Communities

Since the end of World War II the islands of the Bahamas have been an internationally recognized tourist destination. Vast improvements in technology, transportation and infrastructure have lured many to sow more permanent seeds in the archipelago. With so many islands and communities to choose from the Bahamas real estate experts at Island Living Ltd. have created the following top 20 list.

The criteria used in the ranking include; quality of neighbourhood (maturity, infrastructure, aesthetics, privacy); amenities; access to beach/docks; and proximity to medical and shopping facilities. 

Here are the top 20 communities in the Bahamas to live in.

#1 Lyford Cay, New Providence

Developed in the 1950’s, Lyford Cay sets the standard for gated communities in the Bahamas. It is a magnificent private residential neighbourhood located on the most western tip of New Providence. It boasts over 300 beautifully landscaped properties within a 1000-acre gated community and includes the world-renowned Lyford Cay Club. Residents and members enjoy a championship golf course, twelve tennis courts, a full service marina, private school and world-class cuisine. A half-mile of powdery white beach, twenty-four hour security and exclusive privileges distinguish Lyford Cay as a truly unique place to live. Homesites start at half a million.

#2 Ocean Club Estates, Paradise Island

Ocean Club Estates is located on Paradise Island. The community, designed by Atlantis’ chairman Sol Kerzner, offers the most complete amenities of any resort destination in the Caribbean. The 300-acre site comprises 122 homesites, a world championship golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf and the clubhouse. Owners in the community enjoy the benefits of the One & Only Ocean Club Resort and the Atlantis hotel. Perhaps the most unique Bahamas real estate opportunity. Prices start around $750,000

#3 Harbour Island, Eleuthera

Harbour Island was originally settled in the mid-late 1600’s, before the United States was a nation. Only three miles long and a half-mile wide, its quaint New England architecture and the island’s loyalist history are still the predominant theme. Residents on the island have taken great pride in preserving the architecture and original buildings as evidenced by the Loyalist Cottage (1796). Colonial style homes can be found in the low $400’s but expect to pay well upwards of $1,000,000 to be on the famous pink sand beach.

#4 Elbow Cay, Abaco

Elbow Cay is approximately 6 miles long and 1/4 mile wide. A magnificent barrier reef protects the long sandy beaches, making them perfect for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing. The main settlement on Elbow Cay is Hope Town, a small 18th century picturesque village built around a protected harbour. Often described as a pastel-coloured New England fishing village, Hope Town has several fine restaurants, lovely inns, grocery stores, a drugstore, modern marinas, a medical clinic, and most importantly a genuinely kind and friendly population. Interior homesites start at $125,000 and beachfront at $400,000+.

 #5 Sandyport, New Providence

The 144-acre Sandyport Marina Village is one of Nassau's premier planned gated communities, a private enclave offering enchanting luxury waterfront properties designed to capture the charm of island living while offering the finest of modern appointments. Homes overlook the water and have private docking facilities with easy ocean access via Sandyport's meandering waterways. Enchanting pastel exteriors highlight the elegant Bahamian Colonial-style architecture. Waterfront apartments start at $350,000.

#6 Old Bahama Bay, Grand Bahama

Old Bahama Bay is a luxury resort hotel, community and marina. It is set on the western-most tip of Grand Bahama Island near the historic village of West End. This heavenly out-island escape is located just 56 miles from the Florida coast. Homesites at Old Bahama Bay include the magnificent Pine Island lots, each boasting one-acre of land flanked on both sides by 145' of water - perfect for an oceanfront home and a private deep-water slip. Old Fort Bay was just ranked one of the finest places to stay in 2004 by Great Hotels & Resorts. Homesites are offered from $360,000.

#7 Port New Providence, New Providence

Located on the eastern end of Nassau, Port New Providence is a private gated community where every homesite has canal frontage. The community is clean with relatively new homes. Homesites start at $500,000, homes just over $1,000,000.

#8 Old Fort Bay, New Providence

Situated next to Lyford Cay (our #1 community) Old Fort Bay is a new gated community offering sophisticated island living. The renovated clubhouse is the signature feature providing fine dining and numerous other activities to its members. The beach at Old Fort is one of the best in the Bahamas. Inland homesites currently start at $265,000, canal homesites at $350,000.

#9 Treasure Cay, Abaco

Treasure Cay is a 1,500-acre beach resort and marina less than 200 miles and a one-hour flight from the Florida coast. It features a magnificent 3 1/2 mile powdery-white, sandy beach – once rated by National Geographic as one of the top 10 in the world, a modern 150-slip marina and its own 18-hole, 72-par, 6,985 yard Dick Wilson designed championship golf course, the only golf course on the island of Abaco. In 1999, Golf Digest voted it the #1 golf course in the Bahamas! Inland homesites start at $30,000, beachfront condos at $425,000. 

#10 Emerald Bay, Exuma

Nestled within the luxurious 470-acres of Emerald Bay is its heart of splendor and indulgence, also known as the incomparable Four Seasons Resort at Emerald Bay. The deepwater marina offers two well-protected harbors, accommodating over 200 yachts with lengths up to 250'. The 18-hole Greg Norman designed golf course is expected to bring significant international attention. Emerald Bay will climb the top 20 list as the community matures. Homesites currently starting at $800,000.

#11 February Point, Exuma

Situated on a private 80-acre peninsula overlooking the Exumas’ many tiny cays, coves and virgin beaches, February Point is designed to provide the perfect haven for those yearning for sunshine, unspoiled natural beauty and the ambiance of The Bahamas' Family Islands. To date it offers the most aesthetically pleasing and sophisticated community in Exuma. Homesites start at $300,000, luxury villas at $1,200,000.

#12 Shoreline, Grand Bahama

Situated on its own idyllic beach amid beautifully landscaped gardens, Shoreline is a prestigious, newly built, private gated community of 76 luxuriously appointed Bahamian style residences and a town house enclave. Other amenities will include a clubhouse, 2 tennis courts and a basketball court. Homes starting at $625,000.

 #13 Great Abaco Club & Pelican Shores, Abaco

Although separate, both communities are situated in Marsh Harbour, the capital of Abaco. It has the second busiest airstrip in the Bahamas with daily flights to and from the US. The town is clean, well maintained and is centrally located between all of Abaco’s outer cays. The homes are well built on spacious lots. Canal homesites start at $250,000.

 #14 Port Lucaya/Bell Channel Club, Grand Bahama

Port Lucaya is an established resort and modern, full-service marina complete with all the services you would expect from a world-class facility, including accommodations for yachts up to 190'. Experience the vibrant Marketplace Wing featuring bars, shops, restaurants, and live music and dancing. Or, enjoy the tranquil Sea Garden Wing around the tropical gardens and Olympic swimming pool of the Port Lucaya Resort & Yacht Club. Apartments start from $345,000.

T-#15 Green Turtle Cay & Man-O-War Cay, Abaco

Green Turtle Cay blends its Abaconian history and tradition with pastel-painted, clapboard covered homes reminiscent of a turn-of-the century New England seaside village. This quiet and quaint little island offers exceptional beaches, peace, relaxation, deep-sea fishing and great diving (good off-shore coral gardens as well as beach access to parts of The Abacos' 100 mile long barrier reef). On the southern end of Green Turtle, the village of New Plymouth offers numerous historically oriented discoveries. Waterfront homesites start at $300,000. Man-O-War Cay has been the capital of The Bahamas' boat-building industry for almost 200 years; Man -O-War is the most water-oriented cay in the Abacos. Some boats are still totally handmade - without plans of any kind! No cars are allowed on this island - carts are the only permitted form of transportation. It’s easy to see the cays' sea-going heritage in the well-kept homes' numerous "Widow's Walks" and the wide range of nautically oriented shops and stores lining Man -O- War's waterfront. 2-bed condominiums are available from $395,000.

 #17 Windermere Island, Eleuthera

The private and gated Windermere Island sits off the coast of Eleuthera and is accessed by a guarded bridge. The island is 5 miles long and has one of the world's most beautiful pink sand beaches running its entire length. People searching for privacy will find it on Windermere Island. Accommodations range from one-bedroom suites to the most elegant of estates. A private club, open from late November through mid-May is maintained on the island for members and guests. The club offers a large pool, tennis courts, and a dining room. Homesites in the Windermere Club start just over $100,000.

 #18 Orchid Bay - Guana Cay, Abaco

This private oceanfront community embraces two kilometers of dramatic shoreline on the pristine Guana Cay. Development features include outstanding views, beautiful beaches, deep water up to the shoreline on Sea of Abaco properties, full service marina, pool, tennis court and a restaurant. Additional restaurants are nearby as well as groceries, hardware and gift shops. Homesites start at $200,000.

#19 Winding Bay, Abaco

Winding Bay is nestled on a 520-acre peninsula with 2 miles of powder soft beach, 50’ elevations, and a clubhouse in form of an historic plantation home. Designed by Scotland’s Donald Steel, the golf course will be the first true ‘links’ course in a tropical destination. Only 60 homesites each with a minimum of 200 feet of oceanfront and 75 Bahamian village cottages are available. Winding Bay will climb the Top 20 list as it matures. Prices currently starting at $1,000,000.

 #20 Kamalame Cay, Andros

Kamalame Cay is a five star all-inclusive private island resort located at the end of the road in Staniard Creek, a quiet settlement of roughly 100 people. It is situated on 96 acres with 3 miles of pristine white sand beach, intimate marina rooms and romantic cottage & villa suites. The area is well renowned for its bonefishing flats, as shown on ESPN. Homeites start at $125,000.

We trust you will find this list helpful in your quest for the perfect property. Before buying, be sure to contact a reputable and knowledgeable broker who can assist you with the pros and cons of each community. You may also want to find out about new communities that are entering the market or a quiet retreat outside of the covenants that are typical of most planned communities. Whatever your final destination we hope it will provide you with years of happiness and memories.