Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and one of the cruise industry’s most-visited ports of call. In 2023, Nassau welcomed more than 4.49 million cruise passengers, a number that is expected to increase this year.
Located on New Providence Island, one of the more than 700 islands and islets in the Bahamas archipelago, Nassau is a metropolitan city featuring amenity-rich hotels, white sand beaches, numerous attractions, and historic sites.
Nearby Paradise Island, connected to New Providence Island by two bridges crossing Nassau Harbour, is filled with resorts and is easily accessible from Nassau as well.
Nassau, Bahamas Facts
| Entry Requirements: Anyone, regardless of age, must have a government-issued ID or valid passport to travel to Nassau, Bahamas, on a cruise. In addition, travelers must have any visas required by their country of departure. Passport and entry requirements for Nassau, Bahamas, can be found here. Language: English is the official language in The Bahamas. Time Zone: Nassau operates on Eastern Standard Time. Currency: The Bahamian dollar is pegged as equivalent to the U.S. dollar, and both are generally accepted. |
What Cruise Lines Sail to Nassau, Bahamas
Dozens of cruise ships sail to Nassau. The port is a common stop on cruises departing from ports in Florida and the southeastern United States, and it’s featured on itineraries from major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
These cruises often include visits to other Caribbean destinations or private islands owned by the cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay or Disney’s Castaway Cay. Nassau’s strategic location is a key stop for short and extended Caribbean cruises.
Nassau, Bahamas Cruise Port Area
Nassau, Bahamas, cruises dock at Prince George Wharf, within walking distance of Bay Street and downtown Nassau. Port facilities include the newly remodeled cruise port facilities with shops, bars, restaurants, exhibits, shopping, and a taxi stand.
Private tour operators and vendors tend to congregate near the Nassau, Bahamas cruise port. Taxis, inexpensive local buses, and other types of transportation are also available in this area.
The water taxi pier, where cruise guests can access water taxis to Atlantis Paradise Island, is also located near the cruise terminal.
Bay Street in downtown Nassau has plenty of shops and restaurants, museums, and the Straw Market are nearby as well. Cruise guests can walk to free beaches like Junkanoo Beach or taxi to the free, but slightly further, Cable Beach.
Where To Eat and Drink in Nassau, Bahamas
Travelers have a wide selection of places to eat and drink while staying in Nassau, Bahamas, or nearby Paradise Island. Cuisines at restaurants in Nassau, Bahamas, range from local Bahamian fare and authentic Greek dishes to seafood and gourmet specialties from internationally acclaimed chefs.
In addition to Nassau’s ever-popular Señor Frog’s, there are several other great places for drinks as well. Given the current situation, it’s wise to contact restaurants and other spots directly to check on capacity constraints, current offerings, and hours of operation before heading out.
Here are some restaurants, bars, and dining locations to consider while visiting Nassau and Paradise Island:
Arawak Cay, The Fish Fry: Located within walking distance of the cruise port, Arawak Cay has many small stands and restaurants serving authentic local Bahamian cuisine, including conch fritters, fried chicken, snapper, shrimp, conch salad, and more. Some popular dining choices include Curly’s Restaurant, Goldie’s Conch House, Oh Andros, Twin Brothers, and Frankie Gone Bananas.
Athena Café: This popular restaurant serves authentic Greek fare and is within easy walking distance of Nassau’s cruise port. Menu items include gyros, grilled octopus, fried calamari, Athenian-style seafood, roast lamb, chicken souvlaki, and delicious Greek desserts.
Bahamian Cookin’ Restaurant & Bar: Owned and operated by three generations of Bahamian women, this downtown Nassau’s Trinity Place restaurant specializes in authentic Bahamian cuisine. The menu includes traditional foods such as conch fritters, fried or stewed chicken, fresh seafood, baked macaroni and cheese, peas and rice, plantains, and more.
Café Matisse: Located in downtown Nassau, within walking distance of the cruise port, this restaurant has a lovely garden patio and outdoor courtyard area perfect for dining and relaxing. The menu is primarily oriented towards Italian dishes and includes various pasta, meats, seafood, and pizza options. Takeout items are also available.
Crabs and Ting: Set on Nassau’s Junkanoo Beach, this little beach stand is an excellent place for beachgoers to get drinks and enjoy Bahamian food like conch fritters, conch salad, fried snapper, shrimp, and crab when in season.
Daiquiri Shack: This spot is within walking distance of Nassau’s resorts and gets rave reviews for its daiquiris, made to order with fresh fruits.
Dune: Located at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island, this acclaimed restaurant by international Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten offers a selection of French-Asian dishes accompanied by spectacular ocean views. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.
Graycliff Restaurant: This iconic AAA Four-Diamond restaurant at Nassau’s historic Graycliff Hotel has been a sought-after elegant dining experience for decades.
Graycliff Restaurant features a Bahamian-influenced continental menu and an award-winning wine cellar with over 250,000 bottles from over 5,000 vintners. The restaurant’s casual piazza area features the Humidor Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse and Giotto Pizzeria.
Graycliff Restaurant’s wine luncheons with a prix fixe menu are also popular. Graycliff’s dress code is strictly enforced, and reservations for lunch and dinner should be made far in advance.
Nobu: Those craving the specialties of internationally acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa can head to Nobu at Atlantis Paradise Island for sushi, sashimi, and outstanding gourmet Japanese dishes.
Pirate Republic Brewing: Pirate Republic has been rated as one of the top microbreweries in the Caribbean. Learn about pirates in The Bahamas while sampling flights and drafts from Pirate Republic’s selection of beers as well as bar bites and sandwiches. Pirate Republic Brewing has a location opposite the Nassau, Bahamas cruise port and at Atlantis Paradise Island as well.
Ristorante Luciano’s of Chicago: Set in an elegant waterside Nassau mansion that was the former home of The Bahamas’ first Prime Minister, Luciano’s serves traditional Italian dishes, roasted chicken, steaks, seafood, and delectable Italian desserts. Entrees on the lunch menu are similar to those at dinner but at lower prices.
Sapodilla: Enjoy a drink in the champagne lounge or the garden of this upscale restaurant set at Nassau’s spectacular Sapodilla Estate, then head on to savor a delicious meal of local fresh fish, steaks, or lobster. Save room for the decadent desserts. Private dining options are also available.
Sip Sip at the Cove: Sip Sip’s original location is on lovely Harbour Island in The Bahamas, but you can sample their starters, sandwiches, salads, and signature drinks at the Cove at Atlantis while staying in Nassau or on Paradise Island. Sip Sip Sky Juice is a favorite.
The Poop Deck: This is a great spot in Nassau to enjoy lovely harbor views, drinks, and fresh-caught seafood such as snapper, hogfish, grouper, and Bahamian spiny lobster. Other favorites include cracked conch, chicken, pasta, and grilled meats. The Poop Deck has a location in Sandyport as well.
Best Beaches in Nassau
Vacationers can choose from a wide variety of Nassau, Bahamas beaches. The Bahamas are known for stunning white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters.
These free public beaches in Nassau and on Paradise Island are perfect spots for relaxing and having fun in the sun. Cabbage Beach, Cable Beach, and Junkanoo Beach are home to several hotels and major resort complexes as well:
Cabbage Beach
| Entry Cost | Free to access |
| Distance from Nassau Port | 3.3 kilometers |
| Fare from Nassau Port | $6 per person by cab |
Located on Paradise Island, Cabbage Beach has been rated as one of the best beaches in the world. Several major resorts on Paradise Island are set on Cabbage Beach, including Atlantis Paradise Island, Riu Palace Paradise Island, and The Ocean Club.
The magnificent white sand beach features clear turquoise waters and various watersports activities. Public access to Cabbage Beach can be found via Casino Drive next to the Riu Palace Paradise Island and on wooden stairways on Ocean Drive. No public restrooms or changing facilities are available.
Cable Beach
| Entry Cost | Free to access |
| Distance from Nassau Port | Around 6 miles west of Nassau Cruise Port |
| Fare from Nassau Port | $10 per person by cab / $1.75 for a public bus |
Named for the telegraph cable to the U.S. that was buried here in the late 1800s and known for its white sand and generally calm waters, Nassau’s famous Cable Beach is home to several large resorts, including Breezes Resort & Spa and the hotels in the Baha Mar resort development.
Cable Beach is often considered to be one of the nicest beaches in the Bahamas. Many vacationers spend their days on Cable Beach, so it can be crowded at times.
Vendors at Cable Beach rent chairs, umbrellas, and water sports equipment, but bring your towels when you come to the beach.
Be aware that access to resort beaches at Cable Beach, such as those at Baha Mar, can often be restricted to hotel guests — but Cable Beach itself is public. Make sure to enter at public access points.
Junkanoo Beach
| Entry Cost | Free to access |
| Distance from Nassau Port | 15 minutes walk from Nassau Cruise Port |
| Fare from Nassau Port | NA |
Junkanoo Beach is located near the British Colonial Hilton and the Courtyard Nassau Downtown Junkanoo Beach in downtown Nassau, about a 15-minute from the Nassau, Bahamas cruise port. Small stands sell food and drinks on the beach, and vendors sell buckets of beer as well.
Bring your towels when you come to the beach. Vendors offer chairs and umbrellas for rent, while others offer hair braiding and watersports equipment. Junkanoo Beach is a public beach with bathrooms and changing facilities.
Montagu Beach
| Entry Cost | Free to access |
| Distance from Nassau Port | 15 miles from Nassau Cruise Port |
| Fare from Nassau Port | $20 to $25 by Taxi |
Nassau’s Montagu Beach is set next to historic Fort Montagu, built in 1741 and the oldest fort in Nassau, Bahamas. The beach offers beautiful views of Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island. There is a little children’s playground here, and restrooms are available. Bring your own towels with you when you come to the beach.
Saunders Beach
| Entry Cost | Free to access |
| Distance from Nassau Port | 10-minute drive from Nassau Cruise Port |
| Fare from Nassau Port | $20 to $25 by Taxi |
Nassau’s Saunders Beach can be a good choice for families, as the water is generally quite calm and the beach is less crowded. Water sports rentals are unavailable on this beach, which can be a good thing with little ones.
Make sure to bring your own towels, as no vendors offer chair and umbrella rentals since Saunders Beach tends to attract more locals than tourists. There’s a children’s playground here, restrooms, and changing facilities. Bring along some water shoes if you’re planning to go for a swim.
Popular Things To Do In Nassau, Bahamas
There’s a wide variety of things to do in Nassau, Bahamas. Those wondering what to do in Nassau for the day will surely find activities and adventures that match their interests.
Popular excursions in Nassau, Bahamas, include waterparks, food tours, visits to action-packed islands, walking tours of historic sites, water sports, shopping, and much more. Vacationers of all ages and interests will find the best tours in Nassau that fit their needs.
Here are some of the best places to go in Nassau and on Paradise Island:
Atlantis Paradise Island: Guests staying at Atlantis Paradise Island and Comfort Suites Paradise Island have access to the 141-acre Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark and other Atlantis attractions, but vacationers staying elsewhere may want to purchase an Atlantis Day Pass to experience all that Atlantis has to offer.
Aquaventure is the major draw here, although Atlantis Paradise Island has one of the world’s largest marine habitats as well. Day passes can be purchased on the Atlantis Paradise Island website or through third-party vendors like DayPasses.com.
Additional Atlantis experiences, such as marine animal interactions, are available for a fee. Make reservations as far in advance as possible for the best availability.
Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre: Established in 1937, this Nassau center is best known for its gorgeous pink flamingos and daily flamingo parade.
Visitors can also see more than 130 wildlife species and stroll through four acres of lush tropical gardens. Families will enjoy Ardastra Gardens’ petting zoo, opportunities to hand-feed the lorikeets, and other attractions.
Bahamas Food Tours: Travelers can learn about the history, culture, and cuisine of the Bahamian islands on a multi-hour food and drink tour in Nassau with Tru Bahamian Food Tours and other companies. Several tour options, cooking classes, walking tours of Nassau Bahamas eateries, and private group tours are available.
Blue Lagoon Island: Salt Cay, otherwise known as Blue Lagoon Island, is a lovely private island located just three miles from Nassau, Bahamas.
The tropical island offers beautiful white sand beaches, a calm lagoon, and a wide variety of watersports, marine animal encounters at the island’s marine mammal facility, Segway and walking tours, and other activities. Transportation to Blue Lagoon Island is included and lunch and drinks are served.
READ: Nassau Rum and Food Tour Review
Clifton Heritage National Park: This 108-acre national park is located at the western end of New Providence Island and highlights the cultural and historic legacy of three key groups in The Bahamas — the Lucayans, the Loyalists, and the Africans.
The park contains beautiful landscapes, hiking and walking trails, and historic buildings and structures. There’s also an underwater snorkel trail and coral reef sculpture garden perfect for exploring. Generally deserted Jaws Beach, a filming site used for scenes in the “Jaws: The Revenge” movie, is also located here.
Exploring Nassau’s Historic Sites: History buffs have plenty to see while visiting Nassau, which was once a pirate sanctuary until the early 1700’s.
The Queen’s Staircase, also known as “66 Steps” is one of the most popular sites. The steep staircase leads to Fort Fincastle, offering panoramic views of the harbor, cruise port area, and downtown Nassau.
Fort Charlotte, Parliament Square, Christ Church Cathedral, and Government House are other interesting historic spots. The traditional Changing of the Guard Ceremony occurs every other Friday from 11:00-11:30 a.m. at Government House. Those interested in historic sites can take a walking tour of Nassau, Bahamas on their trip.
John Watling’s Distillery: Visit the historic Buena Vista Estate in downtown Nassau for a free production and museum-type tour of Buena Vista Estate and the opportunity to sample Bahamian cocktails made with handcrafted John Watling’s rum. Visitors can also purchase John Watling’s small-batch rums here as well.
Nassau Museums: Nassau offers an appealing array of museums including the popular Pirates of Nassau Museum, which contains a replica of the pirate ship Revenge, historic displays, and interactive exhibits.
The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is set in the beautifully restored Villa Doyle and features a collection of paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and other art from Bahamian artists. Other excellent museums include The Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation and The Bahamas Historical Society Museum.
Resort Day Passes: Vacationers in Nassau for pre- or post-cruise stays will have their accommodations, but those staying in short-term rentals may not have access to resort-style amenities. Day passes to select resorts, including Atlantis Paradise Island, Breezes Resort & Spa, British Colonial Hilton, and Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas, can be obtained directly from the resort properties or through sites like DayPasses.com.
Shopping: Nassau has been known for its local handicrafts, particularly those made from woven fibers. The Nassau Straw Market is home to stalls selling woven items such as hats and straw baskets, as well as wood carvings, textiles, t-shirts and jewelry of all types.
Haggling is expected at the Straw Market, and savvy know the marked price is merely a starting point. Nassau’s downtown area and stores along Bay Street offer duty-free shopping and various goods including jewelry, apparel, cosmetics, fragrances, and more.
The shops at Sandyport, the Bahama Craft Centre, and the Marina Village at Atlantis are also good places to check out.
Visiting The Bahamas’ Swimming Pigs: Taking an excursion to visit The Bahamas’ famous wild swimming pigs is often a sought-after tour choice for vacationers coming to Nassau and Paradise Island.
Tour operators such as Harbour Safaris, Exuma Escapes, and Powerboat Adventures offer full-day excursions to the Exumas, home of the Bahamas’ wild swimming pigs.
Water Sports Excursions: Nassau and Paradise Island offer a wealth of water sports for vacationers to enjoy, including snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, SNUBA, deep-sea fishing, and glass-bottom boat excursions.
Some excursions take guests to The Out Islands of The Bahamas, and private boat charters are available.
READ MORE: Best Family-Friendly Things To Do In Nassau, Bahamas
Hidden Gems
The Versailles Gardens: These spectacular European-style Versailles Gardens adjoin The Ocean Club on Paradise Island. Filled with 12th-century stone statues and a lovely cloister, the multi-terraced gardens are a beautiful setting for taking pictures and enjoying the views.
The Versailles Gardens are rarely crowded, and the entrance to this public park is free.
New Providence Island’s More Remote Beaches: While Nassau and Paradise Island offer several beautiful beaches, it’s often fun to explore more deserted and less-touristy strands on New Providence Island.
Located some distance from Nassau, these secluded spots include Love Beach, Coral Harbour Beach, Caves Beach, Yamacraw Hill Beach, and Adelaide Beach.
People-to-People Program: The Bahamas offers a variety of opportunities to connect with locals through their People-to-People program.
The program allows travelers to meet like-minded locals for customized immersive experiences like culinary tours, guided history tours, shopping tours, and family-friendly activities with a local ambassador. Virtual experiences are available as well. Information on the People-to-People experiences can be found here.
First Time Travel Tips
Here are a few tips for first-time visitors to Nassau, Bahamas:
- Bahamians drive on the left-hand side of the road. It’s important to remember this and watch for cars when crossing the street.
- Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert for your safety while walking in Nassau and Paradise Island, particularly at night. Like everywhere else, it’s important to keep valuables hidden and keep an eye on possessions while at the beach or elsewhere. Marijuana is illegal here, so beware of individuals on the street offering to hook you up with a “smoke.”
- When visiting Nassau and Paradise Island, only using officially licensed taxis is wise. Taxis are not metered, so make sure to discuss the price of your trip before getting into the cab.
- Inexpensive local buses, called “jitneys,” operate in Nassau and New Providence Island. They can be a good option for affordable transportation.
- Thinking twice about renting scooters in Nassau and Paradise Island would be best. Traffic can be challenging to negotiate, and numerous accidents involving vacationers have resulted. Taxis and local buses are safer choices.
- If you’re shopping in Nassau, particularly at the Straw Market or even for tours from local vendors, make sure to negotiate.
- Bottled water and snacks can be costly at resorts such as Atlantis and Baha Mar. Grocery stores are a much better bet for lower prices.
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