Custom travel to the Bahamas

The Bahamas are one of the Caribbean's most iconic archipelagos — island nation of 13,878 km² (700 islands + 2,400 cays, of which 30 inhabited) for 410,000 inhabitants, 9-11 h of flight with stopover from Paris (via Miami, London, Madrid). Independence 1973 (former British colony since 1718, Commonwealth monarchy — King Charles III is official head of state, represented by Governor-General). Bahamas stretch over 800 km in NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN (offshore Florida to west, Cuba to south, Hispaniola to southeast), the clearest turquoise waters in the world — up to 60-m visibility thanks to unique combination of white limestone bottoms (coral sand reflecting light) and shallow depths (95% of territory is in 1-30-m shallow waters, on Bahamas Bank — one of the world's largest submerged limestone plateaus, 100,000 km², visible from space in iconic turquoise color). Flagship sites: EXUMA CAYS (365-cay archipelago southeast of Nassau, accessible by 30-min Bahamasair flight or yacht — houses famous PIG BEACH with SWIMMING PIGS on Big Major Cay, Instagram viral sensation since 2010 — how wild pigs ended up swimming in turquoise ocean remains a mystery, theories: sailor-abandoned, shipwreck-escaped, locally planted for tourism), NASSAU (270,000-inhabitant capital, New Providence Island, 18th-century British colonial architecture, Atlantis Paradise Island casino), ELEUTHERA (190 km long, PINK SAND beaches — world-unique color due to pink Foraminifera shell fragments mixed with white coral sand, most visible at Pink Sand Beach of Harbour Island north), ANDROS (largest island 5,957 km², the WORLD'S 3RD LARGEST BARRIER REEF — 314-km long, world-top scuba diving), LONG ISLAND (Dean's Blue Hole — world's 2nd deepest submarine blue hole, 202-m depth, exclusive), GREAT INAGUA (80,000-flamingo sanctuary, world's 3rd largest population). 7-12 days to combine Nassau + Exuma + Eleuthera. A QUINTESSENTIAL FAMILY destination for those who love crystalline beaches, snorkeling-diving, and unique experiences (swimming pigs, Compass Cay nurse sharks).

Highlights

  • Exuma Pig Beach (swimming pigs, Instagram top)
  • Eleuthera pink sand beaches (world-unique)
  • Andros barrier reef (world's 3rd, 314 km)
  • Long Island Dean's Blue Hole (202-m depth)
  • Nassau Atlantis Paradise Island casino
  • Compass Cay nurse sharks (snorkeling)

Frequently asked questions

When?

December-May (dry season). Avoid June-November (hurricane season, September-October max risk).

How long?

8 days for essential Bahamas (Nassau + Exuma). 10 days with Eleuthera. 12 days with Andros diving and Long Island.

Budget?

€4,200-€5,800 per person for 8 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €8,500-€12,000. Flights: €1,100-€1,600.

Visa?

No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months).

Pig Beach: safe for children?

Yes, pigs habituated to humans for 30+ years. Supervision by local captain. Strict rules (no bread, no selfie sticks). From age 6.

Family?

EXCELLENT family destination (iconic Pig Beach, safe nurse sharks, Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark, calm beaches). All ages.

How to get around?

Bahamasair inter-island flights essential. Fast boat-taxi for Eleuthera. Yacht charter for Exuma. No car rental needed.

Combine?

Yes: Bahamas + Cuba (direct Nassau-Havana flight 1.5 h), Bahamas + Florida Miami (50-min flight), Bahamas + Jamaica.

Scuba diving: level?

Open Water sufficient for Andros coral pinnacles. Advanced+ required for Tongue of the Ocean (strong currents). Long Island Dean's Blue Hole snorkeling all levels.

Tips?

15-18% in restaurants (often included). $5-$10/day for hotel staff. $10/person for boat captains and guides.