People from what is now Cuba lived in the islands of the Bahamas as early as 300–400 AD, depending on the ocean for food. At that time, there was no such nation as Cuba. The Lucayan people lived here between 900 and 1500 AD. They had established functional governmental, social, and religious structures and led a tranquil lifestyle. Christopher Columbus landed on the island of San Salvador in the New World in 1492. He referred to them as islands of the "baja mar" (shallow sea), which is now known as The Islands of the Bahamas, after being inspired by the nearby shallow sea. There were perhaps 40,000 Lucayans when he got there. However, the Lucayans were easy pickings for enslavement due to their tranquility. The diseases, difficulties, and enslavement suffered by the Lucayans resulted in their extinction within 25 years. In 1649, a group of English Puritans known as "Eleutheran Adventurers" came here in quest of religious liberty. Rather, they discovered a lack of food. The Massachusetts Bay Colony provided provisions to Captain William Sayle, who set out for the American colonies in search of assistance. The settlers sent them Brazilian wood as a token of appreciation when he returned. The money raised was used to buy land that would eventually become Harvard University.

Many privateers and pirates visited this area in the late 1600s and early 1700s; Blackbeard and Calico Jack were the most well-known. Additionally, there were female pirates who posed as males, such as Mary Read and Anne Bonny. Our 700 islets and shallow waterways make excellent treasure hiding spots. Additionally, we were in a prime location to steal from merchant ships due to our closeness to busy commerce channels. Even now, there are stories about hidden riches. William Catt, a British pirate, is thought to have buried riches on Cat Island, while Sir Henry Morgan, a wealthy privateer, is thought to have hidden gold all throughout our islands. Founded as a commercial harbor about 1670, lawless seafaring men took control of Nassau. Years later, Nassau was destroyed twice: once by French and Spanish fleets, and once by Spanish forces. Pirates quickly started pillaging the massively loaded cargo ships. Woodes Rogers was named Royal Governor by the King of England in 1718. It was his responsibility to reestablish order. And he did. For those who turned themselves in, he promised amnesty. They would hang anyone who protested. Blackbeard was among the 300 pirates that turned themselves up.

American colonists who supported Britain landed at Eleuthera more than a century later. Along with their knowledge of architecture, agriculture, and shipbuilding, many also brought their slaves. Eleutheran life was significantly impacted by them. Without firing a shot, they established their independence in 1783 and drove the Spanish soldiers out of the area. The American Civil War had a significant positive impact on the islands of the Bahamas between 1861 and 1865. Southern cotton was essential to Britain's textile industry, but the Union prevented British ships from accessing Southern ports. Thus, Charleston blockade runners met British ships here and exchanged cotton for British products. They sold their package for enormous sums when they got back. Prosperity ended after the Civil War. The United States ratified the 18th Amendment, which outlawed alcohol, in 1919. In order to handle the influx of alcohol, the colonial authorities in Nassau enlarged Prince George Wharf. The massive profits halted in 1934 along with Prohibition. It severely damaged the Bahamas' economy when combined with the demise of the sponge harvesting sector.