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The Bahamas is a chain of 700 tropical islands located in the Atlantic Ocean. Thirty of the 700 islands are inhabited. New Providence is one of the largest islands and is home to the capital city of Nassau. New Providence is home to seventy percent of the Bahamas’ inhabitants.

The warm climate of the Bahamas plays host to parrots, turtles, iguanas, and the world’s biggest colony of pink flamingos. The warm waters around the islands are home to colorful fish such as blue tang and the stoplight parrotfish. Andros Island features the 139 miles-long Andros Barrier Reef – one of the longest coral reefs in the world.

Since the fourth century, people have lived on the islands of the Bahamas. The 1600s saw pirates like Calico Jack and Blackbeard use the islands as their home port. These bold pirates looted cargo ships that sailed along the trade routes that encompassed the islands.

The Bahamas came under the British in 1718 and stayed with them until 1973 when they achieved their independence. A popular tourist destination, the Bahamas has over five million people visit each year to explore the country’s wildlife, culture, and beautiful beaches.

CLIMATE AND SEASONS IN THE BAHAMAS

The best times to visit the Bahamas are in December, January, February, March, and April. During these months the temperatures are more pleasant than in summer. The chance of tropical rains and tropical storms is also less.

Though temperatures are great year-round (they rarely dip below 80 degrees), the islands are within the hurricane belt, so hurricanes may be a factor between June 1 and Nov. 30 (the Atlantic hurricane season).

Average Temperature

85℉

Seasonal Temperatures

  • 80℉ – Winter (Dec- Feb)
  • 83℉ – Spring (Mar-May)
  • 90℉ – Summer (June-Aug)
  • 87℉ – Fall (Sept-Nov)

 

MORE TO LEARN AND EXPLORE

What makes a destination a fantastic place to hold a meeting? It’s not just the weather because some like it hot, and some like it cold. And it’s not just the four walls of the ballroom but world-class restaurants, activities, off-site venues, and unique attractions.

Most resorts have plenty of exciting activities on-site, including snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and deep-sea fishing. If that’s not enough, you can jump on a short flight to Eleuthera Island. Eleuthera is known for its pristine beaches, bohemian vibes, and vibrant clapboard houses. Around 2,000 people inhabit this island. You’ll discover an array of locally owned dining establishments.

Festivals – If there’s one thing Bahamian’s love, it’s a reason to celebrate. The Bahamas provides visitors an adventure that is worlds away, with many opportunities to taste and experience the island’s culture. Whether it’s Junkanoo, a Rake ‘n’ Scrape Festival, or a culinary fest, join the merriment and experience the intoxicating joy that permeates any Bahamian occasion. Let us check for the festivals running during your scheduled meeting.

Golf – Several islands can boast of pristine golf courses that challenge both the novice and professional golfer. Many of the courses line the clear-blue Atlantic waters, making golfers from all over the world yearn for the chance to play in the Bahamas.

Best Islands for Golf:

  • Grand Bahama Island – Freeport.
  • New Providence Island – Nassau.
  • The Abacos: Abaco Club and Treasure Cay.

Arts and Culture – If you love discovering the culture of the places you visit and digging deeper than just enjoying the sun and sand, then you’ll want to explore the rich and fascinating culture of the Bahamas. Check out these ideas for arts and culture.

  • Fort Charlotte, in Nassau
  • National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, in Nassau
  • Nassau Art Galleries in Nassau

Museums of The Bahamas – Each island of the Bahamas has its unique history and culture in addition to the country’s colonial past. These museums have been created to celebrate and commemorate different aspects of Bahamian culture and history.

Tours – There are a lot of tours available depending upon your interest. Each one of the resorts will be able to assist in finding something of interest for your meeting. Here are two examples:

  • Power Boat Tour – Visit multiple islands in one day on a powerboat tour from Nassau, Bahamas, an excellent choice for first-time visitors and nature lovers. The highlight of the tour is a stop at Pig Beach to swim with the pigs. Also, see Bahamian rock iguanas, swim with nurse sharks, and stop at a secluded beach.
  • Sandy Toes Tour – This tour combines a boat cruise, snorkeling excursion, and private beach, which will give you multiple islands highlights in a single day. Board your boat and enjoy easy round-trip transportation to Rose Island in the Bahamas from Nassau. You can choose to spend your day in the water or on the beach and enjoy the perfect mix of activity and relaxation.

Shopping in The Bahamas – On the main street of Nassau, you will find boutiques like Breitling, Cartier, David Yurman, Fendi, TAG Heuer or Rolex; and the top brands and labels in stores such as Colombian Emeralds, Diamonds International, Effy Jewelry, Sophia Fiori, John Bull, Little Switzerland, Quantum, or Bacardi.

Art Shop on Harbour Island – The tiny Harbour Island is home to a fun collection of galleries in the quaint Dunmore Town. Enjoy a day roaming the streets, seeing what treasures you can find. Princess Street Art Gallery is an old standard, having been in business for more than 20 years, and their collection of tropical-inspired artworks has brought smiles to many a visitor. Please keep in mind that the gallery is usually closed during September and October. Another fun one is Briland Art on Pitt Street, which carries hand-painted souvenirs, driftwood and canvas paintings, fish mobiles, and lots more.

WHY ARE THE BAHAMAS APPEALING FOR A MEETING?

The Bahamas has twenty international airports welcoming regularly scheduled flights from around the world. If you fly into Nassau, you can easily access fast, connecting flights to the Outer Islands (also known as The Family Islands). Private charter service is also readily available.

To visit the Bahamas by plane, all U.S. citizens need a passport.  And that means a passport book, not the less expensive passport card. It is advised to check the passport requirements before you travel (along with the expiration date on your passport).

The currency used is the Bahamian dollar. It is maintained at the same level as the U.S. Dollar, and both are accepted interchangeably on all islands.

Some things to consider when planning your meeting in the Bahamas:

What is the objective? Some examples:

  • Many company retreats are designed to improve productivity and to “refocus” the efforts of their employees. The Bahamas provides an ideal destination to break away from the confines of an office and allow employees to socialize with people beyond their department and relax. This can be very helpful for meetings where fresh ideas, new perspectives, or/and networking is essential for high-priority initiatives.
  • Executive retreats are also popular in the Bahamas as this destination offers exclusive luxury where leaders can recharge as well as connect with each other.
  • Incentive travel combined with meetings can be valuable for companies, key stakeholders, and top performers.  The Bahamas provides unique, memorable experiences and an outstanding destination for exchanging information that improves growth, solves problems and engages change-makers.

The Bahamas will allow your attendees to experience the beauty of the Bahamas through local excursions and activities. They will walk the pristine beaches, swim in the blue water, shop, and experience fine dining. There will be local excursions, perhaps a side trip to swim with the pigs and shopping, music and more. There is so much to do they may want to stay an extra week!

Do you need help planning a corporate meeting or incentive travel reward to the Bahamas? Contact Gavel International for more information.

Eloisa Mendez
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