Make the Most of Your Weekend in the Bahamas

Made up of more than 700 islands spread across the West Indies in the Atlantic Ocean, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is a beguiling island nation, where a heavenly beach and fresh seafood are always within reach. While there’s little doubt that most visitors come for the beaches, which run the gamut from pristine and untouched to loud and lively, the Bahamas offers plenty to keep visitors active in and out of the water.

Learn about the history and culture that define buzzy Nassau, visit the gorgeous beaches that offer unlimited water sports and snorkel the incredible coral reefs, which harbor countless species of fish and crustaceans.

Foodies will find a true culinary heaven here. Bahamians’ long tradition of fishing has resulted in a burgeoning culinary scene that blends traditional Caribbean and local flavors. From casual food joints by the beach offering the catch of the day to fine-dining eateries preparing elaborate dishes, you certainly won’t be leaving the Bahamas hungry.

Whether you want a relaxed and quiet place to bask in the sun or crave an action-packed vacation complete with diving and snorkeling, a long weekend in the Bahamas is sure to impress beach and adventure lovers alike.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Lounge on the Beach

Easily accessible via a direct flight from every major airport, Nassau and Paradise Island are the perfect long weekend destinations. Start your first day with coffee and breakfast at a local favorite, Louis & Steen’s New Orleans Coffeehouse. The island’s first Cajun-Creole eatery/bakery also serves coffee brews from all over the world. So pick up a cup, then you’re off to the beach.

Nassau may be a busy capital, but that doesn’t mean it lacks picture-perfect beaches — quite the contrary. New Providence is home to some of the country’s most beautiful stretches of sand, which means you won’t have to drive far from your hotel to find a dreamy beach.

The pristine Cable Beach is world-famous and offers plenty of fun water activities. Love Beach, about a 10-minute drive west from Cable Beach, is a much quieter option, known for its natural rock pools and offshore coral reef.

If you are on the southwest side of the island, Adelaide Beach is an off-the-radar stretch of sand that locals frequent. About 8 miles west on the far western side of the island is Jaws Beach, a picturesque white-sand beach that — you guessed it — made a cameo in the “Jaws” movie.

It’s important to point out that all beaches in the Bahamas are public, so you shouldn’t have any problems laying your towel on the first pretty stretch of sand you find.

At the waterfront, a short five-minute drive from Cable Beach, you’ll find the Twisted Lime Pub, a casual joint that’s perfect for a post-beach lunch. Start with a cold beer or a frozen cocktail, then order the barbecue kalua pork (a house specialty) and fried-fish tacos, or the cracked conch salad and the catch of the day for a taste of Bahamian goodness.

Now that you’ve seen life in the Bahamas above water, explore the bustling flora and fauna that reside under the ocean’s surface. Popular snorkeling spots around Nassau are Rose Island Reef and Gambier Deep Reef, both of which are less than 10 miles from the nation’s capital.

To schedule an afternoon diving adventure, your safest, fastest option is to charter a dive boat or join a scheduled trip with an outfitter like Bahama Divers, Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas or Custom Aquatics, all of which can also provide any snorkeling or dive gear you need.

If you get back from your diving or snorkeling adventure in time, head to your hotel for a quick shower and change of clothes and then back to the beach to catch the sunset. Enjoy dinner at the elegant Sapodilla Estate on West Bay Street. This fine-dining spot serves island-inspired fare amid beautifully landscaped gardens and Bahamian artwork.

For some late-night fun, head to Bahama Boom Beach Club, which has themed parties every night of the week and is one of the best dance clubs on the island.

Saturday: Explore the Capital

Now that you’ve seen the beaches, it’s time to enjoy a bit of local history and culture. For breakfast, grab a table on the balcony of the Cricket Club and enjoy balmy ocean breezes (and maybe even an actual cricket match), while you tuck into a classic British breakfast of eggs, bacon, fried tomatoes, baked beans and toast.

Nassau is perfectly walkable, so you can start your exploration at Parliament Square and the nearby straw market. Stroll along Bay Street — the main commercial artery of the capital — and take snaps of its pretty pastel municipal buildings, such as the House of Parliament and the Supreme Court Building.

Have a traditional island lunch at Bahamian Cookin’ Restaurant, the city’s oldest family-owned restaurant, serving authentic homemade Bahamian food. After fueling up on conch fritters and steamed grouper simmered in tomato gravy and peppers, it’s time to explore another vibrant side of Bahamian culture.

The Bahamas is a bustling art destination. For proof, look no further than the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, housed in the historic Villa Doyle. The museum also features a sculpture garden and an amphitheater.

And don’t miss the nearby Educulture Junkanoo Museum, an upbeat museum that celebrates the costumes, history and music of Junkanoo, a joyous celebration of Bahamian culture and history that’s held on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day throughout the Bahamas. You can make a colorful mask, dance to Bahamian music and maybe even meet a former Junkanoo queen.

Escape the afternoon sun in the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex, a limestone fort built in 1793 to protect Nassau. Climb the complex’s iconic Queen’s Staircase, often called the 66 Steps, which were carved out of solid limestone by slaves in the late 18th century, when the Bahamas was under British rule. The steps provide a direct route from the fort to Nassau.

When you reach the top, wander around the capital and look for the many beautiful murals that will give you a glimpse of this island’s creative spirit.

Top off the art-filled afternoon with dinner at Aquafire Bar & Grill, where stunning ocean views and mouthwatering island food go hand in hand. Standouts on the menu include traditional conch chowder, grilled oysters with herb butter and “Sir Pete’s Baby Back Ribs,” marinated in a secret family barbecue sauce.

For cocktails, music and post-dinner entertainment, Xscape Lounge & Nightclub is a local favorite that keeps the party going until 2 a.m. on weekends.

Sunday: Learn to Fish

Among the world’s premier year-round fishing destinations, the Bahamas offers excellent deep-sea and reef- and fly-fishing opportunities. Many companies like Hunter Charters offer half-day fishing trips suited for beginners and pros alike. It’s a fun way to try your hand at this traditional Bahamian activity and spend more time on the water with beautiful ocean views.

For lunch, go behind the scenes of one of the most exquisite restaurants in the Bahamas, Graycliff. As part of the Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class & Lunch Experience, you’ll learn the ins and outs of island cooking and whip up a three-course lunch meal in the kitchen of this award-winning restaurant, a celebrity favorite.

Then tour the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas, located in the historic Mountbatten House, opposite the Graycliff Hotel on West Hill Street. The museum gives visitors an in-depth look at the history and heritage of the Bahamas and includes displays of fossils, centuries-old relics and other treasures, including a slice of a meteorite that’s 4.5 billion years old.

In the evening, tuck into barbecued meats, grilled lobster or scorched conch with lime, onion and peppers at the Fish Fry on Arawak Cay. This waterfront street is lined with food vendors and restaurants offering the most authentic glimpse of the nation’s diverse culinary heritage.

Sample as many delicacies from regulars like Oh Andros, Drifters at Da Fish Fry and Frankie Gone Bananas as your stomach will allow you. Wash it all down with an island-made Kalik, dubbed the “Beer of the Bahamas.”

End your trip to the islands with a daiquiri in hand, admiring the views from Island Delight, a wooden bar located on the bridge between Paradise Island and Potters Cay.