What exactly are the Bahamas famous for? From the swimming pigs to pristine blue waters, there is more to this Caribbean destination than just the beach.
The Bahamas' capital, Nassau, is among the world’s busiest island cities. From an active harbor for cruise ships to a snorkeling den, tourists have a lot to explore.
Below are 10 key facts to note about Nassau.
10 Crystal Clear Ocean Waters
Nassau is the epitome of clarity. With its clear ocean waters, this island city automatically becomes a fan-favorite spot. Who would ever imagine that it would be possible to visualize the bottom of the sea without specialized equipment? In this part of the world, it is possible to see approximately 200 feet below the water surface. However, this spectacle is only witnessed in some parts of the deep sea. The rest are punctuated by pristine blue waters which are also clear enough for shallow viewing of the ocean floor.
9 Snorkeling At Its Best
If there is one thing that vacationers find hard to resist in the Bahamas is snorkeling. It is an exciting experience every Caribbean vacationer dreams of. With Nassau being home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef, then there is a lot to do down there. Those courageous enough to indulge in the activity have a great time poking through the reefs and interacting with the under-sea’s hidden treasures.
8 Lost Colonies Can Be Traced Here
The story of lost colonies has been written and rewritten, and nothing could be further from the truth. It is believed that back in the 17th century, a group of British settlers sailed off the Coast of Florida in their quest for religious freedom. Moons later, they found their way into the Bahamas, and that explains why the Bahamas has a multiracial foundation. The want-away settlers would later interact with the locals to make Nassau the global powerhouse it is today.
7 Hosts The World’s Third-Largest Wine Cellar
Nothing hits hard like a glass of wine on a beach. The Nassau experience is more than that! Even for those who don’t take wine, touring Graycliff’s wine cellar needs to be on the to-do list. It is a collection of some of the rarest bottles from across the world. With hundreds of thousands of bottles to choose from, vacationers have every reason to visit this island and wine their vacation away.
6 Nassau Is Relatively Flat
Nassau is not the place to go for people looking for elevated grounds to hike. This island destination is fairly flat with no signs of sizzling volcanos or continuous ranges visible. In short, the whole of the Bahamas is not a climbers’ paradise. The highest point in the whole 700 islands is 207 feet above sea level. The flat trait of the island explains why it is easy to hike through from one end of the shore to the other.
5 The New America Story Begun Here
Christopher Columbus, remember him? Reggae music enthusiasts sing his name quite often but hardly know his story. He is the man behind the New America story. Columbus and his crew sailed all through the Caribbean and made landfall in Samana Cay, not far away from Nassau. He would later head to America and Nassau cannot be omitted from his liberation story.
4 Nassau Has A Rich History
Nassau is among the few islands of the Bahamas with a deep history and landmarks to commemorate the past. Part of the landmarks is the Queen’s Staircase, a structure of more than 100 steps built by slaves. Fort Montagu built back in the 16th century to fight the Spanish invaders is also part of Nassau’s history. Visiting these among other landmarks reveals how far the Bahamas has come to be what it is today.
3 Hollywood Adores Nassau Paradise Island
Hollywood has great admiration for Nassau Paradise Island. With its abundant beauty and calm waters, filmmakers find it hard to resist this island destination. Most movies shot in the Bahamas are filmed on Paradise Island. From the Pirates of the Caribbean to Casino Royale, just to name a few, Hollywood and Paradise Island are two inseparable forces.
2 Home To Colorful Fish Varieties
Fishing in Nassau stands out from other island cities. Here, the activity is done more like a form of recreation than a source of livelihood. The water around Nassau is rich in all manner of colorful fishes. From the snapper and mahi-mahi to the grouper, these fishes come in different sizes and shapes. Pulling a multi-colored fish out of the water and then splashing it back is an underrated fun-activity Bahamas vacationers should try.
1 Harbors The World’s Third Largest Barrier Reef
So much has been said about reefs in the Bahamas. However, little information exists about the exact size. The fact remains that this island is a force to reckon with when matters of reefs are at stake. Stretching over 190 miles in length, the Andros Barrier Reef is the world’s third-largest reef ever documented. Best still, the reef is home to some exotic fish species among other sea creatures.