The Bahamas is having a banner year for stop-over arrivals from Canada
The Bahamas is having another good year for stop-over arrivals, with the number of visitors who spend at least one night in the destination up significantly last year from 2023, and the number of Canadians in particular showing a hefty rise.
“Year-over-year arrivals from Canada were up 50.3% in 2024 over 2023, and 2025 is on track to outpace 2024,” says Mikala Moss, director of sales and marketing, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation.
European arrivals were up 18.4% in 2024 over 2023. Again, 2025 is on track to outpace 2024, Moss reports
However, arrivals from the USA dropped slightly, with a -3.6% decrease reported in 2024. This year’s arrivals continue to outpace 2019 arrivals, however, and are expected to break even.
Moss adds her office is upbeat about the upcoming season.
“The Bahamas expects to have a strong 2025-2026 winter season, with more than double the usual winter airlift capacity from Canada, coupled with the introduction of nonstop flights from two new gateways – Halifax and Ottawa,” she reports. “The Bahamas will also see an increase in airlift capacity from the Latin America market, and the US market will also introduce a couple of new seasonal nonstop flights from the Midwest this winter.”
Unsurprisingly, Nassau and Paradise Island see the lion’s share of visitors, largely because of the larger volume of accommodation and nonstop flight options. The Abacos, Eleuthera, The Exumas, Grand Bahama, San Salvador and Bimini round out the top seven destinations in The Bahamas that tourists most frequently vacation in.
“First time visitors tend to prioritize a nonstop flight and familiarity when selecting their destination in The Bahamas, which again puts Nassau and Paradise Island at the top of the list,” Moss adds. “However, Canadians have their choice of three additional Bahamian islands with nonstop airlift.”
Those islands are Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, with Sunwing Vacations offering it from Toronto and Montreal; The Exumas with Air Canada offering it from Toronto; and San Salvador, available with a Club Med charter from Montreal.
Nassau in turn has nonstop flights with Air Canada from Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax, the latter two new in 2025; WestJet from Toronto and Calgary; and Porter from Toronto and Ottawa, both new this year.
“Seasoned Canadian travellers in search of locations that are never crowded opt for a connecting flight through Nassau – or south Florida – to venture over to Andros, Long Island, and Cat Island just to name a few,” Moss continues.
“Beach vacations remain a top reason for travel, however warm weather/climate, close proximity, rest/relaxation, and specific activities or events are also key factors expanding the appeal of The Islands of The Bahamas for Canadians,” she states, while also citing opportunities for the likes of such celebrations as weddings, honeymoons, and milestone events; meetings and conferences; sporting events such as golf tournaments, cycling events, and marathons/triathlons; annual cultural, food and music festivals, including Junkanoo, Goombay Summer Festival, Pineapple Fest. (on Eleuthera), Crab Fest. (on Andros), Conch Cracking Fest. (on Grand Bahama), Mutton Fest. (on Long Island), Rake N Scrape Fest (on Cat Island), Hopetown Music & Rum Festival (on The Abacos), George Town Cruising Regatta on The Exumas).
Moss says The Bahamas attracts people from this country for differing reasons.
“Many of the mega resorts and several of the boutique hotels host annual culinary, music, and arts and crafts events also, which are amassing quite a following of repeat visitors,” Moss adds.
New Bahamian experiences. include this summer’s first annual Women’s Dive Week, which took place this past July; Mission for Mangroves; Coral Vita; and JetCar Adventures
New hotels are Jack’s Bay on South Eleuthera; Montage Cay in The Abacos; The Farm, on North Eleuthera and the newest member of the Little Island Hotel chain, which includes The Other Side and Harbour island’s Ocean View; and The Potlatch Club Boutique Hotel, found in Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera.
New on the cruise front is Carnival’s Celebration Cay, which opened on Grand Bahama Island in July, and The Royal Beach Club, slated to open on Paradise Island in December.
Meanwhile, Moss says her destination can provide varying travel experiences.
“The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays to explore, starting with 16 unique island destinations, each with a distinctive personality and tempo,” she reports. “It’s an easy destination to fly to, easy to curate the ideal balance of relaxation and activity, easy to create a lifetime of experiences. Whether you’re traveling solo, with your special someone, with kids, parents, friends or colleagues, there’s something for everyone in The Islands of The Bahamas.
“The Bahamas has a unique program called the People-To-People Experience, where we pair visitors looking for a one-of-a-kind experience with local Bahamian volunteers, who open their hearts and homes to involve visitors in an authentic Bahamian experience based on their mutual interests. It’s free to sign up, free to participate, and it’s available on most of our islands. We encourage everyone to connect with a local, enjoy a new experience, and perhaps make a new lifelong friend,” she adds.
