As Zickie and I learned on our recent trip, it's impossible not to fall for tiny North Bimini island in the Bimini archipelago. You'll find conch salad stands and shimmering seas and waterfront bars and "Bimini bread," to name just a few of its attractions and temptations. A friend who's spent a decent amount of time here had told us, "Rent a golf cart to see the island," which sounded like good advice. But the best laid plans....well, you know where I'm going with that. Afte

One of the perks of being an engineer is traveling, although at times this perk can be a double-edged sword, because often you only get to sample the beauty on offer through an office window. But when I get the opportunity to do field based work, I leap at the chance. One of the most vivid island “work” related trips was travelling to Eleuthera in the Bahamas after the 2004 hurricane season. I was heading over to do an inspection of some damage to a marina (including some un

There is one shell that, for many of us, symbolizes all the beauty and exoticism of a tropical island getaway. You know the one I mean: the conch. That pink-lipped beauty with its spiraling core radiates island charm and reminds us of the wonder of island nature. (By the way, in the Caribbean and the Florida Keys, they pronounce the word "conk.") Unfortunately, in my home state of Florida, conchs have been loved nearly to death; all the conchs you'll see for sale at Shell Wor

There are small islands, and then there are truly small islands. Harbour Island, a glittering star in the Bahamas chain, is not simply small; it is tiny. When I say tiny, let me be more precise: Harbour Island runs a mere 3 and 1/2 miles long, and is approximately 1/2 a mile wide. Can an isle with that little territory be worth a visit? Here's a clue: (Footprints in the sand on Harbour Island. Photo: Mike's Bird, Flickr.) No, the color on your laptop, phone, or device hasn't

When Zickie needed to travel to Grand Bahama island for a conference, guess who got to tag along? Yes, I was the lucky dog who had the luxury of sitting back and relaxing while my Island Runaways better half networked, attended presentations, and walked around in a suit. (Sometimes life is definitely unfair!) Before our trip, when I researched the conference hotel – the Grand Lucayan – on the internet it struck me as beautifully situated but very large. (Island Dreaming. Phot

Our Island Expert Alison Watkins spends each summer sailing the Abacos, and over the years she's gotten to know this stunning section of the Bahamas very well. If you missed Part I of her post, which covered Green Turtle Cay, just click here. Otherwise, let's go to Abaco! Located in the northern Bahamas, the Abacos are a 20-mile–long chain of narrow islands with the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern seaboard, and the Sea of Abaco on the west. If you come by air, Marsh Harbor, an

When not teaching college, our latest Island Expert, Alison Watkins, spends her summers with a past-time that the Island Runaways duo almost envies (O.K., in fact we do envy!): Sailing through the Abaco islands in the Bahamas. Over the years Alison has gotten to know these amazing islands particularly well, so we're glad that she's sharing some of her photos and travel tips with all of us... If you are a boater or sailor, or just love the sun, emerald water and teeming reef l

My Jamaican husband -- and fellow Island Runaway -- Zickie has seen a lot of beaches. In fact, since we live in southeast Florida, we both enjoy a good bit of sand and sea all year ‘round. Which is not to say that either of us has become jaded. Just like many of our readers, we long for that special destination, with spectacular stretches of shoreline you simply don’t want to leave. Being near the water is a transformative experience, which I never tire of. It’s soothing, not

“It’s Better in the Bahamas.” You know that advertising slogan? People can make some pretty wild claims, but if you seek extraordinarily clear water in a miraculous array of blues and greens, maybe it really is…better in the Bahamas. One of my earliest “Island Runaways” took me to a remote, slender island paradise in this tropical chain. I was 5 years old, turning 6, and my Dad flew me, my mother, and my little sister in a four-seater Cessna 172 first to Nassau, to go through