Sailing the turquoise splendor of the Exumas. Diving blue holes in Andros. Finding new levels of chill in San Salvador. Achieving seclusion in Cat Island. Tasting new flavors in Nassau. The Bahamas is an equally vibrant destination in the summer, where its beaches and endless water are the perfect recipe for cooling down in a particularly steamy year. So where to stay?

The Bahamas’ smaller hotels are a lovely way to experience the islands, remaining an undiscovered layer of a country made up of 700 islands and cays. To help inspire you, we’ve curated some of our favorite boutique retreats for your imminent summer vacation in The Bahamas.

Cape Eleuthera, Eleuthera If you’re looking for a boutique-style Bahamian retreat, Cape Eleuthera really is the best of both worlds: a a mix of waterfront villas and cottages in southern Eleuthera accompanied by a remarkable 4,500 acres of stunning natural beauty including three different private beaches. This is one of the ultimate getaways in The Bahamas, a place for adventurers, sport fishermen and those in search of the perfect beach vacation. (The resort is even adding some new beach bungalows this fall).