Throughout the 700-plus islands that constitute The Bahamas, residents tend to abide by 'island time', an affectionate term used to describe the Bahamians' laidback demeanour. Many of islands are either uninhabited or sparsely populated, serenity is easy to find.

Generally the Bahamas are large enough to accommodate everyone's tastes. From shopping in the bustling straw market, to golfing in world-class courses, diving amidst shipwrecks and coral reefs or windsurfing and parasailing. The island has its fair share of exclusive villas and hotel complexes, but visitors are still more likely to come across a clapboard house and that classic Bahamian hospitality than they are to stumble across a lavish resort.

An almost-constant temperature prevails throughout the Bahamas thanks to refreshing, cooling trade winds. September to May is freshest at around 21°C-24°C (70°F-75°F) with warmer weather at around 27°C-29°C (80-85°F) the rest of the year. The temperature drops about 5°C (41°F) after dark. June to November is the hurricane season.

December to May

The best time to visit the island is December to May which will avoid the hurricane and allow for some great diving.

The islands of the Bahamas contain approximately 5% of the worlds coral reefs and offer some truly special diving with great water visibility above sandy bottom reefs. However it is the near certainty of dolphin or shark encounters that bring the more adventurous diver to the island looking to experience something a little different! Two dive sites in particular are worth looking at; Shark Rodeo and White Sand Ridge (for dolphins).

As the island is so close to the continental US, direct flights came be easily sourced from most hub airports in the US. European holiday makers will probably have to connect via a hub US airport.

Fishing

The diving can be expensive and you are not guaranteed to see dolphins! The sites are sometimes quite remote to get too and the water can be rough.