Caribbean Beach Hopping in the Bahamas

What's up from paradise, beach bums! Your favorite prickly traveler has landed in the Bahamas, an archipelago of 700 islands scattered across the Caribbean like emeralds tossed on blue silk. Only about 30 islands are inhabited, which means most of this country is pristine beaches, crystal water, and the kind of untouched beauty that makes you question every life choice that doesn't involve relocating immediately. I've spent two weeks island hopping, and I've achieved new levels of relaxation I didn't know were possible.

The water here requires its own paragraph. It's not just clear—it's absurdly, impossibly clear, in shades of blue and turquoise that look photoshopped but aren't. At some beaches, you can see your feet in twenty feet of water. At others, the sand is so white it reflects sunlight upward, illuminating fish from below. I snorkeled without even trying to snorkel—just put my face in the water while floating and watched an entire underwater world scroll past like a nature documentary I was starring in. The Bahamas makes other "beautiful beaches" look like amateur attempts.

The famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay lived up to their viral reputation. These feral pigs (how they got here is disputed—perhaps abandoned by sailors centuries ago) have learned that tourists bring food, so they paddle out to greet arriving boats with enthusiasm bordering on aggression. I fed them fruit while standing in knee-deep water, their snouts snuffling at my spines, their little piggy eyes fixed on my bag of treats. It's surreal and silly and somehow not at all weird once you're there. The Bahamas has normalized swimming with pigs. That's the kind of place this is.

Harbour Island's pink sand beaches are another must-see. The color comes from crushed coral and shells, creating a soft pink tint that's most visible at the water's edge where the waves wash over it. I lounged on that pink sand for an entire afternoon, doing absolutely nothing except watching the water change colors as clouds drifted overhead. A bartender brought me a Bahama Mama (the national cocktail, essentially), and I contemplated the possibility of never leaving. The island has a charming town with pastel cottages, golf cart transportation, and the relaxed pace that island life requires.

The Exumas chain offers adventure for those who want more than beach lounging. I kayaked through mangrove channels, walked sandbars that appear only at low tide, and visited Thunderball Grotto—a cave featured in James Bond films where you can snorkel among fish in cathedral-like chambers lit by openings in the rock above. At night, the lack of light pollution reveals stars you've never seen, the Milky Way a bright band overhead. Bahamian nights are as spectacular as Bahamian days.

If you're planning a Bahamas trip, know that Nassau/Paradise Island is the most accessible but also the most touristy—fine for a first visit, but the Out Islands offer the authentic experience. Flights between islands are frequent but small (I was on a six-seater plane with my knees against the cockpit). Budget more than you expect—this is an expensive destination, especially on the smaller islands. And embrace the pace. Bahamian time moves slower than real time. Plans change. Boats leave late. Nothing is urgent. Relax into it. That's what the islands are for. 🌵🏝️🇧🇸