The Bahamas
Abacos - Andros - Exuma Cays - Great Exuma
The Bahamas, termed "Baja Mar" (shallow seas) by the Spanish explorers, is an archipelago of over 700 islands. Possible water-based activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, power boating, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Many of the larger islands contain loyalist era ruins, and trails for exploring the island interiors. Quaint loyalist settlements still exist in some areas (e.g., the Loyalist Cays of the Abacos). The Bahamas contains many caves, most of them underwater. These Blue Holes may have their entrances on land or in the ocean, and should be explored only by cave-certified divers.
Crystal clear waters near Staniel Cay (left), and view from Compass Cay Yacht Club (right), both in the Exuma Cays
The family islands, or out islands, include all the islands except New Providence and Grand Bahama. Avoid the tourist traps of Nassau and Freeport, and you may discover the real Bahamas.
Queen triggerfish (left), Southern stingray shadowed by a bar jack (right)