Spread over a large expanse of Atlantic Ocean, the 700 islands of The Bahamas bask in breezy semi-tropical sunshine. About one hundred of the islands are minimally inhabited, and just a small handful has any kind of sizeable population or vacation facilities.

Starting just 50 miles from the Florida coast, the archipelago swoops southeast for some 600 miles, almost to Haiti and Eastern Cuba. The capital, Nassau, is located on New Providence, while the second city, Freeport, is on Grand Bahama. The remainder of the islands, known as the Family Islands, includes Andros, the Abacos, Eleuthera, and The Exumas, to name just a few.

The greatest asset of these islands is the incredible sea, which they ornament. Colours range from pale crystal green in the Bahama banks to deep regal blue in Exuma Sound and the awesomely deep Tongue of the Ocean. The water is so clear that you hardly need a snorkel mask to view the astonishing array of marine life at the countless coral reefs. Following a close second are the beautiful white sand beaches which surround the islands.