served as the islands' prime minister since 2002. He is candid about his pro-business stance. Since his election, economic conditions have slowly improved. The Bahamas are considered to be politically stable.

Q. What is the capital of The Bahamas.
A. The capital city is Nassau which is located on New Providence Island. New Providence is home to a majority of the country's population. It is a prime tourist destination that features all the amenities associated with The Bahamas - an array of water sports, golf, tennis, nightlife, casinos, international shopping and a colorful history.

The 21-mile long, seven-mile wide island is home to the popular resort areas of Cable Beach and Paradise Island (a small island connected to Nassau).

Q. You most often hear about Paradise Island in The Bahamas. What makes it a favorite?

A. Paradise Island is located just 590 feet off the north shore of Nassau. It is a preferred vacation spot for East Coast Americans.

The main attraction of Paradise Island is the immense Atlantis Paradise Island Resort & Casino.

It has top hotels, casino action, Vegas-type revues and fabulous beaches.

The Atlantis is the Las Vegas of the Tropics. The mega-resort is massive, opening onto a long stretch of white-sand beach with a sheltered marina.

The Atlantis is a self-contained "water world," with a Lost Continent of Atlantis as its theme. It's a great choice for a family vacation, since kids love all the facilities and available activities. The Atlantis also offers so many sports, dining and entertainment options that many guests never set foot off the property during their entire vacation.

Atlantis' next phase of development includes a 600-room all-suite luxury hotel; a 400-unit condo hotel to be called The Residences at Atlantis, additional water-themed attractions including a dolphin encounter, and 100,000 sq. ft. of additional group and meeting facilities.

Learn more about the condo hotel, The Residences at Atlantis, here.

Q. Tell me about the island of Grand Bahama.

A. Grand Bahama Island is only 50 miles east of Florida. Its population is about 65,000. It is a major tourist destination, the second most popular tourist destination in The Bahamas (Nassau/Cable Beach/Paradise Island is first).

It is the fourth largest island in The Bahamas and encompasses 530 square miles. It is known for excellent bone fishing, reef and deep-sea fishing. Its hotels and nightspots have earned it the title of "New World Riviera."

The resort center of the island is Freeport. It attracts outdoor enthusiasts with its many opportunities for fishing, sailing, snorkeling, swimming, golf and tennis.

Freeport contains two of the most visited attractions in the country: the Crown Plaza Golf Resort & Casino at the Royal Oasis and the International Bazaar shopping complex. The local straw market, where you can buy inexpensive souvenirs, lies just to the right of the International Bazaar.

Lucaya, with a population of some 10,000 people, is 20 miles east of Freeport along the southern coast of Grand Bahama Island. It is a beach resort. The six-acre Port Lucaya Marketplace and Marina features shops, restaurants and live entertainment centered around Count Basie Square, named for the jazz artist who wintered on the island.

Much less developed is the West End of Grand Bahama. But not for long. Ginn Club & Resorts plans to build its Ginn sur Mer development on 2,000 acres that will include Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer golf courses, a casino, a mega-yacht marina, two water parks, a private airport, and upscale retailers and restaurants.

Ginn sur Mer will contain 4,400 condo hotel units and 1,800 single family homes, making it the largest resort community ever to be developed in The Bahamas. It will take nine to ten years to build.

Reservations are currently being accepted for home sites at Ginn sur Mer. The condo hotel units will become available at preconstruction prices in 2009, however, interested parties are encouraged to get their name on the Ginn sur Mer VIP list now.

To do so and immediately receive more information in the form of a 17-page report on the resort, we ask that you submit your full name, address and phone number. (Your information will not be sold or misused in any way. However, you will receive occasional updates on Ginn sur Mer as the property is developed and various ownership opportunities are announced.)

Submit your name, address, and phone number here to receive the Ginn sur Mer Report.