You’ve just arrived in Nassau, the beautiful city capital of the Bahamas! Located on New Providence Island, just south of Grand Bahama Island, Nassau is a city known for its beautiful beaches, incredible snorkeling and diving, and exciting cultural attractions. If you’re tight on time or just want to find best things to do, here are seven activities that can each be done in one day or less.
1. Explore Nassau’s Historic Sites such as Fort Fincastle, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Queen’s Staircase.
Nassau is filled with history and there are numerous opportunities to explore and learn about the city’s colonial past.
Built in 1793, Fort Fincastle was originally built to protect Nassau and the surrounding area from pirates and other threats. Today, Fort Fincastle is a reminder of the once powerful British presence in the Bahamas. Tourists can explore the fort and learn about its history, take in stunning views of the island from atop its tower, and see artifacts from the fort’s past.
Christ Church Cathedral is the first church built in The Bahamas and is an example of Gothic Revival architecture with beautiful stained glass windows. Still in use today, visitors can attend services or simply admire the beautiful building and its grounds.
The Queen’s Staircase, made up of 66 steps that lead to Fort Fincastle, was hand-carved out of solid limestone by African slaves in the late 18th century. Today, it serves as a reminder of the painful history of slavery in the Bahamas.
2. Shop the Nassau Straw Market
The Straw Market is a bustling hub of activity, with hundreds of vendors selling handcrafted items and souvenirs. The market is a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs, as well as Bahamian items such as straw hats and baskets, conch shell jewelry, and wood carvings.
3. Experience the local cuisine
When looking for a bite to eat, a must try are the local favorites of conch fritters and Johnny Cake. But with so many restaurants on the island, you might want to consider booking a tasting tour to experience the delicious cuisine of the Bahamas. This will take the guess work out of picking and choosing the restaurant and the meal.
4. Spend a day at the beach
With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, you’d be remiss to not soak up the sun or head into the water in Nassau. With its picture perfect white sands and turquoise waters, you really can’t go wrong with any of the beaches you decide to visit. But here are a few popular spots.
Cable Beach is located on the northern side of New Providence island. It’s perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. There are also plenty of beach clubs and resorts along Cable Beach with many activities offered such as jet-skiing, banana boat rides, and parasailing.
Cabbage Beach, located on Paradise Island, just a short distance from Nassau, is another great spot for swimming, snorkeling, and lounging in the sun. The clear waters here offer a great opportunity to explore the colorful coral reefs and marine life.
Junkanoo Beach, located in downtown Nassau, is lined with coral reefs and tropical fish. This is an especially popular spot because of its central location. If you’re arriving to Nassau by cruise ship, you’re basically parked right next to this beach! And don’t forget to check out the sunset while here.
Rose Island is a secluded beach located just a short boat ride east from Nassau. If you’re looking for a peaceful day at the beach, away from the crowds of the city, consider booking a tour to Rose Island. You’ll be able to snorkel, kayak, and just relax!
5. Snorkel
Snorkeling in Nassau is a great way to explore the vibrant coral reefs that make up the Bahamian underwater landscape. The warm waters of the Caribbean Sea are filled with colorful fish, turtles, stingrays, and other marine life. Most of the snorkeling spots in Nassau are easily accessible from the shore, making them an ideal location for beginner and experienced snorkelers, such as Cable and Cabbage beaches. Clifton Heritage Park and Rose Island, in addition to amazing snorkeling, also offer some unique experiences. Clifton Heritage Park, on the Western end of New Providence, allows exploration of an underwater sculpture garden. Rose Island, a shallow reef, also houses shipwrecks you can explore.
6. Tour the Ardastra Gardens & Zoo
Ardastra Gardens & Zoo is the only wildlife conservation center in The Bahamas. It is home to hundreds of species of birds and animals, including macaws, lemurs, and the Caribbean flamingo which is the national bird of The Bahamas. Visitors can enjoy up-close encounters with these animals and learn about their habitats and natural behaviors.
7. Play at Blue Lagoon Island
Just a short boat ride from Nassau, Blue Lagoon is a great place to relax, swim, play in the water, or even swim with the dolphins! One of the most popular activities on the island is dolphin encounters, which give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the dolphins. During these sessions, visitors learn about the dolphins’ behavior and natural habitat, as well as ways to help protect them