Bahamas

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground the Bahamas offers some excellent bird-watching opportunities. Many islands shelter fairly wild interior reserves where visitors can find hundreds of different species among the palms.Great Inagua Reserve is best for more varied bird watching, and at Inagua National Park visitors might glimpse the world's largest flock of West Indian flamingo. Other exciting bird-watching spots include Abaco National Park; Man-O-War Cay; the area around Love Hill, on the northeastern coast of North Andros; and Armbrister Creek, just north of New Bight on Cat Island.Migrating birds come to the Bahamas mainly in the autumn and the winter (September to February), so if there is a particular bird you would like to see it's best to find out in advance when the bird might be in the Bahamas.The islands are a popular roosting spot for many different birds, the most common on the islands being egrets, herons, Bahama pintails, ruddy ducks, and Caribbean coots, while birds journeying further north or south often alight on the islands for a short time.

The Bahamas offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in the world. Every island is rimmed by coral reefs and crystal clear water. Among the impressive array of coral formations you will experience a dazzling display of colourful sea life including moray eels, barracudas, stingrays, turtles, sand tigers, queen triggerfish, parrotfish, and angelfish. Warm temperatures make wetsuits unnecessary and diving even more appealing.There are popular dive sites off Andros Island, which is bordered by the world's third largest barrier reef. On Blue Lagoon Island, also known as Salt Cay, you can dive with dolphins. In Bimini, islanders claim that mysterious underwater blocks are the remains of the lost city of Atlantis.Elbow Cay, just off Great Abaco, is a wonderful spot from which to view an amazing array of coral. Other highlights include the famous Blue Caves, and Dean's Blue Hole in particular is a big drawcard for free divers looking to achieve a personal record. Free diving competitions are held on occasion at Dean's Cave. For leisure divers, many companies rent equipment and offer courses and excursions for both novice and experienced divers.

The main islands have excellent facilities for just about every kind of beach and water activity, including parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing, and sailing. The larger resort hotels generally include watersports in their rates, but it is easy to organise activities for unaffiliated travellers as well.There's plenty of excellent sailing to be done in the Bahamas and the islands offer gorgeous, crystalline waters and a seemingly endless series of cays to visit. Even around the most popular islands you can drop anchor at a remote spot and enjoy sunny, tranquil swimming and snorkelling far from the shore.The sheltered waters of the Sea of Abaco and Exuma Sound are good for beginner mariners, while for the more competitive, or social, most islands hold their own regattas in late summer. The best regattas include those hosted by Exuma, Long Island, Nassau/Paradise Island, and Freeport/Lucaya. Non-sailors can charter a crewed boat for a few days of quiet and carefree escape.