The Bahamas offer a tremendous variety of excellent beaches. The powdery sand is breathtaking, and the crystal-clear turquoise water is clear as can be. The very best of Bahamas beaches are as follows:
• Harbour Island Beach was recently named one of the top 10 beaches in the world by the Travel Channel. Located on Eleuthera/Harbour Island, it consists of 3.5 miles of picture perfect sand. Outlying reefs result in calm waters for safe swimming and snorkeling.
• Paradise Beach, on Paradise Island, is a great one, but you may or may not be able to access it. If you are a resident of the island or a guest at the Atlantis, you’re in. You might be admitted by knowing someone who lives on Paradise Island. The beach is populated with little huts, providing a place to change, eat or get out of the sun.
• Cabbage Beach is the place to go for the party scene. Fringed by mega hotels, the beach is packed with people but beautiful nonetheless. Lined with palms, sea grapes and casuarinas, this Paradise Island beach offers water skiing, snorkeling and parasailing. The cafes adjacent to the beach provide the only bathroom facilities.
• Cable Beach on New Providence Island is perfect for those who want to stay near shops, restaurants, bars and gambling. It’s also a popular choice for families with children because of its access to restrooms and hotels. A nice array of water sports is available.
• Xanadu Beach, situated on Grand Bahama Island, is the most convenient beach to Freeport’s resorts, many of which offer shuttle service here. The water is usually calm and is shallow fairly far out, making Xanadu Beach a good one for kids who cannot swim. Xanadu is one of the island’s more crowded beaches, but more quiet beaches stretch from Xanadu in either direction.
• Tahiti Beach, located at the far end of Elbow Cay Island in the Abacos, is a great place for peace and quiet. It’s also a thing of true beauty, made up of sugary white sand and cool blue waters. It can be reached by land only by walking or riding a rented bike from Hope Town. You can also charter a boat to Tahiti Beach; the Abacos are the country’s sailing capital.
• Western Esplanade is very convenient for travelers staying in downtown Nassau, from which it’s a 10-minute walk. It’s called Junkanoo Beach by the locals. Tourists favor Western Esplanade because it has public bathrooms, changing facilities and a snack bar.
• Whiteland Beach in Eleuthera is secluded and romantic, with plenty of places to eat nearby. The beach area is reef protected and has an even, sandy bottom, making Whiteland Beach a good spot for swimming. Whiteland Beach has natural shading at the access point as well as on either side of the beach. This alluring beach also has a few hideaways on the north side.
• Stocking Island, one of the most gorgeous beaches in the Bahamas, separates Exuma from the Atlantic Ocean. This white sandy beach lies off Elizabeth Harbour, which is close to the little capital of George Town. You can reach Stocking Island by ferry from Elizabeth Harbour. Snorkelers and scuba divers come here to explore the blue holes, undersea caves and coral gardens.
• Treasure Cay Beach has some of the softest, whitest sand and dazzling shades of blue and green. The more than 3 miles of beach are never crowded.
