From crystal clear waters and white powder beaches to water parks and glittering nightlife: Why your next holiday should be in The Bahamas

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We all want something different from a holiday. Some of us dream of lying on a beach hearing waves lap at our feet, others long for high-octane thrills and spills while for many, it’s all about fine dining and exciting nightlife.

So what if there was somewhere that was just perfect for everyone? A destination that wasn’t just stunningly beautiful but surprisingly affordable and less than ten hours from the UK with a climate that’s never too hot or too cold.

Well, there is. For in the Bahamian capital Nassau lies the aptly named Nassau Paradise Island which really does have something for everyone, whether you’re a family, a couple, newlyweds or simply friends.

The Bahamas: White powdery sands, crystal clear waters and a chance to relax in the sun

FAMILY FUN

Happy children, happy families, and the fantastic choice of water parks means your little ones will be spoilt for choice!

Aquaventure in Atlantis Paradise Island is one of the largest aquatic playgrounds in the region, featuring countless slides – dare you ride the five-story corkscrew Serpent or take The Leap of Faith – a near vertical 60ft drop followed by a high speed ride through a shark filled lagoon?

Relax in the warm, crystal clear waters: Nassau Paradise Island offers something for everyone

At Fins Up in Margaritaville Beach Resort you’ll have a blast on the slides, pools and lazy river – and if that’s not enough there are also beach sports, a rock-climbing wall and a boogie board surfing simulator.

THE JOY OF JUNKANOO!

Take Rio’s Carnival and add a splash of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras and what do you have? The Bahamas’ Junkanoo! This very special celebration of Bahamian culture sees locals spending months preparing colourful costumes and exuberant dance routines for a fabulous street parade, accompanied by the steady beat of whistles, cowbells, horns and goatskin drums.

Traditionally celebrated on Boxing Day, it’s now also spilled over into many Saturdays in the summer so tourists can experience the best of the Bahamas’ music, cuisine and culture. If you’re lucky enough to be out there when it’s one, head to Bay Street in downtown Nassau to watch the spectacle.

Then there’s Baha Bay in Baha Mar, 15 acres of lush beachfront turned into a thrill-seeker’s paradise with daredevil slides such as the 360-degree loops of the Pirate’s Plunge and the sheer rocketing ride of The Hammerhead.

If you can drag yourselves away, there’s other family-friendly fun that everyone will enjoy.

Why not meet and greet some of the local wildlife? At the luxury Baha Mar resort you can get up close with nurse sharks, stingrays and green sea turtles at the BEACH Sanctuary. 

Or see the flamingos – the national bird – perform at Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre, whose conservation programme has brought them back from near extinction.

Then there’s the local history to enjoy. The Bahamas was once overrun by pirates so shiver your timbers at the Pirates of Nassau interactive museum where you can swashbuckle aboard the pirate ship Revenge.

A RELAXING RETREAT

The Bahamas’ capital Nassau is the perfect place to spend a few hours shopping, slipping into gorgeous little boutiques or bartering with the street hawkers selling local goods in the Straw Market.

But when it gets too much, simply head to the nearest spa – you’ll be spoiled for choice – or back to your hotel for an appointment to lie blissfully on your sun lounger surveying the miles of powdery white beaches and pristine waters.

The great thing about Nassau Paradise Island is there’s accommodation for every budget, from simple and inexpensive to gorgeous little boutique hotels and huge resorts you never need leave.

Margaritaville Beach Resort: This newly-opened resort is on the beach in the heart of Nassau

The Margaritaville Beach Resort in Nassau is one of the newest on the island and features a glorious spa, salon and entertainment complex, not to mention at 45-slip private marina (if you want to sail into the island!).

Or you could stay at the iconic Atlantis Paradise Island – choose from one of five luxury hotels in the complex that includes The Coral, which specialises in multi-generational family escapes.

Alternatively, there’s the historic and charming 18th century Graycliff Hotel in Nassau which has hosted Sir Winston Churchill, The Beatles and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

FINE DINING AND FINE DANCING…

Evenings can make a holiday, so start yours off by enjoying a sundowner at one of the many beach bars … or take yourself off to the rooftop lounge at Baha Mar for a tipple.

Enjoy a sundowner: The Bahamas boasts a fabulous array of bars and restaurants to enjoy

Then it’s time for supper. Maybe start with a fine dining experience at one of the many world class restaurants on the island or keep it traditional by heading down to the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay to try the local seafood delicacies on offer such as fresh conch (a delicious sea snail you’ll find all over The Bahamas).

If you fancy a flutter, you’re in the Vegas of The Bahamas so you can channel your inner James Bond to enjoy a spin of the roulette wheel or a game of poker at one of the casinos on the island. Or you could simply dance the night away at one of the many nightclubs such as Aura at Atlantis Paradise Island or Bond at Baha Mar

Just be ready to get up and do it all again tomorrow…

*To find out more, go to nassauparadiseisland.com or for a selection of breaks, go to virginholidays.co.uk

WHERE IS PARADISE?

The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands sitting proudly in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Paradise Island sits towards the north of the chain, just off New Providence Island which is home to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas.

There’s a bridge linking the two, which is why it’s known as Nassau Paradise Island.

Its location means it’s got a beautiful climate: in summer, the thermometer rarely goes above the high 80Fs, while in the winter, 70F degrees is regarded as chilly.

And with both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic flying direct to Nassau several times a week, it’s easy to reach. Or why not combine it with a trip to another Bahamian island or maybe the USA or Canada?

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