The Bahamas

When looking to get away to a tropical paradise, one of the first places that springs to mind is the Bahamas.

A collection of more than 700 subtropical islands, nestled south-east of Florida and north of Cuba in the Lucayan Archipelago, holidays in the Bahamas offer a world of incredible, jaw-dropping experiences which deserve to feature on any bucket list.

As well as comprising hundreds of islands, the Bahamas also boast in excess of 2,400 stunning coral reefs, so it’s pretty much a given that diving and snorkelling is a hugely popular pastime. You can even take out a personal underwater sub to explore the marine life! One of the best spots is Andros Great Barrier Reef, home to colourful parrotfish, trumpetfish and speckled scorpionfish.

Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island is another fantastic diving a snorkelling location. Believed to be the deepest blue hole in the world at 202 metres, it boasts turtles, snapper fish, rays, tarpons, seahorses and plenty of other tropical fish besides. Nearby Hamilton’s Cave is also worth a visit.

Those looking for a slightly different swimming experience should head to what is now known as ‘Pig Beach’ in the exotic Outer Exuma Islands. Here you can not only enjoy the stunningly white beaches but enjoy paddling around with a group of pigs who have made the island their home – just don’t let them ‘hog’ all the fun! And no, we’re not pulling your trotters!

Another great beach to visit is Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island. The name is pretty accurate, making for stunning photo opportunities in a unique setting.

If you’re after more of a city vibe, the capital Nassau has a host of activities, including John Watling’s Distillery, Pirates of Nassau Museum and Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre.

For family holidays in the Bahamas, there’s no better day out than Aquaventure Waterpark on Paradise Island, just north of Nassau, with it’s high-speed, adrenaline-pumping slides.