Bahamas family holidays

Best activities in the Bahamas for families

Clans could easily spend days (or weeks) mastering the art of doing nothing on gorgeous beaches and perfect pool-sides. But if you like to mix things up with some activities it’s easy to do so. The biggest resorts have paddleboards, kayaks, hobie cats and more to enjoy without having to leave your base. Hike to forts, along nature trails and scramble to hidden beaches to scavenge for sand dollars. Snorkelling’s an absolute must for families of water babies (bring a waterproof camera to capture their faces). And there’s plenty of scope to pick up some new skills with tennis, sailing and scuba lessons available on most islands….

Paradise Island, Nassau

Have an absolute blast at the enormous 141-acre Aquaventure Waterpark on Paradise Island. This epic waterpark was made for a fun family day out with facilities for children and babies of all ages. For thrill-seeking sprogs, check out the 60-foot high-speed slide that journeys you through a submerged clear acrylic tunnel surrounded by mesmerising marine life. The Bahamas has always been well-known as home to real pirates during the Golden Age of Piracy. Teach your offspring all about pirates at the fascinating Pirates of Nassau Museum.

New Providence, Nassau

New Providence is home to Cable Beach and some of the best waters in the Caribbean. Take advantage of the clear sea by hopping on a glass-bottom boat tour with the kiddies to ogle at the abundance of sea life right below your toes. For a land-based family bonding experience, book the Graycliff Chocolatier chocolate-making experience for something a little different. If you’re a family of chocoholics then this one is a must-do! Bay Street is brimming with epic shopping and there are certainly some bargains to be found and souvenirs to take home as keepsakes of your time in paradise.

Grand Bahama

Whether you’re a family of sports fanatics, culture vultures or beach lovers, Grand Bahama is teeming with things to do. Gaze in delight at the fascinating wildlife and abundance of nature at Lucayan National Park. Known for having the longest underwater cave system in the world, it is a day the whole family will relish. Parts of the famous movie franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean was also filmed in the Bahamas in Grand Bahama.

The Exumas

This string of exquisite untouched Islands and cays are certain to offer some precious family bonding time. Hop on a sightseeing boat tour from Great Exuma to explore the neighbouring islands. Many tours offer packages with lunch included too. Packed with activities from paddle boarding and kayaking to snorkelling and diving, with plenty of opportunities to flop on one of the flawless beaches as well.

Best family excursions in the Bahamas

A favourite for every age group is taking a boat to Big Major Cay, home to the world-famous swimming pigs. Sprogs will love splashing about in the shallows and feeding the pigs – it’s sure to be a story you’ll remember for years to come. Whether or not you’re staying on Paradise Island, a day at the Atlantis Aquaventure gives tots, tweens and teens a whale of a time, with waterslides, a cracking lazy river and multiple paddling pools. On New Providence island, take them into the Pirates of Nassau Museum and you’ll leave with a brood of buccaneers, fired up for hours spent treasure hunting while you soak up the sun on the beach. If your youngsters are confident swimmers, the snorkelling tours here are a must, taking you to colourful reefs, wreck sites and dolphin hotspots.

Best destinations in the Bahamas for families

Nassau and Paradise Island is an action-packed haven for families. Featuring some of the biggest and best resorts, including the famous Atlantis Resort, offering everything under the sun from watersports and land activities to umpteen restaurants and fabulous shops. Nassau is great for families who don’t want too much chopping and changing travel-wise – it has regular non-stop flights from the UK. Once you’ve landed, there are dozens of family-friendly resorts to choose between, not to mention activity-packed beaches, interesting museums and dazzling dive sites. Bear in mind that due to its endless popularity Paradise Island will be busy during the high season and school holidays.

For pure laidback, low-maintenance tranquillity, head to Eleuthera and visit the mesmerising beauty of Queen Bath, a naturally-formed series of rock pools that are best experienced during medium to low tide. Feast your eyes on the enchanting underwater marine life found in the pools. For adrenaline-seeking families, be sure to make your way to Sapphire Blue Hole, an astonishingly bright blue cliff jumping hotspot. Be careful on your way back up though as there is only a rope to help.

Home to the glorious 40-acre Lucayan National Park, which features the largest underwater cave system in the world, is Grand Bahama. Well-known for areas such as Freeport and Lucaya where you will find a plethora of shops, games and diverse restaurants. Beyond the commercialised areas, you will find quaint fishing settlements, pastel-coloured seaside villages and expansive forests.

Voyage to the island famous for its adorable swimming pigs. The Exumas is a little pocket of sun-drenched splendour. Made up of 365 islands, and boasting stunning pink sand beaches and indescribably transparent, calm sea. Take the family to the George Town Straw Market and marvel at the Bahamian handcrafted wonders.

Best hotels in the Bahamas for families

The Reef at Atlantis in Paradise Island is a giant playground for kids and adults alike, featuring a huge kids club, epic waterpark complete with a waterslide through a shark tank, a wide range of dining options, plus heaps more on offer to keep the whole family entertained for hours.

Grand Isle Resort in Exumas is a villa-style resort on Emerald Bay featuring 79 spacious units with upscale contemporary furnishings. Boasting an ocean view infinity pool, large golf course, rejuvenating spa and secluded beach, this isolated gem is perfect for families looking for an escape from the daily hustle and bustle.

Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort in Grand Bahama is an all-inclusive 198-room property with an enviable beachfront location. This resort offers a kids and teens club, which comes fully equipped with a range of land and water activities. Tennis courts, a golf course, a sensuous spa, and five delectable dining options are all at your fingertips here. There is certainly no room for boredom!

Types of family holidays

Bahamas holidays with a baby or infant

A holiday in the Bahamas works swimmingly for even the smallest visitors. The pace of life is gloriously relaxed over here, letting your family follow whatever routine works best. All inclusive packages make holiday planning a doddle and the best hotels for babies provide cribs, bedding and other infant essentials. Settle down for a relaxing stay, moments from swimming pools and gorgeous shores. If you have older siblings in tow, the biggest family resorts have kids’ clubs and supervised activities to keep them occupied while you spend time with your littlest and/or stock up on naptime... Quick tip - we’ve found that things like nappies and formula can be pretty costly in island shops, so it’s worth bringing most of what you’ll need with you.

Bahamas holidays with a toddler

Tots will have a ball in the Bahamas. Mother Nature must’ve made these beaches with young families in mind – shallow, warm, still sea to splash about in and clean, soft sand for hours of castle building and shell collecting under the Caribbean sun (those UPF swimsuits are a godsend in these climes). The best family resorts have definitely been built with toddlers in mind, featuring kid’s pools, play areas and fantastic family suites. Giving you the chance for some guilt-free adult time, the bigger family hotels have creches with wonderful indoor and outdoor activities (the kind that make us all wish we were 3 years old…). Not to be fazed by fussy eaters, inclusive hotels have multiple restaurants to let your clan eat what, where and when suits best.

Bahamas holidays with a child

These islands are some of the best in the Caribbean for holidays with kids - the sunny climate, sheltered beaches and a never-ending list of activities make them tough to rival, and the fact that everywhere’s English-speaking helps too. Pick a hotel or resort with a kid’s club and they’ll have a whale of a time making friends of the same age and learning new skills – sailing, diving, windsurfing and tennis lessons are offered in the top resorts. Fuel their thirst for learning with visits to pirate museums and forts and meetings with marine animals - whether snorkelling, aquarium visits, boat trips or all of the above. Share stories of the day in family-friendly restaurants where we’ll eat our sunhats if even the world’s fussiest eater isn’t catered for.

Bahamas holidays with a teenager

Teens might seem tricky to please at times but they’ll have a blast in the Bahamas. The larger resorts with multiple pools and smaller Out Islands - are great for giving them the freedom to roam without you having to worry they’ll stray too far. Stay somewhere with offerings to suit their age group (paddleboarding, scuba diving, evening clubs, teen discos…) and they’ll be able to spend time with peers while you enjoy the things you want to do. There’s ample opportunity for quality time together, too - tempt them with Instagram-friendly beaches, island excursions (the swimming pigs are always a hit) and spa treatments.