Family Activities

Island
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GUIDES

How to Try Coconut Husking and Palm Weaving on a Beach Day

You’re sitting on a stretch of sand, waves rolling in, and you’ve got a coconut in one hand and a palm frond in the other. Coconut husking takes about 5–10 minutes, and a basic palm weave can be finished in 10–20 minutes. This article walks through how to try both on a laid-back beach day, with tips on gear, safety, and what to watch out for. It’s a low-cost, hands-on way to create something simple and pass the time by the sea. Coconut husking takes about 5–10 minutes; a basic palm weave can be finished in 10–20 minutes. Emily’s

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Salt Raking by Hand a Dying Bahamian Trade Worth Understanding

The southernmost island in the Bahamas, Inagua, has produced salt for centuries — a trade so valuable it was once called “white gold” that built the Bahamian economy and attracted European colonizers (Native Stew). Today, salt raking by hand is a dying craft, and understanding its history offers a rare window into the islands’ past. This article covers the tradition of salt raking on Inagua, the process behind it, the challenges it faces, and how you can respectfully learn about it if you visit. Salt raking on Inagua produces “white gold” that built the Bahamas and attracted European colonizers.

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Spend a Morning on a Working Out Island Farm

The dirt path between rows of raised beds on Eleuthera cuts through 203 planting plots — bok choi, chard, beet, watermelon, starfruit, tomato, banana, and mamey — before opening onto a view of the Atlantic. This is The Farm, part of Ben Simmons’s Little Island Hotels, and it’s the kind of place that rewires how you think about a Bahamas morning. Ben and his wife Charlie developed the farm on an 11-acre site inherited through his Bahamian father, under a commonage plan available to descendants of those who fought the Spanish in the early 17th century. This article covers

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The Best Bahamas Beaches for Snorkelers Who Are Still Learning

Finding a snorkel spot that doesn’t overwhelm a beginner—especially when you’re wrangling the family’s gear and nerves—is harder than it sounds. The Bahamas has over 700 islands, and while many reefs are world-class, not all are kind to someone still figuring out how to clear a mask. As a family that’s made every mistake from forgetting fins to picking a reef with a current that swept Ethan off his feet, we’ve learned which beaches let you wade in slowly, see plenty of fish, and keep everyone smiling. Here’s a shortlist of the best Bahamas beaches for snorkelers who are

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How to Try Traditional Bahamian Palm Thatching

On a drive through the Exumas, I counted six thatched roofs before we reached the next settlement — a reminder that this traditional craft is still very much alive in the Bahamas. Palm thatching has been passed down through generations of Bahamian builders, and while modern materials have replaced it in many places, you can still find skilled thatchers at work on the outer islands. This article covers what palm thatching is, how the process works, and where you can see it done — whether you’re a curious traveller or someone who might want to try their hand at

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How to Spend an Afternoon Learning Bahamian Knot Tying

I learned to tie my first knot — a simple figure-eight — on a shaded dock at Highbourne Cay, with the water so clear I could see sea fans swaying twenty feet down. The instructor was Windy Chien, a San Francisco-based artist who spent a full year learning a new knot every single day — a project she called The Year of Knots. That afternoon in the Exumas changed how I think about rope, craft, and the slow pleasure of hands-on learning. This article covers how to spend an afternoon learning Bahamian knot tying yourself — whether you join

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Watching the Family Island Regatta Like a Local

The first time I watched the 69th National Family Island Regatta from the harbour wall in George Town, I understood why people fly in from all over the Bahamas for this week. Elizabeth Harbour, normally a quiet stretch of water, was packed with hundreds of boats, and the air carried the sound of reggae from a stage set up in the park. Thousands of people had arrived for the national championship of Bahamian sailing — a five-day event where traditional wooden sloops with towering masts race for the Prime Minister’s Cup. This article covers how to watch the regatta

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How to Spend a Morning at a Bahamian Farmers Market

I’d heard about the Saturday morning ritual at Doongalik Farmers’ Market long before I stepped into its open-air enclosure under the Nassau sun. The setup is straightforward: local farmers and vendors set up stalls selling fresh produce, cooked meals, fruits, vegetables, fresh bread, organic seasoning, locally produced oils, herbs, and freshly caught seafood and meat (Doongalik). It’s not a tourist trap — it’s where Bahamians actually stock their kitchens for the week. If you’re visiting Nassau with a family, hitting a morning market is one of the best ways to taste the real Bahamas without a tour guide. This

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Sea Glass Hunting on the Bahamas Least Crowded Beaches

The Bahamas saw over 12.5 million visitors in 2025, but most of them never made it past the crowded sands of Cable Beach or Paradise Island. For those willing to trade the beach bar for a quiet stretch of shoreline, the islands offer some of the best sea glass hunting in the Caribbean — with barely anyone else around. 12.5 million visitors in 2025, yet these beaches stay nearly empty. I’m Emily Carter, and when I took Michael, Lily, and Ethan to the Bahamas last spring, we didn’t just want sun and sand. We wanted to find sea glass

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How to Spot the Wild Flamingos of Inagua Up Close

On the remote southern edge of the Bahamas, the island of Inagua holds one of the world’s largest concentrations of Caribbean flamingos — a population that numbers in the tens of thousands. Spotting these birds up close takes serious planning, but the payoff is a front-row seat to one of the great conservation success stories of the century. This guide covers the logistical backbone of a trip to Inagua, the best spots to watch flamingos from, and what to expect in terms of cost, timing, and access. Inagua National Park and the surrounding salt pans are home to one

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