One of the most beautiful countries of the Caribbean, the Bahamas is flourishing with sparkling blue waters, hundreds of white sandy beaches, and gorgeous tropical gardens. But apart from that, the Bahamas is also rich in history, culture and so many more interesting things that make the Bahamas one of the most famous traveling destinations in the world.
Now to make your vacation in the Bahamas much more fulfilling, let’s check out some cool facts and fun facts about the Bahamas.
Sparkling Blue Water And White Sandy Beaches
The Bahamas has an incredible spectrum of blue or more accurately turquoise color water that is unlike any other beach. It’s so unique that watercolor can be recognized even from space. Hence the famous Nasa Astronaut Scott Kelly called it “the most beautiful place on earth from space.”
When the bright sunlight hits the shallow depth of the Bahamas water, light scatters all around and gives that distinctive turquoise color. The reason the Bahamas water is so clear is because of comparatively less phytoplankton and also the heavy sediments in the ocean which don’t get easily mixed with the water.
Also Read: Why Is The Water So Blue In The Bahamas?
The Origin of The Name
The Bahamas got its name from a Spanish term called “Baja mar” which means shallow sea. Like the name, the water around the Bahamas is quite shallow, which in contact with the sunlight creates an exceptional shade of light blue or turquoise color that is mesmerizing to experience.
There Are Hundreds Of Islands In The Bahamas
The Bahamas belong to the Lucayan Archipelago in the West Indies. It consists of 700 islands, among which only 30 are inhabited. Among them, the most famous vacation spot is New Providence Island (the capital of Nassau), The Exumas, The Abacos, Andros, Eleuthera, Berry Island, Southern Bahamina Island, Harbour Island, Bimini, and others.
The majority of the population of the Bahamas reside on New Province Island which is also where most tourists fly into. Another great thing is it is connected to Paradise island by two bridges.
The uninhabited ones are known as ‘Out Islands’ which are sometimes used as wedding destinations or when you want to experience some peace and quiet in a beautiful setting.
Christopher Columbus First Landed in The Bahamas
During Christopher Columbus’s journey to find the new world, it is known that he landed in the Bahamas before landing in the United States.
In 1492 he is believed to have made landfall on San Salvador Island which was then known by the native Lucayan Taino people as Guanahani. In 1986 National Geographic announced that he had actually landed in Samana Cay which is also in the Bahamas.
The Bahamas Was A Favorite Spot For Pirates In The 18th Century
During the 1600-1700s, pirates were extremely fond of the Caribbeans, especially Nassau Island of the Bahamas. This is also known as the “Golden Age” of piracy during which Nassau was declared a Pirate’s Republic.
During these times, pirates would target the merchant ships traveling through the area and pillage them, robbing gold, clothes, salt, etc. Some of the famous pirates that lived during that time were Edward Teach who’s also known as Blackbeard, his mentor Benjamin Hornigold, Henry Jennings, Stede Bonnet, and many others.
They continued to rob and pillage the Caribbean until 1718 when British captain Woodes Rogers was named the Governor in Chief of Nassau and thus ending the reign of the Pirate Republic. If you want to know more about it, you should definitely visit the pirate museum of Nassau.
Earth’s Third Largest Great Barrier Reef
The Andros Barrier Reef in the Bahamas is one of the biggest barrier reefs in the world. It’s located on the east coast of Andros Island and is about 190 miles long. It has a depth of 6000 feet which makes it unique among other barrier reefs.
This massive living organism is home to all sorts of exotic fish and other aquatic animals which makes it a great location for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Big Major Cay Or Pig Island
One of the most exotic experiences in the Bahamas would be swimming with the pigs in Big Major Cay of Exuma or also known as Pig Island. Rumors are the pigs are survivors of a shipwreck and they’ve been on the island ever since.
This island is pretty much uninhabited except for the pigs and their caretakers. Tourists usually take a boat there and interact with the friendly pigs and swim with them. It is a great spot for a family vacation.
There’s A Pink Sands Beach In The Bahamas
The Bahamas has one of the few beaches with pink sand in the entire world. It is found on Harbour Island. The gorgeous pink color comes from microscopic coral insects having bright pink or red shells full of holes. These coral insects are known as Foraminifera.
The stretches of pink sandy beaches and turquoise water makes it look like a magical place. It is also home to some very beautiful hotels and resorts which makes it an excellent choice for a family vacations.
The Bahamas Is Famous In Hollywood
One of the most interesting facts about the Bahamas is that it was the location for some reason big shot Hollywood movies. The picturesque view, laid-back population, and hundreds of uninhabited islands make it the perfect location for shooting movies.
Some of the best movies that were shot here were Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest & At World’s End, James Bond: Casino Royale & Thunderball & Never Say Never Again, Silence of the Lambs, 20000 Leagues Under the Sea among others.
Some other cool facts about the Bahamas are:
- The Bahamas is one of the top go-to places for scuba diving and snorkeling
- The Bahama’s famous Mama cocktail & Junkanoo festival
- The Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas is the world’s 2nd deepest blue hole.
- The world’s 3rd largest wine seller is located in Nassau
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q: What are Bahama people called?
The people of the Bahamas people are called Bahaminas.
Q: What language is spoken in the Bahamas?
English is the official language of the Bahamas with a certain Bahamian dialect to it.
Q: What is the best month to visit the Bahamas?
The middle of December to April is the best time to enjoy the Bahamas to avoid extreme heat and humidity.
There are so many more interesting things about the Bahamas that the more you know the more you want to. And there’s nothing like traveling there and experiencing it all firsthand.