By Last Updated on July 2, 2023
The best kept secret of the Bahamas is the country’s sheer size and diversity. The Bahamas includes 16 major islands with secret sandbars and secluded pink-sand beaches. They live up to their mantra that “it’s better in the Bahamas.”
The best part is that destinations within the Bahamas are a mere hop, skip and jump from the U.S. east coast (well, honestly, a short flight if you’re not traveling by boat) for an escape to paradise. Flights out of Miami, for example, can reach most Bahamian destinations in 30 minutes to an hour.
Our team at Travel By Vacation Rental put together this list of beachfront Bahamas vacation rental home escapes; we’ll bet that like us, you may not have heard of some of these specific destinations. Sure, we’re all familiar with popular islands like Freeport and Nassau, and though we don’t wish to exclude these, we want to introduce you to places you’re less familiar with such as Cat Island, Eluthera and Harbour Island, Spanish Wells and more.
We’ve sniffed out some amazing beachfront rentals (and yes, we mean beachfront) you’re sure to love. Because they are vacation rental homes with all the amenities you’ll need in your home away from home, you just need to pack your comfy cotton clothes, bathing suit or swim trunks, beach hat, and sunscreen.
Oceanfront Villa with Boat: Exuma, Bahamas
Not only can guests have the experience of swimming with the pigs on Pig Beach in Exuma, but stay in an oceanfront villa that includes access to your own private boat, a Boston Whaler 170 Super Sport.
The 3-bedroom, 4-bath home is located in February Point Resort, an 80-acre property in a gated community that overlooks Elizabeth Harbour with its myriad of coves, cays and secluded beaches.
Guests also have access to two kayaks and two paddle boards to explore the incredible beauty of this area.
Great Guana Cay: Hope Town
This 3-bedroom, 4-bath luxury Bali-inspired home is definitely a place you’ll want to experience with family or friends. With a full gourmet kitchen, it’s a great place to gather and share in the bounties of the Bahamas.
A large oceanside deck comes with four lounge chairs, a bar, barbeque and outdoor dining table. Beach chairs and umbrellas are also available for guest use. The main cottage features a spacious living area and on each side of the main home, smaller cottages providing more guest privacy have their own entrance to a bedroom and bathroom.
This is an ideal place for friends and family who love vacationing together, but also need some of their own personal space.
Sunrise Beach Villa: Paradise Island
How about a Paradise Island visit with lots of privacy while still close enough to enjoy the world famous One and Only Club and equally famous Atlantis Casino and Resort?
The one-bedroom, two-story villa can sleep four with a pull-out sofa, though it may be better suited for a couple looking for a weekend getaway. The villa has a full kitchen, two baths, an enclosed patio for outdoor entertaining, relaxing or grilling along with private access to the beach and an adult waterfall pool.
Salty Dog: “Old Town” Spanish Wells
This is colorful, fun-loving Bahamian-style architecture at its best. With a full renovation completed in December 2022, Salty Dog is happy to welcome guests to paradise.
The beach house sports three bedrooms and two full baths just feet from the water’s edge. A full front porch provides for unobstructed harbour views on comfy Adirondack chairs as you watch the boats sail by. The home features an open floor plan, large covered deck an open living room/dining/ kitchen area that leads to a large, shaded porch.
Conch’d Out: Eluthera and Harbour Island
This charming one-bedroom, one-bath, adults-only cottage is ideal for those looking for more seclusion on a romantic getaway. You’ll have your own private, pink-speckled beach fronting turquoise Atlantic waters.
Though you’ll have lots of privacy, you’re only a 15-minute drive to the town of North Palmetto Point just outside of Governor’s Harbour.
Luxury Fortune Cay Club Beach House: Freeport, Grand Bahama
Located in the gated Fortune Cay Club, this stunningly beautiful Bahamian cottage sits directly on a powdery sand beach renowned as one of Grand Bahama’s finest.
Completely renovated, the beach house offers three bedrooms and three baths with the master bedroom and second room looking directly out on the Bahamian Sea with French doors leading to an outside deck.
Use of a pool and tennis courts are also amenities visitors will love.
Beachfront Banana Wind Cottage: Cat Island
Banana Wind is a beach lover’s paradise. Situated on a private white sand beach, the 2-bedroom, 2-bath with a sleeping loft cottage not only offers splendid panoramic views, but it’s also near plentiful coral reefs offering incredible snorkeling experiences.
Kayaks are also available for exploring the reef, and a nearby creek is perfect for those who love to fish. Though you’ll find plenty of privacy and space, a small grocery store is only one mile away with a main store a 20-minute drive from the house.
Oceanfront Cottage: Eluthera and Harbour Island
Sand Dollar Cottage is situated on an oceanfront lot in a Marina development with 1,100-square-feet of living space in addition to 1,200-square-feet of wraparound decks.
The 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath jewel offers top high-speed internet for those who love vacations, but need to stay in touch with the business or personal world, or take an extended ‘workcation.’
Wild Orchid Waterfront Restaurant is a mere 2-minute stroll away and the cottage is conveniently located within walking distance to the main shopping plaza with a fully stocked supermarket, liquor store and an international commercial bank.
If you have or rent a boat, it can be anchored just off Four Points Frigate’s Bar at the dinghy dock.
Coco Nut Treehouse: Green Turtle Cay
How does staying in a treehouse in a tropical paradise sound? This amazing property can sleep up to six guests in a 3-bedroom, 3-bath with stunning sea and sunset views from the deck. And if you love to be in the water, you can as much as you want with the ocean right outside the front door. Or choose to just relax and listen to the waves gently lapping the shoreline.
Snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, kayaking and fishing are favorite activities that can be booked through local purveyors. If you want to explore the island along with the historic town of New Plymouth, you can do that via a rented golf cart.
The Razzle Beach House: Treasure Cay, Abaco
This newly remodeled home is located in a rebuilt community destroyed by Hurricane Dorian, so a stay here supports the locals who won’t give up their dream of living in a picture-perfect paradise.
The 4-bedroom, 3-bath residence is even equipped with a generator in case of power outages and has a boat available for chartered rentals.
Guests will find charming places to eat at The Bahama Beach Club, only a 1/4 mile up the beach and a short boat ride across the Bay of Abaco takes you to the Swimming Pigs, Green Turtle Cay and some tasty new restaurants. If you would like to dive, snorkel, or catch your own dinner, it can all be arranged through the island’s Captain Skeeter.
What do you think?