The Bahamas Honeymoon 

Book a getaway to the Bahamas, and relax after your wedding day in a tropical paradise close to the United States. Your experience will not be hampered by communication or currency issues. English is widely spoken, and the U.S. Dollar is accepted. Fewer worries mean more relaxation on your Bahamas honeymoon! Stunning ocean views, sand beaches and adventures on the waters of this island nation await your dream vacation.

Geography and Information about The Bahamas

Just 55 miles off the Florida coast, The Bahamas is north of the Caribbean. It’s just a short trip from the United States to this island nation. Sixteen island destinations and 700 small isles and cays make up The Bahamas. 

The archipelago extends from south Florida into the Atlantic Ocean. Besides the United States, its neighboring countries are Turks and Caicos to the southeast and Cuba to the southwest. Its capital city is Nassau, on New Providence Island.

A British Colony from the 18th century until 1973, the country’s official name is the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Its strong economy is based primarily on tourism and offshore finance.

Islands in The Bahamas

Though The Bahamas is made up of over 700 islands, many of them are uninhabited. The main islands that people readily honeymoon to—or maybe most recognizable by name—are Grand Bahama Island and Paradise Island.

Some other popular tourist islands in The Bahamas include:

• The Exumas
• Eleuthera and Harbour Island
• Rum Cay
• Long Island
• Acklins and Crooked Island
• The Abacos
• Out Islands

If you want to visit other islands, you can charter a boat between them, take a ferry, or consider taking a domestic flight.

Official Language

Communicating with locals will be easy to do in English, the official language. You’ll also readily hear a form of Bahamian dialect that’s close to Creole. 

The Bahamas Time Zone

The Bahamas is in the same time zone as New York, and they observe Daylights Savings Time. If it’s 10 am in The Bahamas, it’s the same time in New York and Florida, and 7 am in California. Americans won’t have to deal with much jet lag during or after their Bahamas honeymoon. (Especially if flying from the east coast!)

Currency

The Bahamian dollar is the official currency in the Bahamas. But the U.S. dollar is accepted everywhere, and all honeymoon resorts accept credit cards. Most shops, restaurants, tour companies and such do as well. The conversion is 1:1, so it’s easy to do the math.

LGBTQ+ Community in the Bahamas

Homosexuality is legal in The Bahamas, and foreign same-sex marriages are recognized. However, many citizens are conservative and religious. The Bahamas have experienced a rocky past—even in the 21st century—regarding equal rights and how the LGBTQ+ community is viewed. 

Visitors will not find many gay bars and clubs in The Bahamas. Couples should feel comfortable at resorts but may want to use their discretion with public displays of affection.

Weather and Best Time to Visit The Bahamas

The Bahamas is a popular vacation destination for travelers who want sand beaches, ocean views and beautiful hotels close to home. Its tropical climate makes it especially popular when Americans want to escape cold weather. So, it’s busier during winter, from around November to February.

The end of the year is a great time to experience the festival Junkanoo, which is like Carnival or Mardi Gras. It occurs on Boxing Day (December 26th) and New Year’s Day (January 1st) each year.

You’ll also want to consider hurricane season, spanning June through November. Generally speaking, more precipitation, hotter temperatures and higher humidity are experienced during these months. July through October is most intense. Summer temperatures range from about 75 to 90 degrees.

Winter temperatures average around 66 to 80 degrees, depending on the island. It’s also considered the dry season. So, there’s less chance of rain ruining your beach days from November to June!

Getting to The Bahamas

It’s a hop, skip and a jump to The Bahamas from the United States, especially if you’re already on the east coast. A lot of travelers visit The Bahamas on a cruise. But you’ll want to stay for longer than a few hours (or even more than a couple of days) for your Bahamas honeymoon, so flying is best.

They have over 20 international airports of varying sizes on their populated islands. Some only have minimal schedules, with flights to specific cities in the U.S. on limited days. For the purpose of planning your Bahamas honeymoon, we’ll assume you’ll be flying to Nassau, which has regularly scheduled flights (airport code NAS).

Flights to The Bahamas during a week in September

Here is the cost of a roundtrip flight to Nassau in mid-September. For reference, Nassau is on New Providence Island, just next to Paradise Island. The price shown is for one person, roundtrip. 

• NYC to NAS: $309, nonstop, and approximately 3 hours of travel time.
• IAH to NAS: $525, with one-stop and just under 5 hours of traveling.
• LAX to NAS: $490, with one-stop and 7 hours of travel time.

Once you’re in The Bahamas, it’s unlikely you’ll need a car. Tourism-based businesses are prepared to help you get from place to place. Resorts can arrange for airport transfers. Tours can arrange transportation from your hotel.

Passport, Visa and Vaccine Requirements

Your U.S. passport must be valid when you enter the country for your Bahamas honeymoon. You’ll need two available pages for stamps. Honeymooners won’t need a visa or any particular vaccines to visit.

COVID-19

The Bahamas government is up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 news and situations. So, they update their policies and website as new developments arise. Travelers can currently be broken down into two categories regarding COVID-19 regulations when visiting the country.

Travelers who have been vaccinated:

• The Bahamas allows people who have been vaccinated—and have passed the two-week mark since their last shot—to visit with proof of vaccination. Visitors who meet this requirement will not have to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival.

Travelers who have not been vaccinated:

• Travelers who have not been vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 5 days of arrival to their Bahamas honeymoon.

All travelers must upload information about their vaccine or negative COVID test to an online Health Visa. Stay up to date on The Bahamas tourism website.

Things to Do on your Bahamas Honeymoon

• Island hop! Why stay on one island when there are so many to explore? Ask your resort the best way to inter-island hop. The concierge can tell you which islands are the best to visit for your interests as a couple.
• Go scuba diving or snorkeling in The Bahamas. Experience some of the best dive sites, featuring shipwrecks, coral reefs and plenty of sea life.
• Swim with pigs in the Exumas, an activity made famous by social media.
• Take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through Nassau.
• Partake in water sports, including parasailing and kayaking.
• Go for a swim in their notable “blue holes,” a natural phenomenon, like at Blue Holes National Park in Andros.
• Visit any number of their national parks and reserves and participate in eco-tourism. Abaco National Park is home to thousands of parrots in the spring. 

Foods to Try in the Bahamas

Food is an integral part of Bahamian culture. And there are a few specialties to try for an authentic experience.

Conch is incredibly popular. This seafood is typically served raw in a ceviche style, in a stew, or as fried fritters. Spiny lobster, or “Rock lobster,” is another seafood to try. Standard sides would be potato salad, Caribbean-influenced Peas ‘n Rice, or Johnny Cakes, similar to cornbread.

Bahamian rum is popular, too. Be sure to try it in cocktails or delicious desserts, like rum cake. 

Resorts in The Bahamas

Here are some popular Bahamas honeymoon hotels and resorts. Inquire about a honeymoon package or current specials. Many hotels enjoy creating packages for newlyweds to help make the most of time and budget.

• Atlantis, on Paradise Island, is well known for the size of the property and its many activities. It has a water park, an aquarium and multiple swimming pools. Be sure to check out its adults-only areas, including the Cove Pool.
• Baha Mar is on the beautiful white-sand shores of Cable Beach, near Nassau. It has an onsite spa, casino, and plenty of activities to keep couples entertained. It also offers poolside cabanas.
• Sandals Royal Bahamian is another popular resort near Nassau. This all-inclusive option has 11 restaurants, endless activities and a private offshore island.
• Sandals Emerald Bay is perfect if you’re looking for a more remote all-inclusive resort. The adults-only resort is on the Bahamian island of Great Exuma, within 500 acres of paradise. It has a golf course, 11 restaurants, three pools and includes PADI certification scuba diving lessons!
• Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island is fantastic for nature lovers and couples wanting a secluded Bahamas honeymoon resort. Its beaches and turquoise water make it feel like it’s a world away. Yet it’s reachable by ferry from Nassau or a quick charter flight.
• A Four Seasons Resort, The Ocean Club, on the north side of Paradise Island, offers a luxury resort experience for honeymooners. It has three pools, a spa and a shuttle to Atlantis. Book a villa for private beach access and butler service.

Honeymoon Registry with Honeyfund

Flights, resorts, dining options and experiences add up! But Honeyfund helps make your dream honeymoon in The Bahamas a reality by allowing friends and family to contribute to your getaway in paradise. Begin with our starter Bahamas Honeymoon Registry.