Traveling to the Bahamas with Kids
*AD – This is a collaborative post
It is easy to understand why the Bahamas appeals to families with kids. Perfect weather, miles of pristine white-sand beaches, and an array of family-friendly attractions make it a great option for kids and parents alike. Alongside the gorgeous natural scenery and delights of the warm Caribbean sea, Nassau offers face-to-face interactions with cute wildlife, a pirate museum and a variety of water parks which will keep kids of all ages entertained throughout your vacation.
That’s why it’s on our bucket list for post-COVID travel. If you are looking forward to a family trip to the Bahamas, or even just musing about where you might want to vacation next year (or whenever it’s safe to travel again), this is a guide to what you need to know about travelling to the Bahamas with kids.
How to get there
The Bahamas boasts seven international airports across the various islands, and is well served by flights from North America and Europe. It is a particularly attractive destination for visitors from Florida, with regular flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando taking less than an hour! Most international flights come into Nassau or Freeport, with internal transfers onwards to the Out Islands.
Another option is to take a cruise from Fort Lauderdale. Cruise ships dock in Nassau and Grand Bahama, and sailing to the islands is an extremely kid-friendly way of arriving!
Where to stay
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, on New Providence Island, and is a great option for families. The city is full of child-friendly activities, from zoos to waterparks to swimming with dolphins at Atlantis and Blue Lagoon, and the pirate history of New Providence and Paradise islands will thrill your kids.
Of the Out Islands, Grand Bahama is probably the most child friendly, with some excellent hotels and resorts. The Abacos cays are a visual treat, with a candy-striped lighthouse at Hope Town and some picturesque pastel-shaded fishermen’s huts at New Plymouth and Green Turtle Cay. A final option would be Eleuthera & Harbour Island, rather more far-flung but perfect for adventurous families looking for activities like camping, drift snorkeling and tubing.
What to do
The Bahamas are filled with amazing family-friendly activities, and you never have to go very far to keep your kids entertained. The beaches are exquisite and the bays warm, clean and shallow, which means that some of the best days you have will just be paddling around in the lagoons, building sandcastles and snorkeling in the crystal clear lagoons.
In Nassau there are loads of organized activities and attractions that are perfect for kids. Dolphin Encounters allows you to get in the water and swim with dolphins, which can be an exciting experience for everyone in the family. You can also encounter these wonderful marine mammals in less controlled circumstances at Blue Lagoon Island, in the shallow waters that surround the island.
Ardastra Gardens has a delightful zoo, best known for its flamingos, while Edwins Turtle Lake Marine Reserve lets you encounter sea turtles in their natural habitat.
Finally, no vacation to Nassau with kids would be complete without an encounter with the most infamous element of the island’s history, pirates! The Nassau Pirate Experience is a brilliant interactive attraction with a replica pirate ship, genuine recovered pirate artifacts, and a wonderful gift shop.
The Bahamas is a brilliant vacation destination for families, and travelling to Nassau and beyond with kids is a breeze. Take a look at our suggestions above, and plan a trip the whole family will enjoy!
