Closest to the coast of Florida, the North Islands are easily accessible but much more relaxed than busier New Providence or Grand Bahama Island. Here, the sea stretches out over the horizon endlessly. Seagulls skim over bright blue waters, and then tarry along deep powder sand, troubled only by the occasional visitor.

Bimini is comprised of two larger islands, North and South Bimini, and a number of small sandy cays. Stop in for a drink at the bar frequented by Hemingway in Alice Town on North Bimini before setting sail for a day of sport fishing or wreck and dolphin diving.

Just east of Grand Bahama Island are the Abacos: the long lanky big island is ringed by sandy islets perfect for a picnic and swim if you anchor just off shore. Snorkel away the afternoon or, for another approach to sea life, fish from the shore for your dinner. Charters go further out for big game fish while landlubbers can watch ships sail by with the clouds from the comfort of white sugary sand pillows on Treasure Cay Beach or Hope Town Beach.

Due east from New Providence is the 110 mile-long island of Eleuthera, at it's widest not more than two miles, shore to shore. Not surprisingly, this island boasts soft stretches of beach and resplendent warm waters teeming with fish. Unique to Eleuthera and tiny neighbor Harbor Island however, are the pink sands that blush right up to the foamy surf. Explore the lighthouse by the rose-hued beach near Bannerman Town on Eleuthera or make the short trip by boat to Harbor Island to enjoy three-mile stretches of the cotton-candy soft-as- silk shore. With plenty of snorkeling and scuba opportunities around the wrecks and reef of Harbor Island, visitors have no excuse for spending all of their time basking on land.

The North Islands are east and north of New Providence, most easily accessed via Nassau.