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Banks
Banks tend to open from 9.30am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday, with an extra two hour opening time on Fridays to 5pm. The main centres are Nassau and Grand Bahama (where there is considerable offshore finance), but there are high street banks on some of the larger Out Islands including Andros, Eleuthera, The Exumas, San Salvador, Long Island.
Below are the major branches on New Providence and Grand Bahama:
New Providence
Banco Popular International, East Bay Street, t 394 6231
Bank of Butterfield, Montague Sterling Centre, t 393 8622
First Caribbean International Bank, Shirley Street, t 302 6000
Scotiabank, Bay Street, t 333 7826
Scotiabank, West Bay Street, Cable Beach, t 327 7380
Scotiabank, Rawson Square, Bay Street, t 356 1400
Scotiabank, Madeira Street, t 325 4007
Scotiabank, Casino Drive, Paradise Island, t 363 2591
Grand Bahama
Bank of The Bahamas, Bank Lane and Woodstock Street, Freeport, t 352 7483
Commonwealth Bank, The Mall Drive, Freeport, t 352 8307
First Caribbean International Bank, East Mall Drive, Freeport, t 352 8391
First Caribbean International Bank, Pioneers Way, Freeport, t 352 6651
Royal Bank of Canada, East Mall, Freeport, t 352 6631
Scotiabank, Regent Centre, Freeport, t 352 6774 |
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Beaches
With 700 islands each ribboned with sand, the Bahamas has more than its fair share of excellent beaches. The sand – eroded from a limestone base capped with coral - is blindingly white and extremely fine, and the sea – the bluest in the region – is washed by currents on all sides, so the waters are crystal clear. The beaches near the hotels and developments on the main islands have facilities including bars and watersports, but in the Out Islands there is miles and miles of completely undeveloped beach that is ideal for walking or losing yourself. Sometimes beaches can only be accessed by boat (which can be arranged by your hotel). In this case you should take everything you need in the way of food and water.
Below is a selection of the best beaches around the Bahama islands.
New Providence and Paradise Island
Lighthouse Beach
Close to downtown Nassau on the western esplanade leading out of town, a nice beach that can see a lively crowd.
Cable Beach
A few miles west of Nassau is Cable Beach, two and a half miles of excellent white sand with a string of large hotels. All beach activities and watersports, and the activity of the strip (nightlife, shops, casino) are right there.
South Beach
White sands stretch as far as the eye can see on one of the Bahamas' most beautiful beaches. On the south coast of New Providence.
Paradise Beach
A short ferry ride from Nassau takes you over to Paradise Island, where this beach can be found on the north west shore. An active beach that gets busy.
Grand Bahama
Silver Point and Xanadu Beach
Located around Lucaya, these developed beaches are great for all sorts of watersports.
Williams Town
A great beach south of Freeport. Casuarina trees line the sands and there is excellent snorkelling and swimming. You can get a drink and a snack near by in Williams Town.
Guana Cay Beach, Abaco
Fantastic sand on Great Guana Cay with excellent swimming and snorkelling. Opportunities to swim with dolphins.
Pink Beach, Harbour Island, off North Eleuthera
A lovely three miles of pink sand with waves barrelling in off the Atlantic. Excellent walking beach.
Stocking Island, off Great Exuma
Offshore island with superb sand and a beach bar (it is also a popular yachting anchorage). Excellent snorkelling. |
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Casinos
Gambling in the Bahamas is a huge industry and there are several casinos on the major islands as well as one in Exuma.
New Providence, Paradise Island
Atlantis Casino, Paradise Island, t 363 3000
The largest casino in the Caribbean. More than 800 slot machines, 75 game tables, sports and race betting and a nightclub.
Crystal Palace Casino, Wyndham Nassau Resort, Cable Beach, t 327 6200
Hundreds of slot machines and a full range of table games from Caribbean poker to roulette. The ‘Sports Book’ is a large seated area with 15 televisions showing the latest sporting events.
Grand Bahama
Crowne Plaza Casino at the Royal Oasis, Mall Drive and East Atlantic Avenue, Freeport, t 350 7000
State of the art machines, American-style gaming tables and a night club.
Isle of Capri Casino, Royal Palm Way, Lucaya, t 350 2054
Caribbean-themed luxury casino with over 350 slot and video games, 50 poker machines and 33 game tables.
Great Exuma
The Casino at Emerald Bay, Near Four Seasons Resort, Queens Highway, t 1 888 739 8627
The only casino on Exuma, the Casino at Emerald Bay has eight table games and more than 65 slot machines. |
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Check In/Check Out
Hotel check-in time is generally 3 pm and check-out time is generally 11 am. If you expect to arrive before check-in time, plan to have a change of clothes and swimming gear handy. Most hotels have a luggage and changing room for early arrivals. The same applies with late departure flights. |
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Cruises
The Bahamas are one of the region’s most popular ports-of-call for cruise ships. They anchor at Nassau and Freeport, where the huge liners deploy thousands of passengers onto the shores. There are however, a number of smaller and more stylish cruise ships that also call into the islands which include Sea Cloud Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Silversea Cruises and Star Clippers. |
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