After Jamaica, the Bahamas are the second favorite travel destination of British secret agent James Bond: "Thunderball" was filmed on the islands in 1965, "Never Say Never Again" in 1983 - and in 2006 Daniel Craig returned for "Casino Royale". No wonder, the Bahamas are one of the most idyllic settings in the world. You'll immediately feel like you're in a movie. The water glows pastel blue to turquoise green and is surreally beautiful. Each island has its own charm.

The Bahamas is known for flamingos. © iStock

The best insider tips

The not so very exciting capital Nassau is for most people only the starting point for island hopping with domestic flights, taking off several times a day (the Bahamas have 20 airports), or via boat. Going by plane shows the whole splendor from above - for how long the islands stretch out in the sea or how many dream beaches there are. In the boat you pass luxury villas of Hollywood stars and many uninhabited islands. Inagua, the southernmost island, is home to 80,000 flamingos. There are also many environmentally friendly accommodations; the Abaco Islands are ideal for sailors; Harbour Island is the prettiest destination with famous New England-style architecture; Eleuthera is only five minutes away by ferry.

Snorkeling with sharks © Mauritius Image

At the Exumas, a chain of 365 islands, the water is sapphire blue - and there are swimming pigs to which boat trips are offered.

Dean's Blue Hole, an Eldorado for apnea divers. © provided

And then there's Long Island if you want to experience the original laid-back Bahamian lifestyle. On this island, the clocks run slower, you immediately start to relax. 

Where to stay

The Ocean Club

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A hotel has stood at this location - with eight kilometers of gorgeous sandy beach - since 1962. Today, Four Seasons welcomes celebrities and discerning travelers.

The Ocean Club
One Ocean Drive, Paradise Island, Bahamas
Web: fourseasons.com
Price: Doubles incl. breakfast from € 1600,-

Rosewood Baha Mar

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The "Rosewood" is known for its first-class service. Guests in villas and suites are pampered by a butler and relax during the day in private beach cabanas on the fine white sand.

Rosewood Baha Mar
One Baha Mar Blvd, Nassau, The Bahamas
Web: rosewoodhotels.com
Price: Doubles from € 1200,-

Royal Bahamian Resort

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After a 55-million-euro renovation, the "Royal Bahamian" shines in new splendor now and features, among other things, beach villas with private pools and butler service.

Royal Bahamian Resort
W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas
Web: sandals.com
Price: Doubles (all-inclusive) from € 896,-

Where to eat

Dune

Celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurant is perched high up on a sandy rock with a fabulous view of the endless ocean. At the same time, innovative French-Asian dishes are prepared in the show kitchen.

Web: jean-georges.com

Graycliff

A few minutes' walk from the glamour of Nassau lies the "Graycliff Hotel" with its first-class restaurant. In addition to excellent wine, the outstanding Caribbean cuisine beckons; Jay-Z and Beyoncé regularly fly in just to dine.

Web: graycliff.com

Café Martinique

At this French fine-dining destination, you can enjoy brine meunière and lobster navarin overlooking gleaming superyachts in the harbor of the glamorous Atlantis Marina.

Web: atlantisbahamas.com

Text: Karin Cerny and Katharina Kotrba