Introduction
BAHAMAS
Seven hundred islands and cays scattered over one hundred thousand square miles of Atlantic Ocean – that’s the Bahamas. Allow us to introduce you to a handful of them – glamorous Paradise Island, thoroughly tropical Great Exuma, informal Abaco, picturesque Harbour Island and escapists’ dream Kamalame Cay.
Paradise Island – linked to Nassau by an arching bridge – promises days of sporting activity and evenings ablaze with excitement. From theme park-style fun and a host of watersports to calm sophistication, challenging golf and colonial elegance, its first-class resorts will accommodate all manner of tastes. Blessed with ultra-clear diving waters and white sand beaches it is also the departure point for exhilarating powerboat rides and, at Blue Lagoon, unforgettable dolphin encounters. Looking to party? Forget Carnival in Rio – come to Junkanoo, the quintessential Bahamian costumed celebration that takes place on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day in Nassau.
The Abacos may be just a short flight from Nassau, yet these unspoiled islands and cays are a world apart. A relaxed atmosphere prevails, the coastline offers miles of unadulterated soft white sand and a visit to the New England-style village of Hope Town is a must on any guest’s itinerary.
Flying over The Exumas is a breath-taking experience, the scene below a swirling blend of creams, turquoises and a host of blues. The sea at Great Exuma really is an emerald-green, fringed by the finest white sandy beaches. Snorkel, sail, dive or enjoy a round of golf, though the views will most certainly distract from the fairways. And amidst all this activity, true island-escapism is still possible. Just a short sea crossing from Eleuthera, pretty Harbour Island is dotted with quaint seventeenth clapboard cottages and offers halcyon seclusion on its fabulous pink sand beach whilst Kamalame Cay, a private Robinson Crusoe-style island off Andros, offers total relaxation on miles of unspoiled beach, a rare opportunity to leave the outside world behind.
A unique holiday experience awaits on each of these diverse islands so why limit your choice to just one? With regular direct flights from London to Nassau, your island-hopping experience can be tailor-made to suit.
GRAND CAYMAN
A relaxed tropical island with a world-wide reputation as a scuba diving centre par excellence. Sophisticated in many ways, with boutiques offering designer goodies and restaurants serving gourmet cuisine, it is very much a West Indian island with the emphasis on the sand and the sea.
Aptly-named Seven Mile Beach ranks as one of the Caribbean’s best whilst the island’s calm and clear waters are very inviting. Explore its underwater reefs or join a snorkelling and scuba trip to Stingray City, where you can swim in warm, shallow waters alongside stingrays which have become accustomed to human presence. Back on dry land, the Cayman Turtle Farm and the Skate and Surf Park are two is one of the island’s most visited attractions, The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park showcases the indigenous flora and fauna, and is home to a number of rare blue iguanas. Golfers too can enjoy 18-holes at The Links or 9-holes at the Britannia Golf Course.
In azure seas such as these, boat trips are a favourite pastime. Visit unspoilt Cayman Brac for leisurely dives, wetland wildlife and spectacular cliff walks where you can expect close encounters with brown boobies and magnificent frigate birds. Or choose Little Cayman, with its Salt Rock Nature Trail and famous Bloody Bay Wall dive.
With regular flights from London, which touch down in Nassau en route, excellent recreational amenities, spas and children’s clubs, Grand Cayman offers everything you might expect from a Caribbean Island – and quite a lot you don’t!
Regional Info
TRAVEL TIPS
CLIMATE
A warm subtropical climate that varies little year round. The most refreshing time to visit is from September to May, with average temperatures of 75°F. Summer months may be hotter and more humid.
CAPITAL
Bahamas - Nassau
Grand Cayman - George Town
TIME DIFFERENCE
GMT -5 hours
Bahamas - GMT -4 hours in summer
CURRENCY
Bahamas - Bahamian Dollar
Grand Cayman - Cayman Dollar
FLYING TIME
Bahamas - 10 hours to Nassau, with onward flights of 30 to 40 minutes
Grand Cayman - 12 hours 50 minutes, including a 1 hour stopover in Nassau
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For further information or to make a booking, please contact our Caribbean specialists on: 0161 491 7620