Why Nassau & Paradise Island are absolutely irresistible

The beaches are like movie backdrops

Just the sight of Nassau & Paradise Island from your aeroplane seat will make you understand why Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield was mesmerised.

When asked about his favourite views from space, he remarked, “The most beautiful to me are The Bahamas, the vast glowing reefs of every shade of blue that exists.”

And the water feels as sumptuous as it looks. Ocean temperatures by the shoreline average 27C for an always soothing splash.

Cabbage Beach is a favourite and one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, so much so that a James Bond movie was filmed here. At The Ocean Club, to be precise. Cabbage’s 3.2km (2 miles) of white-sand beaches and turquoise waters made for the perfect backdrop for Daniel Craig and his famous blue swim trunks.

Cable Beach in Nassau is another great hangout, ideal for families thanks to good accessibility, amenities and all-inclusive beach resorts. Meanwhile, couples will want to retreat to the aptly named Love Beach. Just 20 minutes from downtown, it has a distinct get-away-from-it-all vibe with excellent conditions for snorkelling.

You can always swim over to adventure

Sure, there’s plenty of opportunity to paddle alongside the palm trees, but when you’re ready to explore more, a bounty of treasures awaits in Nassau & Paradise Island.

First up, there is no way anyone can pass up Atlantis Paradise Island. Day passes are available to the massive 141-acre water park, where you’ll find high-speed water slides, a 1.6km-long (1 miles) river ride with rolling rapids, a water fort for kids, 8km (5 miles) of beaches, and marine habitats with over 500 aquatic animals. We recommend the Atlantic Stingray Experience for the chance to feed gentle rays in a shallow lagoon.

Elsewhere, unleash your inner Captain Jack Sparrow on a pirate ship tour, where you’ll sail through Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island aboard a 500-ton Spanish Galleon, or choose a day out at Harbour View Marina with a Chubasco Fishing Charter. Their experts will guide you to waters with guaranteed catch on full-day charters… or your money back.

There are beautiful pro-designed golf courses

What do you get when you combine year-round sunshine and perfectly manicured outdoor spaces? A golfer’s paradise. Nassau & Paradise Island are home to world-class courses suitable for beginners right up to the pros.

The Royal Blue Golf Course at Baha Mar, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, is a must-play. It features two courses in one, with 18 holes, rolling fairways and the best vistas to take a swing at – think ocean views on the front nine, and epic moonscapes and tropical greens on the back nine.

Over at The Ocean Club, there’s a brilliant Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course spread across 7,100 yards with 18 holes of varying challenge. On the edge of Paradise Island, this one enjoys another slice of those incredible island vistas. Golf holidays don’t get prettier than this.

It’s one of the foodie capitals of the Caribbean

Bahamian cuisine encompasses Spanish, West African and British influences prepared with a Caribbean twist, and the surrounding ocean reels in catch of the utmost freshness. To sample the best of it, along with the length and breadth of island cuisine, visit in October to catch the Bahamas Culinary and Arts Festival, or time your trip for the March 2025 Atlantis Food and Wine Festival, which will feature entertainment from Wyclef Jean and DJ Kim Lee.

But even if you’re arriving outside of festival season, you’ll still have plenty to dig into. Gordon's On The Pier is a romantic spot for seafood and rum cocktails, while Cleo Grill fires your catch on a smoky grill for a street food-style feast.

Fresh fish also means sushi fans are in for a treat. Pick up your chopsticks at Sakana Noodle & Sushi Bar in downtown Nassau, or Asian Grill on Paradise Island for sashimi that needs no sauce.

The first certified five-star restaurant in The Bahamas, Graycliff Restaurant, is one for the bucket list, especially if you appreciate exquisite wine. It has the largest wine cellar in the Caribbean, with over 250,000 bottles, including the oldest in the world.

And since The Bahamas is one of the Caribbean's foodie capitals, internationally renowned celebrity chefs take residence in their kitchens. Where to go for an A-List dish? Dune for Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s roasted grouper, Nobu for Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s rock shrimp tempura, and Carna for Dario Cecchin’s perfect streak.

There’s a rich and colourful history to unearth

Nassau & Paradise Island are steeped in history and culture, sheltering pirates, rum smugglers and runaway lovers for centuries. Discover the stories that enchant the island with a trip to the Pirates of Nassau Museum, which has a replica pirate ship the kids will love, and the Heritage Museum of The Bahamas with its vast collection of antiques, relics, and treasures.

Music is a big part of Bahamian life, with Junkanoo dating back to the 1700s. It began as a small celebration of temporary slave freedom and has today grown to a huge parade of dance, music and colour. Visit the Junkanoo Educulture Museum to find out more about the origins and traditions.

Other historical landmarks to add to your itinerary include the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Charlotte.