There’s no shortage of luxury, all-inclusive and self-catered hotels to choose from in the Bahamas. Pick from high-end resorts complete with butler service or self-catered apartments to share with the family.

• Breezes Hotel Bahamas is a great stay if you’re looking for a lively holiday. Take circus lessons by the pool or just sit back and be entertained. For a real treat, try the steak at the Garden of Eden restaurant.
• If you’re heading to the Bahamas for your honeymoon, stay at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and Offshore Island. This resort is pure luxury, with a butler service to help you tailor your stay. Put aside an afternoon to relax with the couples massage in the Red Lane® Spa.
• Travelling with the kids? Atlantis Paradise Island has 20 swimming areas to choose from.
• For a relaxing break, choose the Warwick Paradise Island. Everything you could possibly need is within walking distance of the resort – it's just a few minutes from Cabbage Beach, famous for its unbroken 3-mile stretch of soft shoreline. The casinos and shopping malls of Downtown Nassau are a short stroll away too, so you're never far from entertainment.

When you’re finished reclining by the shore, there are plenty of adventures on the water to keep you entertained. Beginners and experts alike can enjoy sailing, diving and so much more in the archipelago's inviting waters.

• Rose Island's extensive coral reefs are a big draw – not only are they an impressive sight in their own right, but the shallow waters make them ideal for new divers and children.
• Abacos is perfect for advanced divers. The waters are shallower here, but the scenery is magnificent. You can explore the enormous coral caverns at Green Turtle Cay, some 60ft tall, and the atmospheric shipwreck of the San Jacinto, sunk in 1865.
• For some of the best kayaking in the archipelago, head to Andros. The largest and least populated island in the Bahamas, its gentle waters make it the ideal place to relax and take in the postcard-perfect views. Paddle through mangrove swamps and lagoons to get a waterside view of its unspoilt natural beauty.

There’s no shortage of coastline to get to know in the Bahamas. From sun up to sun down (and beyond), find your perfect spot to explore, relax or party.

• If you’re planning a holiday to the Bahamas with the family, check out Gold Rock beach in the breath-taking Lucayan National Park. Full of caves and marine life, it’s ideal for young children. Visit at low tide to make the most of seashell collecting.
• Share the beach with stingrays at Stocking Island. It’s easy to get to by water taxi and great for drinks in the evening. Be sure to take plenty of local currency, as the beach bars here don’t accept cards.
• Get to know the island wildlife at Mayaguana. You'll be able spot all manner of creatures here, from flamingos to iguanas. It’s a secluded little island away from the party crowds, making it ideal if you prefer a quieter break.
• Climb to the nation's highest point on Cat Island. Mount Alvernia, named after La Verna in Italy, offers panoramic views across the countryside to the shore and is topped with a small monastery. As you climb the stone steps up to the summit, keep your eyes peeled for stone reliefs of the Stations of the Cross, hand-carved by local priest John Hawes in the 1930s.

To really get to know island life, you should visit during one of the multitude of lively festivals. These loud and colourful occasions almost always include tasty street food, the best of local music and lots of dancing.

• Junkanoo happens twice a year – at midnight on Boxing Day and New Year’s morning. It’s a crazy loud street parade featuring traditional costumes and dancing. The festival takes place in downtown Nassau on New Providence – head to Bay Street for the best viewing spot.
• Fans of sailing should try to catch the National Family Island Regatta. Held annually, usually in April, this festival celebrates all things boat-building and sailing. If you’re not a big boat fan, there’s still plenty of food and music to taste.
• The Eleuthera All That Jazz Festival is a must for musicians. Blues, R ‘n’ B and Caribbean jazz come together for the biggest party of the year. Head to the pavilion in Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, where you can enjoy the music surrounded by breath-taking natural beauty. Let your hair down at the free Friday night fish-fry jam session.