While the beaches of the Bahamas are the premier tourist attraction, there are many more things to do if you travel inland. On Abaco you can visit the Abaco National Park, which is a 20,500-acre national park dedicated to preservation of the native plants and animals of the Bahamas. It is one of the only places in the Bahamas where you can see the endangered Bahama Parrots. These beautiful emerald colored birds call the park home. Also on Abaco you can see the wild horses of Abaco. These horses are probably descendants of the horses Columbus brought on his trips to the New World. They are housed in a preservation area in the pine forests of Abaco. Also on Abaco you can explore the Hope Town Lighthouse. This candy-striped lighthouse was built in the early 1860s. It is still lit by a kerosene lamp.
Andros Island also has a lighthouse on the southern end of the island. The Andros Lighthouse was built in the 1890s. Andros is home to many ruins of the sugar cane plantations of the Bahamas past. You can visit the Old Government Administrate Building and Jail House, Old School Buildings, the Whyms Plantation, the Chamberlain Sisal Plantation, several old wells, the Twin Lakes Farm and more. History lovers will want to spend several days visiting these sites from the 1800s and early 1900s. The Star Gate Blue Hole dive is famous because in the 1990s several Indian skulls were found here. Andros also has several historic churches for visitors to explore.
The next island in a tour of the Bahamas is Bimini. Bimini has its own museum, dedicated to the history and culture of the people of the island. There is a site that has been nicknamed the "Lost City of Atlantis". This site is several blocks of limestone just off the coast of the island. Divers can trace the road and have found some interesting relics just 20 feet below the surface.
Grand Bahama Island offers visitors a plethora of non-beach related activities. At Fragrance of the Bahamas you can make and bottle your own perfume. This interesting exhibit is housed in a historical English-style mansion that you can tour. The International Bazaar is a 10-acre series of shops and restaurants that feature products from around the world. This is a great place to pick up some trinkets to commemorate your trip.
Long Island is home to the Columbus Monument, which attributes to the discovery of the archipelago by Christopher Columbus. Hamilton's Cave is an interesting location to explore. Here you can see the cave where Lucayan artifacts were found. St. Mary's Church is an interesting location. It does not have stunning architecture like some of the other churches on the islands, but it is thought to be the oldest church on the island. The church was built in the 1600s by the Spanish.
Paradise Island is home to the Ardastra Gardens and Conservation Center. This miniature zoo houses 300 animals from around the world in beautiful tropical garden displays. For those who enjoy military history, there are several historic forts to visit on Paradise Island, including Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and Fort Montagu.
As you can see, there is much more to do on the islands of the Bahamas than just the beaches. Of course, if you are traveling to the Bahamas, you are going to want to spend some time ocean-side. Be sure to schedule some time, however, to explore the many inland activities of the Bahamas.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to The Bahamas
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