A Beach Lover’s Guide to the Bahamas’ Most Beautiful Islands  

Of all the regions in the Caribbean, I’ve been to the Bahamas the most often. Over the years, I’ve visited nearly a dozen times, and one of the things that keeps me coming back is the near-perfect beaches. The Bahamas is also unique in its geography; it’s technically in the Atlantic Ocean, and the cluster of over 700 islands and cays is ringed by some of the clearest water on earth.

Each main island also has its own personality. From the pulse of Nassau to the charm of Harbor Island to the remoteness of the Exumas, there’s something for every kind of traveler. This guide explores a handful of the most iconic islands, showcasing the best beaches and experiences each one has to offer. 

The gateway to The Bahamas, New Providence is home to the capital city of Nassau. The most populous island in The Bahamas, most travelers are familiar with the island’s most iconic resort, Baha Mar, a collection of three resorts on one property. The island is also big for entertainment; while other islands slow down when the sun sets, Nassau is where you want to go for concerts, late-night bar sessions, and celebrity-hosted club events. 

Connected to New Providence by a bridge, Paradise Island adds another layer of luxury and high-energy entertainment. While the island is probably best known for the sprawling Atlantis Paradise Island resort (which boasts over 40 restaurants and Aquaventure water park), Paradise Island is also home to pristine beaches, golf courses, and the historic Versailles Garden.

Cable Beach: This four-mile stretch of white sand on New Providence is lined with luxury resorts and offers calm, shallow waters perfect for swimming.

Jaws Beach: Named after the famous movie that was filmed here, Jaws Beach is a quiet, secluded spot on the western end of New Providence. Part of the Clifton Heritage National Park, the beach is perfect for snorkeling away from the crowds.

Cabbage Beach: Located on the northern coast of Paradise Island, this broad, beautiful expanse of sand and crystalline water is ideal for water sports and long walks.

The northernmost of the Bahamian islands, Grand Bahama Island is just a 2.5-hour ferry ride from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Grand Bahama is a popular cruise ship port, but it also offers a unique blend of ecological wonders for overnight visitors. Top accommodation options include the beachfront Viva Fortune Beach by Wyndham or the Old Bahama Bay Resort. Along with a handful of stunning beaches, the island is also home to one of the world’s longest underwater limestone cave systems and three national parks. 

Gold Rock Beach: Part of Lucayan National Park, this beach is famous for its “welcome mat” effect during low tide, when the water recedes, revealing rippling sand patterns for miles.

Taino Beach: Located near Freeport, the island’s tourist hub, Taino Beach is a favorite for families and locals alike, offering beach bars, water sports, and the famous Wednesday night fish fry.

Fortune Beach: This shallow, under-the-radar beach is perfect for wading and finding small seashells, and it’s named after a shipwreck found nearby.

The Exumas are a 120-mile-long chain of islands and cays that lie south of Nassau. Most of the islands and cays are inhabited, and the largest island in the chain is Great Exuma, which is connected to Little Exuma by a bridge. The water here is widely considered the most beautiful in the world, a vibrant neon blue visible even from space. The Exumas are also a playground for yachters and nature lovers who want a glimpse of the swimming pigs. While the Exumas are a popular day trip from Nassau, you can extend your stay with a hotel on Great Exuma at the luxe Grand Isle Resort and Residences or the more rustic Paradise Bay, Bahamas. Just over the bridge on Little Exuma, you can check into a beachfront villa at Baymahni.

Coco Plum Beach: This Great Exuma beach is famous for its abundance of sand dollars and the wide sandbars that appear during low tide, allowing you to walk for miles into the ocean.

Tropic of Cancer Beach: Also known as Pelican Beach, this beach is located on Little Exuma. It’s also the longest beach on the island and is bisected by the invisible line of the Tropic of Cancer, which is marked on the stairs leading to the sand. 

Big Major Cay: This beach, located on the uninhabited Big Major Cay, also goes by the name Pig Beach, which is world-famous for its resident swimming pigs that greet boats in the surf.

Eleuthera is a long, thin island characterized by high cliffs and hidden coves. The rugged island is known for its wild pineapple fields and The Glass Window Bridge, a lookout point where the bright turquoise of the Bight of Eluethra meets the navy waves of the Atlantic. The accommodations in Eleuthera are low-key and private, like The Cove Eleuthera, which features beachfront cottages on a secluded cove. 

Just off the coast of Eluethera lies Harbour Island, known for its pastel cottages and world-famous pink sand. The best way to get around the tiny three-mile island is by golf cart, and the boutique hotels, namely the beachfront Pink Sands Resort and The Dunmore Hotel, radiate 1950s-vintage charm. The island is meant for relaxing, but outside of the stunning Pink Sands Beach, you can explore the downtown area of Dunmore Town, which is lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes. 

French Leave Beach: This stunning, wide beach with pinkish sand and turquoise water can be found on the Atlantic side of Eleuthera, near the island’s main settlement, Governor’s Harbour.

Surfer’s Beach: Also on Eleuthera, Surfer’s Beach is known for having some of the best waves in the Bahamas. This rugged beach is a haven for those looking for adventure and surf.

Pink Sands Beach: Located on Harbour Island, the sand gets its pale pink hue from microscopic coral insects and it’s widely ranked as one of the best beaches in the world.