As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Head to The Bahamas....Here are Four of the Destination’s Best Community-Led Experiences
London, 21 March 2022 – In line with The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be visiting The Bahamas from 24– 26 March as part of their Royal Tour of the Caribbean.
The royal couple will spend time across several Bahamian islands and experience a “Taste of The Bahamas” in a Grand Cultural event with performances by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band and a vibrant Junkanoo parade. The Duke and Duchess will also visit Coral Vita – winner of the Duke of Cambridge’s Earthshot Prize in 2021, in their first joint overseas tour since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With eight direct flights a week from the UK and a recent change in Covid testing requirements meaning travellers no longer need to test on day five of their trip, UK visitors are flocking back to Bahamian shores, with the island nation continuing its triumphant return to tourism.
To mark the royal visit, here are some of the best community-led experiences that tourists can take part in during their own tours of The Bahamas - providing an authentic taste and feel for Bahamian life.
The winner of the Duke of Cambridge's Earthshot Prize in 2021 for its sustainability efforts, Coral Vita is a research and education centre that is fast becoming a beloved tourist attraction. Coral Vita creates high-tech coral farms that incorporate breakthrough methods to restore reefs in the most effective way possible. The team partners with leading marine institutes, using techniques to grow coral up to 50x faster while boosting their resiliency against the warming and acidifying oceans that threaten their survival. Corals are then planted back into degraded reefs, bringing them back to life.
Visitors can adopt a coral to play their part in the fight against global warming or attend a tour which costs $15 (approximately £11.50) per person. coralvita.co
Junkanoo – Nassau and The Out Islands
From colourful costumes to exuberant dance routines, local Bahamians spend months preparing for the pageantry of this street parade that starts in the small hours and is accompanied by the pulsating sounds of goatskin drums, cowbells, horns, and whistles.
This celebration of Bahamian culture and history traditionally happens on Boxing Day, as well as New Year's Day - but Bahamians need no excuse for a party, so you can also witness the parade on many Saturdays throughout the summer and also as a part of other festivals on the islands, from the Goombay Summer Festival in June to multiple Junkanoo parades across the festive period.
The largest Junkanoo celebration takes place on Bay Street, in downtown Nassau, but Bahamians across the 16 islands also celebrate this joyful tradition. Junkanoo brings together people from all walks of life; anyone is welcome to participate.
Standing tickets are free but ticketed bleacher seats can be booked through the visitors’ hotel. bahamas.com/events/junkanoo
Lady Di’s Pineapple Fields – Eleuthera
Visitors to The Bahamas can take a tour with Diane Thompson – or Lady Di as she is affectionally known by the locals – who has been growing pineapples since she came to Eleuthera in 1974. The rich clay soil on the island of Eleuthera is what makes these pineapples so special – and so sweet that some people call them “sugar loaf”.
Pineapples are Eleuthera’s most well-known product and Lady Di works to keep this tradition alive with her daily routine. Having tended to the pineapples almost every day for 40 years, she knows everything there is to know about the soil they grow in and hopes to pass on her secrets to the next generation by encouraging young farmers to keep planting.
Lady Di’s Pineapple Tours are a perfect way to gain insight into traditional island life, as well as the opportunity to sample the delights of an Eleuthera pineapple, straight from the source. The tour costs $25 per person (approximately £19) for adults, $12 (approximately £9) for children aged 5-12 years and under 4s go free. bahamas.com/experiences/ladydi-eleuthera
People -to- People Experience – Nassau and Eleuthera
The People-to- People Experience pairs inquisitive travellers with local volunteers across 10 different islands with the aim of giving visitors an authentic taste of The Bahamas and a deeper connection with island residents. People-to- People Ambassadors include Lady Di who often host dinners for travellers looking to connect with the people in the places they are visiting. They serve up a traditional Bahamian feast – think fried fish, cracked conch and family-favourite Caribbean ‘johnny cakes’- inviting their family, friends and neighbours along to share.
The programme is free and visitors are matched with People- to- People Ambassadors according to a range of criteria, including age, occupation, hobbies and interests. bahamas.com/experiences/people-to-people-experience-nassau
Take your own tour of The Bahamas – 7-nights from £3,475pp at Rosewood Baha Mar
Stay at the luxurious Rosewood Baha Mar with Carrier from £3,475 per person. Includes direct flights from London to Nassau and 7 nights’ accommodation on a room only basis, based on two sharing. Private transfers and a meet and greet service included.
To book and for more information, please visit: carrier.co.uk/rosewood
ENDS
ABOUT THE BAHAMAS
With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy flyaway escape that transports travellers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating, birding, and nature-based activities, thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and pristine beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com, download the Islands of the Bahamas app or visit Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It’s Better in The Bahamas.
PRESS ENQUIRIES
Melissa Powell, Lucia Cappiello, Lucy Morson
FINN Partners
E: bahamas@finnpartners.com