If the Bahamas has been popping up on your travel wish list lately, I get it. 😍
The water is that blue. The beaches are gorgeous. There are incredible resorts, tons of things to do, and yes, you really can swim with pigs. 🐷
But before you start scrolling through all the resorts and wondering which one is actually right for you, there are a few things I think you should know.
Because the “best” Bahamas vacation looks very different for a family with young kids than it does for a couple celebrating an anniversary.
Let's find the Bahamas vacation that fits YOU.
Let's just get this out of the way.
The beaches and water in the Bahamas are gorgeous.
Think bright turquoise water, soft sandy beaches, snorkeling, boating, swimming, sandbars and plenty of opportunities to do absolutely nothing except stare at the ocean with a drink in your hand. 🍹
And Nassau and Paradise Island give you a nice combination of beautiful beaches and easy access to restaurants, shopping, excursions and plenty of resort amenities.
So whether you're an:
🏖️ “Put me on a beach and leave me alone” traveler
or
🚤 “I want to do ALL the things” traveler…
There's plenty to work with.
For a first Bahamas vacation, Nassau and Paradise Island can be a really convenient place to start.
You get the beautiful Caribbean setting without feeling like you're completely removed from civilization.
You can spend the day at the resort…
…and then go explore Nassau.
You can book a boat excursion.
You can go snorkeling.
You can visit the famous swimming pigs.
You can enjoy a nice dinner.
Or you can spend the entire day by the pool and call that a successful vacation. 😂
That's one of the things I like about this area: you can make the trip as relaxing or as active as you want.
Because I already know you're going to ask.
YES. You can actually swim with the pigs.
The famous swimming pigs are in the Exumas, and visiting them is typically part of a boat excursion.
And here's the fun part:
You don't necessarily have to stay in the Exumas to experience them.
There are excursions from Nassau that can take you out to the Exumas for the day.
So if you've been thinking:
“I want to go to the Bahamas, but I REALLY want to swim with the pigs…”
We can make that happen as part of your Nassau vacation. 🐷🌊
Nassau and Paradise Island can absolutely be a fantastic family destination.
But…
If you're traveling with young children and you're specifically looking for a traditional all-inclusive resort, your choices become very limited.
Several of the area's true all-inclusive resorts are adults-only or have minimum-age requirements that don't work for families with little ones.
So if your dream is:
“I want a 7-night, traditional all-inclusive Bahamas vacation with my 3- and 9-year-old…”
I want to have that conversation with you before you start shopping.
Because I may recommend a different destination if an all-inclusive is non-negotiable.
BUT — that does NOT mean the Bahamas is off the table for families.
There are some really fun family-friendly resort options. We just approach the vacation a little differently.
🐠 Atlantis Paradise Island
If your family wants a resort where there is a LOT to do, Atlantis is hard to ignore.
Think waterpark attractions, pools, marine experiences, beaches, restaurants and activities for different ages.
Atlantis is not a traditional all-inclusive resort, although dining package options are available.
For families, I'd look at the overall vacation cost and your family's dining habits before deciding whether a meal plan makes sense.
Best for: Families who want an action-packed resort experience.
🌊 Baha Mar
Baha Mar is another major family-friendly option in Nassau.
You've got multiple resort choices within the complex, tons of dining, pools, activities and access to Baha Bay waterpark.
There are also kids' programming options for younger travelers.
It's a great option for families who like having lots of choices without necessarily leaving the resort every day.
Best for: Families who want a big resort experience with lots of amenities and activities
🍹 Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau
Looking for something a little more casual and playful?
Margaritaville is another option I really like for families.
You've got pools, a lazy river, waterpark fun and kids' activities — plus you're close to downtown Nassau.
It isn't a traditional all-inclusive resort, although an All-In Dining Package is available for qualifying stays.
Best for: Families who want a fun, casual resort atmosphere and plenty of water activities.
My biggest piece of advice for families:
Don't start with the resort. Start with what you actually want your vacation to look like.
Do you want:
🌊 Waterpark + nonstop activities?
🏖️ Beautiful beach + relaxation?
🍽️ Lots of dining choices?
👧 A great setup for younger kids?
🚤 Excursions?
🍹 An all-inclusive experience?
Once I know that, I can help you figure out which resort — or even which destination — makes the most sense.
Well then, we have some different conversations to have. 😉
Nassau and Paradise Island have plenty of options for couples, anniversaries, honeymoons, girls' trips and adults looking for a relaxing getaway.
This is where adults-only resorts and upscale/luxury properties can make a lot more sense.
Want:
🥂 Adults-only?
💆♀️ Spa time?
🍽️ Amazing dining?
🏖️ Gorgeous beach?
🍹 Pool + cocktail + absolutely no one asking you for a snack?
We can work with that. 😂
And if an adults-only all-inclusive is what you're after, Nassau has more possibilities than it does for families with young children.
👨👩👧👦 THE FAMILY TRAVELER
You want a family-friendly resort, great pools, activities and plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Let's talk Atlantis, Baha Mar, Margaritaville and other family-friendly options.
💕 THE COUPLE
You're thinking romance, beautiful beaches, good food, cocktails and maybe an adults-only resort.
Let's talk about the options that fit your vibe.
🐷 THE ADVENTURER
You didn't come all this way just to sit at the pool.
You want snorkeling, boating, island adventures and THE PIGS.
Let's talk excursions.
🏖️ THE “I NEED A BEACH” TRAVELER
Your itinerary:
Beach.
Pool.
Drink.
Repeat.
Honestly? I support this.
✨ THE “GIVE ME THE GOOD STUFF” TRAVELER
You want luxury, beautiful accommodations, incredible dining and a trip that feels special.
Let's talk about the higher-end options and what you're actually getting for the investment.
One thing I always tell my clients:
Don't choose a Bahamas resort based on the room rate alone.
Depending on where you stay, you may also need to consider:
🍽️ Dining
🍹 Drinks
🎟️ Resort activities
🚤 Excursions
🚕 Transportation
💦 Waterpark access
…and all those little extras that can turn a “great deal” into a very different vacation total.
That's why I like to look at the whole vacation, not just the nightly rate.
Sometimes paying more for the right resort makes sense.
Sometimes a different resort makes more sense.
And sometimes…
the Bahamas simply isn't the best destination for what you're trying to accomplish.
That's okay too.
My job is to help you figure that out before you spend the money.
Whether you're dreaming about:
🏖️ Beautiful beaches
💦 Crystal-clear water
🐷 Swimming with pigs
👨👩👧👦 A family getaway
💕 A romantic escape
🍹 An adults-only vacation
🚤 Island adventures
✨ Or just a few days of doing absolutely nothing…
I'd love to help you figure out what your Bahamas vacation should actually look like.
Because there's no one-size-fits-all Bahamas vacation.
There's the right Bahamas vacation for YOU.
Ready to start planning?
When you work with me, you're not just picking a resort from a list.
I'll help you look at the destination, resort, room, dining options, activities and overall vacation experience and make sure we're choosing something that fits your travelers, your priorities and your budget.
And if I don't think the Bahamas is the right fit?
I'll tell you that, too.
That's part of my job. ❤️
These are just a few of the properties I’ve recently been working with. Your best fit may be different depending on your travel style, budget, ages of your travelers and what you want to do while you're there.
Looking for an adults-only, all-inclusive escape? This is a great option for couples and adults who want to keep things easy with meals, drinks, entertainment and a beautiful Paradise Island setting included.
Fun, casual and family-friendly, with pools, a lazy river, waterpark fun and easy access to downtown Nassau. A great option if you want plenty to do without committing to a traditional all-inclusive.
Perfect for families who want the full Atlantis experience, with access to the resort’s incredible water attractions, pools, beaches and marine experiences. A great choice when the resort itself is a big part of the vacation.