OFFBEAT ACTIVITIES IN THE BAHAMAS

(Taken from Lonely Planet's Bahamas:click book to order)

To be an offbeat traveler, you will move around by mail boat, and you'll need lots of time to do so (at least a day each way per island). Here follows a list of 'offbeat' things to do in the Bahamas

ABACOS

Join Bahamas Naturalist Expeditions and go kayaking, snorkeling, bird watching, hiking, and evn swimming witgh dolphins. You'll want to overnight in rustic accomodations at Hole-in-the-Wall Lighthouse in Abaco National Park. At Walker's Cay, dive with the sharks at the famous Shark Rodeo, and then hitch a ride to Grand Cay and sp[end a few days fishing and hanging out with the locals

CAT ISLAND

Go hiking at Turtle Cove and canoeing at Armbrister Creek. Have a local guide take you bonefishing. Take time to ge scuba certified. Immerse yourself in obeah culture

ELEUTHERA

Hang with surfers at Surfer's Beach. Go sponging and lobstering with locals in Gregory Town.

EXUMAS

Go blue-hole diving and visit the cxays for birding and local wildlife. Deposit yourself for a few days at Bowe Cay, where you can live a simple life on your lonesome, like Robinson Crusoe.

GREAT INAGUA

Donate some time at the turtle reserve at Union Creek. Go bird watching in Inagua National Park, where a hike takes you into the heart of the flamingo preserve. Overnight at the rustic camp.