Just off the coast of Florida, the islands of the Bahamas offer honeymooners pristine beaches and plenty of choices for a honeymoon under the sun.  While most people are familiar with the three main islands of the Bahamas - Grand Bahama Island, Nassau (New Providence Island) & Paradise Island - the Bahamas are actually an island chain made up of 700 small islands.  The three largest islands offer a lot for honeymooners - great beaches, fun things to do, shopping, nightlife and a variety of restaurants plus some wonderful all-inclusive resorts that cater to honeymooners. 

While there is not much to do on some of the smaller islands - the Out Islands are also a great place for honeymooners.  They offer uncrowded and pristine beaches, an idyllic Eden-like setting and a wide array of interesting accommodations for a romantic honeymoon from small, affordable cottage rentals to larger resorts.  A bit pricier - you can even rent your own private island for a week for an intimate wedding -  complete with wedding chapel and staff to cater to your guests.  

Before You Go:

Because the islands of the Bahamas encompass a large area we recommend that you spend some time researching the Bahamas to see what islands and activities interest you most.  Once you've decided on an island (most honeymooners seem to stick with the larger islands), a travel agent can be a great way to find the best all-inclusive hotels, package deals that include airfare & accommodations or rentals that have a quality reputation.  You can also find some wonderful "looking & sounding" rentals over the internet - but sometimes you don't know what you're getting.  After perusing many great vacation rentals I failed to notice if any had air-conditioning.  These are things that can easily be overlooked when you do "book yourself" accommodations over the internet instead of using an experienced travel agent who would point out that it will be hot in a cottage in the bahamas if you don't have air-conditioning in August.   Also for research -  Fodor's offers fantastic travel guides and you can check one out of the local library for basic info on the Bahamas.  Finally, while there are so many great sites on the bahamas - including some wonderful sites on some of the smaller islands - the best sites we found for an overview of the islands include the offical web site of the bahamas, bahamasnet.com, a travel site from interknowledge - www.interknowledge.com/bahamas,  See our Links section for even more links to the islands of the bahamas.

Weather:
The weather in the Bahamas is slightly warmer than South Florida, mid-70's to mid-80's from Nov.-Apr.  with higher temperatures in the summer.  In the evening, cooler temperatures can be expected and during the winter months temperatures at night can dip into the low 60's.  

Beaches: 
They say "it's better in the bahamas..."the only question, which beach is the best?  One of the most famous perhaps is the beach at Harbour Island on Eleuthera.  This beach boasts beautiful pink sand and is one of the most photographed in the world.  Also on Eleuthera, the best beach in the Bahamas for surfing is Surfers Beach.   On a down side - one web site recommends that you avoid a night time stroll on the beaches of Grand Bahama Island due to robbery and assault. 

Watersports:

Diving, snorkeling, sunset cruises, parasailing, deep-sea fishing and kayaking are just a few of the water sports you can enjoy in the Bahamas.   

Deep-Sea fishing is very popular throughout the Bahamas.  The Bimini Islands, where Ernest Hemingway wrote Islands In The Stream, is known as the big game fishing capital of the bahamas and most islanders in the Biminis make their living from fishing.  

A lot more romantic than deep-sea fishing - there are many places in the bahamas where you can swim with the dolphins.  In Nassua, Dolphin Encounters, is just one example.

Kayaking is available in parts of the Bahamas - In Freeport, a Kayak Tour takes you along Gold Rock Creek.

Hiking/Parks:
Lucayan National Park Parrot Reserve on Grand Bahama Island is a 40-acrea park noted for its underwater caves.   

On Grand Bahama Island in Freeport a noted day trip is the Garden of the Groves and Parrot Jungle.  Waterfalls make a wonderful romantic backdrop to your honeymoon and these gorgeous botanical gardens include an on-site wedding chapel. 

For more info on nature tours and the national parks in the bahamas visit:
http://www.grand-bahama.com/nature.htm

www.interknowledge.com/bahamas/bseco02.htm

Romantic Excursions: 
If you're looking for a romantic excursion, on Nassau, one of the larger islands, you can take a romantic sunset cruise through Nassau harbour  including a 5-course meal for two aboard a romantic Venetian Gondola offered by Bahamas Riviera Cruises.  Check out the bahamas.com website for more info on that tour and much more.  Also in Nassau and perhaps more affordable, try the 2 1/2 hour sunset cruise aboard a 57' Catamaran called The Flying Cloud.

From Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island,  Pat & Diane Cruises offers a Bahamian Style Bootlegger's Beach Party Cruise and
Adventure which includes a beach party on a deserted beach where you are served a native lunch of barbecued chicken and ribs and Bahamian "Peas and Rice" with a salad.  Plus all you can drink Bahama Mamas (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) as well as a free snorkel gear, instructions and floatation device included.  

Other Activities: 
Golf is very popular in the Bahamas and there are many excellent courses in the bahamas.  A guide to some of the courses in the Bahamas can be found at bahamas.com under the what to do section.

Horseback riding, adventure tours and tours of a perfume factory are just a few of the other things to do in the Bahamas.  On Grand Bahama Island here a few places to find horseback riding.  

Currency /Language:
The official currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar.   The language of the Bahamas is English, however, some tourists note that it is often hard to understand some of the people due to dialects and accents. 

Where to Stay: 
From first-class all-inclusive resorts to secluded private cottages on the out-islands, there are plenty of choice for accommodations.  
Three great all-inclusive resorts in the bahamas include: Sandals Royal Bahamian, Our Lucaya Resort on Grand Bahama Island and Breezes Bahamas on Paradise Island.  See honeymoon packages for great pricing on these fine resorts.

In researching this article some stand out cottages that looked really neat included colorful cabins like the ones shown above available for rent in Nassau.  Since we have now way of knowing the reputation of any of these rental properties we suggest you employ a good travel agent or get plenty of references if you decide to rent a cottage.  Often, an all-inclusive resort can be a better value especially since it includes most, if not all, of your meals and entertainment.  However, here are a few of the interesting and unusual rentals we came across: 

Painted Cottages - Nassau Bahamas -  
www.islandoutpost.com (Jakes)
www.islandinns.com

Vacation Rentals by Owner - www.vrbo.com
These are cottages and homes being offered for rent by individual owners so shop at your own risk and do get references.

Aaron's Guest House on Eleuthera: Looks like a nice romantic spot.

For something more unusual you can also rent houseboats.  One place to check might be www.bahamahouseboats.com.

Private Island with Wedding Chapel: Here's where I plan to go on vacation when I win the lottery.  This private island is for rent complete with wedding chapel and accommodations for your guests.  If Oprah Winfrey gets married, perhaps this is the place! 

These are just a few ideas for accommodations.  The official site of the bahamas has great info on accommodations - go to the site, choose the island you want, then select where to stay.  Also of note, there is an extensive listing of both hotels & resorts as well as smaller inns at  www.bahamas-on-line.com.  To find some of the more unusual rentals - once you start clicking you can't help but stumble across them.  Also check out www.villascaribeonline.com - lots of virtual tours of island rentals.

*AtlanticCityWeddings.com is not a travel agent and does not recommend any places to stay.  We mention the above accommodations only as sites of interest.  

What to Pack: 
Rather than include a complete list of items to pack, we're highlighting just a few of the necessities.  Like the caribbean, expect it to be hotter than the states and plan to bring plenty of sunscreen and a cool, long-sleeve white shirt in case of sunburn or to cover up to prevent sunburn.  Insect repellant, hiking shoes, bathing suits, lingerie, sweater and/or windbreaker for evening. 

Entry Requirements / Passports
Passports are now required to travel to the bahamas.  Be sure to apply well in advance of your departure date and visit the www.bahamas.com for more information.

When to Go: 
Note that Fall is hurricane season, peak tourism season runs December through May - rates for accommodations are generally higher at this time.   

Sources: 
Sources used in researching this article include numerous internet sites from our Links Section & books including Fodor's Bahamas & Romantic Island Getaways.

Check out some of our many honeymoon articles on everything from cruises to all-inclusive resorts.