Sightseeing

Island
Hopper
GUIDES

A Guide to Bahamian Straw Weaving Workshops for Visitors

On Grand Bahama, straw plaiting isn’t just a souvenir — it’s a living tradition shaped by African ancestral knowledge and the resilience of enslaved Bahamians who transformed local resources into both art and livelihood. The craft, which blends techniques from African forebears and Seminole communities who sought freedom in Andros, is having a resurgence in Freeport through the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) Crafters Academy. In July 2025, the academy hosted a two-day “Crafting Couture” workshop led by veteran artisans Vernetta Frith and Roganna Wilchcombe of Strawtacular Designs — both Cacique Award recipients and longtime stewards of the island’s

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Chasing the Green Flash at Sunset Across the Bahamas

I’ve spent a lot of evenings on Bahamas beaches, but the one that sticks with me most is the night we tried to catch the green flash. It lasts only a fleeting second or two — a sharp emerald wink right as the sun vanishes below the horizon. The green flash is an optical phenomenon caused by atmospheric refraction, and the Bahamas, with its clean ocean air and countless western-facing beaches, is one of the best places in the Caribbean to try and spot it. This article walks through what the green flash is, the conditions you need to

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How to Spend a Day Learning to Fillet Fish Like a Local

Late afternoon light slants across the cedar dock, and a Bahamian fisherman named Marcus runs a seven-inch blade along a snapper’s spine in one smooth motion. Most professional anglers carry at least two knives for this kind of work—a fillet knife around seven inches and a longer skinning knife around nine inches. Watching him, I realized that with a sharp blade and a patient teacher, you can pick up the basics in a single day. This article walks through exactly how to organize a day learning to fillet fish like a local, from finding a guide to cooking your

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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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Exploring Man O War Cay’s Living Boat Building Tradition

Man-O-War Cay has been the boat-building capital of the Bahamas for over 200 years, with the Albury family at the heart of that tradition since a teenage sailor washed ashore in 1820. Emily’s Take You don’t just see boats here — you watch seventh-generation craftsmen shape wood by hand, tour a century-old museum, and walk past working shipyards that have operated since the 1950s. The island is small (2.5 miles long) and dry (no alcohol sold), so it’s a half-day stop unless you’re a serious boat nerd. Best for families who want a real cultural anchor in an Abaco

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Chasing Dolphins in the Wild Instead of at a Marine Park

Captive dolphins in marine parks live, on average, shorter lives than their wild counterparts, confined to tanks that are a fraction of the size of their natural territories. The more we learn about their intelligence — complex vocalizations, self-awareness, lifelong family bonds — the harder it becomes to justify a ticket to a show. That’s why our family has shifted our approach entirely: we now chase dolphins in the wild, and the Bahamas is one of the best places to do it right. Eight of 13 dolphins at a former Bahamas swim-with attraction have died since 2018 — a

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Why the Bahamas Has No Waterfalls but Plenty of Blue Holes Instead

No thundering waterfalls, no misty cliffside plunges — the Bahamas is famous for many things, but cascading water isn’t one of them. That’s because the entire archipelago sits on a foundation of limestone, a soft, porous rock that lacks the hard, resistant layers needed to form steep cliffs. Instead of waterfalls, the islands hide something far more intriguing: blue holes, flooded cave systems that drop deep into the earth. This article explains the geology behind the trade-off, introduces you to the most fascinating blue holes, and covers what you need to know to explore them safely. Limestone lacks the

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How to Spend a Day Sailing Between Private Sandbars

Over 700 islands and cays exist in the Bahamas, most unvisited by typical tourists. A private yacht charter unlocks the hidden sandbars and secluded shores beyond the reach of ferries and crowds. Emily’s Take A full-day (6-8 hour) private charter from Nassau can comfortably reach Rose Island, Green Cay, and Allen’s Cay. For the more remote Exuma sandbars like Norman’s, Shroud, or Compass Cay, you’ll need a multi-day charter or a fast RIB. The key is matching the itinerary to the boat speed and your group’s tolerance for time on the water. Best for Small groups wanting privacy Families

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Chasing Sea Turtles While Snorkeling the Exuma Cays

Last fall, I found myself sitting chest-deep in the warm water of Hooper’s Bay, when a dark shape materialized out of the glare and drifted straight toward me. It was a sea turtle — curious, unafraid, and clearly expecting a snack. That moment, just a few strokes from shore in the Exuma Cays, was the kind of encounter that redefines a family trip. If you’re planning a Bahamas vacation with kids who love marine life, snorkeling with sea turtles in the Exumas is one of the most memorable things you can do — but it requires a little more

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How to Try Deep Sea Free Diving Photography in the Bahamas

You’re floating face-down over a dark, circular hole in the limestone seabed. The water around you is clear — visibility often exceeds 100 feet in these spots — but below, the blue deepens into black. This is a Bahamian blue hole, and you’re holding a camera, waiting for a reef shark to cruise past. This article walks through how to try deep sea free diving photography in the Bahamas — what it takes, what it costs, and how to book a session that’s safe and productive. It’s written for confident swimmers who are comfortable in open water, even if

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