Stays
From large resorts on Paradise Island to beach cottages on Eleuthera and villas in the Exumas, matched to the island that suits your trip.
Request stays on NassauNassau and New Providence
Nassau is where most visits to The Bahamas begin. The capital sits on New Providence, a compact island you can cross in under an hour, with the country's main international airport, its largest hotel district on Cable Beach, and a working downtown harbour that has welcomed ships since the 1600s.
Downtown Nassau is small enough to explore on foot. Bay Street runs parallel to the harbour past Parliament Square's pink government buildings, the Straw Market, and the cruise port. A few blocks inland, the Queen's Staircase is a 66-step passage cut from limestone in the late 18th century, leading up to Fort Fincastle and one of the best views over the city. Fort Charlotte, west of downtown, is the largest of Nassau's three forts.
Cable Beach, a few miles west of downtown, is the island's main resort strip, with a long public beach backed by large hotels. Further west the island quietens into residential neighbourhoods, Clifton Heritage National Park and the dive sites off the southwestern tip. Paradise Island, connected to Nassau by two bridges, is covered on its own page.
Nassau is also the cultural heart of the country. The Junkanoo parades on Boxing Day and New Year's Day fill Bay Street from the early hours with brass, goatskin drums, cowbells and elaborate crepe-paper costumes built over months by competing groups. The Fish Fry at Arawak Cay, a row of colourful restaurants and bars just west of downtown, is the everyday place to eat conch salad, fried snapper and grouper.
Because New Providence has the country's main airport and ferry connections, it is the natural hub for a multi-island trip. Many travellers spend a few nights here before continuing to Exuma, Eleuthera, Harbour Island or the Abacos by short domestic flight or ferry.
Getting there
Routes change by season. We describe how arrivals work and leave schedules and fares to the carriers.
- Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) has direct flights from many cities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean. It is the main gateway to the country.
- United States Customs and Border Protection operates pre-clearance at NAS, so flights to the US arrive as domestic flights.
- Nassau is the main port for cruise ships and the departure point for domestic flights and fast ferries to the other islands.
What we can arrange on Nassau
Tours and experiences
Swimming pigs, reef snorkelling, blue holes, fishing, cultural tours and Junkanoo: the experiences that define a Bahamas trip, arranged with trusted operators.
Request tours and experiences on NassauTransport
How to get between the islands and around them: domestic flights, fast ferries, mailboats, rental cars, taxis and airport transfers.
Request transport on NassauVisitor and event services
Private chefs, photographers, wedding and event planners, makeup artists, and Junkanoo groups, musicians and dancers for celebrations in The Bahamas.
Request visitor and event services on NassauBoats and charters
Crewed yachts, bareboat sailing in the Abacos and Exumas, day boats with a captain, and fishing charters across the islands.
Request boats and charters on NassauPlanning a trip to Nassau?
Send us your dates and what you have in mind. We will come back with real options for this island and honest advice about what fits.
Questions about Nassau
Is Nassau the same as New Providence?
Nassau is the capital city; New Providence is the island it sits on. In everyday use people say Nassau for the whole island, including Cable Beach and the western districts.
How many days do I need in Nassau?
Two to three days covers downtown, a beach day and an excursion. Many visitors pair Nassau with a quieter island, using it as the arrival and departure point.
Is Nassau a good base for visiting other islands?
Yes. Domestic flights and fast ferries to the other islands leave from Nassau, and the airport has the widest choice of international connections.
Related guides
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How to get around The Bahamas: flights, ferries and island transport
A practical guide to moving between and around the islands of The Bahamas: domestic flights, fast ferries, mailboats, rental cars, golf carts and taxis.
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Junkanoo: what it is and how to experience it in The Bahamas
What Junkanoo is, where it comes from, and how to see the Boxing Day and New Year's Day parades in Nassau or experience the music at any time of year.
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Which Bahamas island is right for you?
An honest comparison of Nassau, Paradise Island, Exuma, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Abaco, Grand Bahama, Andros, Bimini and the Out Islands.
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When to visit The Bahamas: seasons, weather and events
The best time to visit The Bahamas by month, including the winter peak, the summer value season, hurricane season and the key cultural events to plan around.
Often planned with Nassau
Paradise Island
Resort island across the harbour from Nassau, home to Atlantis, Cabbage Beach and a cluster of restaurants, marinas and golf.
The Exumas
A 120-mile chain of 365 cays with the clearest water in the country, the swimming pigs, Thunderball Grotto and a protected land-and-sea park.
Eleuthera
A long, thin island of pink-sand beaches, pineapple fields and small settlements, with the Glass Window Bridge where the Atlantic meets the bank.