As the famous saying goes, “It’s Better in the Bahamas,” and by the look of the postcard-perfect beaches and palm trees, island life certainly does look pretty close to paradise. Located 80 kilometres off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas is a 259,000 square kilometre archipelago that extends over 804 kilometres, is comprised of 700 islands and an estimated land area of 13,939 square kilometres! Celebs like Johnny Depp and David Copperfield own their own private Bahamian islands, with many more beautiful people owning homes in the area.
India Hicks is one of those beautiful people that call Bahamas home year-round. In case you’re not familiar, India is the granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten, goddaughter of Prince Charles and was a bridesmaid to Charles and Diana. Today, she is renowned for her career as a model, interior designer and product creator with Crabtree & Evelyn (she recently won a 2009 Canadian Fragrance Award for her latest scent India Hicks Island Nights). She’s called the Bahamas home for 13 years, and she lives here with her partner David Flint Wood and their four children. We figured if there were anyone who could offer expert advice on the Bahamas, specifically honeymooning there, it would be India. “There are so many islands to explore in the Bahamas, offering different experiences for everyone,” she says. “There are lots of wonderful, romantic places.”
Here’s India’s hit list of musts while in the Bahamas.
STAY
“One of my favourite places for a romantic getaway is the Graycliff Hotel,” India says. Located in Old Nassau, the Graycliff Hotel offers a quiet, private and luxurious honeymoon escape. The main house is over 260 years old, which means this spot boasts some serious history as well as some seriously gorgeous scenery—the tropical gardens and gorgeous Caribbean landscapes are to die for. Graycliff is also home to the only five-star resto in the Bahamas.
SPA
“I love the spa at the One & Only Ocean Club,” India raves. “They offer an amazing menu of Bahamian treatments that are inspired by the island and feature ingredients indigenous to the Bahamas. It’s an amazing place to spend the day and be unbelievably pampered.”
EAT
“One place we always find ourselves is The Landing on Harbour Island,” India says. “It is one of those restaurants that has it all—great food and a great atmosphere. The menu is very contemporary and focused on dishes made with local produce and local fish and seafood. I absolutely love the grouper fillet here!”
PLAY
“There are so many amazing beaches in the Bahamas, and many of them are incredibly private and undiscovered, which I think makes for a wonderful honeymoon adventure,” India laughs. “An area renowned for these hidden spots is Eleuthera—it is simply breathtaking there. You can explore the area on your own, or I recommend looking into signing on for some adventure activities in Eleuthera. Kayaking, surfing and cliffjumping are a few popular ones.”
Other things India recommends checking out while in the islands? Bonefishing (“The Bahamas is renowned for this and it’s actually very fun and relaxing”), and a sail through Staniel Cay in the Exumas to dolphin watch. Also a must while in Staniel Cay: a trip to the 007 Thunderball Grotto, a spectacular underwater cave made famous by the James Bond movie Thunderball.
SHOP
“I co-own a store on Harbour Island called the Sugar Mill, which I think is a fantastic place to shop!” India laughs. “We stock our store with anything and everything that is unique. We retail fashion, housewares, jewellery and gifts and you can spend as much as $1,000 or as little as two dollars, and walk out with a treasure.”
WHEN TO GO
“I love spring and summer in the Bahamas,” India says. “September and October is hurricane season so not the ideal time to visit. Summers are warm but very beautiful and actually one of the most lovely times for the islands. My other suggested months are April and May when the weather is practically perfect.”
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Posted by Paulette Davis - wedding planner on September 16, 2009 at 5:09 p.m.
I have visited India's store in Harbor Island and it is beautiful. Unique and inviting. She has shared a nice overview of our country - and is correct - there are so many islands to see and each different. Eleuthera is also one of my favorites - but the beaches in Abaco and Exuma are also spectacular. There is much more to the Bahamas than Nassau and Paradise Island and many wonderful wedding and honeymoon locations! Hope you will come and visit!
Posted by Glenn Ferguson on September 28, 2010 at 9:45 a.m.
The Bahamas is great anytime of the year for visiting and especially a Bahamas wedding. In fact the weather in the Bahamas is ideal year round being the place for the coolest summers and warmest winters.
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