Island Living Bahamas

The Bahamas is known for its sun, sand and sea, but a day at the beach isn't the only way to enjoy the country's stunning natural beauty.

New Providence's six national parks is a great way to discover the island's indigenous flora and fauna.

At the southwest end of the island visit the Primeval Forest National Park, which is home to an old-growth forest with limestone caverns, sinkholes and early evergreen tropical hardwood trees as well as a variety of native flora and fauna, birds and butterflies.

Also in the southwest is Bonefish Pond, consisting of 1,800 acres of coastal wetlands. Use the boardwalks to explore the marine nursery for resident fish and birds. 

At the 250-acre Harrold and Wilson Ponds National Park in south-central New Providence there are more than 100 species of birds, including herons, ibises, cormorants and egrets. This park has a network of broadwalks and pathways.

The Retreat on Village Road, in the eastern New Providence, is an 11-acre habitat of one of the world's largest private collections of rare and exotic palms.

In west-central New Providence is the 177-acre Perpall Tract National Park. This area is rich with native endemic plants and medicinal flora.

New Providence's largest national park is the Southwest New Providence Marine Managed Areas - 18,000 acres off the island's west coast. This marine preserve includes popular dive sites and over reef and seagrass ecosystems as well as many important fishing areas.

At the Clifton Heritage National Park you can see the remains of former plantation, restored slave dwellings, stone walls and 200-year-old artifacts. This park is located on the island's most westernmost tip and is a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature walks, eco-tours, snorkeling and the BREEF Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden.

It is also home to three gorgeous beaches - Jaws Beach, Johnston Beach and Flipper Beach

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