Imagine 100,000 square miles of brilliant turquoise shallow waters sprinkled with thousands of islands scattered about like seashells into the sea. These are The Islands of The Bahamas. There are seven hundred islands to choose from with over 2000 small cays (pronounced keys) that forms a unique holiday playground. Islands of every size and shape enough for a lifetime of adventure, invite exploration.

The Islands stretch off the east coast of Jupiter, Florida and extend south for 750 miles. The closest island to the United States is Bimini. located just 41) miles from Miami.

The islands were first home to the Lycayan Indians, people who traveled from South America to this region around the ninth century AD. Within 50 years of the arrival of Christopher Columbus on the island of San Salvador in 1492, this Indian population was decimated.

For years the islands attracted pirates and fortune hunters, who took advantage of every opportunity -from gun running during the Civil War to rum running during Prohibition.

The Bahamas, once a British colony gained its independence on July 10, 1973. The population of the country is nearly 289,000 - with almost 67% living in and around the capital city of Nassau on New Providence island. Over 57% of the population is under 30 years of age. About half the working population is employed in the tourist trade assisting the 3.6 million visitors who arrive in the Bahamas each year.

English is the official language with different accents throughout the islands. Most vacationers are familiar wilh the major islands in the chain: Nassau's New Providence Island, neighboring Paradise Island. and Freeport's Grand Bahama Island. But beyond these populated areas, a world of wondrous islands awaits your exploration: Abaco , Andros , Berry Islands , Bimini ,Cat Island , Crooked Island , Eleuthera , Exuma , Harbour Island, and Long Island

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Known for a leisurely pace, each Out Island boasts its own unique charm. There are direct flights to many of the Out Islands from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and West Palm Beach, Florida as well as service on Bahamasair from Nassau in The Bahamas. Schedules are subject to change; please refer to this airline chart which will provide you wilh all the major carriers and charter airlines and their contact numbers.

From the softest sand, to the pinkest sand, to the longest beaches in the Caribbean, the Out Islands grow in popularity each year as their awareness increases. The Bahamas is not officially part of the Caribbean but shares many of that region's characteristics, from its excellent climate to its cultural and historical roots.



The Out Islands specialize in personalized service, warm hospitality miles of secluded beaches that are uncrowded and unspoiled with pink and white sand. The islands are excellent for snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, romance and relaxation