Road trip on an island nation? That’s right. These pint-sized road trips pack a full dose of Bahamian culture at each stop.
A visit to the Bahamas puts travelers in a Caribbean dream. The country comprises around 700 individual islands, where beaches, water sports, and sprawling resorts are the main attractions. However, for those seeking a deeper dive into Bahamian culture and North American history, hitting the road is essential.
Stepping outside of the all-inclusive resort and onto the open highway can provide travelers a window into the heart and soul of the Bahamas: its people. Bahamian roadsides are a mix of enthusiastic locals, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking natural beauty. Unsurprisingly, road trips in the Bahamas tend to be short, usually lasting less than two hours. Some require four-wheel drive to navigate uncertain conditions, while others can be conveniently completed on a golf cart.
The Best Road Trips in the Bahamas
1. Drive the Queen’s Highway on Eleuthera
Best drive for history
Gregory Town–Gregory Town; 321km (200 miles)
Jagged cliff faces, cave systems with pirate paintings, and plantation ruins nestled between dramatic coastlines – Eleuthera has it all. This road trip is so popular that Bahamians “go down island” to regularly make the trek themselves.
The Queen’s Highway, which runs approximately 177km (110 miles) from one end of Eleuthera to another, is an excellent option by island standards, though you’ll still need to watch for potholes.
Stops at Preacher’s Cave, the Queen’s Baths, and Glass Window Bridge highlight three of the most iconic attractions in the Bahamas along the route. Other notable sites include plantation ruins near Bannerman Town and a side trip to Harbour Island.
Planning tip: Harbour Island shines as a dining destination, featuring stylish restaurants competing for high-end tourist dollars. Elsewhere on Eleuthera, you will find basic, dependable Bahamian eateries alongside a few more ambitious kitchens, particularly around Governor’s Harbour.
2. Rent a golf cart to tour Harbour Island
Best drive for colorful photography
Dunmore Town–Dunmore Town; 11km (7 miles)
It’s golf carts only on Harbour Island, where pink-sand beaches and pastel-colored Georgian buildings await travelers who make the short voyage over from Eleuthera. To reach this paradise, take a taxi from North Eleuthera Airport to the nearby dock, then grab a water taxi to Dunmore Town.
Golf-cart rentals can be readily found in town for about US$60 per day. Spend your time enjoying copious quantities of fresh conch salad and lounging on Pink Sands Beach, a stunning 3-mile stretch of naturally occurring pink sand. Additionally, do not miss the sunset at Government Dock while enjoying a cocktail.
3. Circumnavigate San Salvador Island by scooter
Best drive for exploring inland lakes
Cockburn Town–Cockburn Town; 25 miles (40km)
San Salvador’s claim to fame is an isolated stone monument marking the spot where Christopher Columbus first landed in North America in 1492. Today, visitors to the island can explore an abundance of inland lakes in between stops at Snow Bay, Bonefish Bay Beach, and East Beach.
To experience this island fully, renting a scooter is recommended. Scooter rentals are available at Cockburn Town Airport for approximately US$100 per day. Once you have your wheels, hit the Queen’s Highway on a tour showcasing the Dixon Hill Lighthouse, Landing Point, and beautiful beaches. Car and bike rentals are also available at the airport.
Local tip: San Salvador Island is one of the smallest inhabited islands in the Bahamas.
4. Explore Long Island by car
Best drive for variety
Deadman’s Cay–Stella Maris; 128km (80 miles)
With its 128km length, Long Island offers one of the most extensive road trips in the Bahamas, featuring a diverse range of exploration opportunities along the way. Highlights include Dean’s Blue Hole, a stunning 202-meter (663ft) marine cavern, Hamilton Cave, and Cape Santa Maria, another site linked to Columbus’s history.
This outer island is easily accessible from Grand Bahama via a flight to Deadman’s Cay or Stella Maris. It is advisable to arrange for a local car rental company to have your vehicle ready at Deadman’s Cay upon arrival, allowing for a well-timed adventure to catch the sunset at Cape Santa Maria on the northern end of the island.
Detour: Consider leaving some time to explore Hamilton Cave with a guide, with beliefs that the indigenous Lucayan people lived here around 500 CE.
5. Take a grand tour of Grand Bahama
Best drive for accessibility
Freeport–Freeport; 231km (144 miles)
The Grand Bahama Highway stretches for 72 miles from West End to East End, being the most accessible island to most international travelers in the entire chain. Car rentals are readily available in Freeport.
While Grand Bahama is more bustling than outer islands like Eleuthera and Long Island, it still offers nearly instant access to breathtaking beaches along the route. High points of this journey include stops at Lucayan National Park, where forests of gumbo limbo trees open to observation platforms over mangrove swamps and picture-perfect sands at Gold Rock Beach; and Garden of the Groves, a beautifully manicured labyrinth through cascading waterfalls near Freeport.
Local tip: Divers will be pleasantly surprised by the diving opportunities here. One prime site is the Theo wreck, a 70m-long sunken freighter with safe swim-through areas that can be explored both day and night with a suitable operator.
Visa Requirements for the Bahamas
US and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa to visit the Bahamas. However, they will need a valid passport with two blank pages and proof of departure, such as an airplane ticket or cruise ticket. Passports must be valid for at least three months after the expected departure date.
