Approximately 700 islands, spread over nearly 100,000 square miles of ocean, constitute The Bahamas. The term Out Islands (or Family Islands) refer to all of the islands except New Providence, home to Nassau and Paradise Island, and Grand Bahama, home to Freeport/Lucaya.

There are flights to all of the island centers from Nassau. It’s also possible to charter a plane, take a high-speed catamaran ferry, or hop aboard a chartered sailboat or motorboat. Home to the Bahamas capital of Nassau and the resort development of Paradise Island, New Providence Island is the most visited Bahamian island, thanks to its international airport and busy cruise ship dock. Freeport/Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island is a popular destination offering excellent golf courses including ones designed by Dick Wilson, Joe Lee and Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Grand Bahama Island is the headquarters of UNEXSO, the Underwater Explorers Society, providing numerous scuba opportunities. The Lucayan National Park offers such birds as flamingos, red legged thrushes and the rare Bahama parrot. The largest of the Bahamas’ islands, Andros, boasts freshwater creeks, lakes, mangrove swamps, and miles of unspoilt beaches. The island boasts the second-largest reef in the Western Hemisphere and fishing for bonefish is the island’s biggest tourist industry. The Berry Islands, home to Chub Cay and Billfish capital of The Bahamas. Bimini is a popular destination for first-rate big-game fishing. Inagua is home to more than 80,000 flamingos and other exotic birds. Long Island is known for broad beaches on its west coast and rocky cliffs on the east.

Cat Island's deserted beaches make for a total getaway. The Abacos and their string of cays are known for their sheltered waters and easy boating. The Exumas have a lot to offer both above and below the surface of the water. At the north end lies the astounding Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Great Exuma, in the south, is home to lodgings and restaurants and Stocking Island, with its untouched beaches separated by towering, rocky cliffs. Eleuthera is 100 miles long but just a few yards wide at some points. At the Glass Window Bridge, you can see the Bahama Bank on one side and the Atlantic on the other. Harbour Island offers good snorkeling and fishing on the bayside and is famous for a 3 mile pink sand beach.

AIRPORT/GATEWAYS:

Canadian Gateways: TBA
US Gateways: TBA
Other Gateways: Airport: Lynden Pindling International Airport - to Cable Beach - 10 minutes. To Downtown Nassau - 20 minutes. To Paradise Island - 30 minutes. Grand Bahama International Airport - to downtown - 5 minutes. To International Bazaar – 10 minutes. By Sea: Discovery Cruise Line - Operates a daily service between Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Grand Bahama Island. Imperial Majesty Cruise Line’s Regal Empress sails every two days between Ft. Lauderdale and Nassau. Gateways/Flying Times: To Nassau from London – 8 hours. Miami - 35 minutes. New York – 2.5 hours. San Francisco (via Miami) - 5 3/4 hours. Toronto – 3.5 hours.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly from Gatwick to Nassau (NAS). American Airlines, Continental, Delta and United all fly from the UK to Nassau via the US.

CLIMATE:

High 90, Low 78. Winter : High 75, Low 60. Average humidity 78. Average rainfall - Rain showers occur any time of the year, but rainy months are from May to October. Approximate sunrise - Summer: 0630 - 0700. Winter: 0630- 0700. Approximate sunset - Summer: 2000. Winter: 1730.

DINING:

Restaurants available - Local. American. Fast Food. Gourmet. Continental. French. Italian. Chinese. Japanese. Polynesian. Mexican. Caribbean. French. Greek. Mediterranean. Seafood. 15% service charge is usually added. Dress code is casual. Some restaurants may require slightly more formal attire.

NIGHTLIFE:

Entertainment available includes - Nightclubs. Discos. Casinos. Cabarets. Theatre. Cinema. Live music. Native shows.

SIGHTSEEING:

Abaco: Hope Town Light House. Wyannie Malone Museum. Albert Lowe Museum. Memorial Sculpture Garden. Exuma: Exuma Land and Sea Park. Stocking Island. Plantation ruins. Underwater caves. Eleuthera: Preacher’s Cave. Glass Window Bridge Ocean Hole. Harbour Island: Pink sand beaches. Grand Bahama: International Bazaar. Glass-bottom Boat. Port Lucaya. UNEXSO Dive Centre: The Dolphin Experience. Lucayan National Park. East End Adventures. Kayak tours. Nassau: Straw Market. Bay Street. Pompey Museum. Pirates of Nassau. Horse and carriage rides. Government House. Historical Forts. Ardastra Gardens. The Fish Fry At Arawak Cay. Queen’s Staircase. Water Tower. Walking Tours. Discover Atlantis.

WEDDING & DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR BAHAMAS

Application for License:

The couple must be in The Islands Of The Bahamas at the time of application for the marriage license.

Apostille
Many countries now require that official documents, such as international marriage certificates, be certified by the issuing country. In The Bahamas, this means that an Apostille (a special seal) is applied by the relevant authority to certify that a document is a true copy of an original. The Apostille can be made available to you within thirty days of the request. Your Wedding Planner or Marriage Officer will assist you in this regard.

Residency Period
Couples may apply a day after their arrival and can be married once they receive their approved license the day after application.

Divorced
If either party has been divorced, the original final decree or a certified copy must be produced. Where applicable, a translated, certified and notarized copy of the final decree must be produced.

Widowed
If either party is widowed, the original death certificate or certified copy must be produced. Where applicable, a translated, certified and notarized copy of the death certificate must be produced.

Single Persons
If either party is single and never been married before, a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a notary public or other person authorized to administer oaths in the country of residence. This document must accompany the application for the marriage license. This declaration can also be obtained in The Bahamas from an attorney-at-law or notary public.

Minors
Minors (under 18 years) may be married with both parents' consent. Consent forms for minors are available at the Registrar General's office.

Marrying in The Out Islands
Couples wishing to be married on The Out Islands (any island outside of New Providence and Grand Bahama) can obtain a Marriage License at the Administrator's Office on that island.

Proof of Identification and Residency
Both parties must produce a valid passport, birth certificate and photo ID. The parties must also produce evidence of the date of their arrival in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Immigration Card or entry stamp in your passport will suffice.

Blood Test
No blood test is necessary.

Fees:
The fee for a marriage license is $120 inclusive of one certified copy of a marriage certificate. Extra marriage certificates are available at $20 each.

Note: Marriage licenses are issued at the office of the Registrar General in Nassau. This office is open to the public Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Address: P.O. Box N-532
Nassau, The Bahamas
Phone: (242) 323-0594
(242) 323-0595, (242) 323-0597
Fax: (242) 322-5553, (242) 393-7908

Please Note: Wedding requirements above are for information purposes only and may be out of date as of this print. Only use this information on this page as a guideline, and for more current and up to date information, please contact the countries Consular Affairs, Embassy, or the countries Tourism Bureau.

You can also visit the Caribbean Travel website where they list all the Caribbean countries and Wedding/Honeymoon requirements.