Less than fifty miles off the coast of Florida, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas (The Bahamas) is regarded as one of the world’s great destinations – and for over 700 good reasons. An archipelago of stunning beauty, The Bahamas 5,400 square miles (approximate) of land mass consists of over 700 islands and cays (pronounced “keys”) and 2000 rock formations spread across the Tropic of Cancer and 100,000 square miles of ocean.

The waters surrounding The Bahamas are virtually free of pollution and silt, making them among the clearest and most colourful in the world. With the Gulf Stream running on the west, the climate is ideal. Summer temperatures rarely rise above 100 degrees and winter temperatures usually fall between 70 and 75 degrees.

While the islands derived their name from the Spanish phrase for low water or sea, “baja mar”, the underwater terrain that surrounds the islands is actually quite diverse. Some of the deepest water in the world is found in the Tongue of the Ocean east of Andros, which is flanked by the world’s third-longest barrier reef.

Over 25 islands are inhabited, some of the major islands are Abaco, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, and New Providence/Nassau. While Grand Bahama and New Providence are centres for commerce and tourism, the remaining islands, often referred to as the “Family Islands” or “Out Islands” have their own unique history, character and charm. Travelling between the islands is easy and strongly encouraged for anyone who wants to get a true taste of what The Bahamas is all about.