Top 10 things to see and do in The Bahamas
The Islands Of The Bahamas with their famous pink sands and turquoise sea are home to 16 main islands and thousands of cays and islets which offer a wealth of diverse experiences. Here we pick out ten of the best:
Bahamian People-to-People afternoon tea
People to people tea party
In Nassau have afternoon tea at the historic and imposing Government House, the official residence of The Governor of The Bahamas. On the last Friday of the month the Bahamian People-to-People programme offers complimentary afternoon tea with a fashion show, live music and shuttle transfer to your hotel, providing luxury and colonial history for no charge.
Bahama Barrels: blend-your-own-wine experience
Bahama Barrels
The luxurious 18th century Graycliff Hotel is a Nassau institution and has recently introduced a range of experiences including Bahama Barrels, where you learn to blend your own wine in the oldest Church in the Bahamas (across the road from the main hotel). Guided by Jason, a Californian winemaker, you learn all about wine production, grapes and tasting. The experience concludes when you blend, name and bottle your very own bottle of wine to take home.
Cost: $49.95 per person (18+ Years). Available Monday to Saturday at 11:15am
Island Hopping – Harbour Island or Eleuthera
Eleuthera
Take a day trip from Nassau to Harbour Island or Eleuthera with Bahamas Ferries and navigate between the islands. Harbour Island is famous for its miles of candy-floss pink sand and celebrity guests, whereas Eleuthera has sweet pineapple farms dotting the landscape and ideal conditions for surfing on the Atlantic side. And if you fancy staying on the island, try glamping at The Other Side, a collection of luxury tents overlooking the ocean.
Fares from Nassau to Harbour island from $81
Meet the Dolphins at Blue Lagoon
Meet the Dolphins at Blue Lagoon
Just three miles from Nassau, Blue Lagoon Island, also known as Salt Cay, has water sports including paddle boarding and water bikes, as well as dolphins and sea lions. Visitors can swim with the animals and spend the day relaxing on a tranquil beach. It’s a great family day out.
A Blue lagoon Beach day including animal encounters and lunch is from $32 for an adult.
Dive with Hammered Sharks
Great Hammerheads (c) Judith Baker
The iconic hammerhead sharks can be seen in The Out Island of Bimini from December to April. The Bahamas was made a shark sanctuary in 2011, making killing sharks illegal and shark tourism has flourished. Diving with the hammerhead sharks is an unforgettable adventure as the huge creatures swim around you and come within an arm’s length.
Great Hammerhead Safari costs $299 at Neal Watson’s scuba centre based at The Bimini Big Game Resort & Marina, North Bimini
Swim with Pigs
Swimming pigs in Exuma
The swimming pigs of The Exumas have become world famous but they can also be spotted on other islands including The Abacos. It is an incongruous but fascinating thing to see entire families of pigs running along a tropical beach in the sunshine and trotting into the water for a refreshing swim. Visitors can join them in the sea for dip when the pigs swim up for any free carrots.
Half day ocean safari in The Exumas on a power boat including swimming with pigs from $150
Sail and dive in Abaco Islands
Brendal dive center
The 120-mile–long chain of The Abacos is ideal for boating and sailing. Book a day trip with Brendal, who has run the dive centre on Green Turtle Cay for 35 years. He will regale you with tall tales while showing you how to feed rays by placing bits of fish between your toes. Stop for snorkelling before a BBQ lunch on a deserted beach with fresh fish and lobster prepared by Brendal himself.
Or sea dogs can hire a boat for the day and make their own tour around the coast stopping at uninhabited cays or the historic New Plymouth with its colourful 18th century buildings. Daily rates from $90
Grand Bahama Island Fish Fry
Smith’s Point Fish Fry
Fish Fry in The Bahamas dates back to pre-Colombian times and is a regular event throughout the islands with beach shacks serving food with a party atmosphere or small stalls cooking for locals. On Grand Bahama Island Wednesday night is the time to head to Smith Point. Get there early (about 6) before the queues form. Eat at tables overlooking the lovely beach and watch the sunset, then party until the small hours with music and dancing enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
A fish dinner with fresh snapper or grouper, rice and peas and sides is about $12. Don’t miss the guava duff for pudding and wash it down with a rum punch or local Kalik beer. No need to book in advance – just take a taxi or shuttle, anyone will tell you where it is.
Dive into The Blue Hole
Dean’s Bluehole
Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island is the world’s second deepest blue hole at 633 feet below ground. It leads to the world’s eighth largest underwater cavern – filled with amazing marine life and fabulous colours. Perfect for shore divers, Dean’s Hole is also a mecca for free divers since the world Free Diving record was set here in 2007. Head here to snorkel and spot seahorses, rays, turtles and tarpons.
Deans Blue Hole is near Clarence Town, Long Island.
Try Conch Fritters
Conch Fritters
Conch (or conk as it is called here) is a pretty, pink, edible mollusc eaten throughout the region but a particular favourite in The Bahamas. Don’t leave without trying Conch Fritters: just one of a myriad ways of eating, these bite size fritters are the ideal appetiser at any time of the day and go especially well with a Bahama Mama cocktail or local beer like Kalik or Sands Radler which is a light fruity beer flavoured with grapefruit. Stop off at one of the many colourful conk stalls dotted throughout the islands.
Goan Idli Recipe
Goan Idli, also called ‘Sana’ are soft rice cakes made from rice, urad dal and coconut milk. Goan Idlis are very similar to the usual idlis and are best paired with sambhar and chicken curries. These idlis are widely consumed in Goa and some parts of Mangalore as well. These soft idlis will just melt in your mouth due to their soft and different texture. The batter which is prepared for these Goan Idlis is fermented first with the help of yeast, which differentiates them from usual idlis. The batter is mixed with coconut milk which gives it the much-needed softness. If you love South Indian cuisine, then you need to try this unique idli recipe. You can prepare these idlis for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. We have used Basmati rice to prepare the batter but you can use any rice of your choice. If you plan to lay out a Goan spread in one of your parties then this delicious dish must be included in the menu for sure. Do try this recipe, rate it and let us know how it turned out to be.
Ingredients of Goan Idli
- 2 cup parboiled basmati rice
- 3 teaspoon sugar
- salt as required
- water as required
- 3/4 cup urad dal
- 1 teaspoon dry yeast
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
How to make Goan Idli
Step 1 Soak and grind rice and dalIn two separate bowls, soak rice and urad dal for 4-5 hours. Drain both the rice and dal. In a grinder or blender, add some water and grind the rice to make a batter that is smooth. The batter should not be runny and have a thick consistency. Grind the dal separately.
Step 2 Mix the ingredientsPour the rice batter and dal batter in a large bowl along with coconut milk and whisk to make a smooth batter. Add salt, 2 teaspoons sugar, mix and keep the batter aside. In a small bowl, mix yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/4 cup warm water and keep aside.
Step 3 Add yeast to batterLeave the yeast mixture to rest for at least 10 minutes and then add it to the batter. After you mix yeast with the batter, cover the large bowl and keep aside to ferment for 2-3 hours.
Step 4 Steam the idlisGrease the idli moulds, pour the batter in required quantities and steam the idlis for about 20 minutes. After the idlis are steamed, remove them from the moulds and serve hot.
Tips
- To make the idlis spongier, whisk the batter for at least 6-8 minutes before steaming the idlis.
Coconut Suji Cake Recipe
If you are fond of baking cakes at home, then add this Coconut Suji Cake to your list. With its chewy texture and classic flavours, Coconut Suji Cake will leave you craving for more. For all the coconut lovers out there, this cake is a must-try. To prepare this recipe, you just need a handful of ingredients. The combination of suji cooked in milk and combined with sugar and cocoa powder is indeed heavenly. A final garnish of desiccated coconut on the tops acts as a cherry on the cake. We have used plain milk here but if you want to enhance the coconut flavours even further, then use coconut milk. Ingredients like almonds, cashews, raisins, walnuts, dried tutti-frutti, choco chips etc can also be mixed with the batter to add more flavours to the coconut cake. You can use jaggery powder or any other sweetener of your choice instead of white sugar to make the cake healthier. You can bake this coconut cake for parties, birthdays, anniversaries, get-togethers etc and everyone will love it for sure. Do try this recipe, rate it and let us know how it turned out to be.
Ingredients of Coconut Suji Cake
- 1 cup semolina
- 1 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 6 tablespoon desiccated coconut
- whipped cream as required
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Pinch salt
How to make Coconut Suji Cake
Step 1 Mix the dry ingredientsIn a mixer, grind suji for 1 minute until you achieve a fine suji flour. Take it out in a bowl and add cocoa powder and salt.
Step 2 Mix milk with other ingredientsIn a vessel, add milk, butter, sugar (keep 2 tbsp aside for later) and vanilla essence and keep on low flame until sugar is dissolved completely. Do not boil the mixture.
Step 3 Make a batterAdd this warm mixture to the dry ingredients slowly and keep mixing until well combined. Cover and let the batter rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees Celcius for 15 minutes. Grease and dust flour on your baking tin. Once rested, add the baking powder and baking soda to the cake batter and mix well, do not whip or over mix the batter.
Step 4 Bake the cakePour this cake batter into a baking tin and bake at 180 degrees Celcius for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 5 Roast the desiccated coconutIn a pan, roast the desiccated coconut on low flame until it turns golden in colour. Remove onto a plate and let it cool down a bit. Mix it with 2 tbsp powdered sugar.
Step 6 Garnish and serveSpread some whipped cream on the baked cake and garnish it with coconut mixture. Make sure the entire surface and sides are lightly coated with coconut flakes. Once done, cut into pieces and serve.
Tips
- You can use coconut milk instead of plain milk for that extra coconut punch.
- Add nuts of your choice to make the cake tastier.
Eggless Christmas Cake Recipe
Christmas is around the corner and it is the perfect time to get baking in order to celebrate the most popular winter festival. Christmas is widely associated with baked food items, especially cakes. Date and Walnut cake is the most popular variant that most people prefer baking as it is not only super easy but also super delicious. We have used only walnuts in the recipe but if you like, you can add cashews, almonds, raisins, candied fruits etc. If you love baking at home, then you need to bookmark this recipe. Most cakes available in the market have egg as an ingredient which might not suit people who are vegetarians or those having egg allergies. We have the perfect solution for you guys. This eggless Christmas Cake will be equally fluffy and tasty as any other egg cake. Be it kids or adults, everyone will love this Khajoor Cake for sure. You can easily store the baked cake in an airtight jar and it will easily last a week. Do try this recipe, rate it and let us know how it turned out to be.
Ingredients of Eggless Christmas Cake
1 cup pitted dates
2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup yoghurt (curd)
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/2 cup walnuts
1 1/2 cup lukewarm milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
How to make Eggless Christmas Cake
Step 1 Blend the datesAdd dates to a bowl. Add 1 cup warm milk and let them soak for 15 minutes. Add dates along with milk to a blender. Blend to form a thick paste.
Step 2 Mix the ingredientsAdd the date paste to a large bowl. Add oil, curd and use an electric whisker to mix the ingredients together. Keep whisking until you get a smooth mixture.
Step 3 Sift the dry ingredientsNow keep a sieve in the bowl and add wheat flour. Also, add baking powder and baking soda. Sift the dry ingredients into the bowl. Now use the cut and fold method to mix them well with the rest of the ingredients. Add 1/2 cup warm milk and again mix well to get a smooth batter.
Step 4 Add dates and walnutsNow add 6-8 chopped dates and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts to the batter. Give a final mix.
Step 5 Bake the cakePour the batter into a rectangular tin lined with parchment paper or greased properly with oil. Bake the cake for 45 minutes at 180 degrees Celcius.
Step 6 Ready to be servedOnce baked, take it out from the oven, let it cool down properly. Cut the cake into pieces and serve.
Tips
- You can add some candied fruits and more nuts for added flavour.
Snowball Cookies Recipe
Winter season brings one of the happiest festivals of the year, that is Christmas. Right from decorating Christmas trees and exchanging gifts to baking cakes and hosting parties, Christmas brings happy vibe to the gloomy winter season. If you are someone who loves baking homemade goodies during Christmas, then this super easy recipe is perfect for you. Snowball Cookies are the specialty of Goa during Xmas. These cookies are prepared using just 4-5 ingredients and will be ready in less than 30 minutes. Be it kids or adults, everyone will love these Snowball Cookies for sure. These Snowball Cookies are not only flavourful but also beautiful to look at because of their snowy-white appearance. Once baked, Snowball Cookies are coated with powdered sugar, which makes them look snow-clad. If you are hosting a Christmas party at home, then don’t forget to include this special cookie on your menu. Do try this recipe, rate it and let us know how it turned out to be.
Ingredients of Snowball Cookies
1 cup refined flour
1 tablespoon corn flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
How to make Snowball Cookies
Step 1 Mix the ingredientsAdd butter and sugar to a bowl. Mix it well until a creamy mixture is formed. Now add flour, cornflour, baking powder and salt to the butter-sugar mixture. Keep folding it until well combined.
Step 2 Refrigerate itOnce a soft dough is formed, cover it and keep it in the fridge for 20 minutes.
Step 3 Make small ballsNow pinch out small balls from the dough, roll them between your hands to form a smooth ball and place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Step 4 Bake, garnish and serveBake the cookies for 15-20 minutes at 170 degrees Celsius. Once baked, garnish them with powdered sugar or icing of your choice.
Tips
- You can mix powdered coconut and sugar and coat the cookies in the mixture.
- Add nuts or dried fruits of your choice to add to the taste.