Island Hopping the Bahamas

A popular beach destination, particularly with cruise ships but it is possible to walk about the heart of Nassau easily. In one day you can visit Festival Place and Parliament Square that is next door and home to one of the most colourful buildings in town. Try some rum cake in the local marketplace, Straw Market that brings together a large number of vendors, just be ready to haggle as there is no pricing!

Take a moped or taxi out to Bennet's Hill for the fantastic panormaic views of Nassau and Paradise Island, and then come back down the Queens Staircase, named in tribute to Queen Victoria who played a key role in the abolition of slavery in the Bahamas.

The Grand Master mailboat, located on Potter's Cay Dock departs at 4pm so you have a full morning to take in the history, colourful architecture and food of historic Nassau. Having had some lunch head over the dock to buy your tickets (no need to pre-reserve) and join the crew on the overnight, 14hour passage to Georgetown. It is not luxury, you will get a bunk in an air-conditioned cabin and dinner, but during the passage enjoy the most amazing sunsets, watch dolphins swim alongside the ship and share the experience with anything from the mail to the local sheep and goats!

You will arrive early, ready for a hearty breakfast of which the staple of boiled fish and johnny cake is to be tried!

Drop your bags at your selected accommodation, and take the water taxi from the Government Dock for a day of sun, sea and on Stocking Island, just a mile offshore. Swim with some wild stingrays that pop in daily for lunch, and treat yourself to some tropical drinks and a freshly prepared conch salad. After the day's relaxation head back to the mainland for a peaceful and restful evening.

Today have a fabulous time, island-hop the stunning Exuma Cays on a half-day excursion. Skim through the blue, sparkling, crystal clear waters from island to island, feeding iguanas on Allan’s Cay, interact with the swimming pigs on Big Major Cay, lounge about at one of the beautiful beaches en route and and snorkel in the unique geological ocean 'blue holes', underwater caves that when seen from above are dark blue contrasting to the light blue shallow waters around them. Just amazing. Catch the last scheduled flight back to Nassau, and stay over night.

Another day trip out to another beautiful island and this time, just 8 miles off the eastern coast, lies Rose Island. A popular weekend boating drop for locals, the long island is uninhabited. You can book a days excursion from Nassau that gives you access to the island, snorkelling, lunch and a swim with the Rose Island Pigs! For VIP treatment book  table at the Sandy Toes Beach Bar, or be completely indulgent and book a night at the exclusive Sandy Toes Retreat, a world away from the hustle and bustle off the mainland, an exclusive two-bedroom cottage with unbelievable ocean views. The best part being that once the excursion day-trippers leave at 3:45, you’ll have the island to yourself!