The Bahamas is a 258,999 square-kilometre archipelago extending over 805 kilometres of the clearest water in the world; lying in the southwest Atlantic Ocean, close to Florida and stretching down to Cuba. Known as the 700 islands, the whole covers an approximate area of 500 square meters and has a population of approximately 300,000. The main islands include Grand Bahama, New Providence, Cat Island, Eleutherea, Exumas and Bimini. The archipelago's colourful history has made the country what it is today - from Christopher Columbus making his first landfall in the New World on the island of San Salvador and effectively giving the islands their name - from baja mar, or shallow sea (The Islands of the Shallow Sea) - to generations of explorers, invaders and traders sailing the well-travelled shipping channels.

The topography of the islands is diverse and varied, although all are low-lying, some being swampy and wooded, others being uninhabited and some offering beautiful beaches. Here is truly a tropical paradise where each island exhibits its own character, the product of a rich history and a culture unique to each island and its people. The Bahamas offers the chance to enjoy an individual holiday, tailored to your own requirements, and is the ideal region in which to enjoy a multi-island holiday. Vary the pace by spending a few days in cosmopolitan Nassau, with duty free shops, restaurants, historical attractions and leisure activities, such as golf - on world class courses, parasailing or windsurfing; before diving the challenging wrecks off the coast of San Salvador; cruising the Exumas' pristine cays; visiting Inagua National Park, with its nesting flamingos and other exotic wildlife; or simply relaxing on the white sands of Long Island's deserted beaches.

The topography of the islands is diverse and varied, although all are low-lying, some being swampy and wooded, others being uninhabited and some offering beautiful beaches. Here is truly a tropical paradise where each island exhibits its own character, the product of a rich history and a culture unique to each island and its people. The Bahamas offers the chance to enjoy an individual holiday, tailored to your own requirements, and is the ideal region in which to enjoy a multi-island holiday. Vary the pace by spending a few days in cosmopolitan Nassau, with duty free shops, restaurants, historical attractions and leisure activities, such as golf - on world class courses, parasailing or windsurfing; before diving the challenging wrecks off the coast of San Salvador; cruising the Exumas' pristine cays; visiting Inagua National Park, with its nesting flamingos and other exotic wildlife; or simply relaxing on the white sands of Long Island's deserted beaches.

The Bahamas is a real divers paradise with over 1000 regularly dived sites offering pristine reefs, multitudes of exciting wrecks, spectacular walls, blue holes, fantastic caves and the chance to dive with sharks and dolphins. The Gulf Stream brings large fish to the coastal waters and the sea life is rich and diverse, from sea-horses to Moray Eels. Dive centres are well-established and well-organised and manage to offer the cutting edge of diving whilst catering for small groups, offering access to a world of aquatic wonders.

itineraries

	AquaCat - Bahamas Cruise the islands of the Exumas, especially the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the most pristine area in all the Bahamas. Highlights include snorkelling with Lemon Sharks and Sting Rays.	View itinerary
	Blackbeard Cruises - Bahamas Sail numerous and diverse Bahamian dive sites; including Antler, with its enormous bed of Staghorn Coral; and Bimini Road, also known as the Road to Atlantis.	View itinerary
	Compass Point - Bahamas Compass Point is the perfect choice for guests who value simplicity, comfort, creativity and romance.	View itinerary
	Orange Hill Beach Inn The Orange Hill Beach Inn combines the charm of the family islands and all the conveniences of home.	View itinerary
	Stuart Cove's Dive Centre The dive centre can offer the best diving Nassau has to offer and has adventures for all categories of diver.	View itinerary