Travel Thursday – Bahamas

With its crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, it is hard to not fall in love with any of the islands in the Bahamas. Did you know the Bahamas spans an area over 5,000 square miles and includes 700 islands and 2,400 cays?

If you are wondering what the difference between an island and a cay is, don’t worry I got you covered! Islands form either by volcanic activity or a continental plate that is floating on top of the Earth’s mantle. In contrast, a cay forms on top of coral reefs.

I’ve had the fortune to visit a few spots in the Bahamas. Two were islands and the other a cay. The first is the island of New Providence. This island is home to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. To the immediate northeast of this island is Paradise Island. The third destination in the Bahamas I’ve been to is Castaway Cay, which is owned by Disney and a top Port of Call for Disney Cruises.

For anyone that has dreamed of swimming in turquoise waters or relaxing on soft white sand, then the Bahamas is for you!

Castaway Cay

I’ll save my love for Disney Cruises for another Travel Thursday blog but being able to visit Disney’s Castaway Cay is one of the many reasons for choosing these fun trips. There is so much to do on this small, private cay, including:

Hiking (we loved the scenic overlook portraying the entire cay)
Floating water playground
Snorkeling
Beach shopping
Clear, calm waters and soft sand
Amazing food and drinks

Nassau

My favorite part about Nassau were the outdoor markets for shopping. There were so many cool crafts and souvenirs available here. Of course, while in Nassau be sure to check out the rum and amazing food. As you can imagine they are also known for their water sports, and kayaking is very popular here. New Providence Island is home to not only the Bahamian capital but many amazing beaches.

Paradise Island

Many people know this island, even if not by name, but merely by the fact it is home to the one-of-a-kind Atlantis Resort. The island is fittingly named ‘Paradise Island’ as it is basically a paradise. The resort has everything from a casino to a private beach and even amazing underwater viewing areas inside the hotel. It is nothing short of spectacular!