Ecotourism In The Bahamas

When it comes to nature, The Bahamas has some of the most intriguing, exotic, and mysterious natural phenomena on the planet: the world's deepest blue hole, third-largest fringing barrier reef, and largest colony of pink flamingos. Nature preserves protect the endangered Bahama Parrot and several species of endangered iguanas.

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Note: Flights available only on Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Note: Flights available only on Monday & Friday

If you like Ecotourism, you might want to visit:

Featured Properties

Compass Cay Marina & Resort

The Exumas

The natural setting at Compass Cay offers privacy and a choice of views from the villas.

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Highbourne Cay

The Exumas

Highbourne Cay is known world-wide as the gateway to the ultimate ephemeral islands – The Exuma Cays. Uniquely, the privately owned island welcomes yachtsmen and guests to its first-class marina and luxury cottages.

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Nettie’s Place Hotel & Cultural Centre

Nassau & Paradise Island

Our 30-room Bahamian-themed boutique hotel is nestled amongst the mega resorts and luxury homes of prestigious Cable Beach, conveniently located five miles from the Lynden Pindling Airport and five miles from downtown Nassau.

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Bahamas Map

Ecotourism

Ragged Island

Ecotourism is very important to the community on this quaint, nine-square-mile island. The local government has established a program to enhance the natural environment, providing trees for residents to plant and nurture, which help to provide habitats for more than 21 bird species. During the Summer months, you'll find flocks of birds on the mainland at Gun Point and on several of the surrounding cays, such as Hog Cay, Johnson Cay, and Maycock Cay. They include various sea and shore birds like the Great Egrets, Reddish Egrets, Wilson’s Plovers, and Least Sandpipers. Butterflies migrate to the island in Spring during March and in Summer during August, which are ideal months for butterfly lovers to visit. And, while you're hiking around the island, you can see herds of wild goats roaming at Gun Point and near the airport in Duncan Town. Offshore coral reefs are great for snorkeling and kayaking to view the many marine species here, including turtles and colorful fish.

Bimini

Bimini consists of a small cluster of islands with an abundance of marine diversity, including sharks, which are protected under Bahamian Law. The marine habitats found here include semi-enclosed shallow flats bordered by mangroves, harbor channels, and coral reefs. You will want to visit the Bimini Biological Field Station, a shark lab/research station that studies the role of the lemon shark, and learn about wild dolphins through the Bimini Dolphin Communication Project and interact with them in the wild. Naturally occurring phenomena not found anywhere else in The Bahamas include: the fabled Fountain of Youth that drew Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon here; the Healing Hole fresh-water springs that gurgle from a saltwater swamp at Bonefish Creek; the Shark Mound (500 feet long and 10 feet high) and several other creature-shaped mounds that were naturally formed from the sand. Plus, the Bimini Boa is only found here.

Rum Cay

The salt pond near Port Nelson on Rum Cay is a protected ecosystem and home to much of the marine life here—baby turtles, lobsters, groupers and others. The natural barriers of the salt pond provide a safe area for the young sea creatures to grow before they find their way to the ocean. You are likely to see flocks of marine birds overhead and glimpse other species throughout the island on most days. Conception Island National Park, located to the north of Rum Cay, is an important sanctuary for migratory birds, in addition to a rookery for nesting seabirds. Tours can be arranged to visit the island through local fishing guides. The Cay also offers great snorkeling just offshore. There are massive coral walls reaching up to 60 feet tall, plus the wreck of the 101-gun warship HMS Conqueror. Built in Devon, England, in 1855, it was lost on Sumner Point Reef on December 13, 1861. It now serves as an underwater museum protected and preserved by the Bahamas Government.

Mayaguana

If you are a nature lover, you'll want to explore Black Wood Point, at the northeastern tip of upper Pirate’s Well. It is one of the natural habitats for flamingos, National Bird of The Bahamas, and a variety of other bird species. It is also a breeding ground for conch and most of the indigenous fish. An escorted boating tour is the best way to see them, because of the sharp rocks along the shoreline. Numerous birds also roost in the buttonwood trees and native shrubs at Curtis Creek near North Beach, and on the nature trails at Northwest Point. Nesting sea turtles can be found throughout the undeveloped eastern part of the island. The critically endangered Bahama Rock Iguana, wild goats, and Brown booby birds inhabit Booby Cay and Booby Rocks, which have both been designated 'Important Bird Areas', supporting a range of other seabirds such as the White-tailed Tropicbird, Brown Pelicans, Masked Booby, Royal Terns, White-crowned Pigeons, shorebirds, ducks, herons, and egrets.

San Salvador

San Salvador is a gem for nature seekers, with a habitat that consists mainly of dunes and pristine lakes. Five areas of ecological importance have been designated national parks. The Southern Great Lake National Park, covering most of the island's interior, protects the large mangrove system, home to nesting sea birds and iguanas. Graham’s Harbour Iguana and Seabird National Park was recognized as a Key Biodiversity Area to protect iguanas, healthy reef systems and seagrass beds, and the highest diversity of seabirds in The Bahamas. Pigeon Creek and Snow Bay National Park supports the fisheries stocks. West Coast Marine Park protects the coral wall and large coral reef system. Green’s Bay National Park supports the seagrass beds and endangered iguanas on small offshore cays, like Low Cay, which has been chosen as a site for scientific study of them. You can take a guided nature tour by boat and see giant cactus, palm trees, and mangrove swamps teeming with a variety of wildlife.

The Berry Islands

The Berry Islands chain represents one of the 22 bank systems of the Bahamian archipelago, essential fish habitats comprising juvenile nurseries, foraging and sheltering grounds. The 12,000-feet Tongue of the Ocean surrounds the southern cays, offering a large variety of marine life that makes these islands great for marine eco-tours. Three blue holes here include one on Chub Cay that is part of the Southern Berry Islands Marine Reserve, an ecologically sensitive area, and one on Hoffman Cay, whose only living inhabitants are said to be oysters. There are also hundreds of acres of fertile black and red mangrove shrub wetlands, which support a variety of bird life. One of the private islands, Little Whale Cay, was originally developed as a residence and bird sanctuary by Wall Street mogul, Wallace Groves, in the 1930s. It has become a lush paradise for numerous birds, including the endangered West Indian Whistling Duck and the Bahama Woodstar, which can be traced back to Groves' original collection.

Long Island

Long Island is very eco-friendly, endowed with natural beauty and charm that provides endless opportunities to experience nature hikes, nature walks, and eco-marine activities. It is home to the world famous Dean’s Blue Hole, deepest blue hole in the world and the second largest underwater chamber. It is a great spot to snorkel and revel in some of the best underwater sights, if you are a strong diver. A small flock of flamingos migrated from Inagua to Long Island a few years ago and made their home at the southern tip of the island. Large numbers of the endangered West Indian Whistling Duck can also be found here. They inhabit secluded mangroves and other wetland areas and sightings are rare, due to their secretive nocturnal nature. Other species of waterfowl can be seen along the shorelines, and migratory and indigenous species roost in hardwood trees. Eco-tours are available to visit Sandy Cay and feed the iguanas, explore starfish beds, or spot dolphins in the wild.

Freeport

Freeport is a true nature-lover’s paradise, when you venture outside of the urban areas. It offers a variety of Ecotourism options, including three national parks. Offshore Peterson Cay is the smallest and only accessible by boat. At the Lucayan National Park, you can see all six of The Bahamas’ ecosystems (the only place in the country), in a relatively untouched state, plus intriguing underwater caves. The second highest number of endemic bird species are found there, in addition to numerous migrating and specialty birds. You'll see many of them while exploring the Rand Nature Center, which is also home to numerous Bahamian plants that early inhabitants used in their daily lives. Be sure to contact one of the island's Eco-tour providers to get up close to the natural wonders, by birdwatching, kayaking through mangroves, snorkeling the reefs, horseback riding through the pine forest, or trekking on the nature trails.

Eleuthera & Harbour Island

Eleuthera is a nature-lover’s paradise, offering many fascinating ecological sites to explore: the famous Glass Window Bridge, the world-renowned 'Ocean Hole' blue hole, the 'Boiling Hole' blue hole, the natural pools at 'The Queen’s Bath', and interesting caves like Boiling Hole Cave, Hatchet Bay Cave, and Preacher’s Cave. You'll see a variety of Bahamian specialty and migratory birds throughout the islands, including the Bahama Mockingbird, Bahama Woodstar, Bananaquit, Black-faced Grassquit, Great Lizard-Cuckoo, Greater Antillean Bullfinch, Kirkland's Warbler, La Sagra's Flycatcher, Limpkin, Stripe-headed Tanager, Thick-billed Vireo, White-cheeked Pintail, Zenaida Dove, and Western Spindalis. The one-of-a-kind, 25-acre Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, designed as a research center for traditional bush medicine, a facility of indigenous plants and trees, and an educational center, is home to a large variety of native flora and fauna.

Cat Island

Remote Cat Island has a stunning, relatively untouched environment, perfect for nature enthusiasts. Secluded wetlands, tidal flats, beaches, broadleaf coppice, hardwood and palm trees, provide appealing habitats for numerous migratory and indigenous bird species. Songbirds hide in bushes, small numbers of the endangered West Indian whistling duck live in wetlands, and mangroves around the “Boiling Hole” are home to a variety of other waterfowl. Natural wonders include Orange Creek, which gets its color from a perfect alignment of the sun, wind, and waves; two deep inland blue holes that are home to species of shrimp and fish with no eyes; and nearby Griffin Bat Cave, where you can view numerous bats in their natural environment. Guides can help you discover all of these treasures and take you along nature trails to learn about the plants used for “bush tea,” sap used as chewing gum, and glue used for paper.

Acklins & Crooked Island

Turtle Sound, Thompson Creek, and Atwood Creek are inland habitats for marine birds on Crooked Island, in addition to French Wells, the cliffs, and the 50-mile offshore barrier reef. Regular bird sightings include Flamingos, Caribbean Parrots, White-tailed Tropicbirds, Zenaida Doves, Thick-billed Vireos, Audubon’s Shearwater, Sooty Terns, Bridled Terns, Brown Noddy, Bananaquits, Hummingbirds, Mockingbirds, White-crown Pigeons, Ospreys, Egrets, Herons, plus Bahamian endemic bird species, the Bahama Woodstar and the Bahama Mockingbird. There are also 28 sub-species of endemic butterflies here. The ruins at Great Hope House and Marine Farm are now preserved as National Parks, providing a glimpse into the island's rich history. Acklins offers “Tarpon Hole,” a blue hole where tarpon fish breed, iguanas and other exotic wildlife, plus some lovely rare orchids. Nearby Samana Cay, surrounded by coral reefs, is a perfect site for snorkeling and kayaking to view the area’s marine species.

Andros

Known as the Ecotourism destination of The Bahamas, Andros' abundant natural resources make it a conservation priority for many organizations. The residents also value their environment; each year, they dedicate the month of October to pay homage. Among Andros' jewels are the Westside National Park, the largest in the country and a nursery for numerous marine and wildlife species; the most blue holes in the Western Hemisphere, prompting many explorations of those unique geological formations; the world's third largest fringing barrier reef; and the Caribbean Pine Forest, an important feeding, breeding, and nesting habitat for resident and migratory birds. The island is a birdwatcher's paradise, with rare species like the endemic Bahama Oriole, only found here. Winding creeks and wetlands hide protected wildlife, including the Andros iguana, along with 20 varieties of wild orchids and land crabs. Guided tours will help you discover these and other memorable sights.

The Abacos

The Abacos are one of four areas in The Bahamas where forests of Caribbean Pine Trees can be found. The trees were once logged for pulpwood and are now being researched for more sustainable logging.

The Exumas

Exuma is home to two extensive national parks. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea National Park is an ecological preserve and wildlife refuge, where you can feed the endangered Bahamian iguanas or catch a glimpse of the elusive hutia with the assistance of one of the professional guides. The marine environs of Moriah Harbour Cay National Park are a vital part of the ecosystem between Great Exuma and Little Exuma. It has a variety of bird life and its mangroves help protect the marine life that sustains the local fishing industry. Other ecological wonders in Exuma include the phenomenal sandbars peering from the shallow waters at low tide, Thunderball Grotto, where you can swim through a large rock and then see the sky, the Blow Hole at Boise Cay with a 10-foot geyser, and Dripping Cave at Guana Cay, with stalactites and stalagmites and no obvious source for where the dripping water is coming from.

Inagua

Inagua is an ideal destination for travelers interested in ecotourism. It has three important areas that are part of the Bahamas National Park System. The Inagua National Park on Great Inagua (half of the island’s land area) is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of West Indian Flamingos, National Bird of The Bahamas; endangered Bahama Parrot nesting sites; and the largest lake in The Bahamas, Lake Rosa. It is also an important breeding area for many other birds: the endemic Inagua Woodstar, Spoonbills, White-cheek Pintails, Reddish Egrets, Tri-colored Herons, Burrowing Owls, Ospreys, and Inagua Terrapins. Little Inagua, a land and sea park, is the largest uninhabited island in the wider Caribbean and a nesting site for critically endangered sea turtle species. Union Creek National Reserve is an enclosed tidal creek, where scientists have studied the endangered Green Turtle since 1965.

Nassau & Paradise Island

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Nassau, there are four national parks, plus blue holes, caves, and lakes to be enjoyed and explored. They offer a wide variety of activities for the nature enthusiast, including nature walks, kayaking, and birdwatching. The national parks protect one of the largest collection of rare and exotic palms, and include a mangrove system with juvenile marine life, freshwater wetlands, unique limestone caverns, and a hardwood forest. You'll find a large concentration of waterbirds, and a variety of other birds such as Egrets, Herons, Ibises, Belted Kingfishers, White-crowned Pigeons, Gray Kingbirds (summer months), Red-legged Thrush, Loggerhead Kingbirds, Black-faced Grassquits, Bananaquits and Warblers (winter months). And, for a more up-close encounter, watch the Flamingos march at the Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre.