Things to do in Nassau
35 places and activities across 7 areas: beaches, reefs, caves, settlements, food and the outings worth a boat or a long drive.
Use neighbourhood clusters to reduce driving. Offshore excursions and cruise-controlled beach clubs need specific bookings.
Everything here is a real place or a real local activity, checked against local sources. Photographs are used with permission and credited below, and appear only where one exists for that exact place or activity. We do not show star ratings from other platforms. Each entry says how you reach it, roughly how long to allow and what to confirm locally, because access on the Out Islands changes with tides, weather, private ownership and the season.
Downtown Nassau
History
Queen's Staircase
Walk the limestone stairway and learn its history.
- Where
- Elizabeth Avenue
- Getting there and time
- Walk / taxi · Under an hour
Confirm access locally. Combine with nearby Fort Fincastle.
Museum
Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation
Learn about enslavement and emancipation at Vendue House.
- Where
- Bay Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk / admission · About an hour
Confirm access locally. Check museum opening days.
Art
National Art Gallery of The Bahamas
See Bahamian art in the restored Villa Doyle.
- Where
- West Hill Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk / admission · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Allow time for current exhibitions.
Food and drink
Bahamian food walking tour
Taste local dishes while exploring the historic streets.
- Where
- Downtown Nassau
- Getting there and time
- Guided / reservation · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Choose an itinerary with locally owned stops.
Culture
Educulture Junkanoo Museum
Learn about Junkanoo costumes, music and community traditions.
- Where
- Downtown Nassau
- Getting there and time
- Appointment / admission · 1 to 2 hours
By arrangement. Confirm the museum's current address and tour times.
Museum
Pirates of Nassau Museum
Explore theatrical exhibits about Nassau's pirate era.
- Where
- King and George Streets
- Getting there and time
- Walk / admission · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Indoor option near the cruise port.
Food and drink
John Watling's Distillery
Visit the Buena Vista estate and sample Bahamian rum.
- Where
- Delancy Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk / tasting · About an hour
Confirm access locally. Check tour and tasting arrangements.
History
Fort Fincastle
Explore the hilltop fort above the historic town.
- Where
- Bennet's Hill
- Getting there and time
- Walk / taxi · Under an hour
Confirm access locally. Confirm interior opening hours.
History
Christ Church Cathedral
See the limestone cathedral in Nassau's historic center.
- Where
- George Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk · Under an hour
Confirm access locally. Visit respectfully outside services.
Museum
Heritage Museum of The Bahamas
Explore artifacts tracing Bahamian history.
- Where
- West Hill Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk / admission · About an hour
Confirm access locally. Check guided tour availability.
Food and drink
Graycliff chocolate experience
Try a chocolate workshop or tasting.
- Where
- West Hill Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk / reservation · About an hour
Confirm access locally. Book the specific activity offered.
Shopping
Nassau Straw Market
Browse woven goods and souvenir stalls.
- Where
- Bay Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk · About an hour
Confirm access locally. Ask sellers which pieces are locally made.
History
Parliament Square architecture walk
View the government buildings and historic square.
- Where
- Parliament Square
- Getting there and time
- Walk · Under an hour
Confirm access locally. Exterior visit unless a tour is arranged.
History
Balcony House
Visit a historic timber house museum.
- Where
- Market Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk / appointment · Under an hour
By arrangement. Confirm access before walking over.
Western waterfront and Chippingham
Food and drink
Arawak Cay Fish Fry
Try conch, fish and Bahamian side dishes.
- Where
- Arawak Cay
- Getting there and time
- Taxi / walk · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Restaurant menus and hours vary.
Wildlife
Ardastra Gardens and Wildlife Conservation Centre
See flamingos and other wildlife in tropical gardens.
- Where
- Chippingham
- Getting there and time
- Taxi / admission · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Check the day's presentation times.
History
Fort Charlotte
Explore Nassau's large western hilltop fort.
- Where
- Chippingham
- Getting there and time
- Taxi / admission · About an hour
Confirm access locally. Combine with Arawak Cay.
Beach
Junkanoo Beach
Spend a beach afternoon close to downtown.
- Where
- West Bay Street
- Getting there and time
- Walk / taxi · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Convenient cruise-day option with vendors.
Cable Beach and Baha Mar
Beach
Cable Beach
Enjoy the long sandy coast west of Nassau.
- Where
- Cable Beach
- Getting there and time
- Taxi / public access · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Use a confirmed public access point.
Water park
Baha Bay water park
Spend a day on slides, pools and water attractions.
- Where
- Baha Mar
- Getting there and time
- Day pass / reservation · About 5 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm day-pass availability for your dates.
Nightlife
Baha Mar Casino
Visit the large casino and resort entertainment district.
- Where
- Baha Mar
- Getting there and time
- Taxi / venue entry · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Check venue entry requirements.
Western New Providence
History and nature
Clifton Heritage National Park
Explore coastal trails, heritage remains and beach scenery.
- Where
- Clifton
- Getting there and time
- Car / admission · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Land and snorkelling products have different inclusions.
Snorkelling
Clifton underwater sculpture garden snorkelling
Snorkel the underwater art and adjacent marine habitat.
- Where
- Clifton coast
- Getting there and time
- Guided boat / reservation · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Arrange a guided session suited to sea conditions.
Kayaking
Bonefish Pond National Park kayaking
Paddle through a mangrove nursery ecosystem.
- Where
- South coast
- Getting there and time
- Guided / reservation · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm the departure point with your guide.
Nature
Primeval Forest National Park
Walk forest boardwalks around limestone sinkholes.
- Where
- Southwestern New Providence
- Getting there and time
- Car / admission · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Check the park's current visiting schedule.
Beach
Jaws Beach
Relax on the beach near Clifton.
- Where
- Clifton
- Getting there and time
- Car · About 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Arrange return transport in advance.
Eastern New Providence
Food and drink
Potter's Cay conch shacks
Try freshly prepared conch salad at the dockside shacks.
- Where
- Potter's Cay
- Getting there and time
- Taxi · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Choose an open stall and arrange transport.
Nature
The Retreat Garden
Explore the palm collection and shaded garden paths.
- Where
- Village Road
- Getting there and time
- Taxi / admission · 1 to 2 hours
Confirm access locally. Check BNT opening arrangements.
History
Fort Montagu
Visit the eastern waterfront fort and shore.
- Where
- Montagu waterfront
- Getting there and time
- Taxi · Under an hour
Confirm access locally. Confirm guided interior access.
Paradise Island
Water park
Aquaventure at Atlantis
Ride water slides and explore the extensive water park.
- Where
- Atlantis
- Getting there and time
- Day pass / reservation · About 6 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm day-pass inventory and access inclusions.
Beach
Cabbage Beach
Enjoy the broad Atlantic-facing sand beach.
- Where
- Eastern Paradise Island
- Getting there and time
- Taxi / public access · About 3 hours
Confirm access locally. Swimming depends on surf conditions.
Beach club
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
Spend a day at the beach club's pools and beaches.
- Where
- Western Paradise Island
- Getting there and time
- Eligible cruise / day pass · About 6 hours
Cruise guests only. Eligibility is restricted. Confirm your cruise or resident access.
Offshore cays from Nassau
Boat excursion
Rose Island beach and reef charter
Combine reef snorkelling with a beach stop.
- Where
- Rose Island
- Getting there and time
- Boat / reservation · About 5 hours
Confirm access locally. Confirm which beach and reef your captain will use.
Beach excursion
Blue Lagoon Island beach day
Visit the island's lagoon and beach facilities.
- Where
- Blue Lagoon Island / Salt Cay
- Getting there and time
- Booked ferry package · About 6 hours
Confirm access locally. Select the beach-only or animal program intentionally.
Wildlife excursion
Rose Island swimming-pig excursion
Visit a managed pig encounter near Nassau.
- Where
- Rose Island
- Getting there and time
- Boat / reservation · About 4 hours
Confirm access locally. This is separate from Exuma's original Pig Beach.
Want help putting Nassau together?
Tell us your dates, your base and what caught your eye on this list. We will suggest a realistic order, the boats or drivers you need, and the places that are worth confirming first.
Photo credits
- Unattributed photographs: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, used with permission.
- National Art Gallery of The Bahamas: Bluerasberry, CC BY 4.0
- Heritage Museum of The Bahamas: Bluerasberry, CC BY 4.0
- Balcony House: Bluerasberry, CC BY 4.0
- Nassau Straw Market: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
- Parliament Square architecture walk: bahamasairtours.com
- Graycliff chocolate experience: nassauparadiseisland.com
- Bahamian food walking tour: bahamaslocal.com
- Baha Bay water park: bahabay.bahamar.com
- Clifton underwater sculpture garden snorkelling: cliftonheritageauthority.com
- Jaws Beach: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bonefish Pond National Park kayaking: bnt.bs
- The Retreat Garden: bahamaslocal.com
- Royal Beach Club Paradise Island: royalcaribbeanblog.com
- Rose Island beach and reef charter: travel-buddies.com
- Rose Island swimming-pig excursion: expedia.com
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