Everyone needs to get away every now and again, but planning a vacation can prove a serious stressor in and of itself, particularly if you have your heart set on a beachy spot but have a hard time deciding between multiple island destinations.

Choosing an island destination can be hard when there are so many idyllic options within just a few hours’ plane ride, but one of the very best vacation spots is right nearby: The Bahamas.

Here are the top 10 reasons that you won’t want to miss out on a trip to The Bahamas.

1. Diverse Aquatic Sights

The Bahamas offer the striking crystal waters that one might associate with the Caribbean, despite these islands being only about an hour from Miami and therefore planted squarely in the Atlantic. These waters may actually be some of the clearest in the world, so it’s no wonder it’s a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Perhaps even more beautiful than the water itself is what lies therein: The Bahamas are full of colorful marine life and an assortment of shipwrecks just waiting to be explored.

One particularly unusual aquatic delight is the opportunity to witness swimming pigs in Exuma. Not only can you watch these surprising animals enjoy the Bahamian waters, you can actually swim with them, an activity that has grown increasingly popular in recent years.

If you can dream up a water sport, you’ll be able to find a place to take part in it in The Bahamas.

2. Stunning Beaches

As you might expect from a famed island destination, The Bahamas are not in short supply of beaches.

Powdery, light sand can be found around most of the many, many Bahamian islands; some of them are secluded and remote, while others are adjacent to luxury resorts, so there’s bound to be a beach that suits everyone’s vacation desires. Relax on a beach alone to drop out, or plant yourself among other vacationers with a drink in your hand—there are plenty of beach options for both.

Perhaps even more exciting for those pursuing an unusual sight are The Bahamas’ pink sand beaches, like that of Harbour Island. These colorful beaches are thought to be the result of many broken pieces of coral from the reefs that surround the islands, giving the sand a warm, rosy hue. Pair these colorful beaches with some of the islands’ lovely sunsets and you’ll have a truly unmissable sight.

3. Eclectic Bahamian Cuisine

Everyone knows that island life has a flavor all its own, but Bahamian food is far superior to most island cuisine. Food on The Bahamas blends together a fusion of South American with Caribbean to create a balanced but incredibly flavorful offering. Conch is the food that The Bahamas are best known for, and there’s nowhere else on Earth that prepares it quite so well.

Plus, The Bahamas host multiple food festivals throughout the year to give visitors the opportunity to eat like locals and join in on island activities. These festivals generally focus around one sort of food, like crab or pineapple, so you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy local favorites prepared in a variety of ways. For the most part, these festivals take place during the summer months.

4. Island Hopping Opportunities

The Bahamas are what’s known as an archipelago, meaning that they’re a group of islands clustered together closely, and therefore regarded as one total unit. In the case of The Bahamas, this archipelago contains more than 700 islands of all sorts of sizes and landscapes. Many of them are uninhabited and therefore truly unspoilt which can prove exciting if you have the nature of an explorer or are interested in getting a view of what these islands looked like before humans discovered them.

The varied offerings of The Bahamas mean that no matter what sort of vacation you’re looking for, you can hop to a nearby island that offers it. Hoping to immerse yourself in wildlife? Take a trip to Inagua. Want to explore some historical sites? Check out Cat Island. The options are virtually limitless, so you won’t be disappointed.

5. Historically Significant Landmarks

Like many island destinations, The Bahamas are rich with history, particularly in the capital of Nassau. If you’re interested in taking a break from soaking up the sun on the beach, there is no shortage of history preserved in Bahamian landmarks for you to explore.

Traverse Versailles Gardens and French Cloister on Paradise Island, or the Queen’s Staircase in Nassau to get a peek into these islands’ pasts. Exploring some of these historical sites can give you insight into the winding path The Bahamas took before becoming the paradise that it is today, and help you understand the melting pot culture.

6. Variety of Accommodations

No matter if you’re after a luxury, all-inclusive environment or a beach cottage that gives you a more local taste, The Bahamas can offer exactly what you’re looking for. The great thing about this variety is that there’s no shortage of natural beauty to go around, so whatever accommodation suits your style, you are sure to have breathtaking views.

Many of the most extravagant resorts have staked claim on some of the best shoreline in the world, so if lounging around on an idyllic coastline aligns well with your idea of a good time, The Bahamas will be an especially good destination for you. Sun, sand, and gentle waves will be in large supply regardless of the type of accommodation you choose.

7. Shopping with The Locals

Some favorite tourist destinations are full of luxury outlets meant to give visitors a sense of grandeur while they’re on vacation, but not The Bahamas. Instead of a contrived shopping center meant to impress tourists, The Bahamas feature open air markets full of locally crafted, authentic items, oftentimes sold by the very people who crafted them.

If you are particularly interested in getting to know the local culture wherever you visit, The Bahamas will give you the opportunity not just to mingle with talented Bahamians, but to take a little piece of that culture home with you in the form of a work of art. Plus, supporting these local endeavors is a great way to bolster the economy so others can enjoy the beauty of the area for years to come.

8. Unbeatable Weather

In the summer during the warmest part of the year, average temperatures in The Bahamas range from 80 to 85, and the coldest months’ averages range from 70 to 78. The Bahamas do experience a wet season in the summer that lasts into the early fall, but for the most part you can bank on the weather being sunny and dry.

Tropical destinations are prone to somewhat temperamental weather, but The Bahamas boast unusually stable conditions, so you can make concrete plans without much risk that your outdoor activities will be foiled. This is a major advantage considering that most of The Bahamas’ biggest draws center around being outdoors.

9. Nightlife Options

A good time on The Bahamas doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down—quite the contrary, in fact. The nightlife in The Bahamas is as colorful and vibrant as every other part of the islands, so if you want to maximize your good time by keeping it going into the night, you won’t have any shortage of options.

Whether or not you’re interested in engaging in night life, a healthy one speaks to a buzzing island culture that can offer a good time no matter the hour. Not to mention the fact that this aspect of The Bahamas brings in a young crowd, so if your main goal is to imbibe and enjoy, you should not have any problem.

10. Close Enough to The U.S. for a Private Air Charter

There’s no shortage of idyllic island paradises within a reasonable flight of the U.S., but none are quite so close as The Bahamas. This proximity means that chartering a private flight is much less expensive than you might believe, so you can enjoy a truly luxury vacation experience right from the start. If you’ve always counted a private flight as out of your grasp, you ought to think again when it comes to The Bahamas.

Don’t settle for simplicity when an elevated experience is within reach—book your private flight to The Bahamas with us today. In less than two hours, you’ll be in paradise, and you’ll have had the experience of a lifetime getting there.

Choosing the right island paradise is a tall order, but there’s no reason to stress over choosing a Caribbean vacation destination when such a great option is so close.

There are seemingly limitless reasons to love The Bahamas, so don’t miss out on this idyllic experience with so many opportunities for beautiful sights, exciting adventures, and a little taste of luxury.