- Currency: Bahamian dollar (the US dollar is widely accepted as well)
- Capital city: Nassau
- Language: English (you’ll also hear Creole spoken by locals)
- Key phrase to learn: What da wybe is? (“What’s up?” or “What’s going on?”)
- Time difference: The Bahamas are 5 hours behind the UK
- Average flight time: 9.5 hours
- International phone code: +242
- Emergency services number: 919 or 911
- Public holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Majority Rule Day (January 10), Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday), Easter Monday (Monday after Easter Sunday), Whit Monday (last Monday in May), Labour Day (first Monday in June), Independence Day (July 10), Emancipation Day (first Monday in August), National Heroes Day (October 12), Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).
- Link to FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bahamas
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Why go to Bahamas?
Ah, the Bahamas. The name alone conjures up blissfully clear waters, warm white sands, and coral reefs teeming with underwater life. But the more than 700 islands and coral reefs that form the Bahamas vary dramatically from one another.
Some are busy and modern, while others are uninhabited and tranquil. Despite their differences, however, things you can count on from holidays in the Bahamas include relaxed vibes, abundant fresh seafood and jaw-dropping natural beauty.
Some are busy and modern, while others are uninhabited and tranquil. Despite their differences, however, things you can count on from holidays in the Bahamas include relaxed vibes, abundant fresh seafood and jaw-dropping natural beauty.
| Travel Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Currency | Local time | Flight time |
| English | Bahamian dollar (BSD) | UTC-5 hrs | 9 hrs |
*Average flight time from London to Bahamas
The latest Bahamas deals
*Deal pricing is accurate as of 9:00am GMT today.
Bask on the beaches you’ve always dreamed of
The beaches of the Bahamas are the stuff of tropical daydreams. Travellers seeking lively all-inclusive holidays in the Bahamas will love Cable Beach on New Providence Island, a bustling 6.5 kilometre (4 mile) strip lined with big hotels, restaurants, shops, bars and watersports vendors.
If you have a quieter holiday in mind, head to Stocking Island in the Exumas or Treasure Cay in the Abacos to enjoy glittering white sands and sparkling waters without the crowds.
Enjoy more than just lounging on the beach
With countless exhilarating activities on offer to fill your days and nights, all-inclusive holidays in the Bahamas aren’t just about lazing on the beach.
For instance, you can snorkel in the black-coral gardens off the coast of Bimini, or enjoy wildlife viewing and hiking in Lucayan National Park, then shop for cheap Bahamas souvenirs in the duty-free shops of downtown Nassau. At night, head to a glamorous casino or nightclub, or just watch the sun set from a casual beach bar with a chilled beer in hand.
Feast on the islands’ rich cultural heritage
Bahamian culture is a fascinating mixture of African, European and Caribbean Creole influences. An example of a great evening might involve listening to a performance of traditional ‘rake n scrape’ music, which is created using homemade instruments, while dining on conch, a sea snail used in all kinds of Bahamian dishes, and sipping on creative rum-based drinks.
When to go?
With the islands getting about 300 days of sunshine per year, there’s no bad time for a 2018 holiday in the Bahamas. The country’s toasty temperatures average between 24C and 29C (75F-84F) in both winter and summer.
Winter in the Bahamas, which lasts from mid-December to mid-April, is high season, and the weather is dry during this time. It’s a great time of year for travellers who crave a lively vibe, but bear in mind that both prices and crowds are at their peak.
If you’re not a hardcore party animal, you may also want to avoid planning cheap Bahamas holidays during college spring break in March, when the hotels fill with boisterous students.
Summer in the Bahamas is hot and humid, with the rainy season spanning from May to October. Despite the name, you can still expect plenty of sunny days during the rainy season, although the weather isn’t as consistently good as it is in winter.
Cheap Bahamas flight deals are much easier to snag during ‘off season’, and many hotels run room sales.
Events for your diary
Junkanoo: Reminiscent of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Junkanoo is the quintessential Bahamian festival. This energetic street carnival features traditional music and dance, along with eye-catching costumes. It’s held several times throughout the year, making it easy to include in your all-inclusive Bahamas holiday in 2018.
