t Cabbage Beach watersports
Discover Itineraries
Begin in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, with a walk around the historic downtown. Start in Parliament Square, admiring the Georgian colonial architecture before walking west to the Nassau Straw Market. Next delve into the Pirates of Nassau Museum, which will enthrall you for hours. Head to Arawak Cay and lunch like a local on conch, before roaming Fort Charlotte. Head back east via off-the-beaten-track Delancy, West Hill, Duke, and Shirley Streets and turn right onto Elisabeth Avenue. Climb the Queen’s Staircase to arrive at Fort Fincastle. Dine at Graycliff (graycliff.com) and linger for cocktails.
This morning, enjoy a Bahamas Fast Ferry ride to Harbour Island, Eleuthera. Rent a bicycle or golf cart to explore Dunmore Town, with its quaint New England architecture. Have lunch at The Landing, then laze away a few hours sunning, swimming, and snorkeling on the famous Pink Sands Beach. In the evening, share a romantic candlelit dinner at the Blue Bar Restaurant, Pink Sands Resort (pinksandsresort.com).
Take a water taxi to Spanish Wells on St. George’s Cay, just 164 ft (500 m) off the northern tip of Eleuthera. Having arranged a rental car or an excursion in advance, explore the island, with stops at Glass Window Bridge, Preacher’s Cave, and Hatchet’s Bay Caves. Head back o Harbour Island late afternoon for snorkeling or a spa treatment before dinner at Tippy’s (Banks Rd).
Transfer to Spanish Wells for the fast ferry ride back to Nassau for a midday flight to George Town, Great Exuma. After lunch at the Peace & Plenty, spend an afternoon fishing, sea kayaking, or scuba diving. Head to the Fish Fry for a memorable dinner of fresh seafood.
Take a full day excursion to Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Highlights might include snorkeling in Thunderball Grotto; swimming with pigs at Big Major Cay; and marveling at the starfish at Starfish Reserve. Join the locals for dinner at Eddie’s Edgewater (Queen’s Highway).
Fly to Miami for a connecting flight to Providenciales, in the Turks and Caicos. In the afternoon, spend a few hours lazing and swimming on the beautiful Grace Bay Beach. After relaxing and soaking up some rays, the country’s hallmark beach offers all the watersports you could wish for. Catch the breeze on a Hobie Cat, take a kitesurfing lesson, or maybe gain an exhilarating frigate-bird’s view with a parasail ride. Later, walk the beach end-to-end before a relaxing massage or other treatment at your hotel spa. Join the happy-hour crowd at Somewhere (www.somewherecafeandlounge.com) to watch the sun go down, then head to Coco Bistro (cocobistro.tc) for a romantic alfresco dinner beneath the palms.
This morning, explore the island on a guided ATV adventure with Fun Ride Tours (funridetourstci.com), including Discovery Bay Mangroves, Chalk Sound National Park, and Caicos Conch Farm. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch and a hearty rum at the renowned Da Conch Shack (daconchshack.com) atop the sands before an afternoon kayaking or paddleboarding in Mangrove Cay. The wetlands and meandering tidal creeks at the northeast end of Providenciales provide a fabulous introduction to the islands’ marine life. Later in the afternoon, dedicate an hour or so for some retail therapy in Ocean Club Plaza or Saltmill Plaza, each with their many art galleries. End the day with dinner at the Crackpot Kitchen (crackpotkitchen.com), and cocktails at the appropriately-named Infiniti Bar at the Grace Bay Club. It is the longest bar in the Caribbean, stretching 90 feet from Grace bay Club to the shore (www.gracebayresorts.com).
Fly to Grand Turk (a mere 30-minute journey) in time for lunch at Jack’s Shack (www.jacksshack.tc), a delightfully rustic and popular beach bar where you can relax on the sands between bouts of beach volleyball. To explore Cockburn Town this afternoon, hop aboard a Segway with Oasis Divers for a fun guided tour that takes in all the main sites of interest including the old-Bermudian style houses and museum. If you prefer, the company can also take you on an excursion to Gibb’s Cay to laze on the beach, snorkel the coral reef, and perhaps swim with wild stingrays that can be found here. Have dinner alfresco at the Secret Garden Restaurant at the charming 1850s-era Salt Raker Inn (www.saltrakerinn.com), popular with locals.
Start with a short boat ride (or fly with Caicos Express) to Salt Cay. In winter, go whale-watching with Green Flash Whale Tours or Salt Cay Divers. One of the companies’ knowledgeable whale experts will add enrichment to your thrilling all-morning excursion. At other times of year, enjoy snorkeling amid a kaleidoscope of colorful corals and fish at Bluff Reef, while divers are spoiled for choice with superb sites, including the 18th-century warship, HMS Endymion. After lunch at Porter’s Island Thyme, explore Salt Cay’s Salinas (good for birding) before returning to Grand Turk. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing before dinner on the veranda at the beachfront Guanahani Restaurant & Bar (Bohio Dive Resort Waterfront, Pillory Beach, Cockburn Town TKCA 1ZZ). On Saturdays there is a live band.
Catch an early morning flight to Nassau and head to the plush Hotel Atlantis, Paradise Island, for lunch at Sip Sip beach bar-restaurant. Follow with an afternoon of non-stop fun at Atlantis’ Aquaventure Water Park, with its sensational high-speed slides, themed river roller coaster rides, and vast pools (non-guests can purchase a day-pass). After all this adrenalin-charged fun, detox by relaxing on the white sands of Cabbage Beach, or on one of Atlantis’ own four beaches. This evening, enjoy a final dinner at Café Matisse in downtown Nassau, then let your hair down at Hammerheads Bar & Grill; or linger at Atlantis for a gourmet Japanese meal at Nobu (which has a special sake cellar), a flutter in the casino, and dancing at Aura nightclub.
Discover Caribbean Itineraries
t Cabbage Beach watersports