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New Providence: Ready to Visit Paradise?

New Providence, and nearby Paradise Island, are undeniably the islands thought of as the heartbeat of the Bahamian archipelago. Located 185 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, New Providence is a whirlwind of vacation activities. Spectacular music revues, casinos, and state-of-the-art resorts give the area a strong Las Vegas feel. But the real reason to visit New Providence and Paradise Island is the sunshine. Outdoor enthusiasts of all shapes and sizes flock to the islands to swim, scuba dive, snorkel, parasail, kayak, or lounge on the many beaches. The biggest problem you will encounter on your New Providence vacation is what to do next!

The capital of the Bahamas, Nassau, sits on the northeast coast of New Providence. This thriving city is the largest in the Bahamas with a population over 100,000 strong. Most visitors to the Bahamas make their way to Nassau at some point during their trip. The heart of historic Nassau evolves around Rawson Square, on Bay Street. The square is a great spot for watching the various musicians, government workers, tourists, and craft vendors that hawk their wares around the square. The square is just across from Prince George Wharf, where the thousands of cruise ships dock each year.

History buffs will want to visit Fort Fincastle, built in 1783 in the shape of a ship's bow. The fort was built under the watchful eye of Lord Dunmore, then governor of the island. Atop the adjoining water tower are some outstanding views of the surrounding city and harbor. Another interesting site is the Government House, which sits atop Mount Fitzwilliam. This pink and white classical-style mansion is the residence of the Governor-General, the Queen's representative in the Bahamas. Halfway up a long flight of the stairs to the main entrance is a wonderful statue of Christopher Columbus.

The most popular beach on New Providence Island is located about 5 miles west of Nassau at Cable Beach. The beautiful white sand beach is surrounded by hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and shops that make for a complete beach reveler's experience.

More beach time can be spent out on neighboring Paradise Island. This smallish island was once the home to Nassau's boat builders. Today it is a thriving tourist area with resorts, hotels, restaurants, and other attractions. A great beach is waiting for you at Cabbage Patch Beach. With 2 miles of pristine pink sand, Cabbage Patch will sooth all ills. A bit east is Snorkeler's Cove Beach, a physically striking (and often empty) stretch that is a great place to snorkel away from the masses.

While on Paradise Island, you owe it to yourself to check out the Atlantis Resort. This marvel of modern resort architecture is home to the largest man-made aquatic facility on the planet. Aquariums, pools, waterfalls, and lagoons are all part of the show. Atlantis also has great restaurants and shopping boutiques.

First timers and seasoned professionals come to the waters off of New Providence to try out their deep-sea fishing acumen. The waters off the coast where the Atlantic leaves the reef behind are teeming with marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi and mackerel. Tournament fishing promises a chance at the "big one," as over 50 fishing records have been set in the waters off the Bahamas.

New Providence has garnered the reputation as one of the world's premier scuba diving sites. Whether your tastes include reef diving, wall diving, blue hole diving (underwater caves), wreck diving, or shark diving, the area has everything you could ask for in a dive site. Novices will want to visit Goulding Cay, a small island one mile offshore. Surrounding this cay are shallow, pristine coral reefs. Dominated by elkhorn coral, they rise so near the surface they are awash at low tide. This is also an incredible snorkeling site. A must-see for dive aficionados is The Mahoney Wreck. An incredible collection of groupers, snappers, grunts, pipefish, angelfish, and eels are always present around the remains.

New Providence is the Bahama Island where letting your hair down and going a little crazy is accepted behavior. See a fabulous musical revue and then dance the night away at a local dance club. Try your hand at a blackjack table or maybe the roulette wheel. Enjoy the general carnival atmosphere of Nassau's night life, or journey over to the resorts on Paradise Island. New Providence is a spectator sport, inviting all comers. Don't you want to play?