If you’re looking to escape the cold this winter, there is one island getaway that is close to home and ready to welcome you.

This Caribbean destination is one of the top island getaways this year, and it has been growing steadily in popularity with American travelers.

The Bahamas has seen a high level of tourist growth over the past few years, with a 12.7% increase in visitors for the upcoming fall and winter season compared to the pre-pandemic highs of 2019.

Here’s why this island paradise is perfect for your next getaway:

Easily Accessible Location

The Bahamas is the closest country in the Caribbean to the United States. Some of the Bahamas’ nearly 700 islands are located just 50 miles off the coast of Florida.

Being so close to the United States, flights to the Bahamas from the U.S. are quick — Miami to Nassau is just one hour, and flights from many other cities are only two or three hours long.

This makes the Bahamas an easily accessible slice of island paradise, perfect for a quick getaway.

Aerial View of Exuma

New Flights From The U.S.

This year, several new flight routes from the U.S. have launched to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. The new routes include:

  • Daily nonstop flights between New York and Nassau on JetBlue
  • Once-weekly flights between Los Angeles and Nassau on JetBlue
  • Thrice-weekly flights between Seattle and Nassau on Alaska Airlines
  • Four times weekly flights between Los Angeles and Nassau on Alaska Airlines
  • Daily flights between Miami and Nassau on Delta Air Lines

Flight Over Bahamas

Many of these new routes are launching in November and December, just in time for booking a winter getaway to the Bahamas.

Although Nassau is the most popular destination in the Bahamas for flights, travelers can also fly nonstop to Great Exuma from Atlanta, Miami, and Charlotte.

Lots Of Activities

The Bahamas is perfect for travelers looking for an active vacation.

Boats at anchor, Stocking Island, Bahamas

While it’s possible to simply sit around and relax on the beach, there are also tons of exciting activities to try in the Bahamas.

It’s one of the top destinations in the world for snorkeling and scuba diving. The Bahamas is known for its exceptionally clear water, and you can see colorful fish, coral, underwater caves, and even submerged wrecks as you explore beneath the surface.

A popular activity in the Bahamas is visiting Pig Beach in the Exumas, where you can observe wild pigs swimming in the warm water.

Pigs swimming on Pig Beach in Exumas, Bahamas.

You also can’t miss heading to a traditional Bahamian fish fry for some delicious local seafood.

Tons Of Islands To Choose From

There’s an island in the Bahamas to suit every type of traveler. With 30 inhabited islands, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Nassau, located on the island of New Providence, is where you’ll find the most all-inclusive resorts and tourist activities.

aerial view of buildings in the bahamas

Eleuthera is known for its pink beaches and for being a more low-key, laid-back island.

The Abacos are the best islands for fishing and boating enthusiasts, while Grand Bahama is a good choice for nature lovers, thanks to Lucayan National Park.

Winter Is The Best Season To Visit

Finally, winter is the best time of year to visit the Bahamas.

From December through April, you can expect warm, sunny weather with temperatures in the high seventies or low eighties.

people snorkeling in the bahamas

It’s more hot and humid in the summer and fall, plus the Bahamas falls within the hurricane belt, making storms a threat between early June and late November.

This makes winter the best time to visit. For the best deals, try to avoid traveling during holidays like Christmas and New Year’s, and even MLK Jr. Day in January and President’s Day in February since this is when many families can travel due to breaks from work and school.

Credit: Source link