Why I Keep Returning to the Bahamas: A Photographer’s Quiet Favourite
Some places surprise you.
Others you return to — not because they change, but because they don’t.
The Bahamas has been that place for me. I’ve visited three times now — Nassau once, and twice in Cable Beach. Each time, the colours of the sea, the pace of the day, and the absence of noise draw me back.
This is not a trip filled with rush or plans. It’s just sea, sky, and sand — and when the light’s good, you’ll find me with my camera, quietly working.
📍Daylight Blue: What the Bahamas Actually Looks Like
The water here doesn’t need filters. On a clear day, you get almost a full palette — starting with clear shallows, fading into aqua, then into a rich, calm blue. It’s the kind of colour shift that would feel fake if I saw it in someone else’s photo.
In Cable Beach, I usually stay near the Japanese hotel with that now-famous black Hello Kitty wall and the surprisingly low sales tax. A strange combo, yes, but it makes post-shoot meals fun — and surprisingly affordable.
I always carry my waterproof camera backpack, especially when shooting beachside or boarding boats for the turtle and dolphin tours. The sudden spray, the changing light — it's all part of it.
🌊 Nassau vs. Cancun vs. Bahamas
Compared to summer in Cancun or the festive energy of Playa del Carmen, the Bahamas feels quieter, more open. The beaches are soft, the water crystalline, and if you go just slightly off-season, it’s all yours.
I’ve shot coral reefs off the coast, tidepools at low light, and even caught glimpses of stingrays sweeping past sandbars. There’s a rhythm to this place that invites stillness, not spectacle.
🏨 Where I Stay & Why I Choose It
For anyone wondering, I alternate between the Grand Hyatt and Atlantis. Atlantis has better balcony light, but the cave-like features at the Hyatt (P10–P12 area) make for great indoor shooting when the sun’s too harsh.
Both hotels are solid for food (nothing mind-blowing), but the landscapes and structures? Very frame-worthy.
✈️ Flight Notes from a Toronto-Based Traveller
Getting here from Toronto isn’t always easy — layovers happen — but it’s worth every minute. The trick? Don’t rush. I usually stop over in Miami or fly out from Montreal if I need to. But once I arrive, I downshift completely.
Final Notes
Some say the Bahamas is too quiet. I’d argue that’s the point.
The light here hits the sea in a way I’ve rarely seen. It’s clean, layered, and wildly photogenic. If you’re a photographer — or just someone needing a pause — this place holds you in a different way.
And if you’re smart enough to pack light, bring your waterproof camera backpack and let the rest wait.
