The Bahamas: The Exuma Islands

Just a word of caution if you think that a Caribbean getaway precludes seeing any animals except the grilled fish on your dinner plate: the endangered iguanas on Bitter Guana Cay in the Exumas roam freely and make their displeasure known if you don’t respect their personal space. That said, the Exumas, as well as Harbour Island near Eleuthera, make ideal destinations if you want to escape the daily grind. And if you relish witnessing iguanas in their natural habitat, so much the better.

Visitors flock to Harbor Island to lounge on its pink beaches, which are particularly radiant when the sun rises. Although Hurricane Andrew ripped away most of the island’s palm trees in 1992, bougainvillea, blue skies, and fluffy clouds make up for their absence. Be sure to sample Bahamian culinary treats like seasoned grouper, conch salad, and key lime pie while you’re relaxing on the beach, too.

If you’re planning to island hop, your best bet, albeit an expensive one, is to rent a private plane. However you get from place to place, though, don’t miss a visit to Staniel Cay in the Exumas. When you make a reservation at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, you’ll gain access to small boats called Boston Whalers that are ideal for day excursions to the surrounding cays. The best way to unwind after all this exhausting boating and sunbathing is to listen to the Bahamian junkaroo band at Club Thunderball. They play percussive music on cowbells, whistles, and goatskin drums that will forever remind you of your Caribbean vacation.