Things to do in the Bahamas

Upscale, sun-drenched and turquoise blue, that's the Bahamas in a coconut shell. When travellers think 'Bahamas, they might picture Nassau or maybe Grand Bahama Island, but the Bahamas is actually an archipelago of some 700 islands, offering everything from deserted cays to 5-star resorts with plenty of glitz and splash. With

Atlantis Resort

Speaking of splash, it's hard not to mention Atlantis Resort, the very splashy resort on Nassau (which is really New Providence Island) - and one of the first things to consider when you're casting around for things to do in the Bahamas. The mega resort of Atlantis has the best water park and lazy river ever (I have a thing for lazy rivers, probably because I'm lazy), a swanky casino where Yours Truly won $250, 21 restaurants and - not least - the terrifying Mayan Temple's Leap of Faith waterslide. Did I try it, you ask? That would be a no.

Things to do in the Bahamas besides visiting Atlantis

But let's look at some of the quiet islands, the ones pirates and smugglers would feel comfortable calling home. If you're searching for things to do in the Bahamas that go beyond the tropical drinks of Nassau here are a few of the top picks:

• Dive into the eerie and irresistible blue holes of Andros
• Go after big game fishing off the coast of Bimini à la Earnest Hemingway
• Relax on the pink sand beaches of Eleuthera
• Dive to the wrecks along the Devil's Backbone
• Cruise the pristine waters of the protected marine park Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
• Kayak through the mangroves in Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island
• Explore some colonial history on Harbour Island

There are plenty of other things to do in the Bahamas: like going to a traditional Bahamian fish fry, get down to some impossible-not-to-dance-to Caribbean music, strolling along sugar-soft beaches and escaping winter at a deluxe hotels - it all adds up to one heck of an island getaway, whether you stay or stray from Atlantis.