A unique journey into the islands' remarkable culture & wildness
Beyond the all-inclusive resorts, the Bahamas is truly wild at heart. This archipelago of more than 700 islands—of which only about 30 are inhabited—is home to blue holes and thick mangrove forests, coral reefs, and spectacular beaches. Discover the Bahamas’ wild side on a voyage to some of its most far-flung islands and hear an intriguing history of pirates, pilgrims, lost civilizations, and the slave trade. Snorkel with abundant sea life inwarm turquoise waters, explore waterways by kayak, and get introduced to the islands’ terrestrial flora and fauna on guided walks in nature reserves. Our exploration of these remote islands supports national park management as well as local conservation initiatives including habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and education to foster awareness of the incredible diversity of the Bahamas.Note: Some locations are pending government approval.
Snorkel little-known reefs and dazzling lagoons and explore the coasts and creeks of remote islands aboard a Zodiac
Kayak between the mangroves of Turtle Sound, spotting sea turtles and rich birdlife
Visit Conception Island National Park and see nesting boobies and other seabirds as well as wintering songbirds
Learn the evolution of Bahamian history and culture, from the native Lucayan people through European exploration to modern times.
Witness nature conservation in action on a visit to Eleuthera's innovative Island School
Share Bahamas Out Islands Adventure Travel | Lindblad Expeditions
Bahamas, New and Noteworthy
Day By Day
Beyond the all-inclusive resorts, the Bahamas is truly wild at heart. This archipelago of more than 700 islands—of which only about 30 are inhabited—is home to blue holes and thick mangrove forests, coral reefs and spectacular beaches. Discover the Bahamas’ wild side on a voyage to some of its most far-flung islands, and hear an intriguing history of pirates, pilgrims, lost civilizations, and the slave trade. Snorkel with abundant sea life in warm, turquoise waters, explore waterways by kayak, and get introduced to the islands’ terrestrial flora and fauna on guided walks in nature reserves.
Our activities support national park management as well as local conservation initiatives including habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring and education about the incredible biodiversity of the Bahamas. Some locations are pending government approval.
Day 1
George Town, The Exumas, Bahamas
Arrive into George Town on the island of Great Exuma, and transfer to the National Geographic Sea Lion. Settle into your cabin, and meet the crew as we set off this evening on our Bahamian adventure. (D)
Day 2
Crooked Island / Long Cay
This morning, we arrive at Crooked Island, anchoring near Long Cay. After breakfast, we’ll take Zodiacs to shore to kayak Turtle Sound, an aquamarine waterway that cuts deep into the island. The sound draws sea turtles in search of calm waters, and we may see them surfacing as we paddle. The mangroves at the water’s edge make for great birding opportunities as well. This afternoon, gear up for our first snorkeling excursion, watching for schools of amberjacks, wrasses, and maybe a sea turtle as we swim over the reefs off Crooked Island. (B,L,D)
Day 3
Acklins Island
Separated from Crooked Island by a three-mile wide channel, Acklins Island has been at different times in its history the haunt of pirates, an island of cotton plantations where enslaved people toiled, and, some say, an early stop on Christopher Columbus’s first voyage. This morning, walk across the island at its most narrow section and explore the fishing settlements on the lagoon side. After lunch on board, enjoy an afternoon of paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling. (B,L,D)
Day 4
Mayaguana
The easternmost island in the Bahamas, Mayaguana is the name given to the island by the original inhabitants of the Bahamas, the Lucayan people. On a morning walk on this rugged and remote island, learn about its history and the lost Lucayan culture. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as Bartsch’s iguanas, West Indian flamingoes, royal terns, and Wilson’s plovers. In the afternoon, return to the magical undersea, snorkeling amid an extraordinarily diverse population of reef fish including blue tangs and princess parrotfish. (B,L,D)
Day 5
Long Island
We’ll make our way back to the central islands of the Bahamas overnight and wake up in Long Island. Enjoy a full day of water activities here, including snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding in the vast lagoon that stretches along the island’s western coast. Take Zodiac cruises along the shore, stopping to explore when we find interesting wildlife or sites. (B,L,D)
Day 6
Eleuthera
Measuring 100 miles long but rarely more than two miles wide, Eleuthera is an island of pink sand beaches and wild landscapes. It was settled in 1648 by a group of Brits known as the “Eleutheran Adventurers” who were escaping religious persecution. Today, visit the innovative Island School, which uses a unique, hands-on approach to teach science, conservation, and sustainability to international and Bahamian high school students. After lunch on board, choose to go snorkeling or learn about the island’s terrestrial flora and fauna while walking the trails of Leon Levy Native Plant Reserve. (B,L,D)
Day 7
Conception Island
This morning, land on a white-sand beach on the northeast side of Conception Island, an uninhabited island that is now a national park. Set off on an easy hike, looking for tropicbirds and boobies that nest here, as well as many other bird species. The island is laced with creeks that we can access with our Zodiacs when conditions are right. Enjoy a final chance to snorkel in the rich waters surrounding Conception. This evening, toast our Bahamian adventure with a cocktail on the beach. (B,L,D)
Day 8
George Town, Exumas / Home
Disembark after breakfast and transfer to George Town Airport for your flight home. (B)
Book by October 31, 2022 to receive free roundtrip airfare from Miami to George Town on select departures. Complimentary air is based on economy group flights and must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions. In the case that Lindblad's group flight is not available at time of booking, we reserve the right to issue a credit. Baggage fees may be additional. New bookings only and not combinable with other offers or pre- or post-extensions. Call for details.
4TH GUEST TRAVELS FREE
Special Offers
4th person travels free on select 2022 departures. Book by October 31, 2022. Bookings of three full-paying guests may bring a fourth person for free. Offer applicable only on bookings of two double-occupancy cabins, and second cabin must be in same category or lower as first cabin. Valid on select departures, for new bookings only, subject to availability, not applicable on airfare or extensions, and is not combinable with other offers. Call for details.
COMBINING OFFERS
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Certain offers may be combinable, up to two savings opportunities, except where noted otherwise. For example, travel with a group of 8 or more on back-to-back expeditions, and take advantage of both savings.
TRAVELING AS A GROUP
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Save 5% when traveling as a group of 8 or more people. Take advantage of these great savings, while enjoying traveling with your friends and family. This savings is applicable to voyage fares only, and is not valid on extensions or airfare. Deposit, final payments, and cancellation policies for group travel vary from our regular policies.
BRINGING THE KIDS
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We believe sharing an expedition with your kids or grandkids is a life-enhancing experience. So take $500 off for each child under the age of 18.
BACK-TO-BACK SAVINGS
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Save 10% on any consecutive journeys taken on board one of our expedition ships. This savings is applicable on voyage fares only, and are not valid on extensions or airfare.
After another calm night at anchor on the Exuma Banks, we awoke to a light breeze and gentle seas. Wind and tide dictate all that we do, showing how intimately tied the Bahamian Islands are to the weather. As the sun broke through the distant cumulus clouds, the waters shone with a full spectrum of blues. Most everywhere we have been on this voyage has been in shallow waters, and we have the delight of seeing the seafloor during our travels. This gives us the privilege of peeking in on the lives of the fish, nurse sharks, coral, and other marine animals that are often obfuscated by more turbid waters. The weather obliging us thus far, it looked like a great day ahead. In the morning, we set out via kayak and Zodiac to explore a cut going through the whole of Shroud Cay. This winding channel drew us in with its beautiful waters, urging us further as its serpentine curves dictated our route. Red mangroves lined the sides as far as the eye could see. Yellow warblers sang from their branches, green sea turtles darted below us, and a lemon shark swam by in the shallow waters. Approaching the windward side of the island, we encountered the “washing machine,” a tidal cut where the channel meets Exuma Sound. Many of us hopped in the water, floating down this strong current before it deposited us safely on a sandbar. It was a delight to experience this natural playground and to cool off after a morning in the sun. In the afternoon, we spent time enjoying the pristine white sandy beaches offered by the Exumas Land and Sea Park. It was pleasant to relax, to take in the scenery and landscape around us, and to get lost in the gorgeous blue waters. Some of us took a walk up the eastside of the island as a few white-tailed tropicbirds circled overhead. These seabirds use small crevices in the limestone to nest, a feature that is plentiful in the Bahamas. From Camp Driftwood, we took in a view of the surrounding cays. We spotted Norman’s Cay, the site of a drug smuggling operation in the 70s and 80s. The DEA monitored the situation from Camp Driftwood. The Bahamas has a rich and diverse cultural history on top of its
captivating natural history. We returned to the ship for cocktail hour and dinner, a wonderful end to another incredible day in the Bahamas. We look forward to tomorrow with anticipation, knowing the Bahamas always delivers.
We spent quality time under and on top of the gorgeous Bahama blue water today. We headed out early to one of my favorite snorkel spots, and we spent the
afternoon exploring some of the iconic caverns and white sandy beaches famous
in the Bahamas.
Strong winds and choppy seas did not dampen the spirit of adventure for National Geographic Sea Lion guests as they ventured off to explore Compass Cay. The morning activities included hikes, interpretive walks, a Zodiac cruise, and a short kayak paddle in Bonefish Creek, a tidal creek that runs between the outer ridges of Compass Cay. The trail along the windward rocky shoreline ends at Rachel’s Bubble Bath, an inviting tidal pool that fills when waves crash onshore and spill over the rocks into the pool. A refreshing reward for our hikers on the long hike. On our hikes, we observed charismatic and photogenic northern curly-tailed lizards as well as Cerion snails attached to dry palm fronds and tree trunks. Silver thatch palms dominate the higher elevations, while the intertidal zone located at the interior of the island is home to red and black mangroves. We also observed many birds, including palm warblers, Bahama mockingbirds, bananaquits, green herons, ruddy turnstones, and ospreys. After another wonderful lunch, guests returned to Compass Cay by Zodiac across the many hues of blue Bahamian water, the clearest waters in the world. Snorkeling explorations led us along the limestone wall. Scattered rocks of various sizes, once part of the rock wall, have transformed over the years into beautiful miniature coral reefs. These reefs are home to a variety of juvenile fish, the tiny jewels of the reefs. Juvenile yellowtail damselfish, queen angelfish, and rock beauties were just a few of those spotted. We also observed green turtles resting on the seafloor. The stars of the day and the main attraction were the nurse sharks. Many years ago, Compass Cay was more of a rest stop and a place for fishing guides to clean their catch and buy refreshments. Nurse sharks in the area quickly learned they could find a sure meal. Since then, the owner made Compass Cay Marina a no fishing zone. As a result, numerous species of fish are seen. We enjoyed observing bonefish, bar jacks, blue runners, and nurse sharks, among others, as we snorkeled. Back on the ship, our tired and happy voyagers enjoyed cocktails and delicacies from the galley while learning a more about today’s activities. As the sun sets once again over the beautiful Bahamian waters, we eagerly await the start of a new day of adventure tomorrow.
Today we visited Warderick Wells Cay, the headquarters of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. This park, which covers a 176 square mile expanse, was established in 1958; it was the first of its kind in the entire world. The park is stewarded by the Bahamas National Trust. The trust is responsible for managing all national parks throughout the Bahamas. In the morning, we ventured off to Beryl’s Beach on Warderick Wells to snorkel the beautiful patch reefs located off its coast. Some guests ventured onto the trails behind the beach. They got to meet the charismatic northern curly-tailed lizards that dwell in the area. In the afternoon, we explored the island through two new lenses: kayaking and hiking! The hikers got a taste of the limestone landscape and coastal coppice ecosystems that characterize the Bahamas. They saw a variety of wildlife, including endemic mockingbirds and hutias. The kayakers leisurely cruised through the Bahama blue waters. They enjoyed sightings of triggerfish and nurse sharks.
Most of us know about the clarity of the vibrant blue waters before we visit the Bahamas. Seen from space, the water shines in the azure ocean, standing out dramatically from surrounding waters. Even with this knowledge, it is always a pleasant surprise to see the colors pop as the sun paints the sea around us each morning. As if the dawn light illuminating the sky isn’t enough, it then strikes the ocean. These famous blue waters glow dramatically. Before us lay Conception Island. As part of the Bahamas National Trust, this whole island and the surrounding waters are protected. Therefore, they offer glimpses of the area’s natural beauty. As we approached, flocks of white-tailed tropicbirds circled, giving testament to the fact that these protections benefit the region’s ecology. During the morning, we explored the beaches. We enjoyed close looks at mangroves and the iconic queen conch. Wading birds flew by, shorebirds shuffled over the flats, and migrating warblers bounced around the foliage. As we returned to National Geographic Sea Lion , a pair of bottlenose dolphins inspected the Zodiacs with curiosity. It was an exciting moment in the water. After a delicious lunch, we returned to the beach for a second round of activities. As we snorkeled through the mangroves, we encountered rays, turtles, and a variety of fish. Marine creatures utilize the valuable shelter provided in this ecosystem. While we explored via Zodiac, dozens of sea turtles jetted in channels, surprising all of us with just how fast a turtle can be. Oystercatchers and egrets flew about as we explored the winding streams, leading us to look closer at the nooks and corners of this expansive habitat. Our evening consisted of drinks and conversation with friends, presentations by our natural history staff, and an incredible dinner prepared by our galley team. We have all been looking forward to this trip, and day one proves that our expectations will be met.
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