LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Bahamas: Islands
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The Bahamas are an archipelago with more then 700 islands, about 30 of which are inhabited. Some of the most popular islands for Bahamas vacations include Paradise Island, Harbour Island, Abaco Island, Andros Island, Grand Bahama Island, San Salvador Island and Long Island. A Bahamas vacation to any one of these islands can be delightful, but there are certainly varying styles with each. Resort islands such as Paradise Island cater to travelers looking for luxury and activity. Some of the smaller, more remote islands like San Salvador service guests who want to escape the modern world and spend some quiet time on a beautiful beach.
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If the American founding fathers had really been on the ball, the Bahamas would be the 51st star on Old Glory rather than an independent nation floating off the Florida coast. As a refuge for Confederate gunrunners, Prohibition rumrunners and modern-day drug runners, the Bahamas have always been a thorn in America's foot. But that's one of the things that makes them so exciting—a feeling that anything goes. Indeed, the Bahamas are diverse enough to satisfy just about any tropical fantasy—fishing, boating and diving being the big three. Nassau is the bustling capital, a major league cruise port and airline gateway to the islands. But Grand Bahama is catching up fast, especially the rapidly developing Lucaya-Freeport conurbation.
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The Bahamas has a sub-tropical climate, friendly people and – according to astronauts – the clearest waters in the Caribbean region. Not surprisingly, tourism is the largest industry. Diverse vacation experiences abound on each island. Nassau and Paradise Island combined have about 26 beaches. Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island is named for the pale pink powder that stretches for three miles. Eleuthera is famous for its pineapples and Abaco for sailing.
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The Bahamas' capital has beautiful beaches and charming old-world architecture. But Nassau is ... a vital contemporary area offering shopping, restaurants and more. Cross the bridge to Paradise Island to see the extravagant resorts, or discover more than 300 species of beautiful plants and flowers at the Royal Victoria Garden.
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Nature lovers will want to leave the modern amenities behind to explore the eco-structure of the Bahamas in Freeport’s Garden of the Groves, an 11-acre botanical park filled with plants, flowers, trees, and waterfalls. The Rand Nature Center offers 100 acres of winding nature trails showcasing native Bahamian plants. You can experience all the major habitats found on Grand Bahama in the 40-acre Lucayan National Park, famous for its limestone caves. You can even explore one of the two caves that are open to the public, if you’re not afraid of bats! Water sports of all kinds abound on Grand Bahama, from cruises and deep-sea fishing to swimming with dolphins and sharks. Snorkelers and scuba divers will find themselves right at home in the waters around the island exploring some of the world’s loveliest coral reefs.
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The climate of the Bahamas is subtropical to tropical, and is moderated significantly by the waters of the Gulf Stream, particularly in winter. Conversely, this often proves very dangerous in the summer and autumn, when hurricanes pass near or through the islands. Hurricane Andrew hit the northern islands during the 1992 Atlantic hurricane season, and Hurricane Floyd hit most of the islands during the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season. Hurricane Frances hit in 2004; the Atlantic hurricane season of 2004 was expected to be the worst ever for the islands. Also in 2004, the northern Bahamas were hit by a less potent Hurricane Jeanne. In 2005 the northern islands were once again struck, this time by Hurricane Wilma.
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