While most people think of the crystalline turquoise waters and pristine beaches of the Caribbean, the Bahamas hiking experiences can prove to be just as scenic. With verdant landscapes across the archipelago, the Bahamas plays host to some of the world’s most picturesque nature walks. Bahamas hiking will provide you with countless vistas of lush coastal bush displaying varying shades of greens and browns, broken only by the brilliant white of the coastline and all framed by the magnificence that is the Caribbean Sea.
With a plethora of gorgeous nature trails, boardwalks and Bahamas hikes to enjoy, you will find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number of destinations to choose from. However, there are certain destinations that stand out amongst the rest, providing the very best and most comprehensive Bahamas tour for you. To make your Bahamas hiking experience safer and more enjoyable, be sure to get a copy of our Bahamas guide book and make the most of your tour.
Top 5 Destinations to visit on a Bahamas Hiking Tour
1. Freeport, Grand Bahama
Located to the northwest of New Providence Island, Grand Bahama boasts sensational panoramas of sea and bush alike. This island should certainly be on your list for your Bahamas hiking tour. Freeport in Grand Bahama is home to Bahamas National Trust Nature Centre. It is a 100-acre park where you will find scenic trails through the beautiful nature of inland Grand Bahama. You will also have access to a wildlife viewing area for the lively pond. This is where many visitors stop for some birdwatching. What’s more is that there is a native plant arboretum to be enjoyed. It is a great stop on this Bahamas hiking trail for all the botany enthusiasts who visit.
As if this wasn’t enough, you can also take a stroll down Old Freetown Road. It was once a dirt path connecting the east and west districts of Grand Bahama. On this route, there is a path known as the Heritage Trail Nature walk. Extending for 5 miles, it covers some of the best and most beautiful sections of Old Freetown Road. A Bahamas guide will provide you with valuable information along this walk. You will find yourself coming into contact with over 30 species of plants, 18 species of birds and 7 different varieties of butterflies. This certainly is a stop for nature enthusiasts. You will also find ‘The Hermitage’ on the trail, which is Grand Bahama’s oldest building, dating back to 1901.
2. Eleuthera
Undoubtedly one of the archipelago’s most naturally scenic destinations, Eleuthera is a sightseer’s paradise. Nature lovers from across the globe travel to see what this island has on offer in the way of Bahamas hiking trails. The Leon Levy Native Plant Reserve in central Eleuthera is a unique destination, hosting one of the country’s largest collections of flora and fauna in an effort to protect the natural beauty of the Bahamas. The network of hiking trails on this island is also perfect for avid bird watchers, with birds like the Bahama Mockingbird, thick-billed vireo, bananaquit, Stripe-headed Tanager, black-faced grassquit and the greater Antillean bullfinch on display. Adding Eleuthera to your list of destinations for your Bahamas hiking tour is something that you simply won’t regret.
3. Stocking Island, Great Exuma
There are several different Bahamas hikes options for you on Stocking Island found just off the coast of Great Exuma in the Exuma Islands. The most popular hike is the trail to the navy beacon that was built as a marker for ships in the 1800’s. There are several different routes of varying difficulties to take to this beacon. Whichever you choose, you’ll be subject to truly spectacular sights of the dazzling Bahamian sun over the turquoise ocean. Your verdant surroundings will add a stunning green to the already-magnificent tapestry of this scene.
4. Andros
With fascinating terrestrial and marine ecosystems on display, Andros is considered the ecotourism capital of the Bahamas. There is, of course, plenty to see beneath the waves. However, a visit to the Blue Holes National Park will show you just how much this island has to offer. The Bahamas hiking trails in this park will bring you to more blue holes than any other destination on earth.
Not to mention the lively creeks, thriving wetlands and countless wildlife sightings. These will include the Andros Iguana and more than 120 bird species. Keep your eye out for the 20 varieties of wild orchids in this park as well. These will add some vibrancy to add to the beauty of the greens and blues of the Bahamas. Since the web of trails in this park is relatively complex, it would be a good idea to book a Bahamas guide for a guided tour. This will ensure you make the most of your Bahamas hiking trip to Andros.
5. Abaco Islands
A trip to the Abacos is ideal for the bird watching enthusiasts of the world. The Abacos National Park is located in Southern Abaco and covers over 20 000 acres of land. It is home to a number of terrific nature walks and Bahamas hiking trails. One of the biggest reasons for this park’s popularity is the Abaco Parrot. There are only about 1000 of these colorful birds left in the park. This makes up a third of their total population. They have reached endangered status, and the Bahamas National Trust is working to protect them.
A visit to the park will allow you to see these marvelous birds in all their glory. Not only will your Bahamas hiking tour of the Abacos National Park be a dream for bird watchers, but the verdant landscapes and quiet trails are enough to make anyone fall in love with the beauty of the nature in the Bahamas.
Bird Watching in the Bahamas
Bird watching is something that goes hand in hand with Bahamas hiking. The number of rare and unique birds that you will come into contact with during your Bahamas tour is simply staggering. With binoculars in hand and your eyes set skyward, you will find yourself constantly crossing more and more birds off of your list as you search the Bahamian skies for some of the world’s rarest and most unique birds.
Be sure to include some of the top Bahamas birdwatching sites in your list of destinations to visit. Whether you’re a fan of birdwatching or not, you will find the beauty and majesty of some of these birds will only add to your tour of the hiking trails of the Bahamas.
Discover the unique Bahamas Wildlife
Though the skies may be full of extraordinary creatures, it is just as worthwhile to take a look in the bushes and rocks for some of the Bahamas’ more prehistoric animals. A number of trails around the archipelago will give you a chance to view the Bahamian rock Iguana. Viewing this fascinating lizard while on a nature trail through the Bahamian bush will make you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time. You will also find it exceptionally easy to get a good look at these creatures. This is due to the fact that they don’t have any natural predators on the island. This means they don’t fear humans and are instead curious about their two-legged visitors.
Book a Bahamas Hiking trip with Bahamas Air Tours
There is nothing quite like experiencing the beauty of the Bahamas on foot. Exploring the trails and getting a sense of the land beneath your feet will always ensure that you leave your trip with a far better understanding and appreciation of the beauty of the country. However, to see the islands from above before exploring them from the ground will give you a unique experience that will enhance your Bahamas tour immeasurably.
This is precisely what you will get when you book with Bahamas Air Tours. Soaring over one of the world’s most scenic archipelagos only to land and explore each of the islands at your leisure will ensure that you have a vacation that you never forget. Not to mention the fact that you will be transported timelessly to the destinations of your choosing, allowing you to make the most of your Bahamas tour.
Select images courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism.
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