The Bahamas is a 700-island archipelago steeped in pirate lore, Loyalist history, and turquoise water so clear it looks backlit. Nassau, the capital on New Providence Island, pulses with pastel architecture, rum-soaked stories, and a shoreline of soft-sand beaches. Just to the northeast, Harbour Island (off Eleuthera) whispers a slower rhythm—golf carts, bougainvillea, and that famous Pink Sands Beach.

Across the islands, you’ll find coral reefs teeming with parrotfish, sea turtles gliding through lagoons, and day trips that deliver headline moments—from the world-renowned swimming pigs to sandbars that appear with the tide. Food is a throughline: cracked conch, guava duff, johnnycakes, and Bahamian mac-and-cheese at humble fish shacks and refined resort restaurants alike.

Practical notes: The Bahamian dollar is on par with USD, and both are widely accepted. Outlets are US-style 120V. Taxis and hotel shuttles are common; scooters and left-lane driving are available to the confident. Peak season runs December–April; hurricane season spans June–November—check advisories and book key tours ahead.

Nassau

Nassau blends colonial landmarks and beach life with a dash of pirate mischief. Climb the Queen’s Staircase, step into the old stone forts, and wander Bay Street’s pastel storefronts before cooling off at Cable Beach or Cabbage Beach. Evenings hum with steel drums, rum cocktails, and heaping plates of conch at the Fish Fry.

• Top sights: Queen’s Staircase, Fort Fincastle, Government House, John Watling’s Distillery, The Cloisters on Paradise Island, Cable Beach, Junkanoo Beach.
• Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO (Nassau) or compare hotels on Hotels.com (Nassau). For beach access, look near Cable Beach or Paradise Island; for walkable history, choose downtown/West Bay Street.
• Getting there: Fly into Lynden Pindling International (NAS). Browse fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Flight times: Miami ~50 minutes; New York ~3 hours; Toronto ~3 hours.
• Coffee & breakfast: Louis & Steen’s (New Orleans–style coffee and beignets, great cold brew), Café Madeleine at Baha Mar (French pastries), The Coffee Bar at Graycliff (espresso plus cigar-and-chocolate heritage nearby).
• Casual eats: Bahamian Cookin’ (home-style peas ‘n’ rice, stewed fish), Athena Café (Greek-Bahamian, conch fritters with lemony tzatziki), Tiki Bikini Hut on Junkanoo Beach (frozen drinks, grilled seafood).
• Dinner & drinks: Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House (Caribbean flavors through a fine-dining lens), Shima at The Island House (Southeast Asian rooftop, sunset views), Sapodilla (romantic garden setting), Nobu at Atlantis (iconic sushi). Cocktails at Bon Vivants (craft, tropical classics) or Pirate Republic Brewing (Bahamas’ microbrew—try the Island Pirate Ale).

Day 1: Arrival in Nassau, Beach Time, and Sundown Flavor

Morning: Travel day. If you’re still booking, compare flight times and fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, aiming to land by early afternoon.

Afternoon: Arrive at NAS, taxi 15–25 minutes to your hotel. Drop bags and unwind on Cable Beach—calm water, soft sand, and an easy swim. Grab a frosty sky-juice or pineapple daiquiri at Daiquiri Shack, then stroll the shoreline.

Evening: Dinner at Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House—order the peppery conch chowder and whole snapper. Nightcap at Bon Vivants, where the menu riffs on Caribbean botanicals. Prefer water views? Consider a sunset sail-and-dine.

Nassau Sunset Dinner Cruise: Glide past Paradise Island as the sky shifts to coral and lavender; a relaxed way to meet Nassau by sea.

Day 2: Old Nassau, Forts, and the Fish Fry

Morning: Fuel up with iced lattes and guava pastries at Café Madeleine, then walk Bay Street’s pastel blocks. Climb the 66-step Queen’s Staircase, tour Fort Fincastle, and stop at John Watling’s Distillery for a tasting in a 1700s estate—smooth amber rum, shaded verandas, and a whiff of pirate history.

Afternoon: Lunch at Bahamian Cookin’—try cracked conch with mac-and-cheese and a hint of goat pepper. If you want wheels and a guide to hit more ground, book this small-group ride:

ATV Half Day City Tour in Nassau: See forts, beaches, and neighborhoods with tastings along the way—equal parts sightseeing and snacking.

Evening: Head to Arawak Cay’s Fish Fry. Twin Brothers is a go-to for conch salad chopped fresh with lime; pair it with Kalik beer. End with a tasting flight at Pirate Republic Brewing near the cruise pier or rooftop views at SLS Baha Mar’s Skybar.

Day 3: Private-Island Chill—Pearl Island with Lunch (Full Day)

Pearl Island Bahamas Beach Escape with Lunch: Ferry over to a tiny cay for a day of kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling the house reef, and lazy time on two beaches. Climb the lighthouse for panoramic blues; lunch is classic Bahamian (think BBQ chicken or fish with peas ‘n’ rice). Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and water shoes if you like tidepool exploring.

Day 4: Exuma Cays Island-Hopping & Swimming Pigs (Full Day)

Exuma Island Hopping & Swimming Pigs Tour (from Nassau): This is the postcard day—cruising over water like blown glass, snorkeling a reef, wading on a sandbar, and meeting the famous pigs in gin-clear shallows. Expect an early start, a breezy ride, and a casual island lunch. Pack a light cover-up, sunglasses with a strap, and a drybag for your phone.

Harbour Island (Dunmore Town)

Harbour Island is soft color and softer pace—flower-draped cottages, narrow lanes navigated by golf cart, and a 3-mile strand of pink-tinted sand that blushes at sunrise. Dunmore Town preserves Loyalist-era charm with white pickets and wraparound porches.

• Why go: Pink Sands Beach, boutique inns, mellow snorkeling, and a food scene that punches above its size.
• Where to stay: Browse cottages and villas on VRBO (Harbour Island) or check boutique hotels via Hotels.com (Harbour Island). Staying near Dunmore Town puts cafés and the bay at your doorstep.
• Getting there from Nassau: Fast ferry ~2 hr 45 min (morning departures; check schedules), or fly Nassau to North Eleuthera (ELH) ~20 minutes, then 10-minute taxi + 10-minute water taxi to Harbour Island. Expect ~$120–$200 one-way for flights; water taxi ~$5 per person. Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Eats & sips: The Landing (Bahamian-Mediterranean, famous ricotta hotcakes at breakfast; peppery tuna tartare at dinner), The Dunmore’s Blue Bar (grilled lobster club and ocean views), Queen Conch (made-to-order conch salad right by the bay), Rock House (romantic courtyard, fresh snapper), Cocoa Coffee House (espresso, smoothies, quick bites). After dark, try Gusty’s for music and a sandy-floor bar vibe.

Day 5: Nassau to Harbour Island + Pink Sands Bliss

Morning: Depart Nassau. Fast ferry (~2 hr 45 min) or a short flight to ELH (~20 minutes) plus a quick water taxi to Dunmore Town. For flights, compare times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Check in and rent a golf cart (~$55–$70/day) to roam.

Afternoon: Hit Pink Sands Beach. The powdered-coral hue is subtle at midday and glows near sunset. Snorkel the nearshore reef on a calm day. For lunch, order a lobster quesadilla and a hibiscus cooler at Sip Sip (seasonal) or the grilled-fish sandwich at The Dunmore’s Blue Bar.

Evening: Watch the sky fade at Romora Bay Marina, then dine at The Landing—start with conch ceviche, follow with grilled local grouper and roasted plantains. Nightcap along Bay Street or an easy stroll under a blaze of stars.

Day 6: Explore Eleuthera’s North Coast or Boat & Sandbar Day

Morning: Espresso and banana bread at Cocoa Coffee House, then a golf-cart loop past pastel cottages to the Lone Tree (a photogenic driftwood landmark) and the old chapel. Pick up a sun hat at a local boutique.

Afternoon: Option 1: Water taxi to Eleuthera and taxi to Glass Window Bridge—where the deep-blue Atlantic meets the aquamarine Bight of Eleuthera in a dramatic seam. Nearby, the Queen’s Bath tide pools glow on a low-tide day; ask about conditions. Option 2: Join a local boat for a half-day around Man Island and sandbars—gentle snorkeling, starfish spotting, and beachcombing.

Evening: Dinner at Rock House—think jerk-seasoned prawns, citrus slaw, and rum-laced desserts. For a lively finish, drop into Gusty’s for music and a late-night Kalik.

Day 7: Back to Nassau + Last Swim and Souvenirs

Morning: Return to Nassau by ferry or ELH flight (aim for a morning departure; flight time ~20 minutes plus transfers). Brunch on arrival at Louis & Steen’s (shrimp and grits, chicory coffee) or Café Madeleine for croque monsieur and pastries.

Afternoon: Take a final dip at Junkanoo Beach or browse the Straw Market for handwoven baskets and woodcarvings. Transfer to NAS for your afternoon flight.

Optional add-ons if you extend: Atlantis waterpark day, parasailing over Cabbage Beach, or a sip-and-sail catamaran. If you prefer more boat time in Nassau, consider this relaxed sail with reef stop and pig visit near Rose Island:

Alternative activity idea: Luxury Catamaran Cruise: Sip, Sail, Snorkel, and Swim with Pigs!

Wherever you base yourself, book popular excursions several days ahead, carry reef-safe sunscreen, and keep small cash on hand for taxis, tips, and water taxis. With this plan, you’ll balance history, flavor, lazy beaches, and signature Bahamas experiences without rushing.

Summary: In one week you’ll roam historic Nassau, unwind on a private island, hop out to the Exumas for the famed swimming pigs, and sink into Harbour Island’s pink sands. Expect easy logistics, memorable meals, and water in more shades of blue than you thought existed—an island-to-island rhythm you’ll want to repeat.