‘I visited the Bahamas hotspot that’s a hit with celebrities – and it’s picture-perfect’

As part of the Bahamas’ 50th Independence celebrations, I took a trip across two of the islands and soon discovered why they are known as one of the most beautiful countries in the world

I visited the celebrity neighborhood in the Bahamas

An explosion of yellow, blue and black – the colors of the country’s flag – covers the Bahamian capital, Nassau. Music fills my ears as throngs of people try to catch a glimpse of the dancers and musicians taking part in the Junkanoo Parade.

Incredibly, it all happens at 2am and it seems every single Bahamian (there are 399,314) have turned out to celebrate the country’s 50th year of independence. I feel completely at home in this theater of pure joy.

But the Golden Jubilee Carnival is just a fraction of what this beautiful archipelagic country between Florida and Cuba has to offer.

My journey through paradise had begun in Great Exuma – the largest of the 365 Exuma Islands in the Bahamas – a half hour flight from the international airport near Nassau.

I’m staying at Sandals’ Emerald Bay Resort in a room that has a spectacular view of the beach. I even have a butler that I can call on my personal hotel phone.

It’s just the enticing ocean—whose colors are so vivid you can even see them from space—that compels me to leave the resort.

An explosion of colors at the 50th Independence Mardi Gras in Nassau(SUPPLIED)

My group decides to board a boat chartered by Exuma Water Sports to experience this slice of heaven first hand. Within minutes, we’re greeted by a mirage of colors that act like a permanent Instagram filter.

Guide Justin shows us a lonely beach in Moriah Cay as we pass by. “We hosted a private party for Taylor Swift and her wife there,” he says.

We stop at a spectacular sandbar – a permanent strip of sand in the middle of the sea. The flat waves lap around my feet and I feel like I’m walking on water. A short drive further, we take a stroll across a tiny island to discover a “secret” postcard beach. Powdery white sand seemingly never touched by human feet greets me.

Make a stop at the spectacular sandbar(SUPPLIED)

I dive into impossibly warm water that is so clear I can certainly see every grain of sand on the bottom. All the frolicking in paradise whets the appetite, so my group grabs a bite to eat at Stocking Island’s well-known Chat ‘N’ Chill bar, which is only accessible by boat and where barefoot locals, tourists, and boaters meet over beers by hand . Shirts from previous visitors hang from the ceiling of the relaxed, open-air bar.

I enjoy a deliciously fresh mahi-mahi (a local sea fish) and chips while people of many different nationalities share stories of seafaring around me. Couples and families float in the shallow water to my left trying to spot the stingrays that swim to shore. Finally, we set off and return to Emerald Bay to stop at one of the 11 all-inclusive restaurants.

One of the many secret postcard beaches on our boat tour(SUPPLIED)

The Bahamas pride themselves on being friendly, and their people-to-people program shows that clearly. It brings together eager tourists with volunteer locals who offer different experiences to give a real sense of the Bahamas.

I am welcomed to Katharina and Victor’s house where Victor is in the process of preparing an authentic Bahamian meal for us. He then leads me around the back to a sea-view terrace where a table is set. It’s on another pristine beach overlooking azure waters that still don’t seem real. Music blares from a local resident’s truck before the neighbors arrive to welcome us to their island and provide us with little tidbits about what to do.

As the sun goes down, plates of fried conch shells (a local Caribbean favorite) are served with rice and peas. I’m soon swapping stories with our host Dorcas, who has lived in the area all her life, while also hosting a staring competition with the cook’s younger children.

Our dinner setting for the people-to-people meal(SUPPLIED)

Enjoy a glass of wine at Royal Bahamian’s Gordon’s On The Pier(SUPPLIED)

All I can see is the smiling faces of the Bahamas – overjoyed that others can experience heaven on earth with them. I feel completely relaxed from my time in Exuma and ready to experience the hustle and bustle of city life again.

Nassau, on the island of New Providence, is a bustling city and home to approximately 70% of the Bahamas’ population. Cruise ship passengers at the dock enjoy the sun at Señor Frog’s beach bar. The locals cavort there, the straw market is particularly popular. Imposing colonial buildings in bright colors alternate with cafes, restaurants and luxury shops like Prada.

Not knowing where to start, we ask our guide, Tinka, to take us on a historical tour of the area – a journey back in time to the early 18th century when Nassau was invaded by pirates like “Calico Jack” Rackham, Anne Bonny and Edward Teach , better known as “Blackbeard”.

We walk past the massive mansion where the abdicated King Edward VIII once lived as governor of the Bahamas during World War II, and my mouth waters as Tinka introduces us to the hugely popular tapas and cocktail bar, The London in draws attention to a side street.

She then takes us on a 15-minute boat ride to the Blue Lagoon private island, where tourists enjoy the sun around the natural harbor as we step onto the jetty, and then to a sheltered beach with overhanging coconut trees for an authentic local picnic- Lunch.

The Blue Lagoon island which is part of the Nassau tour(SUPPLIED)

Later I take the opportunity to snorkel at the north beach and see a beautiful variety of fish. After completing the tour of the capital, we return to our new base, Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort, to relax. The all inclusive hotel has its own private island which I’m dying to visit.

We set off from the pier – home of the idyllic Gordon’s on the Pier restaurant serving deliciously fresh seafood – to find a place with the atmosphere of a luxurious beach club with a chic bar/restaurant overlooking the shore. Next to coconut palms, guests sip margaritas and bahamamas (a local favorite) while perched on four-poster beds.

Strolling through the lush gardens, I stumble upon the Red Lane Spa and have a hard time resisting the opportunity for an al fresco massage. Soon I’m lying on a table in my private cabin overlooking the water. While my masseuse gets to work, I immerse myself in the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks.

There are 14 other inhabited islands in the Bahamas that I haven’t even visited yet. And I’m already dreaming about the next time I’ll have the chance to visit this unforgettable country.

I’m getting ready for my private massage at Sandals Royal Bahamian’s private island(SUPPLIED)

Book the vacation

British Airways flies from Heathrow to Nassau, Bahamas from £711 round trip.

Virgin Atlantic flies from Heathrow to Nassau from £755 return.

Domestic round-trip flights between Nassau and Exuma are available with Bahamasair from £191 and Western Air from £179.

Sandals Resorts offers a 7 night all inclusive stay in a twin center in the Bahamas from £3,299 per person – 4 nights at Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, 3 nights at Sandals Royal Bahamian, Nassau. Includes flights from Heathrow, inter-island flights and transfers. Valid for travel on select dates in May. Sandals.com.

Visit bahamas.com for more information.