Making the most of Nassau
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Prince George Wharf, close to Rawson Square in central Nassau, has three long piers and six berths. Downtown is under a 15 minute walk away.
Passengers stepping off at Prince George Wharf pass through the colourful Festival Place Welcome Center. Designed to look like a Bahamian village, it has stalls for arts, crafts and island treats including coconut and pineapple tarts.
Local Bahamian music adds to the atmosphere on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
A tour desk provides general island and excursion information for cruise visitors. There is also a post office and communications centre with pay phones, an internet kiosk, Wi Fi and more.
Nassau is the Bahamas' most visited cruise port.
With so many ships arriving each day, passenger numbers can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Port webcam available.
Bring a printable map.
Nassau and Paradise Island offer more night-time possibilities than there are hours to try them all, from casinos, cabaret, magic and acrobatics to moonlit dinner cruises and theatre performances.
Hire a motor scooter, car or bicycle to explore the island—remember to drive on the left, British style—or take to the coral reefs for scuba diving or snorkeling. Fishing for dolphin, tuna or wahoo, tennis, golf, Out Island excursions and relaxing in the sun are further options. Visit the historic forts or hunt for bargains on Bay Street, Nassau's famous international shopping street. Duty-free buyers favour liquor, perfume, jewelry and china, along with local and international crafts and native goods, from handmade yards of batik to fine jewelry &…
Take a walking tour of Nassau.
Getting around
Nassau's historic centre is about twelve blocks in length and six blocks deep, making it straightforward to explore on foot.
Taxis are plentiful: reserve one in advance or hail one in the street, looking for the Bahamahost sticker in the window. Fares are fixed, though more than two passengers incur surcharges, and tips are around 15 per cent. Between central Nassau and Paradise Island, the fare is $9 plus a $2 bridge toll.
Many taxi drivers also run tours, which are generally enjoyable and inexpensive.
The Nassau Water Taxi leaves behind the Straw Market for Paradise Island every 30 minutes, running daily from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. A round trip costs $8. The journey itself takes only 10 minutes, but departures may not be punctual.
Choose from the many hire bicycles, or rent a motor scooter for US$25(£13.50) to US$35 (£19) per day.
Swimming with pigs is a popular Bahamian activity, especially in the Exumas and on Rose Island near Nassau. Enjoy an adult drink as you feed the Bahamas' friendliest creatures.
Guided ATV tours provide a distinctive offroad experience while you take in the Bahamas' majestic natural surroundings.
Find the best beaches.
Nearby places
Nassau's sister island, Paradise Island, lies east along Bay Street over a bridge from the city centre. Once called Hog, it has luxurious resorts including the world-famous Atlantis Bahamas Resort, the Caribbean's largest casino and lively nightlife.
Atlantis can be reached by ferry or taxi. A taxi is faster and easier at roughly $6 per person each way. The ferry costs $4 each way($8 round trip), but can be crowded and waits until the boat is full.
Just east of the Paradise Island bridge lies the boating centre of Nassau / Paradise Island, with several marinas and boats for hire. The East End is a charming residential district where architecture and horticulture show Nassau's colonial heritage; large homes with broad, breezy verandas look out to sea.
Pearl Island is eight miles from Nassau and one mile east of Paradise Island. It is known for warm, crystal-clear water, white-sand beaches, remarkable natural beauty and its iconic Lighthouse.
Blue Lagoon Island, officially Salt Cay, has been part of Bahamian history for centuries. It is three miles from Nassau and is owned by a local family, as well as being home to the dolphins and sea lions of Dolphin Encounters. Expect the private-island picture: clear turquoise water, a hidden lagoon, thousands of native coconut palms, immaculate white-sand beaches, natural vegetation, tropical birds and coral reefs full of native fish.
Food and shopping
For authentic traditional goods, visit Bay Street's Straw Market, reputedly one of the world's largest, and bargain with stallholders for handmade baskets, hats, jewelry and wood carvings.
Local favourites include conch fritters, grouper fingers, peas 'n' rice, boiled fish, johnnycake and guava duff—all especially good with a tropical drink in your hand.
Money
The Bahamian dollar (B$) is the local currency and has the same value as the US dollar; both are accepted throughout the country. In large crowds, keep a close eye on your belongings because pickpockets can be difficult to spot.
Staying connected
English is spoken.
Opening Hours and
Although Bahamian shops may legally open on Sunday, almost none do, so it is a very quiet day for commerce. On other days, morning is the best time to shop, before crowds build and while temperatures are mild.