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The Islands of the Bahamas is a 100,000-sq-mile archipelago with over 700 islands that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world. Most notable, however, is that each island has its own diversity that continues beyond geography, carrying through to the heart of The Bahamas, the Bahamian people. The emerald and turquoise waters of The Bahamas archipelago naturally form breathtaking beaches. Couples choose to get married and honeymoon in The Bahamas because of the many ways the Islands bring them even closer together. The beauty. The beaches. The experiences.

THINGS TO DO

Beaches: The emerald and turquoise waters of The Bahamas archipelago naturally form breath-taking beaches. Seclusion. Activity. Countless meandering miles of sand, white or pink. Where ocean meets land here, the possible rewards are genuinely endless.

Birding: Pack the binoculars. Raid the bookstore. Make landfall prepared to hunt and gather sitings of 28 species of Bahamian birds not seen in the U.S., Canada, or Europe. With sanctuaries and mangrove swamps scattered across the Islands, this is serious fun.

Boating & Sailing: Since the day they were first discovered by ship, the 700 islands in The Bahamas have increasingly become a magnet for sea vessels. Fuel up. Chart a course. Uninhabited cays, hidden coves, annual regattas, and modern marinas will sweeten the voyage.

Dining: An unforgettable way to experience Bahamian culture is through your stomach. Bahamian cuisine is available roadside, beachside, and in fine-dining establishments with a host of International cuisine. Sample. Or feast outright. Remember, this is vacation.

Diving: Coral reefs. Blue holes. Walls. Caves. Shipwrecks. Sharks. Dolphins. Stingrays. The variety of islands in The Bahamas present a variety of diving experiences. Beginners and experts are welcome. Lessons and guides can be found throughout the islands.

Ecotours: The ecosystem of The Bahamas is a natural playground for a variety of ecotour pursuits. Hook up with guides for exploration under the water, on the water, and across the terra firma. See the flora. Meet the fauna. Write home about the indigenous beauty.

Entertainment: Sun, sand, and surf may own the days in The Bahamas, but clubs and live shows own the nights. Thanks to a Bahamian fondness for music and dancing, there’s no shortage of nightspots, local talent, and good company to make a vacation day last long after twilight.

Family Fun: Maybe it’s Bahamian familial values or our appreciation for big smiles of the small variety. Regardless, special programs for children abound. Give the sitter a vacation, too. Bring the kids along. See The Bahamas in a way only a child can.

Festivals: The diverse cultural history of The Bahamas nurtures an equally diverse calendar of festivals. Join the locals in celebration. Race a sloop. Sample native fare. Dance in the streets to Goombay music. Let go and hold on tight. Time to party Bahamian style.

Fishing: See why The Bahamas has produced over 50 record catches. Come for big-game tournaments, deep-sea charters, or to witness the vigorous strike of the bonefish. The flats and deep waters of The Bahamas are suitable for beginners and sportfishing enthusiasts.

Gaming: The Bahamas is home to a handful of world-class casinos that cater exclusively to vacationers. (Local customs prohibit Bahamians from gambling.) With a tropical paradise just outside the casino doors, a winning combination is undoubtedly a sure thing.

Golf: Championship fairways and greens await golfers eager to bring their game to a new level—mere feet above sea level. 18-hole it. 9-hole it. Double round it. Savor all of it. Because the scenery can turn even a bad round into a flawless day of vacation.

Private Flying: The Bahamas weather is "severe clear" nearly every day. Cumulus clouds generally dot the sky at around 2,500 feet in the morning, if at all, rising to 7,500 feet in the afternoon. Plan a trip. File a flight plan. Take off. Touch down. Refuel the soul.

Shopping: Bring an appetite for authenticity. Today’s Bahamians continue the tradition of early island natives by using local resources to create distinct items that reflect their heritage. Straw markets reveal foods, spices, ceramics, crafts, art, and music.

Watersports: With water temperatures averaging about 80°F year-round throughout The Bahamas, water sports are naturally a popular vacation activity. Throw on a swimsuit. Grab a towel. Explore the emerald-green, turquoise, and crystal-blue waters one sport at a time.

CUISINE

Restaurants abound, all different variations, price and ambience.  If you are on your honeymoon or getting married in Nassau, stop by the elegant Graycliff Restaurant for some of the best meals, but more so for its extensive wine list and exotic cigars.  Again, this is not a sneakers restaurant. My all time favorite is local dining. Sit in the open air and have the best cracked conch you will ever taste, and do not forget to try the local dessert – guava duff.  Dining in the Bahamas is truly a gastronomic experience.If you prefer to dine at your hotel, you will also be amazed at the diversity of the offerings.  Tipping is usually 15% of the bill.

MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Both parties must be in The Commonwealth of the Bahamas at the time of the application.
• Persons wishing to be married in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas may do so after one day. That is to say, if a person arrives in The Bahamas on Monday, they may come into the Registrar General Office on Tuesday, obtain a Marriage License (while waiting), and be married on the same day.
• If either part has been divorced, the original final decree or a certified copy must be produced. If either party is widowed, being certified of the deceased spouse must be produced. If either party is unmarried, being a citizen or resident of the U.S.A., a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a U.S. Consul at the American Embassy, Nassau, The Bahamas.
• If either party is unmarried, being a citizen or resident of a country other than the U.S.A., a declaration certifying this fact must be sworn before a Notary Public or other person authorized to administer oaths in that country and must accompany the application for the marriage License.
• The parties must produce some form of identification which has a photograph attached. The identification document must have been issued by a Government Office in the country where the parties reside.
• The parties must produce evidence of the date of their arrival in The Bahamas.
• Persons desirous of being married in a family Islands ( any Island outside of New Providence) can obtain a Marriage License at the Commissioners Office on that Island and need not come to Nassau.
• No blood test is necessary.

Cost: The fee for the license is $100.00.
Note: Marriage licenses are issued at the office of the Registrar General in Nassau. This office is opened to the public Mondays to Fridays between the hours of 9:30 a.m. - 4:30p.m.

Contact: P. O. Box N- 532
Nassau, Bahamas
Tel: (242) 322-3316
Fax: (242) 322-55

HOTELS