Essential Bahamas: Nassau and Exuma
Duration : 8 days
Route : Nassau (3 nights, Atlantis or Rosewood Baha Mar) → Exuma flight (4 nights, Pig Beach, Compass Cay nurse sharks, Thunderball Grotto) → return Nassau (1)
Custom travel to the Bahamas
The Bahamas are one of the Caribbean's most iconic archipelagos: 700 islands, around thirty inhabited, stretching 800 km across the North Atlantic off the coast of Florida. An island nation independent since 1973 and a Commonwealth realm, it also holds the world's clearest turquoise waters, thanks to the Great Bahama Bank — a vast shallow limestone plateau visible from space. Highlights: the Exuma Cays and their famous Pig Beach (swimming pigs on Big Major Cay); Nassau, the British colonial capital with the Atlantis casino; Eleuthera and the pink sand of Harbour Island (its color due to pink foraminifera); Andros, which runs alongside the world's third-largest coral barrier reef; Long Island and Dean's Blue Hole (202 m, the second-deepest marine sinkhole in the world); and Great Inagua with its sanctuary of 80,000 pink flamingos. Allow seven to twelve days to combine Nassau, Exuma, and Eleuthera — an outstanding family destination for beaches, snorkeling, 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)
Sample itineraries
Eleuthera pink sand beaches and Harbour Island
Duration : 10 days
Route : Nassau (1) → Eleuthera Harbour Island flight (5 nights, Pink Sands Resort, pink beaches) → Exuma flight (3 nights, Pig Beach, Compass Cay) → return Nassau (1)
Bahamas diving + private island
Duration : 12 days
Route : Nassau (1) → Andros world's 3rd barrier reef (5 nights, Tiamo Resort eco-luxury or Kamalame Cay private island) → Exuma (4) → Long Island Dean's Blue Hole (1) → return
When to go
December-May is the best period (dry season, pleasant temperatures 22-28 °C, ideal turquoise waters 24-26 °C, few rains). TOURIST PEAK December-February (Christmas, New Year, American school holidays, high prices, 6-12-month advance bookings for Pink Sands Resort, Kamalame Cay). MARCH-MAY (northern austral spring, perfect temperatures, reduced crowds). AVOID JUNE-NOVEMBER (Atlantic hurricane season, September-October maximum risk, some hotels close, low prices but tropical storm risk). JUNKANOO FESTIVAL December 26 and January 1 (Boxing Day and New Year, Bahamian national festival, exceptional cultural experience).
- Dry season (ideal) (December – February) — All sites accessible, high prices
- Spring (perfect) (March – May) — Exclusive beaches, reasonable prices
- Hurricane season (not recommended) (June – October) — Closed lodges, low prices, RISK
- End hurricane season (November) — Low prices, but unpredictable
Practical information
Very safe in tourist areas (Exuma, Eleuthera, Paradise Island, Andros). VIGILANCE some Nassau districts (over-the-hill south of center, avoid at night, taxis-Uber recommended). No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months). No mandatory vaccine. Antimalarial NOT necessary (no malaria in Bahamas). Tap water POTABLE in Nassau, bottled recommended on Out Islands. Cards accepted everywhere (USD used everywhere, BSD at 1:1 parity). English omnipresent (official language). Tipping: 15-18% in restaurants (often included 'gratuity 18%' on bill for 6+ groups), $5-$10/day for hotel staff, $10/person for boat captains and guides.
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.