Seductive Solitude - So much more

So much more

As they have since the beginning of time, trade winds blow almost continually throughout the islands, leaving the Bahamas with a warm, pleasant climate that varies little from season to season. The most refreshing months fall between September and May, when air temperature averages 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The remainder of the year is a bit warmer with outdoor thermometers hovering closer to 85 degrees. I have fished Bimini in July, Grand Bahama in September, the Abacos in March and so on, and equally enjoyed the pleasant climate during each adventure.

For friends and family members who get a kick out of viewing marine life on a more one-on-one basis, there’s no better destination on earth. Just about every single resort or hotel throughout the entire Bahamian Island chain offers the use or rental of snorkel and dive gear, and is proximate to a kaleidoscope of aquatic life. For expert scuba divers searching for their next big thrill, Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island is the site of the world’s longest underwater cavern system. And every diver who’s visited the Bahamas will vouch for fabulous water clarity, with visibility often exceeding 200 feet. Plus, scientific studies reveal that a specific alga requiring a great deal of light to thrive is found deeper in the Bahamas archipelago than anywhere else on the globe.

Since the majority of all island watersports are enjoyed during daylight hours, the light of the moon finds visitors dipping spiny lobster in drawn butter while sipping martinis at their favorite eateries. Each occupied island offers casual shore-side eateries to elegant five-star dining.

While Ghana may offer a greater possibility at a grander, the Pacific may provide cow-size yellowfin tuna, and Little Cayman may be home to more permit, the Bahamas combine to provide traveling anglers with a magical mixture of never-ending sunshine, soft pink sand and cobalt-blue seas where sport-fishing dreams really do come true. Add in the convenience of the destination’s accessibility, unrivaled accommodations and newly built, exquisite beachside resorts featuring modern-day marinas, and it’s easy to see why the Islands of the Bahamas should rank number one on the list of must-see locations for the upcoming season.

Other notes of Interest

Bahamas:

• Official Name: Commonwealth of The Bahamas
• Capital: Nassau
• Population: 308,000
• Area: 13,939 square kilometers (8,661 square miles)
• Language: English, with a distinct dialect that will probably have you asking locals to repeat what they just said
• Currency: Bahamian Dollar, $1 US = 1BD; no income tax, no corporate tax, and no capital gains or inheritance tax
• Religion: Christianity
• Weather: Subtropical to tropical climatic conditions, with the best time to visit September to May

Board of Tourism: www.Bahamas.com

Bahamas Hospitality Information Network: www.TourismBahamas.org

Bahamas Airlines & Hotels: www.Bahamas-Travel.info

Founder/Editor-In-Chief of Florida Sport Fishing Magazine, Captain Mike Genoun still finds the time to cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas as often as possible. His only regret is that he can’t live there full-time – at least not yet.