Adventure starts just outside the shoreline, where the Bahamas reveals a vibrant underwater environment. You can go to the Stuart Cove dive centre near Nassau for dives among the reefs and opportunities to see sharks, or take a guided trip with UNEXSO in Freeport around Grand Bahama. In Exuma's George Town, diving is available near the blue holes, coral gardens, and clear channels. On land, you have the option of kayaking through the mangroves, sailing among the Exuma Cays, or easily snorkelling in Thunderball Grotto.

If you look past the blue colour, you will see islands which have been shaped by seafarers, by the idea of freedom and through enthusiastic celebration. In Nassau, both Fort Charlotte and the Pompey Museum tell the stories of colonial rule and emancipation. At Clifton Heritage National Park on New Providence, the paths link together the Lucayan, African and European histories next to the sea. Junkanoo, the great Bahamian street parade, includes drums, cowbells and vivid costumes. On San Salvador, modest landmarks remember a long and complex Atlantic history.

There is a theatrical quality about the natural scenery in this area. On Long Island, there is a well-known blue hole which is set within a circular shape bordered by light sand. Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama contains underwater caves, pine forests and mangrove creeks. In the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, the unspoiled reefs shine beneath water that is so clear it looks like glass. If you travel south to Great Inagua, you might see the flamingos moving across the wetlands like a shifting ribbon of coral pink.

Luxury has a wonderfully loose and natural feel in the Bahamas. The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort on Paradise Island, features well-tended gardens, allows guests to enjoy private time on the beach, and offers excellent service. Rosewood Baha Mar in Nassau features refined suites, elegant pools and well-thought-out dining, whereas Kamalame Cay on Andros gives a sense of seclusion and personal attention. At The Cove at Atlantis, modern rooms combine with the resort's vibrant glamour. You have the option to go for something on a grand scale or choose barefoot privacy, with all the details focused on comfort and ease.

Eat with the intention of being full, since Bahamian food is vibrant, abundant, and full of the island's spirit. In Nassau, have the fresh conch salad, sharpened with lime, tomato, and chilli, followed by cracked conch or grilled rock lobster or grouper, served with peas and rice. Arawak Cay offers popular local dishes and Harbour Island provides stylish beachside dining along with international menus. End the meal with either guava duff or rum cake. Whether you visit simple fish stalls or more refined restaurants, the variety has a deliciously easy-about-it feel.

Romance in the Bahamas comes gently, usually with warm sand under your feet and no pressing need to be anywhere. You might take a sunset sail around the Exuma Cays, plan a private picnic on a peaceful sandbar, or cycle alongside the pastel cottages on Harbour Island. In Nassau, having a couples' spa treatment and then eating dinner by the water has a carefree sort of specialness about it, and even a morning swim can turn into a memorable experience since the light, the sea and the stillness all seem to be intended for two.

It seems easy to spend time with your family when each day presents a small adventure. On Paradise Island, Atlantis offers slides, river rides, and marine habitats, and in Nassau, Baha Bay provides a well-polished water park by the sea. Younger explorers can see the flamingos at Ardastra Gardens or go into the swashbuckling stories at Pirates of Nassau. If you prefer a more relaxed approach, take a glass-bottom boat trip, go shell hunting on Cable Beach, or have a peaceful family snorkel.