Experience Nassau

Overview

The Bahama’s largest, most popular, and capital city is Nassau. It is located on the island of New Providence with its neighbor Paradise Island which is easily accessed via the Nassau Harbor bridges. A popular cruise port and stop-over destination the island boasts craggy landscapes, unblemished beaches, and translucent waters. The island's colorful streets are decorated by iconic pastel-colored British colonial architecture that lines the coast, such as the pink-hued Government House. The sparkling waters surrounding the island are an underwater utopia popular for diving and snorkeling, home to pristine coral reefs and teeming with marine life. 

The island of smiles with super friendly locals is humming with history, culture, art, modern restaurants, coffeehouses, bustling bars, and a vibrant nightlife. Nassau’s phenomenal Junkanoo celebration draws attendees from all over the world with an exhilarating parade, outlandish costumes, and flamboyant floats It is a joyous Bahamian experience to remember. 

Things to see and do

Check out Downtown Nassau featuring a mixture of old architecture and pastel-colored Caribbean buildings that line the coast with iconic ones like the Government House which makes for a great photo op.

Go on a horse-drawn carriage ride tour around the downtown area to see the historical buildings, and go shopping in the main downtown thoroughfare with cute shops and the renowned straw market. 

Take a walk up the Queen's Staircase that leads to the top of Bennet’s Hill. This is the highest point on the island and provides some of the most breathtaking panoramic views. Fort Fincastle is located on Bennet`s Hill, an 18th-century limestone Fort, constructed in 1793 to protect historic Nassau town and its harbor.

Visit the Pirates of Nassau Museum and learn all about The Bahamas's rich pirating history! Climb aboard a replica pirate ship, listen to stories of swashbuckling tales, and see interactive exhibits. Nassau was a notorious pirate haven in the early 18th century and its heyday was the `Republic of Pirates`.

Spend a day at the beach, the beloved Cable Beach is one of the most popular stretches of sand located on Paradise Island that runs for 3 miles, it has been named one of the best beaches in the world. This pristine beach offers an excellent strip of sand perfect for a day of sunbathing and relaxing, its bordered by crystal-clear waters excellent for taking a dip to cool off. You can also go parasailing on Cable Beach and see Nassau from the skies, waterskiing is another exhilarating adventure. Rentals are available for everything from jet skis to floats, so make the most of your time at the beach.

While on Paradise Island,be sure to check out the fantastic Atlantis Resort! This cool coral-colored tower is an iconic landmark in the Bahamas, it is filled with incredible sights and activities including the Atlantis Aquaventure with a Lost World theme, an incredible aquarium, and waterslides that jet through shark-filled tanks.

Take a sailing trip to the Exuma Cays for a spectacular scenic sight and opportunities for many different shore excursions including swimming with the pigs! These friendly ocean-loving creatures live on Big Major Cay at Pig Beach and you can enjoy a special experience here with them. 

Visit the John Watling`s Distillery located in Historic Downtown Nassau, it was named for a 17th-century buccaneer and produces the namesake John Watling`s rum. Take a tour of the distillery, sample some of Watling`s small-batch, barrel-aged exceptional rums, and visit the gift shop for some unique authentic souvenirs.

Take a day trip to Blue Lagoon also known as Salt Cay, a pristine private island located just off the coast of Nassau. The island offers Dolphin Encounters at the island`s three-acre marine mammal facility. Swim in the tranquil turquoise lagoon waters where you can do some snorkeling, and participate in other water activities. The Dolphin Encounters allows visitors to interact with these friendly mammals and watch them do tricks with their professional trainers.

Shopping

Shopping on Nassau Island can be done at several places including Crystal Court Shops and Marina Village on Paradise Island. In downtown Nassau, there are several popular shops found along Bay Street including unique boutiques, Bahamian stores, and bustling markets. Picking up authentic souvenirs is easy with all the shopping options found on the island along quaint streets and at the renowned straw market, duty-free shops, and Tortuga Rum Cakes stores.

Marina Village is located next to the Atlantis Resort featuring over 20 designer and dining options including casual and fine dining. A stroll around this vibrant outdoor marketplace is a wonderfully unique experience. Retailers in the village include Atlantis Signatures, Columbian Emeralds International, La Parfumerie, Pirana Joe Resort Wear, Pandora, and Paradise Blue Surf Shop.

Beaches

With over 300 sunshine-filled days per year and average daily temperatures and water temperatures of 80 degrees it's no wonder beachgoers flock here for a vacation. The tropical island of Nassau has everything to offer when it comes to beaches with idyllic surrounding islands, and miles of soft white sand and sparkling blue waters each with its unique characteristics that create the perfect beach day. 

Cable Beach is one of Nassau’s best beaches boasting a long stretch of soft white sand with turquoise waters featuring a long, shallow drop-off. This public beach used to be the epicenter of the island's tourism industry and gets its name from being home to the first underwater telegraph cable from the U.S. that connected to the island. The beach offers amenities with rentals available, there are beach bars and restaurants lining the sand. 

Balmoral Island is a private island escape offering visitors an authentic Bahamas experience. This wide beachfront boasts luxurious amenities like beach loungers with umbrellas, and fresh food and drinks. There are opportunities to get in the water with dolphins and sting rays and learn about their roles in the ocean’s ecosystem. And there are options to rent kayaks, or play volleyball. 

Blue Lagoon Beach, which is officially called Salt Cay is accessible after a short boat ride just off the mainland. At one end of the island, there are undeveloped beaches, and the other end is home to restaurants, bars, and other activities. The central lagoon is a large tropical swimming pool that is shallow and has no waves. It is the place to be for some of the best snorkeling on the island, as well as being a kid on the inflatable playground, and water bike, and underwater scooter rentals. 

Love Beach is situated on the north side of New Providence Island offering a different vibe than other beaches. It offers a calm, quiet environment with natural rock pools, hammocks, and cabanas and is close to a 40-acre protected coral reef just 1 mile offshore. The vibrant coral reef offers opportunities to swim, and snorkel as the waters are teeming with tropical fish. The Nirvana Beach bar and restaurant provides a great island experience with fresh food and cold cocktails. 

Cuisine

There is some delicious Bahamian fare to choose from in Nassau with many restaurants, bars, upscale dining options, highly regarded restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall joints found especially around the downtown area, especially along Bay Street. There are many restaurants located on the waterfront providing great menu items like fresh fish and seafood, conch fritters, and an ice-cold Kalik beer along with spectacular tropical views, and laid-back Caribbean vibes. Many of Nassau’s big brand-named resorts offer gourmet restaurants on-site with pricey menu items made by top-named chefs who dish up delectable cuisine and Bahamian breakfast buffets.

A few popular local staples include `johnnycakes` similar to cornbread made with peas and rice. Conch served in chowder, grilled and fried grouper, conch, and rock lobsters. Guava duff is a guava-filled pastry topped with a rum or brandy butter sauce, a delicious popular dessert.

The Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant is housed in a historic colonial mansion surrounded by colorful gardens and immaculately manicured grounds. Visitors can step back in time and attend a semi-formal lunch or dinner at the enchanting and expansive property, where 5-star French cuisine is served in the classically decorated interiors. After a delicious meal, wander around the lush tropical gardens, the cigar factory, Humidor Churrascaria, the wine cellar, and the Chocolatier to enjoy free samples of handmade chocolates.

Nightlife

Nassau offers a bustling bar and nightlife scene with plenty of options and iconic locations such as Senor Frogs. There is an abundance of bars, pubs, and clubs to choose from as well as many breweries and distilleries to tour. The Bahamas are legendary for rum cocktails, which have been the drink of choice on the island for centuries, savor some delicious tropical rum drinks made with fresh tropical fruits grown on the islands. The historic John Watling's Distillery is located in downtown Nassau and is well worth a visit to discover the history of the nation's Rum. Pirate Republic Brewing is another great location, this one for beer lovers, and Bahama Barrels will appeal to wine drinkers, it is the first-ever winery founded in the Bahamas.