Top Out Islands Bahamas Travel & Transportation: Our Picks

Planning a trip to the Out Islands in the Bahamas, that quieter, often more laid-back sibling of the main islands? Well, getting around can feel a bit like putting together a jigsaw puzzle at times. But honestly, that’s sort of part of the charm! To help piece it all together, that is, to hopefully simplify your travel plans, we’ve put together a list of some travel and transportation services that people often consider reasonably good. So, let’s take a closer look, right?

Mailboats: Slow and Steady Wins the Race, Sort Of

OK, so imagine cargo ships that, too, also carry passengers, and you’ve pretty much got the mailboats. These boats are something of a Bahamian institution. They, sort of, deliver mail and supplies to these far-flung settlements. That said, for travelers with time on their hands and really quite a tight budget, they can be a fairly, reasonably scenic option. Just be prepared for a long, potentially pretty slow ride. Also, schedules can be a little, actually a bit…flexible. Bring snacks!

Bahamas Ferries: A Faster Pace, That Is

Want something that goes a bit faster than the mailboat? Bahamas Ferries might just be, too, what you’re looking for. They have high-speed catamarans that, in a way, run between Nassau and several of the Out Islands, actually, including Eleuthera, Harbour Island, and Great Exuma. This, by the way, could be your best bet if you want to maximize your time actually *on* the islands, and not *getting to* them.

LeAir and Pineapple Air: Island Hopping by Air, So Easily

Maybe you’re really trying to hop between several islands quickly? In that case, consider the domestic airlines. LeAir and Pineapple Air, they are small carriers that operate flights connecting Nassau with most of the Out Islands. Yeah, sure, the planes are smaller, tends to be, so the luggage restrictions might be a thing, so plan carefully. But honestly, the views can be absolutely spectacular.

Local Boat Charters: For a Little Something Personal, Obviously

OK, for those wanting more flexibility and privacy, charters are often the way to go. Plenty of local operators offer boat charters for island hopping, fishing trips, or even just tooling around those amazingly crystal clear waters. It will be more expensive than the mailboat, obviously. But you get to call the shots – where to go, when to go, that kind of thing. So it, sort of, depends on what you’re trying to do, honestly.

Rental Cars (and Golf Carts!): Once You’re There, I Mean

Now, once you’ve made it to your chosen Out Island, how are you planning to actually, actually get around? Rental cars, well, they are available on some of the larger islands, yeah. But on some of the smaller ones? Golf carts! That’s the mode of transportation. Some islands really are just that chill, yeah. It’s also worth seeing if your hotel or guesthouse can arrange rentals or airport transfers, in that case. Sometimes, very, very often they can!