About The Bahamas

The Bahamas is a nation in the Atlantic Ocean, located near the coast of Florida – the closest island, Bimini, is about 50 miles off the coast of Miami. Nassau & Paradise Island are a bit farther out, about 180 miles from Miami. The Bahamas consists of more than 700 islands, of which roughly 30 are inhabited, and 2,000 cays. Our position in the Atlantic blesses us with a year-round tropical climate and incredibly diverse marine life. 

The Bahamas’ history is a fascinating one that spans exploration, piracy, and a journey to independence. The islands were originally inhabited by the Lucayan people and were the first landfall for Christopher Columbus in 1492. Over the centuries, infamous pirates made The Bahamas their home base, most famously the venerable Blackbeard. Today, there are plenty of ways to revisit the pirate years in Nassau & Paradise Island.

British loyalists fleeing the American Revolution settled throughout The Bahamas, bringing with them a plantation economy and enslaved people. This period in history resulted in the blend of West African and European traditions and culture that’s still evident throughout the islands today, most richly expressed through Junkanoo, a spectacular street parade celebrating the emancipation of slaves.