TheOut Islands— everythingbutNew
Providence andGrandBahama Island; ev-
erythingbut crowded— are a placewhere
sandflats glimmer, the shallows are the
lightest green, the deeps are purple, and
everything else is very, very blue. If you
want bright lights andnonstop action, the
Out Islands are not for you. If you enjoy
family-run establishments that have been
inbusiness for 50 years, empty beaches
where childrenhunt for hermit crabs in
tide pools, and three-table restaurants
where the owner takes your order, then
welcome toheaven. OnAndros Island, go
bonefishing and visit theAndrosia batik
factory. OnStaniel Cay, swim in the ce-
ruleangrottoof Thunderball Cave. Later,
arrange a tour to see thewildpigs onPig
Island (inside tip: Bring something to eat
or the pigswill be sorely disappointed).
Visit the national park onGreat Inagua
Island, home to thousands of pinkflamin-
gos. On Long Island, visit the caves at Salt
Pond, take in an eveninggame of domi-
noes, see the phantasmagoric shell work
of Mr. AllenDixon (Everglades Souvenir
Shop), andfindout for yourselfwhether
Cape SantaMaria (pictured left) does in-
deed have thewhitest sand in theworld.
bahamas.com;myoutislands.com
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