Everything’s Better In the Bahamas

This article is part of our VICE Weekends summer series, presented by Weis

A common tagline you'll find printed on the souvenir t-shirts of the Bahamas is "everything's better"—and they've got a point. Some 700 islands make up the Bahamas, with marine life frolicking their way along a coral-based archipelago that stretches southeast across the Atlantic for miles. The water is a pristine turquoise turned up to 11 with a little bit of sapphire blue thrown into the mix, but here's the scoop: that crystal clear sea isn't the only thing that's good.

Let's start with breakfast. Atlantis Paradise Island is an ocean-themed hotel, fine dining haven and water park hybrid that's been made to offer tourists a taste of life in the legendary destroyed city of Atlantis. Amongst its many features is a bountiful breakfast buffet with a giant aquarium instead of regular walls. Stroll past Nobu and post up at the buffet, watching the fishes swim by as you wait for your omelette being made to order.

If you want to eat like a local, a true Bahamian must-have is conch (pronounced "kongk"), which is the common name given to the delicious medium to large-sized sea snails that are plentiful in the area. Order that tasty Caribbean mollusk fresh or fried, as a salad or fritters. It'll make you forget all about the fish and chips from the land you call home.

Next stop: swimming piggies. Hire a boat and motor over to the uninhabited island in Exuma where these cheeky rascals live. (I dare you to go to Exuma, and not have "Exuma, Bahama, come on pretty mama" in you head the entire time.) Take snacks, because the sound of the boats is like Pavlov's dogs and the pigs will use their prehistoric-looking trotters to torpedo toward you in hunt of food and you won't want to disappoint them. You can even jump in and swim with them. It's partly terrifying, partly invigorating, and when you make it to land there are tiny baby piggies that are very cute and also a lot of friendly rock iguanas you can feed scraps to.

Snorkelling is another no-brainer. There's starfish, regular fish, colourful fish, coral reef, sea lions, stingrays–you name it, the Bahamas has got it. Scuba diving and snorkelling is a main attraction and some popular locations include the massive Andros Barrier Reef, Thunderball Grotto (as seen in James Bond) and the black coral gardens off Bimini. Wear sunscreen.

To get around when you're on solid ground there are taxis and ferries, but if you're staying on Nassau take the jitney. It's a local bus and it's not only fun to say, it's fun to ride. Hop on, ask the driver to stop anywhere along the way and pay as you leave.

If that isn't better than how you're living right now then you are doing pretty great, so well done.

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This article is presented by Weis