This 685-acre island just north of Nassau is a true island paradise, graced with white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Water temperatures here average about 80 degrees year-round, so water sports, including water skiing, snorkeling, parasailing, kite boarding and diving are always popular activities. The real showcase of the island is Cabbage Beach, a two-mile stretch of palm-lined white sands -- a sunbather's haven in the winter. Nearby is the more isolated Paradise Beach, dotted by thatched huts.

Casinos and nightclubs are hotspots when the sun goes down, featuring live shows, dancing and music such as Junkanoo, authentic Bahamian island music. An 18-hole championship golf course, an aquarium, shops and local and international restaurants round out the island's amenities.