How to Spend Your Cruise Port Day in Nassau, The Bahamas

Stopping in Nassau on your next cruise? Here's what you should know.

The Bahamas is renowned for its history and beautiful beaches, making it a beloved vacation destination. Its capital city, Nassau, boasts one of the world’s busiest cruise ports, with millions of visitors annually. The Nassau Cruise Port, also known as Prince George Wharf, hosts Caribbean cruise itineraries from dozens of lines, from Carnival and Royal Caribbean to Holland America, Celebrity, and more.

If you’re stopping soon at this bustling port of call, consider this your guide. We tapped several cruise experts to share their top tips on getting around the destination, along with the best things to see and do when in port, including the top excursions, beaches, restaurants, attractions, and more.

Port Information

The Nassau Cruise Port currently offers a total of six operational cruise ship berths. In recent years, the port has “undergone a major expansion and renovation including a new terminal, local retail space, and delicious food and beverage facilities,” explains Jennifer Travis, a travel advisor at Marvelous Mouse Travels. Additionally, “As you get off the ship, there are trams that can help guests get both to the front of the port as well as to the ship, which is perfect for clients with disabilities."

It’s also worth noting that the port is within close proximity of some of Nassau’s most popular historical sites, shops, restaurants, and beaches. When you disembark from the ship, be sure to bring along essentials such as cash and credit cards, your passport, sunscreen, and your cellphone (bonus points if you have a portable charger, too!). Meanwhile, says Travis, “Other items are going to be dependent on what you are doing in Nassau; for example, if it's a water activity, consider bringing a towel, your bathing suit, a hat, or a cover-up.”

Things to Do in Nassau

There is no shortage of things to see and do in Nassau. Be sure to spend some time strolling through the bustling downtown area. “Elizabeth Avenue is a great spot to walk around and take in all of the history, including the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle, while also checking out the retail shops,” says Travis. A few favorites include A. Baker & Sons, a haberdashery founded in 1894, or the famous open-air Straw Market, where you’ll find handmade Bahamian crafts, accessories, and more.

The Bahamas is also renowned for its rum, which is best enjoyed — and experienced — at John Watling's Distillery, a 20-minute walk from the port. The historic distillery, housed in a striking 18th-century estate, offers tastings and fantastic free tours. Travis also recommends checking out The Lucerne, which she describes as “a speakeasy that literally transports you to the time of prohibition and the rum-running history of the Bahamas.”

Around the corner from John Watling’s lies the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB), which houses over 500 works inside an 1860s-era mansion. There’s also an amphitheater and an aptly named outdoor sculpture park called Art Park that’s teeming with native flora, as well as colorful murals and sculptures.

For authentic Bahamian food and drink, make a beeline for Arawak Cay, which is dotted with mom-and-pop restaurants and bars housed in colorful buildings. Beloved by locals and travelers alike, this strip is home to some of The Bahamas’ signature eats, including conch — in my opinion, best enjoyed in fritter or salad form. Wash it down with a classic Bahama Mama or Sky Juice, a refreshing combination of gin, coconut water, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gourmands will especially appreciate a visit to Graycliff Hotel, which boasts one of the world’s largest wine cellars (over 250,000 bottles!), along with an on-site chocolatier and an elegant restaurant that offers wine luncheons and afternoon tea.

Of course, Nassau is also home to a slew of stunning beaches for those who want to soak up the sun — more on that in a bit — as well as several splashy water parks, including Baha Bay Water Park at Baha Mar and Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis Paradise Island.

Adventure seekers and wildlife lovers can also partake in ample snorkeling and diving opportunities, along with the chance to get up close to vibrant marine life. For the latter, Fora cruise advisor Cameron Tempest tells Travel + Leisure that there are “endless options” and that “popular spots include the coral reefs and shipwrecks and organized trips to swim with dolphins and stingrays.”

Beaches Near the Port

Those looking to hit the sand while they’re in Nassau need not travel far from port. Junkanoo Beach is the closest option to the port, sitting roughly 15 minutes away on foot. The stretch of sand dotted with colorful oceanfront snack shacks is famous for its lively atmosphere, making it a favorite with travelers who want to be at the center of the action. Don’t leave here without stopping at Tiki Bikini Hut for a bite (cracked conch, anyone?) washed down with a refreshing cocktail.

The 2.5-mile-long, resort-lined Cable Beach is another excellent option — albeit a bit further, about a 20-minute drive from the port — and it happens to be Travis’ personal favorite. “The sand and water here is just gorgeous!” she tells T+L. While we wouldn’t blame you if you spent your entire afternoon posted up on the sand or wading in the ocean, water sports rentals are also available here.

Tempest, meanwhile, especially recommends Cabbage Beach on nearby Paradise Island, which is about a 15-minute cab ride from the port. Per the pro, this specific stretch of sand, which spans a total of two miles, boasts “beautiful scenery and a vibrant atmosphere.” It’s also a popular spot for parasailing and waterskiing. The only caveat? “ It can get extremely crowded, especially on weekends,” Tempest says.

Last but not least is Jaws Beach, located in Clifton Heritage National Park and eponymously named for the famous flick filmed here back in the ’70s. Travis notes that it’s typically uncrowded and well suited for snorkeling and scuba, though the half-hour drive required to get here from the port can be a downside for those on a short stop. With that in mind, she says, be mindful of the time — you don’t want to miss your boat.

Popular Cruise Excursions From Nassau

Blue Lagoon Island, also known as Salt Cay, is a pristine private island just three miles from Nassau (about a 20-minute boat ride from the port). “Whether you want to chill out and sip fruity drinks with your feet in the sand in the adults-only area, swim with dolphins, kayak, snorkel, [or] sip and paint, there is literally something for everyone,” says Jennaca Boose, a travel advisor at Marvelous Mouse Travels. “It’s a great excursion for multi-gen families traveling together and looking for something to appease everyone.”

Animal lovers looking for a truly unique experience can go swimming with pigs. “You take a ferry over to Pig Beach in the Exuma cays to meet, feed, and interact with some swimming pigs,” says Travis.

According to Tempest, many cruisers also purchase day passes to resorts like Atlantis, Baha Mar, or Breezes, “which offer access to pools, beaches, waterparks, aquariums, and various amenities.” Per the pro, this is a great option for families, since it allows for both kid-friendly fun and waterfront relaxation.

Getting Around

The island of New Providence, which Nassau is located on, is relatively small (just 21 miles long and seven miles wide), making getting around a breeze. While some attractions are within walking distance of the port, others are a short drive away. Fortunately, taxis are relatively available, and they’re among the most popular modes of transportation. According to Boose, the cabs are available “as soon as you make your way off the pier near Bay Street.”

“Another way to get around Nassau is by using their Jitney buses,” says Travis. At about $1.50 for a one-way ride, these affordable buses stop at a wide variety of destinations, including Cable Beach.

Those who want to explore on their own can rent a car, though be prepared for the fact that they drive on the left in the Bahamas. Water taxis are also available for offshore travel — Paradise Island, for instance, is about a 10-minute water taxi ride from the port.

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