The Islands of The Bahamas

by: Lesley Pinder, WPICC of Lesley Pinder Weddings and Events

Where are you headed? … The Islands of The Bahamas

Warm sunshine on your backs, sand between your toes and a whole lot of clear blue water is just a small bubble within your imagination when you think of the beautiful Islands of The Bahamas. Sun, Sand and Sea.
An archipelago of over seven hundred islands and keys, thirty of our islands are inhabited with sixteen major islands geared towards domestic travel. We pride ourselves on warm hospitality and a country where you can relax, unwind and enjoy.

As we continue to navigate through this unprecedented worldwide chaos, we continue our fight towards a reduced or Covid-19 free country.

While our statistics for the infectious Covid-19 disease are relatively high at present for our size, population and region, we remain dedicated to promoting our overall Tourism product. “Tourism is our Business”. We are still among the best of the best for Destination Weddings and Celebratory Events.

Allow me to share a brief virtual tour of a few of our more popular islands that are perfect hotspots for Destination Weddings.

In no apparent order, the islands of Exuma, Long Island, Eleuthera, Andros and Bimini are the perfect destination spots for awesome events.

Gently close your eyes and let’s begin our virtual tour and fly to the island of Exuma.
Exuma offers a unique experience and an arena for the rich and famous. Beautiful beaches and lots to do. Swimming with Pigs, Stingrays, Dolphins and feeding Iguanas. Great Exuma, Little Exuma and The Exuma Cays showcase the splendour of an island filled with charm and awesome experiences.

Long Island is just a hop, skip or dive away. Split by the Tropic of Cancer, this island offers both shallow and deep dive sites for your underwater enjoyment and nuptials. Long Island boasts as the location for the second-largest blue hole in the world; Deans Blue Hole with a depth at 663 feet. An added feature for a seasoned diver … “Dive & Brag about it”. Cliffs, Coral Reefs and Tranquil beauty add to the island’s untarnished paradise.

Let’s keep it moving as we venture to Eleuthera “FREEDOM”. As they say … “The home of pink sand and jelly coconuts”. One of the many highlights is the Glass Window Bridge situated in the northern area of the quaint settlement of Gregory Town. This natural wonder separates the Atlantic Ocean and The Caribbean Sea. Coastline beaches, pink sand, pineapple fields, wetlands and coral reefs remain the jewels of the island. A natural beauty, rich in culture and history allows for breathtaking images that could never be replicated. Peace & Tranquility is what you will find in beautiful Eleuthera.

Looking for adventure? Andros is the largest island in The Bahamas. An island filled with loads of nature, flora, fauna, barrier reefs, mythical creatures, vibrant marine life, diving and a fisherman’s paradise, the perfect destination for bachelor parties, weddings in caves and island culture.

Are you exhausted yet? Let’s head over to Bimini. Why not enjoy it all! With just a short fifty-minute plane or boat ride from the Florida coast, Bimini is the popular spot for Big Game Fishing, pristine beaches and The Fountain of Youth. “The Fountain of Youth” is a spring situated in South Bimini. According to the famous explorer, Juan Ponce de Leon, once you bathed in the spring water, it would restore your youth. Bimini offers a quaint lifestyle and a perfect island getaway.

Five islands in one virtual bubble, encapsulates fun, adventure, loaded culture, awesome cuisine, one of a kind experiences and memories of a lifetime. Paradise to couples and planners alike. What better way to enjoy “work and play”? Explore the possibilities and consider The Islands of the Bahamas.
Due to the worldwide pandemic and ongoing adjustments to Covid-19, this new norm has caused us to revise and restructure our travel requirements when visiting The Bahamas.

Feel free to review and plan ….

• Travellers from all countries are permitted to visit the Bahamas under regular visa requirements.
• Travellers are required to complete an electronic Bahamas Health Visa Application form at travel.gov.bs (Click on the international tab) before travelling to The Bahamas.
• Please note that Health Visa applications can take up to 72 hours for processing.
• All travellers must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more than five (5) days prior to arrival. Test results must be uploaded to the Bahamas Health Visa portal and presented upon arrival.
• Any person presenting test results older than five (5) days will not be allowed entry in The Bahamas.
• Children ages ten (10) years and younger, pilots and crew of commercial airlines who remain overnight are not allowed to take the test.
• Print and keep the Travel Health Visa on you for presentation to airline and border officials.

Starting November 1st: All travellers will NOT be required to quarantine as long as their Bahamas Health Visa has been approved which includes a mandatory COVID-19 RT-PCR test. For further inquiries, kindly refer to www.bahamas.com the official site of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
We await your arrival …. The Islands of the Bahamas

Lesley Pinder, WPICC of Lesley Pinder Wedding and Events, is a veteran in the field of Wedding and Event Planning.  With more than 16 years of experience, Lesley continues to lead the industry in the Bahamas with trendsetting, inspiring approaches to the planning and execution of weddings and events,  She is a master of the art of execution and offers her clients a variety of services from assistance with intimate settings to coordinating elaborate and multi-layered large events.  Her Motto…”Dare To Be Different” en capsules her personality and approach to taking her clients’ vision and making it a reality.