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