Discover the Top 15 Experiences in
the Out Islands of the Bahamas

On the Atlantic side of the island are the famous pink sand beaches. A three-mile stretch of indescribable beauty, the sand here is truly pink. Sifted and smoothed by generations of waves, the sands are coloured by finely crushed coral. A light rose blush by day, they become a vibrant pink at sunset. With its gentle sands and the ribbons of blue in the sea, it is often called the world’s most beautiful beach.

The little groups of pigs to be found in the Exumas have attained some measure of stardom recently following a couple of stories of their aquatic skills surfacing in the press and on the web. If swimming with pigs takes your fancy then such delights are possible.

The fringing-barrier reef lying to the east coast of Andros Island in the Bahamas represents the second largest reef complex in the western North Atlantic and is one of the most remote. The system extends for a distance of approximately 200 km (124 miles) from the Joulter Cays in the north to South Cay in the south. The Andros Barrier Reef is famous for its deep water sponges and large schools of Red Snappers. It is the only place in the world where there is more than one Nassau Grouper Aggregation. The Andros Barrier Reef segment is used as an example of the most perfect Atlantic Coral reef structure on display at the New York Natural History Museum.

Just west of Staniel Cay lies Thunderball Grotto, showcased to the world as the location of many of the scenes in two James Bond movies, Thunderball and Never Say Never Again, as well as Into The Blue with Jessica Alba and the Disney movie, Splash. Aside from its Hollywood fame, however, Thunderball Grotto (or Thunderball Cave, as it is also known) is renowned as one of the top scuba-diving locations in the world. Amid a veritable maze of entrances and underwater pathways, divers enter this hollowed-out rock and find themselves in a magical ‘fishbowl’. The ceiling, which is as high as 20 feet in some spots, is dotted with natural skylights where rain has eroded the rock, allowing the sunlight or moonlight to stream down upon the sparkling waters. Hundreds of varieties of fish, coral and sea life meet the eye. Animated groupers, lobsters, snappers, and angelfish abound. It is even possible to also observe a slow-moving sea turtle or small wayward octopus from time to time.

The Glass Window Bridge is one of Eleuthera’s more popular attractions. Many times referred to as “the narrowest place on Earth”, the bridge is located just north of Gregory Town on the Northern end of Eleuthera. The man-made bridge took the place of a naturally formed bridge of rock that was destroyed in a hurricane. From the bridge, you can see a phrnomenal contrast between the dark blue Atlantic Ocean churning away and the calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The colors are truly breathtaking.

The famous batik fabric and garment manufacturing factory, Androsia, is located on Andros next to Lighthouse Club in Fresh Creek and has been in business since 1973. It is the center of production for the brightly colored authentic Bahamian hand-dyed cotton fabric, with designs inspired by elements found in the island's environment and Bahamian culture. The company's name, found on each yard of fabric, represents the Island of Andros and its people, known as Androsians. Batik lessons (with prior arrangement) are offered where visitors can tour the factory, watch the artisans as they wax, cut and dye these beautifully colored fabrics, and make a 2-yard piece of batik to take home with them.

The Abaco National Park was established in 1994 as a sanctuary for the endangered Abaco parrot, of which there are fewer than 3,000. Many other birds call the park home, including the Bahama yellowthroat and pine warbler. A 15-mile dirt track passes through the 20,500 protected acres, ending at the Hole-in-the-Wall lighthouse, a starkly beautiful and desolate location overlooking the ocean. The lighthouse is not technically open to visitors, but people still do climb the rickety stairs to the top where views of the island and the sea are mesmerizing.

The largest cave system in The Bahamas, Hamilton's Cave features stalactites and stalagmites, and passages over 15 meters wide. Leonard Cartwright will take you on a guided tour, complete with flashlights, as you explore inside the dark depths of his childhood playground where Lucayan drawings and ancient artifacts have been found. For added excitement, plan to go closer to dusk when the resident bats are most active!

Known as the deepest blue hole in the world with a depth of 663 feet, Dean's Blue Hole is the most amazing sight on the island. A blue hole is a term for a water-filled sinkhole with an entrance below the water level. Free divers from around the world gather here annually to take the plunge. In 2010 William Trubridge broke the world record free-diving to 302 feet without fins. Dean's Blue Hole is surrounded by a pretty cliff and a superb beach. The shallows at the edge of the hole are perfect for snorkeling and swimming, and the more adventurous visitors can jump into the water from the cliffs above.

Two miles north of Cape Santa Maria is the Columbus Monument, commemorating Columbus's landing on Long Island. The road to the monument is off the Queen's Highway, and while the sign is often not visible, any Long Islander will gladly give you directions. The 3-mi treacherous road is too rough for vehicles without four-wheel drive, and most rental car companies won't let you drive it without an SUV, yet it is an extremely long hike. At the end of the road is a steep hill, called Columbus Point, and a climb to the summit affords a spectacular vista. This is the highest point on Long Island, and the second highest in the Bahamas.

The Chub Cay Wall, which starts at 80 feet and drops to 4000 feet, provides divers with a magnificent look into the deep. The Canyons is located in 45 feet of water and has a variety of swim-throughs, tunnels and large coral arches. Another popular site is the Eel Garden which starts at 40 feet of water over white sand with hundreds of garden eels, southern stingrays and parrot fish. A rollover covered with coral heads continues down to about to about 75 feet.

A popular tourist attraction in Cat Island is Comer Hill, the highest point in The Bahamas at 206 ft. above sea level. Climb to the top of Mt. Alvernia where you'll get a bird's eye view of a scaled replica of a 12th century monastery called the Hermitage built by Monsignor John C. Hawes. This building has an interesting history, and was built by hand, by the dedicated Monsignor.

Known to the Arawak Indians that lived there as Guanahani, the island of San Salvador (“Holy Savior” in Spanish) boasts the reputation of being the first place that Christopher Columbus landed upon when he discovered the new world. After 33 days at sea, on 12 October 1492, Columbus landed at beautiful Fernandez Bay (Long Bay). Erected on Christmas Day in 1956 by Ruth Durlacher Wolper, this white cross commemorates the landfall of Christopher Columbus on San Salvador in 1492.

The Tuna Alley is often called one of the best dive sites in all of the Caribbean. It is a pristine, healthy reef system off of North Cat Cay, one of the Bimini Islands. Magnificent, high profile corals have formed walls at 45 feet that gently slope down to 80-100 feet. Divers can swim along a canyon with numerous crevices, caverns, and swim-throughs that exit 100 feet or more down the wall. The Gulf Stream currents wash through and keep the system healthy and vibrant. When the current is running this site is a great drift dive. The name, Tuna Alley, comes from the scores of tuna often found schooling along the reef. In the deep, blue water divers may also encounter loggerhead turtles and a reef or nurse shark.

Hundreds of cays swoosh over a 120-mile span of crystal blue in the Exumas, a shimmering natural playground anchored by lonely coves and critter-filled reefs. Glide past palmettos and plovers near George Town or paddle to iguana-owned shoes in the Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park. Adrenaline junkies may prefer swooping the gusty banks by kiteboard.