The Islands of The Bahamas offer a diverse variety of eco-tourism activities including historical,
cultural, and natural attractions. With a marine territory of about 100,000 square miles, the ocean is as
important as the land itself to the environment of the Bahamas. While the land provides a place to live,
the sea is a place to play and explore. Many Bahamians receive their livelihood from the sea, through
fishing or tourist activities. Most people come to The Bahamas for its phenomenally clear waters and its
abundant and varied marine life. In fact, almost 5% of the world's coral reefs are located here, an
amount surpassing even Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
In addition to the unparalleled diversity of its marine life, the islands are rich in terrestrial flora and
fauna. Because The Bahamas is an island nation, there are only two indigenous mammals-- the
raccoon and the hutia, an endearing sort of tropical guinea-pig. Larger mammals introduced during
colonization, such as wild donkeys, wild boars, and horses, do roam in less populous areas--and of
course, whales and dolphins frequent the waters. Reptiles and amphibians such as the endangered
Bahamian rock iguana, the Cat Island terrapin, and the Hawksbill turtle share the cays and islands of
The Bahamas with the largest nesting colony of West Indian flamingoes in the world, as well as nesting
colonies of the Bahama parrot. Unique among New World parrots, the Abaco parrot nests in natural
limestone cavities on the ground. This nesting habit makes the parrot more vulnerable to predators,
especially the wild cats of the Abaco forests.
While the islands of The Bahamas are not lush, their flora is distinctive, colorful, and varied. Among the
Bahamian plants are the bull vine, whose bright red blooms attract butterflies, the wild grape, several
kinds of fig, and the boldly colored and shaped bromeliad. There are also wild tamarind and pigeon
plum trees, both of which produce edible fruit, and the ubiquitous casuarina pine. The various national
parks encompass a wide range of environments--from hardwood forests and whiteland coppices to
sand dunes and eerie, impenetrable mangrove flats. Perhaps because there's so much to conserve,
Bahamians have a strong tradition of appreciating and protecting their environs. As a result, the 12
government-funded national parks of The Bahamas are exceptional. They exist on several islands,
encompassing every kind of habitat that the islands possess and ranging in size from the tiny gem of
Lucayan National Park to Warderick Wells in the Exumas to the 20,000-acre National Park on Abaco.
cultural, and natural attractions. With a marine territory of about 100,000 square miles, the ocean is as
important as the land itself to the environment of the Bahamas. While the land provides a place to live,
the sea is a place to play and explore. Many Bahamians receive their livelihood from the sea, through
fishing or tourist activities. Most people come to The Bahamas for its phenomenally clear waters and its
abundant and varied marine life. In fact, almost 5% of the world's coral reefs are located here, an
amount surpassing even Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
In addition to the unparalleled diversity of its marine life, the islands are rich in terrestrial flora and
fauna. Because The Bahamas is an island nation, there are only two indigenous mammals-- the
raccoon and the hutia, an endearing sort of tropical guinea-pig. Larger mammals introduced during
colonization, such as wild donkeys, wild boars, and horses, do roam in less populous areas--and of
course, whales and dolphins frequent the waters. Reptiles and amphibians such as the endangered
Bahamian rock iguana, the Cat Island terrapin, and the Hawksbill turtle share the cays and islands of
The Bahamas with the largest nesting colony of West Indian flamingoes in the world, as well as nesting
colonies of the Bahama parrot. Unique among New World parrots, the Abaco parrot nests in natural
limestone cavities on the ground. This nesting habit makes the parrot more vulnerable to predators,
especially the wild cats of the Abaco forests.
While the islands of The Bahamas are not lush, their flora is distinctive, colorful, and varied. Among the
Bahamian plants are the bull vine, whose bright red blooms attract butterflies, the wild grape, several
kinds of fig, and the boldly colored and shaped bromeliad. There are also wild tamarind and pigeon
plum trees, both of which produce edible fruit, and the ubiquitous casuarina pine. The various national
parks encompass a wide range of environments--from hardwood forests and whiteland coppices to
sand dunes and eerie, impenetrable mangrove flats. Perhaps because there's so much to conserve,
Bahamians have a strong tradition of appreciating and protecting their environs. As a result, the 12
government-funded national parks of The Bahamas are exceptional. They exist on several islands,
encompassing every kind of habitat that the islands possess and ranging in size from the tiny gem of
Lucayan National Park to Warderick Wells in the Exumas to the 20,000-acre National Park on Abaco.
| Warderick Wells, Exumas Underwater Bahamian National Park |
Eco tourism aspects of the Bahamas
Two Can Sail!
Two Can Sail!