Tourism Board:

http://www.bahamas.com/

The Islands of the Bahamas form a 100,000-sq-mile archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world. Our 700 islands, including uninhabited cays and large rocks, total an estimated land area of 5,382 sq. miles, and register a highest land elevation of 206 ft. on Cat Island.

The Bahamas has the world's third longest barrier reef and about 14. 5% of the world's coral can be found in our waters. The islands are made entirely of calcium carbonate, which is mainly produced or precipitated by the organisms of coral reefs. There are no rivers in The Bahamas.

Most notable, however, is that each island has its own diversity that continues beyond geography, carrying through to the heart of The Bahamas, the Bahamian people. You’ll find it in our heritage. In our culture. And in our humble pride. These are The Islands of the Bahamas. Population: somewhere north of 305,000.

With 700 islands sprinkled out over 100,000 sq. miles of ocean, The Bahamas offers the largest assortment of vacation spots of any tropical destination. Islands are circled by cays (pronounced “keys”). Some cays are surrounded by uninhabited rocks. Which island or cay is right for your vacation? Well, you won’t know until you know more about our 14 main islands that serve as hubs for the remaining 686 islands.

Travel Tips

To experience knowledgeable, professional Bahamian hospitality as you travel in The Bahamas, look for this Bahama host decal on taxicabs and jitneys.

Health - Inoculations are not required unless traveling to The Islands of The Bahamas from an infected area.

Climate - The trade winds that blow almost continually throughout The Islands of The Bahamas give the islands a warm, agreeable climate which varies little year round. The most refreshing time is between September through May, when the temperature averages 70-75F degrees. The rest of the year is a bit warmer with temperatures between 80-85F degrees.

Clothing - Casual summer wear can be worn during the day any time of the year; but be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings from December to February. Most hotels/restaurants/casinos require jackets for men in the evening, especially in more cosmopolitan areas, such as Nassau and Freeport/Lucaya. Though walking the streets in swim trunks in mid-January might sound irresistible, beach clothing is inappropriate on the streets, in churches, restaurants, and casinos. Away from beach or pool areas, you are expected to cover your bathing suit with shorts or a long shirt. In the more laid-back remote areas, the dress-code is more flexible.

Communications - Both tourists and business travelers alike will find that telecommunications services on The Islands of the Bahamas are current with service in the U.S. and Canada. BaTelCo (Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation) serves The Abaco Islands with a 100% digital switching system that lets you call over 100 countries. During your stay, access to fax machines and switchboards is available at most hotels -- keeping you connected with anyone in the world.

Cellular Telecommunications - The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation (BaTelCo) has automatic roaming agreements with cellular carriers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. BaTelCo's roaming partners include Aliant Cellular, Ameritech Cellular, BCTEL Mobility, Bell Mobility, Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile, BellSouth Mobility, Blue Ridge Cellular, Cantel, Cellular Holding, Cellular One Bay Area Cellular, Cellular One of Illinois, Cellular One of Southwest Florida, Comcast Cellular, Crowley Cellular, Dansbury Cellular, Pioneer/Enid Cellular, MT&T Mobile, NBTel Mobility, Radiofone, 360_ Communications, Telcel, TELUS Mobility U.S. Cellular and Western Wireless.

If you have a prepaid cell phone that is currently on in the US (Erickson, Motorola or Nokia), BaTelCo charges a connection fee of $75.00 to provide service while on Grand Bahama Island; you will have to pay extra for minutes. Rates are 40 cents in the day and 20 cents at night. If you don't have a phone, you can purchase one for $199.00, with $45.00 worth of minutes.

If your home carrier has a roaming agreement with BaTelCo and your cellular number is active in The Islands of the Bahamas, you can enjoy cellular service. Simply ensure that your phone is switched to system B and dial away!

Currency - The legal tender is the Bahamian dollar (B$1), which is equivalent in value to the U.S. dollar. Both U.S. and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands. Most credit cards and travelers checks in dollar denominations are widely accepted. There are ATMs in Nassau/Paradise Island, on Grand Bahama Island, Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera and Harbor Island.

Driving - British rules apply, so please drive on the left and be extra careful on roundabouts. Visitors may use their home licenses for up to three months and may also apply for an international driver's license. Pedestrians should remember to look right before crossing streets.

Electrical Appliances - Electricity is 120 volts/60 cycles, which is compatible with all U.S. appliances. British & European appliances require a flat two-pin adaptor and 220 voltage converter.

Language – The official language of The Bahamas is English, more British than American, and generally intertwined

with a special Bahamian dialect.

Tipping - Tip according to quality of service. Bellboys and porters usually receive $1 per bag, while most other servers (waiters, taxis, etc.) receive 15%. Many establishments include the gratuity in their bills.

Arrival - Upon arriving in The Islands of The Bahamas, everyone must fill out and sign an Immigration form, keeping a portion of the card in hand until departing. An oral baggage declaration is required. Each adult visitor is allowed to bring 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one pound of tobacco, one quart of spirits, and a variety of personal effects (personal radio headsets, bicycle, two still cameras, etc.). Purchases up to a value of one hundred dollars are permitted by all arriving passengers.

Departure - Departures to the United States must go through US Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance. U.S. visitors can take home $800 worth of duty-free goods, if they have been outside the country for 72 hours. If less than 72 hours, the duty-free exemption is $200; the next $1,000 is taxed at 4%. Gifts valued up to $50 may be mailed home duty-free. One liter of wine, liqueur, or liquor and five cartons of cigarettes may be taken duty-free.

Canadian residents outside the country for 48 hours may take home up to C$200 worth of duty-free merchandise.
Canadian visitors outside of the country for at least seven days may bring home C$500 of duty-free goods.

Boats - If entering The Bahamas by boat, there is a flat fee to clear Customs and Immigration, which is $150.00 for boats 35 feet and under and $300.00 for boats 36 ft and over. This will cover a vessel with four persons or less. Also included are the cruising permit, fishing permit, Customs and Immigration charges, and the $15.00 Departure Tax for up to four persons. Each additional person above four will be charged $15.00 Departure Tax. If you plan to stay longer than 12 months, special arrangement must be made with Bahamas Customs and Immigration. Regular hours for Bahamas Customs and Immigration Officers are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Officers are on-call during holidays and weekends. There is no overtime charge.

Getting there

By Air - There are approximately 57 airports throughout The Bahamas, including three International airports (Nassau/Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, and The Exumas); 24 of these airports are official ports of entry to The Islands of the Bahamas.

By Sea - There are countless government and private Marinas throughout The Bahamas; 29 of the marinas are official ports of entry to The Islands of the Bahamas.