Bahamas Great Itineraries: Island-Hopping for 2 Weeks

Island-Hopping for 2 Weeks

While you could easily spend two weeks soaking up the sun, snorkeling, scuba diving, beach combing, and enjoying local cuisine on any single island, this itinerary let's you see more of the Bahamas, taking you to Nassau, the Exuma Cays, Grand Bahama, and the Abacos over two weeks.

1 Day: Nassau

Plan on arriving early and dropping your bags at your hotel. Explore downtown Nassau this morning by foot, stopping in at the National Art Gallery, the Straw Market, and the Graycliff Cigar Factory, then rent a scooter and head west. Baha Mar is a good spot to take a break and grab a drink, then continue west. Have lunch at Dino’s Gourmet Conch Salad stand and carry on to Clifton Heritage National Park, where you can immerse yourself in the slave and plantation history and snorkel out to the Atlas underwater statue just offshore.

2 Days: Ship Channel Cay, Exuma

Powerboat Adventures offers an exciting day trip to a private island called Ship Channel Cay, near the top of the Exuma Cays. Enjoy a day feeding iguanas and stingrays, watching the shark feeding, and snorkeling in the beautiful waters. When the day-trippers head back to Nassau, wave good-bye from the dock and retreat to your private cottage for a night on a deserted island. After breakfast, head to the side of the island few day-trippers even know exists for a day of complete sunbathing privacy. Lunch and an open bar are provided, and you’ll head back to Nassau in the afternoon with the day-trippers. Try your luck tonight in one of the world-class casinos at Atlantis or Baha Mar and spend one more night in Nassau.

2 Days: Grand Bahama

Fly to Grand Bahama, where you'll spend two nights, and head to UNEXSO to swim with dolphins in their natural open-ocean habitat. Once back on land, head next door to Port Lucaya Marketplace for some shopping, drinks, live music, and dinner in Count Basie Square. The next morning, rent a car and venture east to the Lucayan National Park, timing your visit for low tide. After exploring the fascinating caves, walk across the street along the boardwalk over the mangroves to Gold Rock Beach. You can walk for miles along the rippled sand and lounge in the tide pools.

1 Day: Treasure Cay, Abaco

Catch the 8:30 am Pinder’s Ferry from McClean’s Town, Grand Bahama, to Crown Haven at the northern tip of Abaco. The Great Abaco Express charter bus will take you the 45-minute drive into Treasure Cay, where you'll spend the night. Grab a towel and relax on the world-famous pink-sand beach.

2 Days: Green Turtle Cay, Abaco

Indulge in one of the delicious cinnamon buns from Café La Florence near the marina before you catch the ferry to nearby Green Turtle Cay, where you'll spend the night. Head out for a memorable scuba or snorkel day trip with Brendals; you’ll likely experience another wild-dolphin encounter. The next morning, brush up on Bahamian history as you wander around New Plymouth by golf cart. Be sure to stop in at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar for an authentic Goombay Smash. Get the last ferry (4:30 pm) back to Treasure Cay and take a taxi south to Marsh Harbour for the night.

2 Days: Hope Town

Rent a small speedboat and head over to Elbow Cay, making the lighthouse your first stop. The views from the top are breathtaking. Cruise on over to Hope Town to explore the quaint town by foot. Enjoy a spectacular sunset and incredible dinner at FireFly. The next morning head back out in your boat to Tahiti Beach, and then have lunch over at Lubber’s Landing on Lubber’s Quarters, where you’ll hang out on the beach or bar, enjoy an evening bonfire, and spend the night in one of the very private cottages.

1 Day: Man O' War and Guana Cays

At your leisure, head out to Man O’ War Cay to watch the men build traditional wooden boats. Lunch is at Nippers on nearby Great Guana Cay. Expect huge crowds if you happen to catch it on a Sunday, but otherwise you’ll likely have the sprawling bar, pool, and beach to yourself. Before sundown, head back to Marsh Harbour to check into a hotel.

1 Day: Schooner Bay

Rent a car and drive south to Schooner Bay. Book a room and dinner well in advance at one of the upscale bonefishing lodges in the area so you can try your hand at bonefishing on the world-famous marls. After dinner walk out to the observation deck for a night of stargazing.

1 Day: Southern Abaco

Early the next morning, head deep into the Abaco National Park at the southernmost tip of the island with DSB excursions, where you’ll explore caves and abandoned plantation buildings, climb to the top of the lighthouse, and picnic on a beach that probably hasn’t been seen by anyone else in a very long time. Drive back to Marsh Harbour and fly home direct or via Nassau.