10 of the best Bahamas national parks for uncrowded exploration

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Leo Tolstoy’s grandson, coral reefs and a rare iguana: What do they have in common? They all contributed to the creation of the Bahamas National Trust in 1958, which resulted in the first Bahamas National Park in the Exuma Islands. Today, that figure has grown to 32 parks throughout the Bahamas chain.

As travelers are yearning to return to Caribbean-area islands, the Bahamas remains the closest option for much of the United States. Although Nassau is the typical destination, the archipelago’s national parks offer the safety of being outdoors and distanced for an island getaway.

From The Retreat Garden outside of Nassau to the bat caves and beaches of Lucayan National Park outside of Freeport, to the breeding colony of flamingos at Inagua National Park on a remote Out Island, the Bahamas preserves its nature and provides recreational opportunities unparalleled. Explore 10 of the most far out locations.

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Inagua National Park - Great Inagua

Most people who make their way to the out-there island of Inagua are on a flamingo mission. The salt flats of Inagua National Park provide the perfect habitat for the West Indian flamingo, the national bird of the Bahamas. Even once you arrive to the remote island, the park, too, is way out.

You'll want to hire a guide to take you along the rocky roads to spot flocks (or flamboyants, as they are known) of the big pink birds and hear their distinctive squawks. Some 70,000 flamingos populate and breed on the island, back from near-extinction in the 1980s.

Wild donkeys, pelicans, herons and myriad species of birds make this a score for wildlife-watchers.

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Blue Holes National Park - North Andros

The largest Bahamian destination, Andros Island is nonetheless one of the least visited, loved mostly by scuba divers and bonefishers. Its relative low profile keeps Andros pristine in environment and culture.

It claims the highest concentration of blue holes in the world – an estimated 160 inland and offshore. Captain Bill’s Blue Hole is the most easily accessible and popular – near perfectly round with a ledge for making the so-called "Leap of Faith" into the cool freshwater lens atop underlying salt water.

Explore: These stunning sinkholes can be beautiful and dangerous

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Abaco National Park - Great Abaco

One of the Bahamas’ most-visited islands before Hurricane Dorian in 2019, it's home to one of the chain’s thickest pine forests, where the protected Bahama parrot breeds in underground cavities.

Its more than 20,000 acres also provide shelter for four other endemic birds: Bahama yellowthroat, Bahama warbler, Bahama swallow and Bahama woodstar. Your best bet for exploring the vast wilderness is by a private guided tour. The park itself has no facilities.

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park - Exuma

Although it’s the oldest and most-visited of all the Bahama national parks, this one is so spread out – 112,640 acres of islands and water – that it has no problem distancing visitors from madding crowds. Only boaters make up the park’s "traffic."

The first marine reserve in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, it set a standard for protecting coral reefs and the creatures that inhabit them, along with the most gorgeous waters and white sand beaches imaginable. Besides fish, sea turtles and other marine life, birds, Bahamian hutia and iguanas thrill nature-lovers.

Camping is permitted on three of the islands with a $250 10-day permit and daily use fees. One of the camping islands, Warderick Wells, holds the park’s visitor center, but with no public facilities. Visitors can find beaches, caves, trails, plantation ruins and rare life forms on other cays in the park.

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park - Abaco Islands

Based upon the success and popularity of Exuma’s marine park, Pelican Cays came under the BNT umbrella 14 years later to protect green sea turtles and the vibrant coral reef. Accessible only by boat, the park’s 2,100 acres attracts snorkelers and divers to its matchless crystalline waters.

It has no facilities, but its sandy beaches are popular with boaters for picnicking. Its rocky cays provide a perfect habitat for breeding colonies of seabirds.

Sports & Outdoors: You can scuba dive in these 10 national parks

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Lucayan National Park - Grand Bahama Island

Although it shares a 96-mile-long island with the bustling Freeport and Lucaya resort areas, Lucayan National Park is far afield, both physically and metaphysically. In recent years, tour groups have made its Gold Rock Beach, Indigenous burial caves, bat caves, boardwalk trails and kayaking waters popular.

Arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds, as the park can be self-toured and even has a restroom. Bring your own water and snacks, and make sure to carry your trash out.

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve - Eleuthera

Near the capital town of Governor’s Harbour on Eleuthera’s main island, this hidden oasis’ 1-1/4-mile trail takes you through a number of theme gardens. One is devoted to bush (medicinal) plants, another to poisonous vegetation. An edible history plot features a recreated Lucayan Indigenous hut and food plant contributions from Aboriginals, Africans, Spanish, British and modern-day settlers.

Besides plants, the preserve hosts endemic birds such as the Bahamian woodstar hummingbird and great lizard cuckoo. Ethan’s Tower overlooks the preserve’s canopy with views of the sea. Touring can be self-guided or, with advance reservations, guided.

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

The Retreat Garden - New Providence Island

Even around Nassau, nature-lovers can find respite from urban tempos and crowds. Toward the island’s East End, this historic estate appears to have surrendered to the wilderness. In truth, the gardens are truly lush, but were carefully nurtured to create one of the world’s top botanical gardens for palm trees and tropical flora.

Fauna adds color and chirps to the environment; the garden is known for its warblers and other migratory birds.

Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton

Clifton Heritage National Park - New Providence Island

In the other direction from Nassau, on the island’s less-settled West End, this 156-acre multi-faceted park preserves a natural beach, the remains of a prehistoric Lucayan Indigenous village and the ruins of 18th- and 19th-century plantations.

Trails take visitors past slave hut ruins and to the Pirate Steps leading to the sea. The ruins of the manor house are visible from the road.

Jaws Beach is a natural stretch where great blue herons and sooty terns live. In addition to its historical sights, the park preserves a natural environment of coppice, shoreline, wetlands, forest and offshore seagrass beds.

Photo courtesy of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

Rand Nature Centre - Grand Bahama Island

In the midst of city bustle, but away from the tourist scene, this 100-acre plot is worth seeking out to get your bearings about Bahamian fauna and flora. For the best introduction, show up at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday or Thursday for a guided tour, included in admission.

Even on self-guided tours, you’ll learn the colorful names of local plants, such as strongback, Bahamian maidenbush, guavaberry, weeping fig, poor man’s orchid, chicken toe, frangipani and mahogany. Along the half-mile loop trail to the wildlife pond and native plant arboretum, you may spy a Cuban emerald hummingbird or red-tailed hawk.

Displays outside and inside the visitor’s center acquaint visitors with the local environment.