The Bahamas beaches mentioned below were part of a collection of eight idyllic strands featured by Caribbean Travel & Life magazine on the MSN Travel web site. The article, by Bob Friel, clearly shows why the Caribbean is the worldﾴs greatest beach destination. Many wonderful stretches of coast lie adjacent to the regionﾴs resorts, but the beaches featured in Mr. Friel’s excellent article are stripped down to their essence: sand and sea, usually with a sprinkling of palms to complete the fantasy.
“Itﾴs no coincidence that each is close to a coral reef ﾗ the main source of the dazzling white sand that sprinkles ashore as a sugar-soft treat for your toes. And the warm sea that bathes these shorelines is so clear that the blazing Caribbean sun hits the ocean floor nearly full strength, bouncing back to color the undersides of passing clouds with the same luminous turquoises, blues and greens that the water displays. You canﾴt drive to any of these spots, and you often have them to yourself. Best of all, if you havenﾴt seen them yet, thereﾴs still time: Nearly all are protected as national parks so theyﾴll remain just as beautiful for generations to come.”
Read the entire article at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7818136/
Tahiti Beach
Even though Tahiti Beach shares Elbow Cay with quaint and popular Hope Town, its secluded location at the southwestern tip of the island ﾗ and the fact that no road leads to the sand ﾗ ensures that it remains an uncrowded dream beach. Tahiti owes its South Seas moniker to the enchanted Bali Hai feel of otherworldly isolation, background of lush palms and view of Great Abaco. Visitors staying in Hope Town or who ferry over from the other Abacos hike or bike out to the beach, while those taking advantage of the island chainﾴs ideal cruising grounds motor over in their dinghies. Bonefish feed in the shallows, which wrap around tide-rippled sandbars ﾗ ideal for strolling and sunning ﾗ that reach into the Sea of Abaco.
Where To Stay Nearby: The Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour (800-468-4799; www.abacoresort.com) has 82 rooms, suites and villas with balconies or terraces, and an international-cuisine restaurant.
The Bahama Beach Club (800-563-0014; www.bahamabeachclub.com) features 19 fully equipped two- to four-bedroom condos and use of the Treasure Cay Hotel Resortﾴs amenities.
The Banyan Beach Club (888-625-3060; www.banyanbeach.com) has one-, two- and three-bedroom condos with patios or balconies.
The Lofty Fig Villas (242-367-2681; www.go-abacos.com) offers six cottages with private porches.
The 1,500-acre Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina (800-327-1584; www.treasurecay.com) offers 87 rooms and suites. Golf, tennis and fishing are available.
Conception Island
Only sailors and scuba divers who set out on either liveaboards or long-range day boats know of Conception Island, one of the Bahamasﾴ far-out Out Islands dotting the eastern reaches of the archipelago. The sheer coral wall here is one of the most dramatic underwater sights in the world, and the two long pristine beaches not only serve as reward for those humans who make it here, but also as a prime nesting area for endangered sea turtles. The whole island, as well as neighboring Booby Cay, is protected as a national park, providing rookeries for sea birds and sanctuary for migrating species. The water surrounding Conception is about as clean and clear as it gets, and the snorkeling is superb.
Where To Stay Nearby: The Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort (800-663-7090; www.capesantamaria.com) has 20 villas on four miles of undeveloped beach.
Caribbean Travel & Life is the magazine for anyone in search of the perfect tropical getaway. Each issue presents expert insiderﾴs advice on where to find the Caribbeanﾴs best beaches and attractions, its finest resorts and spas, liveliest beach bars and activities, and its friendliest people.
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Bob Friel
Caribbean Travel & Life
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