The Bahamas
Turquoise shallows and coral reefs surround roughly 700 islands, with Nassau as the main gateway and quieter Family Islands beyond it.
The Bahamas is an island country in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida and north of Cuba. It has roughly 700 islands and more than 2,000 cays, most of them low and flat, and only about 30 are inhabited. Nassau, on New Providence island, is the capital and the main gateway. Turquoise water, coral reefs and blue holes such as Dean's Blue Hole draw visitors. Sailing is the national sport, and Junkanoo, a street parade with music and dance, is held in Nassau and other settlements on Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Independence Day.
Trips often pair Nassau or Grand Bahama with one or more Family Islands such as Eleuthera or the Exumas, which are quieter and more rural. Travel between islands is by ship or small aircraft, so allow time for connections. The wet season runs from May to October, and hurricanes are a risk then, so follow forecasts and local advice. The Bahamian dollar is pegged 1-to-1 to the US dollar, and US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas.
Five things to know before The Bahamas
- Check entry for your passport
US and UK passports need no visa. The Bahamas allows US visitors up to 8 months at the officer's discretion; the UK government says UK visitors usually get 30 days. Carry a return or onward ticket. Visas and entry
- Book island hops early
The Out Islands are reached by small domestic flights or ferries from Nassau. Seats and sailings are limited, so book them with your international flight. The Exumas
- Allow time for US preclearance in Nassau
Flights from Nassau to the US clear US immigration and customs before departure, so arrive at the airport well ahead of your flight. Nassau
- Drive on the left
The Bahamas drives on the left, often in cars built for driving on the right. On the Out Islands, a rental car or golf cart is often the only way around.
- Book around hurricane season
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most storms from August to October. Buy insurance when you book and check how it handles storm cancellations. Travel insurance
The Bahamas travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Downtown, Paradise Island, beaches and the airport.
Read the guideThe ExumasCays, sandbars and boat days from Great Exuma.
Read the guideEleutheraLong beaches, Harbour Island and a slower pace.
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free stays and what to carry on arrival.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical, evacuation and storm cover for the islands.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans and coverage on the Out Islands.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- BSD 100
- Food
- BSD 30
- Transport
- BSD 3
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- BSD 175
- Food
- BSD 70
- Transport
- BSD 25
- Sights
- BSD 100
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- BSD 300
- Food
- BSD 150
- Transport
- BSD 80
- Sights
- BSD 250
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low22°Dry, JunkanooJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, Junkanoo
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low22°Dry, breezyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- MarchPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh25°Low22°Dry, sunnyMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, warmAprilRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Warm, quieterMayRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 115 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quieter
- JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, showersJulyRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hurricane riskAugustRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Hurricane peakSeptemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane peak
- OctoberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Storm riskOctoberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 202 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Season endsNovemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Season ends
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Junkanoo, busyDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Junkanoo, busy
Average daily high and low in Nassau, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in The Bahamas
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 78%
- Wind
- 31 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 56%
The Bahamas
03:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°23°56%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 56%.
- Tue28°23°41%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Wed27°26°39%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Thu27°26°23%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 23%.
- Fri26°26°21%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Sat26°26°5%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun27°26°22%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 12:05 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1 BSD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
The Bahamas FAQ
Do I need a passport for the Bahamas?
Yes for flights. US citizens on closed-loop cruises may use other documents, but a passport is the safe choice. Many passports, including US and UK, need no visa.
When is hurricane season in the Bahamas?
June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. The northern islands are also exposed; winter can be cool and windy for swimming.
Which island should I visit in the Bahamas?
Nassau for easy flights, resorts and nightlife; the Exumas for boat days among the cays; Eleuthera and Harbour Island for quiet beaches. Pair Nassau with one Out Island.
Can I use US dollars in the Bahamas?
Yes. The Bahamian dollar is at par with the US dollar and both are accepted everywhere. Change may come back in Bahamian dollars.
What is Junkanoo?
A street festival of music and costumes held in the early hours of December 26 and January 1, with the biggest parade on Bay Street in Nassau.