It’s March again, nearly one year since the first of our lockdowns over Easter Weekend. For those of us who remained in the Bahamas during these lockdowns, it brought on an element of anxiety, unknowing, stress, and sadness. Our beautiful way of island life had ceased. Trips to the beach were forbidden (much to the frustration of dog owners and avid beach walkers throughout the country). Long lines ensued at food stores due to limited hours. Rules changed, daily it seemed. We ramped up to reopen, only to close again, to lockdown again. Promises were made…just two weeks…but those two weeks steamrolled into endless days. We looked longingly out of our windows on summer lockdown weekends, wishing for boating, island hopping, beaching, swimming, snorkeling.
Are we seeing a light at the end of the tunnel? Are we out of the woods? It’s hard to know. While we’ve lost track of time since our last lockdown, there does seem to be a sense of stability in the air, at least here in Harbour Island.
On most Out Islands, business is back to a skewed sense of normalcy. Restaurants, bars, and shops are open, curfews have been lifted, visitors visit, locals mingle, and island life resumes its quiet pace.
Despite the rigorous, and at times, inoperable protocols to enter the Bahamas, visitors have continuously opted to run the entry gauntlet in order to escape lockdowns elsewhere in the world. Longer-term short-term rentals are negotiated with homeowners as many people whose jobs have moved online now have the freedom to work from anywhere there is internet. They figure it would be better to be in paradise than locked inside in a northern climate.
Although there are lingering concerns for health and safety, most Bahamians welcome visitors with open arms. Our tourist-dependent economy has been devastated and many are struggling financially. In Harbour Island, the Harbour Island Food Bank, a donation-based organization, has been providing food security to those in need in North Eleuthera and Harbour Island who lost income as a result of the lockdowns, but otherwise, there is very little social support for those in need.
While Nassau and Grand Bahama are supported in part by the banking, finance, shipping, and construction industries, the remainder of the GDP of the Out Islands is derived solely from tourism, which means if you are itching to go on a short-term or long-term hiatus, I urge you to consider the Out Islands of the Bahamas.
So, if you have the ability and the means to travel, here are a few reasons why you should visit the Out Islands:
1. We need visitors
As a tourism-dependent country, the Bahamas, especially the Out Islands have been hit hard. With limited government support, many Bahamians are struggling to stay afloat. By choosing to visit and support local hotels, restaurants, shops, and transportation services, this flushes into the local community. And Bahamians always support one another. If one family member is in an industry that is thriving, the other family members will benefit, this doesn’t just mean immediate family either, cousins, nephews, and aunties will not be left to suffer. It’s also important to mention that nearly all consumer goods available for purchase in the Bahamas (from groceries to construction materials) are shipped in from the US, which means that retailers and businesses need USD in order to pay for those products. When visitors circulate and spend USD it contributes to the buying power of the Bahamas.
2. We are open
Foreigners may enter the Bahamas by following the correct protocols. Keep in mind that each island has slightly different rules. Harbour Island is completely open, but neighboring Eleuthera still has a 10pm-5am curfew in effect. In the Abacos, only outdoor dining is permitted. On certain islands, spas and gyms remain closed. Take a look at the Bahamas Tourism Reopening page for more accurate and up-to-date information for each island, but you can plan to expect most of the shopping, restaurant, and activity options from any previous visit to the Bahamas.
3. Outdoor living & dining
For those concerned about getting cozy with other people, luckily in the Bahamas, there’s plenty of outdoor space with fresh air wherever you go. Most restaurants offer outdoor dining with no heat lamp involved. Our spacious beaches provide ample opportunities for visitors to walk, lounge, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of nature without the need to get too close to others.
4. Entry protocols
Everyone must receive a negative PCR test no more than 5 days prior to entry. Once a negative test is received, travelers are required to fill out the health visa. While the expense adds up, some visitors and residents feel these protocols have given them peace of mind since any non-Bahamian with a positive test are not allowed to enter, and Bahamian residents who test positive must quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.
5. BEATS
The Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay programme is available as a residency permit for those that wish to live and work from the Bahamas. Upon demonstrating financial means of supporting yourself, this permit is valid for one year and can be renewed. Bring your laptop and work or study from any of our 700 islands!
6. Boutique hotels and vacation rental homes
Most of the Out Islands are void of mega-resorts and large hotels, so in addition to supporting owner-operated and smaller establishments that employ Bahamians, you’re also likely to face less people on resort properties. Check out places like Kamalame Cay, a private island just off of Andros, Kahari Resort (which is now owned by Peace and Plenty) on Stocking Island off of Great Exuma, or The Other Side on Eleuthera for luxe solitude. With an endless supply of vacation rental homes, you can also isolate yourself on a beautiful property on the island of your choice.
7. Peace & Quiet
While tourism is picking up, it’s still a significantly lower than an average season. Here on Harbour Island, Christmas and Spring Break are the busiest times. While we’ve seen an influx, it’s still reasonably quiet, which means you’ll have space on the beach, a table at the restaurant of your choice, and less traffic on the road. Be sure to check with your hotel or vacation rental to see what restaurants and shops are open before booking. Here on Harbour Island, Rock House and Sip Sip remain closed, but all other restaurants are open. In Eleuthera, Tippy’s just opened the other day, but restaurant options are limited. Buccaneers in Governor’s Harbour is currently undergoing renovations and The Cove Eleuthera will be closed for the next two years or so.
8. The Weather
Do I even bother to mention our perfect early springtime weather? Is it simply a given? While the earth is still defrosting up north, we’re emerging from the winter cold fronts and into milder temperatures ranging in various shades of the 70’s during the day. Walk on the beach at any time of the day without worrying about overheating. Take a refreshing bathe in the ocean (although it’s still a Wim Hoff exercise for me) and dry off by basking in the mild rays afterward. Linger outside at sunset without worrying about being eaten alive by mosquitoes and sandflies since we aren’t quite into rainy season yet. From now until May is my absolute favorite time of year in the Bahamas weather-wise.
9. Flights are cheap right now
I’ve done a few flight searches lately, just for giggles since I’m not going anywhere in a hurry, but flights are significantly cheaper than I’ve ever seen them. A flight from New York’s JFK airport to Nassau is under $300 round trip. Considering the Bahamas is one of the more expensive destinations in the world, and we don’t foresee it getting any cheaper, discounted flights are certainly a welcomed consolation.
10. The Bahamas is the closest tropical island destination to the US and Canada
As the crow flies, you’ll be looking at a matter of anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours in the air from the eastern seaboard of mainland North America. If you happen to live in South Florida and own a boat, pop on over. I have heard it’s difficult for Canadians to travel at the moment, but if you’re American and don’t mind the slight inconvenience and expense of the testing procedures, then come on down!
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Be sure to pick up a copy of our latest book Escape to the Bahamas: A Guide to Relocating to and Living in the Bahamas. Escape to the Bahamas is your guide for everything you need to know about relocating to and living on one of 700 tropical islands. This book provides a background on the rich history and culture, as well as details on individual islands, importing your belongings, bringing your pet with you, buying property, building a home, and supporting yourself financially. It also includes particulars of island life such as getting around, shopping for essentials, staying healthy, and entertaining and educating your children. This book is filled with practical details that are interwoven with comical anecdotes and first-hand accounts of the author’s joys and struggles. This book is not simply a manual or textbook, it’s the story of how to create an unconventional and extraordinary life in paradise.
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