Top 21 Activities in The Bahamas: Snorkeling, Island Hopping & Rum Tasting

As the Islands of The Bahamas celebrate 50 years of independence this year, there’s never been a better time to explore these laid-back, breezy, unbelievably blue islands smack-dab in the middle of paradise.

However, with around 30 inhabited islands, it can be hard to decide where to go when visiting The Bahamas. Should you stick to the main tourist hotspots like Nassau, Grand Bahama Island, and Bimini, or branch out to the Out Islands and visit the Abacos, the Berry Islands, Cat Island, Eleuthera, and the Exumas? Wherever you choose to go, there is no shortage of world-class resorts available.

“Once you visit the Islands of The Bahamas, besides the beaches, there is so much beauty to explore — perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors and adventures,” says influencer and Eleuthera local Maradona Tinker. “There’s all kinds of cute little watering holes and blue holes you can discover.”

See the world’s largest underwater statue.

The Bahamas has no shortage of incredible diving and snorkeling spots; however, Ocean Atlas, the world’s largest underwater statue, is one of its most unique features. Crafted by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, Ocean Atlas is located off the western coast of New Providence, where Nassau, the capital, is situated. At only 16 feet submerged, snorkelers and divers alike can enjoy swimming around this piece of art. The statue depicts a young girl carrying the weight of the ocean above her, nodding to the Greek myth of Atlas, who was condemned to hold up the heavens for eternity.

Do the Leap of Faith at Aquaventure at Atlantis Paradise Island.

Atlantis Paradise Island might be the most famous resort in The Bahamas. Moreover, 90s kids recognize the massive hotel for a different reason: “Holiday in the Sun.” Recreate your Mary Kate and Ashley dreams by tackling the 60-foot, near-vertical water slide drop from atop the pyramid. After the terrifying descent, you’re rewarded with a quick shoot through a clear underwater tunnel filled with marine life.

Become a winemaker for a day at Bahama Barrels.

Wine may not be the first alcoholic beverage you associate with The Bahamas. However, in downtown Nassau, you can take a wine blending class with a California winemaker and create your own bottle of wine at Bahama Barrels. You’ll get to taste a variety of wines (for inspiration, of course) during the process.

Go snorkeling or scuba diving.

The clear blue depths of The Bahamas are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. With vibrant reefs, tropical fish, and thriving marine life filling these warm, stunning seas, sinking below the surface is a must on any Bahamas visit. The Andros Barrier Reef is the third largest in the world.

Go deep-sea fishing.

People travel from all over the world to enjoy deep-sea fishing in The Bahamas. The Abacos, in particular, offer some of the best fishing globally, thanks to their prime location along major migration routes. Moreover, with depths dropping to 5,000 feet just a half-hour boat ride away, avid anglers are thrilled by the chance to hook lunkers like sailfish, marlin, and wahoo.

Visit Garden of the Groves.

According to Alannah Vellacott, Grand Bahama Island native and coral restoration specialist at Coral Vita, Garden of the Groves is “a botanical garden and café that runs a small farmer’s market on Saturday mornings from 8 to 11 a.m.” Vellacott recommends getting there early to get the freshest produce. Located in Grand Bahama, Garden of the Groves has trails, a labyrinth, waterfalls, fountains, and even a hilltop chapel. Expect to see both indigenous and migratory birds and butterflies in a rainbow of colors.

Go bonefishing in the Out Islands.

The Out Islands of The Bahamas are home to some of the best bonefishing globally, with miles of flats and seagrass beds forming the ideal habitat for bonefish of all sizes. Sam Teicher, Coral Vita’s co-founder and “Chief Reef Officer,” recommends booking with H20Bonefishing. “It’s run by Jason Franklin, who also owns Bones Bar. He is one of the best bonefishing guides around, and where he takes you (north side, east end, etc.) depends on the weather.”

Check out the Freeport Fish Fry.

Gator Halpern, co-founder and president of Coral Vita, recommends the Freeport Fish Fry for a fun cultural experience in The Bahamas. “You’ll eat lots of local fresh seafood… [one spot] has a circular bar called Gullywash. Be sure to step inside and have a laugh looking at the drink names on the wall. Wednesday night is the party night — get there by 6:30 for the full food options.”

Tack a bill to the wall at The Dollar Bar.

Head to The Dollar Bar at the Green Turtle Club to listen to the Gully Roosters, sip a Tipsy Turtle Rum Punch, and join in the tradition of tacking a dollar to the storied walls. Visitors have covered the walls with autographed bills since the club’s opening; retired World War II fighter pilots used to leave signed bills so friends who visited in the future could have a drink “on them.” Even former president Jimmy Carter signed one.

Sunbathe on a pink-sand beach.

Beaches come in an array of colors; however, the rosy-hued shores of Pink Sands Beach in Harbour Island are especially striking. Located along the eastern side of the island, the three-mile stretch is colored by microscopic coral insects with bright pink or red shells.

Drink a Goombay Smash at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar.

Three generations of women have run Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar in Green Turtle Cay for over 60 years. The must-try menu item remains Miss Emily’s famous Goombay Smash, a memorable and easy-sipping concoction of rum, pineapple, coconut, and love.

Eat a $45 lobster quesadilla at Sip Sip.

Sip Sip — local slang for “gossip” — was a popular lunch spot overlooking the pink-sand beaches of Harbour Island. The family-owned joint closed after a long run serving fresh Bahamian fare; however, the tradition lives on at a Sip Sip location at Marina Village at Atlantis. Order the world-famous lobster quesadilla — it’s the best $45 you’ll ever spend on a quesadilla.

See the wild swimming pigs.

The original swimming pigs of The Bahamas live on Big Major Cay, although no one knows precisely how they arrived there. You can interact with these wild animals on an excursion from nearby Great Exuma or even Nassau.

Take a food tour.

Let a local lead you around to sample Bahamian fare such as conch fritters, baked macaroni and cheese, peas and rice, rum cake, and more on an adventure around Nassau with Tru Bahamian Food Tours. You’ll even get to take home recipes shared with you by the chefs, artisans, and small business owners you meet around the island.

Celebrate Junkanoo.

A cacophony of colors and sounds, Junkanoo is a grand parade through the streets of Nassau (and some Out Islands) in celebration of Bahamian culture and history. The main celebration occurs the day after Christmas and on New Year’s Day. Moreover, Junkanoo festivities also take place on Saturdays throughout the summer. Another fun celebration is the annual Pineapple Festival in Eleuthera in early June.

Go island hopping.

Waterborne adventures are the best way to explore the’s 700 islands and cays. Consequently, sailing or boating through these crystal-clear waters will leave you breathless. Book a chartered tour with an experienced local captain who will show you around, with stops to snorkel, swim, and visit beaches along the way—perhaps even enjoy a BBQ beach cookout on an uninhabited island.

Explore Lucayan National Park.

Located on Grand Bahama Island, Lucayan National Park is home to one of the world’s longest charted underwater cave systems as well as preserved remains of the Lucayan people. Vellacott notes , “There’s small caves to explore, mangrove forests with boardwalks, and a really beautiful beach at low tide. Bring snorkel gear — if you swim out to the rock offshore (about a 20-minute swim in good conditions), there’s lots of coral around.” Spend the day exploring Gold Rock Beach and pine forests, mangroves, and coral reefs.

Tour John Watling’s Distillery.

Rum is synonymous with The Bahamas, and at John Watling’s Distillery, the spirit is hand-crafted in small batches in downtown Nassau. The distillery is named for the English “pious pirate” who refused to plunder on the Sabbath. Enjoy signature Bahamian cocktails and free tours of the 18th-century Buena Vista Estate.

Climb the Queen’s Staircase.

This landmark was hand-carved from solid limestone rock by enslaved people between 1793 and 1794 to provide a direct route between Nassau and the Fort Fincastle Historic Complex. The Queen’s Staircase, eventually named for Queen Victoria, features 66 steep steps that visitors can climb while surrounded by lush foliage.

Swim or dive into blue holes.

The Bahamas features hundreds of blue holes, or underwater cave systems, most of which are concentrated on and around Andros. Moreover, these mystical natural features are surrounded by Bahamian legend. Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island is the deepest in the world, and at Hoffman’s Cay Blue Hole in the Berry Islands, you can jump off a 20-foot cliff into the inky blue waters below.

Try conch from Tony Macaroni.

Since 1992, Tony Macaroni has been converting conch skeptics at his famous shack overlooking Taino Beach in Freeport. He takes conch straight from the ocean and transforms it into delicious delicacies like ceviche, conch burgers, and more, served with homemade hot sauce and weekly live jazz.