CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The Exumas; Big Major Cay; ‘Chat ‘n’ Chill’, Stocking Island PICTURES: Shutterstock; The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation


June 2018. Turn left at Cartier and it’s easy to forget everything that lies just beyond its walls. The 237 ocean-view rooms, suites and beachfront villas – including a new one with six bedrooms – come in neutral tones and tactile fabrics, with a sophisticated beach-house feel and a strong sense of place, from the lobby’s hand-painted murals to local art in the rooms (doubles from $660, room-only). There’s also a mega-yacht for diving excursions, a pool that isn’t open to other Baha Mar guests, four restaurants – the latest is a gourmet Indian restaurant, a Nassau first – and a new kids’ club. This summer, the 150-room


Margaritaville Beach Resort and Marina will open as part of The Pointe complex, a mixed-use development that will include an entertainment centre and a water park. Both facilities will be open to cruise ship passengers, who will be able to walk there from the port.


64 9 JANUARY 2020


33The Exumas’ big draw may be Big Major Cay’s Instagram-worthy swimming pigs, but there’s far more to discover


CAPITAL CRUISING Nassau’s port and Prince George Wharf are set to benefit from a $250 million investment. The improvements will include a new cruise terminal, a state-of-the- art entertainment pavilion and a boardwalk that will take passengers directly into the downtown area. The Bahamas has also


signed agreements with Carnival Corporation for an $80 million expansion of private island cruise port Half Moon Cay, and a $100


million cruise port development in Freeport on Grand Bahama. Royal Caribbean’s private


island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, completes its phased opening at the end of this month, with the addition of South Beach, Coco Beach Club and the Floating Cabanas. Virgin Voyages, meanwhile, has unveiled plans for its Beach Club at Bimini, a seven-mile-long island that will be available only to passengers of Scarlet Lady, which launches later this year. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has also introduced its popular cruise-and-stay programme to Nassau. Cruises depart from West Palm Beach, and passengers can choose from a two or six-night stay at a participating resort, including SLS Baha Mar. From the end of March, British


Airways will increase the frequency of its direct service from Heathrow to Nassau to five times a week with the addition of a Tuesday flight.


There’s also a new daily direct Delta flight from Boston to Nassau until April 30.


ISND-HOPPING It’s possible to tie in Nassau with the Bahamas’ Out Islands by flying in to Nassau and out of Great Exuma or North Eleuthera airport – or vice versa – via the US with American Airlines. About 125 miles southeast of Nassau, the laid-back Exumas – Great Exuma, Little Exuma and the mostly uninhabited Exuma Cays (all 365 of them) – are the archetypal Bahamian paradise. The big draw may be Big Major Cay’s Instagram- worthy swimming pigs, but there’s far more to discover, such as sailing to castaway islands, where powder-soft beaches are lapped by impossibly turquoise water, wreck diving and snorkelling the Thunderball Grotto of James Bond fame. The largest resort is the couples-only Sandals Emerald Bay,


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