Once you have your Bahamas trip booked, make sure that you have everything you will need to pack. If you do not, then you will want to pop out and do some shopping. These bellow listed items are based on a seven day trip.
What to Pack - Males
2x pairs of cotton or linen trouser-style pants
1x belt - preferably black or brown to go with everything
2x pairs of shorts - preferably knee length
2x pairs of swim trunks - one to wear and one to try
7 pairs of underwear
socks if bringing shoes
Toiletries: Deodorant, shaving cream and razor, dental floss, toothpaste, toothbrush, mini first aid kit, and other toiletries
2 sets of PJ's
light jacket
pair of flip flops
Other:
if you will be golfing then bring 1-2 appropriate outfits
1 or 2 dressy outfits (button down shirt or polo shirt, dress pants, sport jacket) with closed toe shoes - for dinner or other events - depends what you have booked and your resort as they may have dress codes at certain restaurants.
runners or comfortable walking shoes if you will be going on excursions
What to Pack - Females
2x swimsuits / bikinis - one to wear and one to dry
1-2x Coverup - sarong, pullover, dress
5x tops / t-shirts
2x pairs of shorts
A casual dress
2x pants, capris, or one of each
1x pair of sandals
7x underwear
enough bra's for the trip
2x sets of PJ's
1-2x light pullover or cardigan
couple pairs of socks if bringing shoes
Toiletries: comb / brush, makeup, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush, mini medical kit, shampoo and conditioner, shaving cream and razor, hair ties, and other toiletries
beach bag - check if the resort has beach towels
unflashy jewelry to dress up an outfit
technology: cell phone, camera, chargers
Other:
if you will be golfing then bring 1-2 appropriate outfits
1 or 2 dressy outfits with 1-2 pairs of heels or wedges - for dinner or other events - depends what you have booked and your resort as they may have dress codes at certain restaurants.
runners or comfortable walking shoes if you will be going on excursions
Don't Forget to Pack
Valid Passport that has at least 6 months of validity after your return date on it. Some countries allow for 5 or 10 year validity for adults and only 5 years for children under 16 so make sure to check everyone's passport
Plane ticket(s)/boarding pass . Try to check-in online, 24 hours prior to your flight and make sure to take a screen grab of any electronic boarding passes generated as you never know if you won't have internet or be unable to pull up the app. If you can, print off copies just in case your phone dies, gets dropped, or misplaced.
Address & Full Name of the Place You will be Staying - especially if you do not speak the local language. This makes it easier to tell a taxi where to go or if you are looking for a shuttle, which shuttle you should grab.
Drivers License. You never know what you might get up to while you are on vacation so having a drivers license will at least allow you to rent a car if you decide to do so.
Travel Insurance - better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. Also some countries will not allow you to enter without having at least medical travel coverage that covers COVID treatments. Make sure to check requirements before you go. All-inclusive Travel & Medical Insurance is usually cheaper than one or other and sometimes an Annual All-inclusive Insurance is cheaper than paying per trip.
Insurance Information - most insurance will come with a card but if not you will need:
The type of insurance - medical, cancellation, travel, luggage, car, etc
Provider information
Contact details for the country you are in
How to contact the provider
What your coverages are and amounts
How you are supposed to claim
Random Little Items
2x pens to fill out immigration forms - make sure to pack in your carryon
copies of all travel documents, tickets, confirmations, and any emails that may be important (I usually email copies to a friend or family member just in case anything happens to an item we cannot gain access to).
Photo of your luggage - this makes it easier to file a claim for lost luggage as well as for damaged luggage
Monies - cash, credit card, debit card Make sure to have small U$ bills for tipping and enough to cover any tours that may require tips or are paid in cash. While the local cash is the Bahamian Dollar, US Dollar is widely accepted at the same rate as the Bahamian Dollar due to this, you may give them US Dollar but get Bahamian in return. If you are going to an all-inclusive resort then most costs will be covered. If you are headed out into the city then make sure to have cash as most vendors and restaurants will only take cash. Also alert your bank and credit card companies you are headed overseas.
Medication - CPAP or anything prescribed. Also get the generic name of any medication you take just in case for any reason you will need to try to buy some on the island. If you are used to visiting the doctor in Canada or the UK then you may be required to go to a doctor to have medicine prescribed to you instead of just being able to walk in and make a purchase.
Children's Entertainment - if you are travelling with children then make sure you have offline entertainment and with full charge if batteries are involved.
Backups in Carryon. You never know when luggage will be lost so make sure you have at least a set of undergarments, charging cables, and needed toiletries in your carry on. If you have medication this should always be packed in your carry on and never in your checked luggage. If you are going to pack liquids, creams, or gels they must be in 3.4 ounce (100ml) sized containers (or less) and no more than 1L in total per person. Most resorts will have shampoo and soap. Some airlines when they lose your luggage will give you a kit with a t-shirt, toothbrush, toothpaste, and laundry soap when you report your luggage lost.
