The Bahamas is located in the West Atlantic Ocean, 80 kilometers northeast of Cuba and 100 kilometers southeast of Florida in the United States. The group is made up of nearly 700 coral islands and 2,400 cays with an area of 13,878 square kilometers. Read out below about how many Islands are in the Bahamas.
The Inhabited Islands of the Bahamas
Among all the coral islands, some prime islands are Andros, Berry Islands, Great Abaco, Acklins, Cat Island, Bimini, Eleuthera, Crooked Island, Grand Bahama, Exuma, Harbour Island, Great Inagua, Long Island, New Providence, Mayaguana, Rum Cay, San Salvador Island, Ragged Island, and Spanish Wells.
Mount Alverknia, previously known as Como Hill, the highest point of this island paradise, is located on Cat Island and 206 feet or 63 meters high. All the principal islands of the Bahamas are flat and low. The disintegration of coral reefs has created coral islands.
The Largest Island of the Bahamas
Andros Island occupies the largest area of the Bahamas, with 5,957 square kilometers. Among all the 700 coral islands of the Bahamas, this largest island’s total area consists of the other significant islands, namely North Andros, South Andros, and Mangrove Cay. The country’s largest district is North Andros in terms of area and population of 3,898 people.
Mangrove estuaries and tidal swamps link these three significant islands. Andros is also politically larger than all the Bahamian islands combined. This island’s total length and width are 167 kilometers and 64 kilometers. This island is home to the world’s sixth-longest coral reef, Andros Barrier Reef. The crystal-clear freshwater of this island is a great attraction to visitors from all over the world.
The Second and Third Largest Island of the Bahamas
Inagua is the second largest island of the Bahamas, which forms the southernmost Bahamas district. This island, with a total area of 1,544 square kilometers, comprises Great Inagua and Little Inagua. It has many lakes. The Matthew Town of this island is its capital and the only harbor, with an area of 1,400 square kilometers.
The third largest island of the Bahamas is Grand Bahama. It is famous for its beaches, mangrove swamps, and reef-lined coves. This island’s all-inclusive luxury resorts and golf courses make it a popular travel destination for the travel-lovers.
The Smallest Inhabited Island in the Bahamas
The Ragged Island, which occupies an area of only 23 square kilometers, is the smallest inhabited island in the Bahamas. This island is part of the Jumentos Cays and the Ragged Island Chain. Only 72 people live on this small island.
Its 180 km long crescent-shaped island chain has the Hog Cay, Racoon Cay, and Double-breasted Cay. Duncan Town is the only settlement in this chain located within a shallow-water bay.
The Most-populated Island of the Bahamas
The most populated island of the Bahamas is New Providence, with an area of 207 square kilometers and 274,400 residents (according to the census 2016). Nassau is located on New Providence Island.
Being the capital and the largest city of the Bahamas, Nassau is a busy city and supportive center to the country’s administrative, economic, local, educational, and commercial centers. The primate city, Nassau, is a popular choice as a travel destination for travel-seekers from all over the world for its soothing natural beauty, splendid scenery, satisfying tropical climate, and proximity to the United States.
Some of the Bahamas Islands that are Worth-visiting (How Many Islands are in the Bahamas)
The Bahamas Islands are worth visiting due to their breathtaking natural beauty, fantastic weather, white and pink sandy beaches spreading across the Atlantic Ocean, and many other unparalleled features.
According to NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly, the Bahamas Islands are the most beautiful place in space. The islands’ turquoise crystal-clear water has made the Bahamas one of the world’s most demanding tropical travel spots.
There are lots of unique islands there worth exploring. Many Bahamian islands are worth keeping on the traveler’s choice list. Therefore, you need help deciding where you should start your exploration.
This section of the article will pick up some most-visited islands that are enough to visit a lifetime memory. We can assure you that you will always want to return to this island paradise to get the ultimate beach experience again and again.
1. New Providence
New Providence is a city full of facilities for visitors. It has a vibrant culture, great history, and tradition. Tourists from all over the world usually fly straight to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, and connect with New providence. You can start your visit to the Bahamas by stepping on this lively and vibrant island. It is a very calm and peaceful island that will give you a soothing experience.
2. Andros Island
Andros Island is the largest island of the Bahamas that lies north of the Tropic of Cancer. This region has three major islands: North Andros, South Andros, and Mangrove Cay. Summer and winter are the two seasons you will see on this island.
It has a multitude of natural attractions like the Tongue of the Ocean, a deep water basin with diverse ecosystems, and Andros Barrier Reef, the sixth-longest barrier reef in the world. If you are a snorkeler, scuba diver, kayaker, or hiker, make sure you will not return to your country without visiting this island. The vibrant marine life and geographical diversity are worth exploring.
3. The Exuma
The Exuma is one of the captivating centers of attraction to visitors all over the world. People from different parts of the world come to this island annually. This island includes 365 cays. It is a safe place for visitors. You will have a great chance to enjoy the Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival on this island, which is a great tourist attraction.
4. The Berry Islands
The Berry Islands is one of the best and most secure harbors in the Bahamas. Sugar beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the Bahamas in the Berry Islands. You can accompany this island with the incredible Mediterranean Beaches as it has many sandy coves among cliffs and unique sea treasures.
The Berry Islands combine about 30 islands that cover the northwestern part of the Out Islands. You must go to these islands if you love snorkeling, diving, fishing, and relaxing on the beachside.
5. The Abacos
The two main islands, namely Great Abaco and Little Abaco, and 120 miles of islands and cays, comprise the Abacos. These islands are part of the Out Islands. Very few people live on these islands because people still are recovering from Hurricane Dorian.
The hurricane affected its natural beauty so significantly. However, the cays of these islands are green and linked with mangroves, which gives the visitors a soothing experience.
6. Ragged Island
With only about 72 people, Ragged island is the smallest Bahamian island. Though it is very small, you will be satisfied with the cultural practices of the people of this island, who gather in the same church on Sundays. Since it is a small island, it will be easy to know about the Bahamian culture very closely by visiting the entire island.
7. Bimini
Bimini has miles of white sandy beaches like other Bahamian islands, but very few hold great historical significance like this island. It has a noteworthy past. Dr. Martin Luther once visited this island in 1900, which later on left a great impact on the tourists’ minds.
Tourists from all over the world visit this island every year to know its rich history and the island itself. Located 50 miles from the coast of Florida, Bimini is closest to the United States. Two main islands, North Bimini and South Bimini, together make up Bimini island. Many people believe Bimini Road is a part of the Lost City of Atlantis’s road system.
8. Eleuthera and Harbor Island
Eleuthera and Harbor Islands are must-visiting islands for their pink sandy beaches, miles of greenery, and pineapple fields. The true beauty of these islands also lives in their rich culture.
Harbor Island is one of the best and most attractive tourist destinations in the Caribbean. On the other hand, Eleuthera is a complex with high-rise houses, lush resorts, and coral reefs. You will get a great chance to have some of the sweetest pineapples in the fields of Eleuthera.
Things to do in the Bahamas
There are numerous fun things to do and explore in the Bahamas. The Bahamian islands offer visitors excellent opportunities to participate in underwater sports, explore marine life, swim, kayak, walk through the beaches, discover natural wracks, and many other unique activities.
You can take a boat ride there too, especially around the Exumas, where you can meet and swim with the pigs. Andros is a great fishing spot. So, go to Andros to have a great time fishing. Walking through the beaches of Harbour Island and Eleuthera will give you a serene feeling.
The scenic beauties, from the Healing Hole in Bimini to Sugar Beach, are enough to make your trip memorable forever.
Also Read: How Much is a Trip to the Bahamas
In a Nutshell
Bahamas Islands offers travel enthusiasts a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The vacationers like to visit this place again and again to learn more about the intriguing specialties of the Bahamian Islands. You have ideas about how many islands are in the Bahamas from this article.
If you get a chance to visit the Bahamas, take advantage of exploring the rich culture, trying out their traditional foods, tracing the exciting adventures, and seeing the best places in the Bahamas. Before planning to visit there, ensure you know enough about the islands.