The Bahamas is an English speaking country which is made up of around 700 islands and cays located in the Atlantic Ocean. The largest city and the capital of the Bahamas is Nassau. The population of Nassau is over 200 thousand residents, which makes up for 70% of the Bahamas entire population. Visitors to any of the Bahamas islands can enjoy amazing culture, beautiful beaches and fun activates which has made the Bahamas one of the most desired vacation destinations in the whole world, many people opt for the freedom of Bahamas beach villas and Bahamas vacation home rental.

Grand Bahama is the fourth largest island but is one of the most popular and most visited destinations in the Bahamas. Tourism is a major contributor to the local economy especially via visiting cruise ships to the main port. Grand Bahama is lucky enough to own some of the most pristine beaches in the world with famous crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches, perfect for all sun worshipers looking to relax in front of the calming waves. For activity hunters, there are numerous water sports available in the resorts and popular scuba diving or snorkelling experiences to take part in.Grand Bahama beach villas are very popular and increasingly in demand so it is essential to get your booking in early to enjoy the perfect accommodation with some of the best views on the island.

The island of Eleuthera is also very popular, from the air it looks simply stunning thanks to its long and thin structure embedded in the stunning turquoise sea. It is very popular with nature and history lovers, some of the island’s most popular attractions centre around those niches. Eleuthera villa accommodations are beautiful with great views across the ocean.

Many people discount the Bahamas as a vacation destination as they perceive it to be too expensive and only a place for the rich and famous; however this isn’t the case as it becomes more accessible to everyone and offer tourists attractions to people of all ages and tastes. Bahamas vacation home rentals are also becoming more common and therefore are available for all budgets due to the selection. So why not take the trip of a lifetime and experience true paradise on one of the islands in the Bahamas.

The Bahamas is perfectly located less than 100 miles of the coast of Florida, a few hours by ship or twenty minutes by plane. Only a few hours by ship or twenty minutes by plane, the Bahamas serves as the perfect location to build your second home, and under new legislation it is easy for foreigners to become permanent Bahamian residents.

Finding your own share of paradise isn’t as hard as you may think. Whether you are new to the Bahamas real estate market or an experienced investor, Graham Real Estate has the expertise, proven track record and resources to assist you in discovering the lifestyle that is just right for you. Our portfolio of listings boasts a wide variety of exceptional properties throughout The Islands of The Bahamas, including Nassau luxury homes, Bahamas vacation homes, and real estate in Marsh Harbour, Abaco; Hope Town, Abaco; Gregory Town, Eleuthera; Freeport, Grand Bahamas; Long Island, Exuma and the Berry Islands.

Since its inception in 1994, Graham Real Estate has distinguished itself as the premier Bahamas Real Estate and Rental Firm for exclusive and luxurious properties in The Bahamas. We have earned a reputation for providing exceptional customer service and for having an intimate understanding of the local real estate industry. Our team of highly qualified agents, brokers, appraisers, property managers and support staff has more than 30 years experience in the Bahamian real estate field. We pride ourselves in providing smooth, stress-free transactions for our clients so they can relax and enjoy island life. Our services include Property Search, Buyers Guide, Seller’s Guide, Appraisal Services and much more.

We are firmly committed to providing you with the very best results and service in the industry. We listen carefully to understand your real estate goals and create solutions that make sense for you. Whether you are new to the market or an experienced investor, we have the expertise, proven track record and resources to help you achieve your objectives.

Whether you are new to the market or an experienced investor, we have the expertise, proven track record and resources to help you achieve your objectives.

<br>For more information please visit us at: <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=http://www.grahamrealestate.com>www.grahamrealestate.com</a> or you can call us at: (242).356.5030.</br>

This group of 700 islands, beginning sixty miles east of the Florida coast, is dazzling in its diversity. Activities like golfing with your family, world class bone fishing, or just hanging out and relaxing at the beach. For diving and snorkling the Bahamas boast the world’s third longest barrier reef and visibility of over 200 feet. You can also explore the world’s longest underwater cave and cavern system at Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama. Great shopping, and the resorts start at $33.00 dollars a day up to $300 a day.

The island of New Providence is divided into three main tourist areas — Nassau, Paradise Island and Cable Beach.

Hotel complexes dominate expansive Cable Beach, which underwent a recent facelift, transforming it to a mecca for visitors who prefer beachcombing with options for exercise and lively entertainment nearby. Luxurious accommodations are offered in resorts of all sizes and types with gourmet food, world-class entertainment, sports facilities (including a golf course) and some large casinos never more than a few steps away.

Nassau, the capital, adds a grand British undertone to island life. Pink government buildings at Rawson Square (actually a circle) face cruise ships whose passengers are drawn to a day of duty-free shopping downtown. A new museum interpreting the colorful Junkanoo tradition is tucked at wharf side in the ships’ shadows. Tiny pubs and restaurants dot Nassau’s narrow side streets. And a bustling straw market houses hundreds of vendors ready to bargain with souvenir merchandise. You can even catch a ride on a horse drawn carriage.

Cross the bridge to Paradise Island where beaches are first- class and the resort selection is excellent — from upscale chic on stately estate grounds, to a yoga retreat, condo facilities (great for family vacations), and large luxury properties (one with a glass tunnel for viewing marine life and a low-key water park). Activity abounds at every turn. Paradise Island has an excellent golf course and its own small airport.

Grand Bahama, with resort development at both Freeport and Lucaya, has the same features on a smaller scale. Golf, tennis, water sports and duty-free shopping are popular and plentiful. And the island moves at a leisurely pace.

Kick back further and visit the Out Islands, favored by explorers who prefer their island life quaint, quiet, simple and barefoot. No rules here, just relaxation and recreation on land and sea when the spirit moves you. Interesting and excellent small and mid-sized hotels and family-run guest houses are interspersed with touches of history and hundreds of friendly faces. Out Island exploration is especially popular with eco-tourists in search of unspoiled island atmosphere, game fishermen seeking a record catch and all those who prefer to daydream in idyllic surroundings

Endless pristine beaches. Sunshine year-round. A take-it-slow lifestyle. And all just a short flight from the U.S. If you could find one place that offered all this and more, wouldn’t you love a vacation home there?

That’s what numerous developers are banking on. A massive wave of new development is taking place in The Bahamas. It is experiencing astonishing growth, fueled largely by high-end, coastal developments catering to wealthy Americans who dream of a tropical second home.

Among the developers investing in The Bahamas are Turnberry Associates of Aventura, Florida and Kerzner International of Nassau, which owns the world-famous Atlantis Resort.

Together they are building the Residences at Atlantis, which will be located adjacent to the world-famous Atlantis Resort. At a development cost of $200 million, this property includes a 22-story condo hotel with 493 condo vacation homes.

Owners will have access to all of the amenities of the Residences at Atlantis as well as those of the existing Atlantis Resort including a casino, pools, spa, retail shops, exercise facilities and child care. The Atlantis condo hotel is part of a $1 billion expansion of Atlantis.

Another developer who’s banking on The Bahamas is Ginn Resorts of Orlando, Florida, one of the largest, privately-held resort companies in the Southeast.

Its development, Ginn sur Mer, will span 2,000 acres on Grand Bahama Island and cost $4.9 billion to build. Just 58 miles from the Port of Miami, the resort is only a three-hour trip by boat or a 30-minute flight. It will be an immense, master-planned community that will take over 10 years to complete.

The Ginn sur Mer plan is elaborate. The resort will include incredible amenities from Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer oceanfront golf courses, to a full-service spa, 55,000 square foot casino, championship tennis facility, water theme parks, 500-slip marina, private airport, restaurants, stores, equestrian facility, fitness center, and convention space.

For those who want a vacation home that includes the luxurious Ginn sur Mer lifestyle, the development has 1,400 homesites and 4,400 condo hotel suites.

Experts say that The Residences at Atlantis and Ginn sur Mer are only a mere sliver of a much bigger pie. The real development of The Bahamas is just beginning, with the list of projects growing each month.

Developers have recognized the demand for tropical vacation homes, and they are responding with proposals for master-planned, fully-amenitized, resort communities.

The Bahamian government has partnered with the developers, providing help with infrastructure, such as new roads and marinas and expanded airports. Its officials recognize the economic potential of building on the huge swaths of undeveloped waterfront real estate on their islands.

They’ve even enacted something called the “Anchor Policy,” intended to encourage commercial development on 32 of the country’s 35 inhabited islands by providing tax incentives.

The Bahamas also has a progressive residency program, offering economic residency to anyone who invests more than $500,000 in the country. While it doesn’t allow investors to work there, they can live in the Bahamas year-round.

According to one U.S. buyer considering the purchase of a home at Ginn sur Mer, “The Bahamas are like Florida back in the early 1900s, when Florida was undeveloped and largely undiscovered. The views, the beaches, the serenity are unequaled.”

History has shown that 80% of the islands’ visitors already are American. With a massive wave of U.S. baby boomers looking for second homes for vacation and retirement, The Bahamas stands ready to welcome them.

Traditional destinations like Florida and Arizona have become crowded and pricey. The Bahamas offers a quality alternative.

For its proximity to the U.S. combined with natural beauty and luxurious residential-resort developments, The Bahamas is well on its way to becoming a primary market for second-home buyers.

Have you dreamed of owning a beach house in the Bahamas but assumed only a mogul could afford one? If so, the bargains below will show you otherwise. In order to maintain objectivity, I have not included any properties in which I have a personal interest. Selections were based solely on exceptional value. For more information on a property, email me for the name of the relevant broker.

Great Abaco: 15 Acres with 630 Feet of Oceanfront

With scores of uninhabited cays and extraordinary fishing, yachtsmen consider the Abacos to be among the world’s finest cruising grounds. This parcel has 630′ of oceanfront on the Sea of Abaco, including a stretch of beach. For all of you yachtsmen, there is sheltered anchorage of 20′ depth in front of the property. One-acre harbor-front lots in the area routinely sell for $400,000. The subdivided retail value of this 15-acre parcel, therefore, is in the $5 million range. The asking price? $1.2 million.

Berry Islands: Four Bedroom Beachfront House

Before I wrote this article, I would have told you it was impossible to buy a beautifully maintained and landscaped four-bedroom house right on a secluded beach for under $1 million. Not only do I stand corrected, I stand double-corrected. This house on Sugar Beach, Great Harbour Cay, comes with two beachfront lots, for a total of 185′ of beach frontage and almost an acre of land. The price? $790,000. And if that’s too much for you, sell off the extra lot. There’s one on the market nearby for $300,000.

Berry Islands: Almost-on-the-Beach Lot for the Price of an SUV

This quarter-acre lot on Great Harbour Cay is right across the street from a beautiful white-powder beach. The sticker price of the lot is $45,000. Ocean and sunset views are included at no extra charge-a bonus you’re not likely to get with the SUV.

Cat Island: Beachfront Lot at Half the Price

Fifty miles long and with a population of 1600, Cat Island is a place for people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of, for example, rural North Dakota. Cat has miles of deserted, pink-sand beaches, and you can buy 100′ on one of them for $179,900. How is that possible? This quarter-acre lot is actually 150′ back from the sea, but the parcel in front is a reserve that can never be developed. Walk right across it to the beach.

Eleuthera: Four Bedroom Duplex Overlooking the Atlantic

With sixty miles of beaches and only a few dozen hotel rooms, Eleuthera is a paradise for beach lovers who enjoy privacy and unspoiled natural beauty. Coral Reef is a two-story house on an elevated lot directly across the street from the Atlantic Ocean. Each floor consists of a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with a bright, modern interior and an open plan. Coral Reef, which was built in 1986, would cost at least $400,000 to build today, not including the price of the land. The asking price for the property is $250,000.

Freeport/Lucaya: Canal-Front Home for Half the Price

Fortune Bay is a stylish canal-front community a few minutes by car from the shops and restaurants of Port Lucaya. A typical three-bedroom house with a pool would sell for $1.2 million. The house I found for you has four bedrooms and sits on an oversized half-acre lot with 120′ of canal frontage. The kitchen and baths need updating, but the overall condition is excellent. $100,000 for interior upgrades and a pool would turn this into a million-dollar house. The asking price? $625,000.

Nassau: New Three-Bedroom Townhouse for $249,000

I had to put this price in the headline or no one would believe it. Renaissance East is a small gated development of a dozen 2 ½ story townhouses with a pool. The units have three bedrooms (including a large loft), 2 ½ baths, private patios, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. Construction on the islands costs upwards of $200 per foot and these townhouses have 1300 square feet of living space. There are only three units left, so I guess I’m not the only one who can divide $249,000 by 1300.

North Eleuthera: Private Island

Just because David Copperfield has a private island in the Bahamas doesn’t mean you can’t afford one, too. Located off the northeast coast of Eleuthera near Harbour Island, this 3.5-acre retreat is surrounded on three sides by deep water and on the fourth by a beach. A concrete pier and a wooden dock are already in place. Electricity comes from the main Eleuthera grid. David Copperfield paid $45 million for his island. The price for yours? $1.5 million.

A Nassau Bahamas Vacation may not be your first choice destination when choosing a Bahamas vacation spot because of all the attractions of the more distant Outer Islands, but check out the exquisite A Stone’s Throw Away on New Providence before making any decisions.

Try a Nassau Bahamas Vacation this year, with the incredible name of ‘A Stone’s Throw Away’, appropriately named after its position conveniently five minutes from Nassau Airport, and close to the beach, and all the attractions and highlights of Nassau itself.

Insofar as ‘A Stone’s Throw Away’ itself is concerned, possibly describing it as a hideaway is good, because it is out of the way, perched high up on the coastline it looks like a classic colonial building on three floors, with a high preponderance of wood, and wrap around verandas, giving the impression it has stood here for centuries when in fact it was built this way relatively recently in 2004.

It is a gourmet bed and breakfast inn with accommodation for twenty guests in 8 rooms, and 2 suites. Children have no special facilities and extra beds cannot be added to the rooms. In fact the peace and quiet which is a speciality of the house could well be disturbed by children, which is why they are not encouraged.

Each room has a King sized bed, private bathroom, air conditioning, a mini bar, Cable TV, DVD, and free broadband internet, plus a mini bar. They all have direct access to the large wrap around the property porch. The Garden View Rooms are on the ground floor, and the Islands View Rooms are on the second and third floor, and the Ocean View Rooms open up to the largest part of the Veranda on the ocean side of the house where there are day beds and loungers, but be aware that other guests can walk by as the veranda isn’t screened off anywhere.

At an average price of USD225 ‘A Stone’s Throw Away’ isn’t expensive, and gives jolly good value for money. The gourmet kitchen is a well known feature of the property, and the breakfasts certainly live up to this. You can also order lunch from a menu posted on the board, and eat between noon and two o’clock. You eat on the porch on the ocean side of the house, or indoors in a lovely manorial style dining room, where you could almost be in England such is the style of the room, and the breakfast as well.

In the evening the lounge on the main porch is the relaxation point, a bar is set up here and if you want to dine, then just ask, and it could be prepared for you next to the small waterfall pool in the tropical garden side of the house. One of the great things about ‘A Stone’s Throw Away’ is that there is always a cool breeze.

There are a number of good beaches within walking distance from the picture postcard white sand of Compass Point to Orange beach with strong surf, or Goodman Bay is a beach with rest rooms and facilities. A Car would be useful but the local buses, or a taxi will do you just as well, as particularly the buses cost $1 and a regular, plus the fact you are then part of the community and that will add to your overall experience of the Bahamas.

You can definitely have a great Nassau Bahamas vacation at ‘A Stone’s Throw Away’ from the gourmet cuisine, to the hideaway feeling. This is a lot more than just a bed and breakfast inn it is an experience to be treasured.

Want to visit Grand Bahama, but a tight budget? Starting get tired of listening to all the exotic adventure vacation? Are you ready to have your own Grand Bahamas vacation for less than they spend?

Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas are fifty-five miles south of Miami. Environmental Interestingly, with emerald-green water, fascinating marine life, charming fishing villages, and endless beaches are just some of the exciting attractions that make it an ideal place for quality recreation. But just thinking spend ideal vacation in the Bahamas makes you think that you have to spend a fortune just to get there. But there is way for you that the perfect vacation and spend less than luck. It is either to save money before getting there, or your savings to come as soon as you arrive at your selected spot in the Grand Bahamas.

All you need to do is plan the places you want to go, activities to do, hotels you want to stay on, and the type of flight to Grand Bahamas you want to have. When planning your vacation, take a look at websites on the Internet that offer great deals on Grand Bahamas vacation packages. Simply by comparing each of the sites and holiday packages prices for them may give you options for package holidays for their needs at an affordable price.

Knowing what you want, what you need and what you want to experience can help. Getting information on the island can also help in identifying the places you want to go, and what activities are taking place at these locations. To search the Internet, you can also find that you can dream of that vacation prices to eighty percent less than what your friends expenses.

You can also refer to the resource directory sites. They offer information for major vacation leave, such as the Grand Bahamas. Most web sites offer great deals on Bahamas vacation packages, and they contain information on Bahamas vacation properties for rent, as homes and buildings, romantic island vacation, and the Grand Prize Bahamas vacation condominium rentals.

Some vast resources that are available in the business directory, an inter-island guide, which covers not only the Grand Bahamas, but the entire island Bahamas and travel advisories on hotels, Bahaman activities breathtaking beaches, restaurants, and options for your budget. If you want your trip to the Grand Bahamas to be accessible, most travel consolidators recommend well-known places as the Grand Bahamas various airlines and charter planes to serve them, and the millions of tourists to go to these places every year. Travel companies compete for customers, which drives down the costs of almost everything from flight packages, hotel accommodation and tour packages.

Planning your holiday at the right place at the right time can help you achieve that in the rest of life. You can see what is to come for their dream vacation in the Great Bahamas without worry spend a fortune.

If you are looking for more information on bahamas vacation, nassau bahamas or any other issue on bahamas please visit this links.

A Bahamas Vacation has always sounded like paradise on earth, but did you know that when you travel to the Bahamas you aren’t just going to one island, but many.

Travelling from one end of the Bahamas to the other, not only are there the well known islands like Grand Bahama, The Abacos, Eleuthera, and Exuma, but the Bahamas is in fact a country of 700 islands, of which 23 are inhabited but there are many many unpopulated islets and cays.

The differences to be found between different islands is also extreme, when you take cosmopolitan Nassau and compare it to the desert like Inagua. As you can imagine being only fifty miles off the Florida Coast, the Bahamas are very much an American playground, indeed on a lot of the islands the tiny villages could almost be the same as ones found on the coast of Massachusetts, only the palms, and sands are different.

A Bahamas Vacation has long been popular with sailors because the sea is calm, there are cooling tradewinds and this is the home of the Gulf Stream which makes the climate so pleasant. The Gulf Stream also is the reason that there are so many large fish, and a general abundance of marine life, so a lot of people travel to the Bahamas for a vacation just for the sport fishing.

No vacation in the Bahamas would be complete without spending time either snorkelling or scuba diving. The Gulf Stream is again responsible for the sheer underwater delights, the spectacular shoals of fish which congregate around the reefs, which are over 5% of the total number of coral reefs in the world. You will never tire of this underwater technicolour fantasy world in the Bahamas.

Probably more people take a Bahamas Vacation because of the beauty of the beaches than anything else and no Bahamas trip would be complete without a visit to the pink sands of Harbour Island and Eleuthera.

Having said that there are more beaches in the Bahamas than you could ever visit in your entire life, but you should take the time to go to the Exumas and San Salvador where you will almost be alone on their beautiful beaches.

After you are sated by the beautiful beaches and everything the sea has to offer you on your Bahamas Vacation, why not go ashore and just enjoy the sheer spellbinding beauty of the Bahamas Islands. You can fly from island to island or just take a flight to see the amazing sight of the white sand, green islands, coral keys, turquoise sea, lovely little villages, all totally unforgettable.

On the ground why not hire a bicycle and explore, then of course there are the masses of other things to do on dry land. Your vacation in the Bahamas could consist of staying in one of the many world class properties and hotels that dot the islands, playing tennis, golf on beautiful championship courses.

Shoppin g is another delight on your vacation to the Bahamas in one of the island’s shopping arcades. If you like to gamble then there are casinos, but then again there really is nothing like sitting on a pink sand beach with a good book, a cool drink, surrounded by your family.

A Bahamas Vacation can bring you close to paradise on earth.

For more information on Caribbean Vacation Spots go to http://www.caribbean-vacationspots.com/pages/Site-Map.html

It is already October and we are on the cusp of the Bahamian Yachting Season. The Bahamas is truly one of the most care-free escapes on the globe. While the lifestyle in the islands seems to move along at a slower pace than the hustle bustle of U.S. cities such as LA or New York, luxury and hospitality are never compromised. If you plan on heading South for the winter you should book your luxury yacht charter now. Here are my top picks for dockage spots that should definitely make their way into your Bahamas Yacht Charter itinerary. These spectacular “yacht spots” will have you moments away from luxurious spas, adventurous diving spots and exquisite dining. Full Service Marinas in the Bahamas provide first class amenities that enhance the charter experience for both the guests and crew.

The Bluff House, The Abaco’s

This multi-million dollar marina completed its construction and renovation back in 2004. The 40-slip marina has been distinguished as the finest full service marina in the Abaco’s and no details have been overlooked. The entrance channel has been professionally dredged for easy entry and there are Texaco fuels and lubricants available on site.

These exquisite docks have been decked with over 12,000 square feet of a Brazilian teak called Ipe. The marina has an angled design which allows each vessel to have its own deck space for privacy. The Bluff House marine facility offers fuel, electricity and water hookups. There is also a clean laundry and full service bathing quarters for convenience. For an angler, the Abaco’s is a prime location for adventurous Bone Fishing. There are tenders and guides available on the island to facilitate a great experience.

Atlantis Resort and Marina, Paradise Island

The Atlantis Marina itself would probably be just like any ordinary marina if it weren’t for the rave reviews of its dock master and deckhand staff who truly transform the docking and provisioning protocols into first class service. It is said by many, that the staff located at the Atlantis Marina are one of the resort’s best assets. Many travel to the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island but few receive the unparalleled experience that is provided aboard a luxury yacht charter. Berthing at this marina has major perks with spectacular entertainment and attractions just moments away from the dock. Whether you are looking to dive and Jet Ski in the turquoise blue waters or view the unique marine life at the Atlantis Aquarium, this resort offers a vacation adventure that is second to none. Book early if you plan to arrive at Atlantis aboard a mega-yacht because this marina is booked year round.

Grand Bahama Yacht Club, Grand Bahama Island

When I think about the Grand Bahama Yacht Club, an understated elegance comes to mind. This exclusive yacht club’s reputation has spread like wildfire through phenomenal reviews. Its reputation has put this yacht club on the map as a luxury travel destination. The marina offers 150 slips which may accommodate vessels up to 175 ft with all concrete docks. Fuel services are available. There are high speed pumps that deliver triple-filtered fuel. In addition to being able to stay aboard your luxury yacht there are special rates offered at the Pelican Bay Hotel. A complimentary water shuttle is available to bring guests to the five star rated Ferry House Restaurant which has received several great reviews from some of South Florida’s toughest food critics. If you are seeking a more casual dining experience there is a pool bar and grill open for lunch and dinner. The two level swimming pool facilities allow adults to swim 25 meter laps while children may enjoy the separate children’s pool. There are also clean, modern laundry and shower facilities on site.

One of the advantages of arriving to the Bahamas aboard a luxury yacht charter as apposed to a major cruise line is that the marina is located near the Bahamas port of entry which offer expedited customs and immigration services. Complimentary shuttle service is available between the marina and Port Lucaya Marketplace.

In addition to the marina facilities, challenging golf courses and indulgent spas are all within a small radius of this luxury marina. This resort has also made its mark in the luxury marine real estate market with elegant and innovative million dollar boat houses. Whatever your pleasure may be, the Grand Bahama Yacht Club has every amenity known to man. If you are considering a Bahamas Yacht Charter, Grand Bahama Island should definitely be part of the trip.

Hurricane Hole Marina, Paradise Island

In addition to being one of the focal points for the finest mega yachts in the Caribbean , The Hurricane Hole Marina offers one of the most ideal locations on Paradise Island. The marina is within walking distance to restaurants, shopping, championship golf, casinos, nightclubs, and the Atlantis resort.

It is a 90-slip full service marina with all of the bells and whistles. This facility can offer berths for ocean mammoths up to 200 feet in length. Some of the worlds finest Bahamas Yacht Charter Vessels originate from this marina. Hurricane Hole Marina is notorious for hosting some of the regions most exciting boating events including the Bahamas Billfish Championship Tournament. Anglers from around the world come out to compete and enjoy the excitement that this island has to offer.

The sister property to Hurricane Hole Marina is the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort, located just steps from the docks. Boaters can take advantage of affordable room rates and the spectacular service of Paradise Island’s newest waterfront property. There are also Fitness and Spa facilities available to all marina guests. If you don’t plan to stay in your staterooms aboard ship there are condo rentals available in the marina which is one of the many features that make this destination so appealing. This marina is attractive to charterers, captains and crew members. Every charter need can be facilitated at this location.

Although the Bahamas Islands are a collective bodies of land that share in the same care-free lifestyle, no island is the same. The beauty of a Bahamas Yacht Charter is that you will be able to personally tour the region and there are magnificent marinas and resorts along the way.

When you think of the Bahamas, do you think of luxury beachfront hotels, casinos, and colossal resorts like Atlantis on Paradise Island? If so, you can be forgiven for thinking that only the very wealthy can afford an oceanfront home in the Bahamas. In fact, the islands of the Bahamas have real estate bargains that will surprise and enchant you. Especially now, with the real estate market soft and sellers getting nervous, you can find a bargain that will put you on the beach.

How to find a great deal from among the thousands of listings available? Easy: I’ve done that for you. In order to maintain my objectivity, I have not included any properties in which I have a personal interest. Nor can I earn a commission or any other kind of fee from properties mentioned in this article. Selections were based solely on exceptional value for the buyer. If you would like more information about any of these properties, contact me and I’ll give you the name of the real estate agent handling it.

Let’s take a look, now, at the best bargains the Bahamas has to offer.

Abaco: 15 Acres with 630 Feet of Ocean and Beach Frontage

Abaco is known as the sailing capital of the Bahamas. With scores of uninhabited cays and extraordinary fishing, yachtsmen consider the Abacos to be among the world’s finest cruising grounds. A few miles north of Treasure Cay, a private seller is offering 15 acres of land with 630 feet of oceanfront on the Sea of Abaco. The parcel has elevations to 65 feet. A portion of the oceanfront is beach, and more could be converted to beach without difficulty. For all of you yachtsmen, there is sheltered anchorage of 20 feet depth in front of the property. Harbor-front lots at nearby Green Turtle Cay and Guana Cay routinely sell for $400,000 an acre. The subdivided retail value of this 15-acre parcel, therefore, is in the $5 million range. And the asking price? $1.2 million.

Berry Islands: Four Bedroom Beachfront House

Before I wrote this article, I would have told you it was impossible to buy a beautifully maintained and landscaped four-bedroom house right on a secluded beach for under $1 million. Not only do I stand corrected, I stand double-corrected. This house on Sugar Beach, Great Harbour Cay, comes with two beachfront lots, for a total of 185’ of beach frontage and almost an acre of land. Use the extra lot for a guest house or a pool. Great Harbour Cay has a superb harbor with a marina, plus a nine-hole golf course for us landlubbers. The price of this fully furnished beach house? $790,000. And if that’s too much for you, sell off the extra lot. There’s one on the market nearby for $300,000.

Berry Islands: Almost-on-the-Beach Lot for the Price of a Loaded SUV

This quarter-acre lot on Great Harbour Cay is right across the street from a beautiful white-powder beach. On the west, it borders a salt water creek, so you can get your feet wet without leaving your property. Electricity is available at the site, and a well could be dug for water. The sticker price of the lot is $45,000. Ocean and sunset views are included at no extra charge—a bonus you’re not likely to get with the SUV.

Cat Island: Beachfront Lot at Half the Price

Fifty miles long and with a population of 1600, you can almost hear your echoing footfalls on Cat Island. This is a place for people who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of, for example, rural North Dakota. Cat Island has miles of deserted, pink-sand beaches, and you can buy 100 feet on one of them for $179,900. How is this possible, with beachfront in the Out Islands routinely selling for two to three times that amount? This quarter-acre lot is actually 150 feet back from the sea, but the parcel in front is a reserve that can never be developed. The owner of the lot can landscape the reserve, trim its trees, and best of all, walk right across it to the beach. Just don’t try to build on it. The lot has 30’ elevations, so a house could have expansive ocean views. And when you’re deciding what to do with the $170,000 you saved, don’t forget the guy who gave you the tip.

Eleuthera: Four Bedroom Duplex Overlooking the Atlantic

The island of Eleuthera is 110 miles long with a population of just 8,000. With sixty miles of beaches and a few dozen hotel rooms, Eleuthera is a paradise for beach lovers who enjoy privacy and unspoiled natural beauty. Located in Eleuthera’s Rainbow Bay community, “Coral Reef” is a two-story house on an elevated lot which looks out over the Atlantic Ocean. Each floor consists of a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with a bright, modern interior and an open plan. The units are fully furnished. A separate structure to the rear houses a double garage. Coral Reef is solidly built of concrete block and stucco and painted an orangey shade of yellow which isn’t my favorite—but then again, no one comes to me for decorating advice. Coral Reef sits on the landward side of Ocean Drive, about 300 feet from the Atlantic. There’s a beach almost directly across the street from it—two lots to the right, actually, about 500 feet from the front door. In theory, the lot which is directly across the street from Coral Reef could be built upon, partially blocking the view of the Atlantic. In fact, however, because of salt spray and other problems, the lots on the ocean side of the street are essentially unbuildable, and your view is safe. Coral Reef, which was built in 1986, would cost at least $400,000 to build today, not including the price of the land. The asking price for the property is $250,000. If it’s still available when you read this, don’t waste anymore time–take out your checkbook and make a deposit.

Freeport/Lucaya: Canal Front Home for Half the Price

Fortune Bay is a stylish canal-front community on the southern coast of Grand Bahama, just a few minutes by car from the shops and restaurants of Port Lucaya. As noted in my book, How to Buy and Sell Real Estate in the Bahamas, “A typical three-bedroom, three-bath house with a pool on one-third of an acre [in Fortune Bay] would sell for $1.2 million.” The house I found for you has four bedrooms and two baths and sits on an oversized half-acre lot with 120 feet of canal frontage. The large back yard has plenty of space for a pool. The kitchen could use updating, but the overall condition of the house is excellent. An investment of $100,000 for interior upgrades and a pool would turn this into a million-dollar house. The asking price from the motivated sellers? $625,000.

Nassau: Four-Bedroom Cliff House in Tusculum

This spectacular three-story house on West Bay Street sits on a cliff facing the ocean. Designed by a noted architect, it has 4000 square feet of living space. Features include a den which could serve as a fifth bedroom, a formal dining room, a breakfast nook, multiple balconies and patios, and a private yard with a pool. The house comes fully—and very tastefully—furnished. A comparable house is listed nearby for $1,295,000. This one is on the market—briefly, no doubt—for $995,000.

Nassau: Canal Front Lot with Dock in Sandyport

Sandyport is a gated community on the edge of Cable Beach, close to the hotels and casinos along that strip. Sandyport has 500 homes, seven pools, five tennis courts, four restaurants, three beaches, and a partridge in a pear tree. It also has its own shopping center, the Olde Towne Mall. The lot I’m recommending has both canal frontage and beach frontage, and comes with a dock. It is unusual to see any Sandyport canal front lot offered for under $500,000, never mind one with beach frontage. At $450,000, this lot is a rare find—even without the pear tree.

Nassau: Three-Bedroom Oceanfront Townhouse on Eastern Road

New Providence’s Eastern Road runs from the city of Nassau east along the coast. It is home to many fine oceanfront residences, most priced between one and two million. I found one for you for under $500,000. This three-bedroom, three-bath townhouse has two stories plus a loft, for a total of 1581 square feet of living space. The attractive, modern layout features soaring ceilings, floors of tile and wood, and a wall of sliding glass doors facing the sea. Outside space includes a large balcony and a patio, both with an ocean view. Built in 1999, the townhouse is located in a gated community with a pool and a small private beach. The price: $439,000. You won’t find a better bargain on an oceanfront townhouse in Nassau.

Nassau: New Three-Bedroom Townhouses for $249,000

For this bargain, I had to put the price in the headline or no one would believe it. Renaissance East is a small gated development of a dozen two-and-a-half story townhouses with a pool. The Victorian-inspired design is very pleasing to the eye. The units have three bedrooms (including a large loft), two and a half baths, and 1300 square feet of living space. Amenities include private patios, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops. Given that construction on the islands costs upwards of $200 per foot, you would be hard-pressed to find a better deal. There are only three units left, so I guess I’m not the only one who can divide $249,000 by 1300.

North Eleuthera: Private Island with Three-Bedroom House

Just because David Copperfield has a private island in the Bahamas doesn’t mean you can’t afford one, too. Located off the northeast coast of Eleuthera near Harbour Island, this 3.5-acre retreat is surrounded on three sides by deep water and on the fourth by a beach. A concrete pier and a wooden dock are already in place. Electricity comes from the main Eleuthera grid. The three-bedroom house is in need of extensive renovation, so set aside a couple hundred thousand to personalize your space. Even so, David Copperfield paid $45 million for his island. The price for yours? $1.5 million.

A Final Word

Someone is going to notice this, so I might as well come and admit it: that was eleven bargains, not ten. I tried to choose one to cut but was paralyzed by indecision. The quickest way to shorten the list, I decided, is to publish it. You can decide which property should get off the list and into the “sold” column first.

Copyright 2008 by Matthew Simon.