How to Plan a 3-Day Trip to the Bahamas

Located in the Atlantic Ocean, just 80Km (50 miles) off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas is a stunning country and archipelago comprised of 700 islands and a hundred more cays sprinkled over 100,000 square miles.

This beach lover’s dream destination beckons travelers from around the globe, particularly Americans, to enjoy its enchanting islands with mesmerizing turquoise waters and powdery white sands.

But with so many gorgeous islands to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to go. It’s the reason why I’m writing this post to help you to plan your Bahamian getaway.

My three-day trip to the Bahamas was a last-minute idea. The fourth of July was coming, and I did not want to stay in the U.S. So, why not escape to the Bahamas?

As soon as I got the tickets, I started drawing my Bahamas 3-day itinerary. I knew that there are interesting things to do in Nassau, but I wanted to visit other islands as well. So, I also went to Paradise Island and took a day trip to Pig Beach, to swim with the famous pigs of Exuma.

If you want to have an unforgettable time in the Bahamas, as I did, just keep reading and I will give some suggestions based on my experience.

Planning Your 3 Days in the Bahamas

How to get to the Bahamas?

The best way to get to the Bahamas is by flying to its capital, Nassau. The main airport is the Nassau International Airport, now known as Lynden Pindling International Airport, which is situated 10 miles (16 km) west of Nassau, New Providence Island.

You can book your flights with Skyscanner, which is the website that I use and trust.

If you aren’t in the USA, might be easier to fly to Miami or Fort Lauderdale and take another flight from there.

Best time to visit the Bahamas

The Bahamas can be visited all year round with temperatures ranging from 21C (70F) in the winter and 26-32C (80-90F) during the summer.

But there are two things to consider: the hurricane season lasts from June to November; the months with the most rainfall are May and June.

So, considering that during the holiday season, accommodations get more expensive, the best time to visit the Bahamas is at the beginning of December, and from January to April.

Where to stay

If you’re spending three days in the Bahamas, my suggestion is to stay in Nassau or Paradise Island, the island just across New Providence.

I stayed in Nassau at Coco Plum Resorts Bahamas and don’t recommend it. If you’re looking for a hotel my recommendations are:

Nassau: 💰💰 Hillcrest 💰💰💰💰 Sandyport Beach Resort 💰💰💰💰💰 Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau and Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Paradise Island: 💰💰 Comfort Suites 💰💰💰💰Warwick Paradise Island 💰💰💰💰💰 The Royal at Atlantis and The Ocean Club

How to get around?

You don’t need a car during your stay. You can book an airport transfer, explore Nassau Downtown on foot, or book an ATV tour / a Jeep Adventure.

I always recommend that you buy travel insurance! It can literally be your lifeline if something happens to you, or your luggage is lost or stolen.

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Bahamas 3-Day Itinerary: Best Things to Do & Places to Visit

Day 1 – Exploring Nassau

Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas and the main getaway of the country is a city with 300 years of Bahamian history surrounded by white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.

Even though Nassau has some interesting tourist attractions, it can be overlooked by many visitors who only land in the city and head to other islands, such as Paradise and Exumas. But you should not skip it during your trip.

During your 3 days in the Bahamas, I suggest starting sightseeing in Downtown Nassau. The heart of the city boasts striking historic architecture from the colonial period, duty-free shops, fascinating museums, modern murals, and impressive monuments.

Start your visit at Prince George Wharf, a bustling and bright-coloured waterfront area home to numerous shops selling souvenirs from The Bahamas as well as art galleries showcasing art from all over the Caribbean region.

Then head down to Straw Market where you’ll find everything from handcrafted souvenirs made from straw to locally made jewellery and clothing.

Follow the main thoroughfare, Bay Street, for more sightseeing and shopping opportunities plus restaurants serving delicious Bahamian cuisine such as conch fritters or cracked conch with coleslaw.

P.S: Stores, restaurants and this market depend heavily on tourists arriving from cruiseships to the Bahamas. By 5:00 PM everything is closed, and the streets are deadly quiet.

After exploring Downtown on your own, you can take a walking tour to see other points of interest, go rum tasting, get some adrenaline rush on this 5-star rate ATV tour, learn more about Bahamian culture and history at the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas, or go to one of Nassau’s best beaches.

If you decide on the latter, my suggestion is to go to Junkanoo Beach, which is located a 20min-walk from the port, or Love Beach, which is more secluded.

Junkanoo, a popular family-oriented beach, is one of the most visited beaches in the Bahamas and attracts locals and cruise ship passengers alike.

There are changing rooms, shower stalls, sunbeds, umbrellas for hire, Wi-fi, cafes, restaurants, etc. You can spend a half day basking in the sun, swimming in its warm waters, snorkelling, kayaking and even experiencing horseback and pony rides.

If you want to get away from the crowds, head to Love Beach, a 1-mile-long beach located 10mi west of Downtown Nassau.

It has a different vibe than the bustle of Junkanoo Beach. There are no public facilities, but there’s a beach bar and a resort, from where you can get a day pass to have access to sun loungers, swimming pools and restaurants.

In the evening my recommendation is to dine at Costa, Cleo Grill or Kanoo. If you want something different, Cricket Club Restaurant & Pub, which serves a mix of Bahamian and British food, and Señor Frog’s, a Mexican chain restaurant in Dowtonw, right by the water, that serves good food combined with live music and entertainment, are great options.

If you are more into fine dining, my suggestions are JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, Shuang Ba and Marcos at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House.

And if you want to dance the night away, head to Club Waterloo, a newly renovated bar, restaurant and nightclub featuring a pool, lake views, multiple bars, seating levels and a dance floor; Sky Bar, an open-air bar perched above SLS Baha Mar; or Bond, Nassau’s premier nightlife destination.

Day 2 – Option 1: Exuma

If the Bahamas is known for having one of the world’s clearest waters, Exuma, an archipelago of 365 islands, is notorious for its glistening turquoise waters. One of the most impressive blue waters you will ever see!

Exuma, one of the most beautiful islands and best options for diving in the Bahamas, is additionally renowned for being home to the famous swimming pigs. I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of pigs swimming in the crystalline waters of Exuma.

On your 3-day trip to the Bahamas, you can go swimming not only with this intelligent animal but also with sharks. If the idea also makes you nervous, don’t worry because it’s safe.

Apart from swimming with pigs and sharks, you can also go snorkelling at Thunderball Grotto, see Plabo Escobar’s aeroplane wreck, feed iguanas, and relax on a sand bar. Not to mention, sailing in the breathtaking shades of blue waters of Exuma.

There are several tours to Pig Beach departing from Nassau. I recommend this one with flight included or this one by powerboat. Book your tour online in advance.

I left Exuma convinced that it was the best decision I could make when I decided to come to the Bahamas. I still had one more day, but I knew that the Fourth of July was unbeatable.

Day 2 – Option 2: Pear Island

If you want a picture with the swimming pigs on your Instagram feed but don’t want to go to Exuma, Pear Island is another place where you can swim with pigs.

Located just eight miles from Nassau and one mile east of Paradise Island, Pearl Island is known for its warm, crystal-clear waters, stunning natural beauty, white-sand beaches, and iconic Lighthouse!

Daily visitors can explore its stunning beaches, kayak, paddle board, snorkel among the native marine life, visit its picturesque lighthouse, swim with pigs, or simply relax and sunbathe.

Day 2 – Option 3: Blue Lagoon Island

If you’re swimming with pigs and sharks isn’t on your bucket list, what about swimming with dolphins and sea lions? If it’s Blue Lagoon Island is the place to go!

This private island offers secluded powdery white with crystal clear water and coral reefs, surrounded by lush vegetation where you can swim with dolphins or sea lions or take part in other interactive animal encounters.

There are also plenty of sun loungers available for those who want to relax with a cold beer or cocktail in hand and soak up some rays.

You can take the ferry to the Bahamas’ Blue Lagoon from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal or join this 5-hour Segway tour.

Day 3 – Paradise Island

Paradise is probably the most well-known island in the Bahamas! It’s home to several famous resorts and hotels such as Atlantis Bahamas and The Ocean Club (former One&Only).

While on Paradise Island, you can for a stroll around the lively Marina Village, which has over 20 retail shops and dining options, try your luck in one of the Caribbean’s largest casinos, rejuvenate your body in a spa, get a day pass to have fun in one of the world’s best waterparks at Atlantis Resort, or lazy around the beach.

The 2-mile-long Cabbage Beach features pristine powder white sand and crystalline turquoise waters. It’s very quiet and relaxing, and the perfect place to finish your three days in the Bahamas.

On Monday morning I woke up very early to enjoy my last morning in the Bahamas.

I went running, swimming and did some yoga on the beach.

By 4:00 PM I had landed in JFK without a penny in my wallet but felt as if I had been away for months rather than a long weekend.

This is a suggested 3-day itinerary to the Bahamas, and you can change it according to your interests, budget, and time.

I believe that following those directions will make your trip to the Bahamas much easier to plan and more enjoyable.

Safe travels and have fun in the Bahamas.

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