| Mention the name The Bahamas and sparkling blue | | | | Blue and White) are found year round. |
| water with pink or white sand beaches spring to mind. | | | | For the landlubber, there is off-road cycling, away from |
| Conch fritters, Conch salad, 700 islands, duty free | | | | traffic and noise. On all-terrain bicycles, you can enjoy |
| shopping and Junkanoo are all terms that are | | | | a guided tour of shady woodland trails, open forest, the |
| synonymous with the Bahamas. This island nation has | | | | seashore and mangrove creeks and visit the historic |
| a total land area of 5,300 square miles and consists of | | | | village of Adelaide. You can have a relaxed, easy ride |
| 700 islands plus 2,500 cays (low banks or reefs). New | | | | or a longer route. For the seasoned cyclist there are |
| Providence Island on which Nassau (the capital) is | | | | more challenging rides. |
| located is 21 miles by 7 miles. Paradise Island, which is | | | | The Bahamas sits on the migration route for birds |
| 5.5 miles long by 2/3 of a mile wide is connected to | | | | moving north and south on their winter and spring |
| Nassau by a short bridge. Thousands of tourists visit | | | | migrations. As such there are two opportunities to see |
| Nassau every year to enjoy the clear water or place | | | | many northern species. Of course, no visit to the |
| their bets at the gambling tables at Paradise Island. | | | | Bahamas would be complete for a birder without |
| Nassau however has myriad outdoor recreational | | | | viewing the Bahama Pintail duck (also known as the |
| activities that are perfect for burning off the pounds | | | | White-cheeked Pintail). These inhabitants of lagoons |
| gained from eating all those conch fritters or adding | | | | and mangrove swamps are widely distributed and the |
| some variety to your holiday. For the business person | | | | clear water of the mangroves makes viewing them a |
| who wants to catch some recreational activity on a | | | | pleasure. Other species that are generally seen include |
| business trip or the individual who wants to get some | | | | eurasian collared doves, neotropic cormorants, |
| fresh air after all the time at the gambling tables, | | | | american coot, great blue herons, snowy egrets, great |
| Nassau's outdoor recreation can be all day or just a | | | | egrets, reddish egrets, green herons, white ibis, blue |
| few hours. | | | | winged teal, northern mockingbirds. Some of the |
| Those sparkling blue waters make Nassau an ideal | | | | locations for viewing various species include the |
| location for snorkeling. Some of the more popular | | | | Paradise Island ponds, Clifton Heritage site and the |
| snorkeling destinations for excursions leaving from | | | | Harold & Wilson ponds. |
| Nassau include Rainbow Reef, Blue Lagoon Island | | | | For those who want to be outdoors but simply want a |
| (home to Stingray City as well as other snorkeling | | | | walking pace, Nassau has retained much of its older |
| venues), Blackbeard's Cay, Pearl Island, and Rose | | | | architecture and blended it with modern buildings so |
| Island Reef. Rainbow Reef is approximately 45 | | | | that it creates a harmonious whole. The original part of |
| minutes from Nassau by catamaran or other | | | | the city is small enough that you can wander along |
| high-speed boat. The water at Rainbow Reef is about | | | | and see much of the historic architecture. Parliament |
| 15 feet deep throughout the viable swimming and | | | | Square with the Houses of Parliament, the Old Colonial |
| snorkeling area. Blue Lagoon is a circular island | | | | Secretary's office, the Supreme Court and the Statue |
| encircling water. A narrow opening in the land leads | | | | of Queen Victoria is definitely worth a visit. Nearby at |
| into a large pool of water. A 15-minute walk through | | | | Parliament and Shirley Streets is the Nassau Public |
| some of the most beautiful beaches and on bridges | | | | Library that was originally a prison. Not far away at |
| spanning absolutely calm sparkling blue water leads to | | | | Shirley and Elizabeth Streets is the Bahamas Historical |
| Stingray City. Another stingray encounter can be had | | | | Society with numerous exhibits. |
| at Pearl Island which is a 30-minute boat ride from | | | | If it is "action" and people watching you seek, Arawak |
| Nassau. Yellow tail snapper, Grouper, and many other | | | | Cay is not to be missed. This lively gathering spot has |
| tame fish make Athol Island in Athol Island National | | | | a row of small wooden restaurants fronted by a large |
| Marine Park at the eastern end of Nassau Harbor an | | | | park and backed by the sea. You can sit on the |
| outstanding snorkel site. | | | | verandah of any of the restaurants or in the open air |
| Those sparkling blue waters also make Nassau a | | | | and watch the parade of people as they stroll by. |
| wonderful location for the sport fisherman. Fishing | | | | Have a Kalik (Bahamian Beer) and enjoy the West |
| charters are available for half day or full day with a | | | | Indian atmosphere and when hunger strikes you can |
| choice of deep-sea fishing or reef fishing. Wahoo are | | | | have a conch salad or conch fritters or fried fish |
| abundant between November to January and 100 | | | | prepared before your eyes. |
| pounders are frequent. Dolphin fish (Mahi Mahi) are | | | | So the next time you are in Nassau or if it is your first |
| found between April and June, while Sailfish can be | | | | time remember there is an interesting world to |
| fought during April and May and again between | | | | discover beyond the beach. |
| October and November. Barracuda and Marlin (Black, | | | | |