Welcome to Nassau

Nassau's port is a bustling hub, accommodating some of the world’s largest cruise ships. It’s situated on New Providence Island and serves as a gateway to the Bahamas' sun-drenched beaches and coral reefs.

Cruise ships arriving to Nassau dock at Prince George Wharf. City downtown is within a walking distance, so you won’t need a bus or a taxi ride. The terminal can accommodate 7 ships at a time, making it one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. You will have beautiful photo opportunities when many ships are in port.

The port and the city are separated by the Festival Place, which all cruise passengers have to pass through. You will find numerous colorful houses that look like an indoor village, but are small shops instead. The building includes food and drink stands, souvenir kiosks, tour organizers, and anything else a traveler might need in Nassau.

About Nassau: Nassau is the capital city and the key port of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city is located on the island of New Providence, which is connected to the Paradise Island by a bridge. The latter hosts excellent resorts and casinos.

The population of Nassau is more than 210,000 people. The amount of cruise ship travelers expected in Nassau in 2024 is more than 4 million.

Nice to Know Facts

• Nassau was once a stronghold for pirates of the Caribbean.
• The port is often included in the world’s top 3 busiest cruise ports.
• It's the commercial center of the Bahamas and home to a large percentage of its population.

Things to Do

Stepping into Nassau, you're welcomed by the allure of a tropical paradise blended with colonial charm. Renowned for its balmy weather, turquoise waters, and vibrant local culture, Nassau offers an array of activities from snorkeling to historical tours amidst pastel-colored British colonial buildings.

Popular things to do

• Relaxing on the white sands of Cable Beach.
• Shopping at the luxury boutiques of Bay Street.
• Tasting the local flavors on a food tour.

Attractions

• The Atlantis Aquarium is a nice alternative to diving. It’s not very big, but features a decent display of underwater world.
• Nassau Cloisters features what’s left of a 14th century French monastery. It’s a nice way to escape the beach vacation.
• Junkanoo Expo Museum features a wonderful collection of Bahamian culture, costumes, music and traditions. It’s devoted to one of the best Bahamian parades - Junkanoo.

Besides the above mentioned attractions, the main places of interest here are the beaches and the casinos.

Fun for Families

• For the little ones up to 6: Visit Ardastra Gardens & Zoo for up-close animal encounters.
• For kids aged 7-12: The Pirate's Museum provides an engaging historical adventure.
• For teens 13-18: Snorkeling tours are a must-do, offering a glimpse into the underwater world.

Top 5 Attractions

• Atlantis Resort - Explore the aquatic wonders and casino. Day passes available.
• Queen's Staircase - A historic 66-step landmark carved from limestone. Free.
• Nassau Straw Market - A traditional market selling Bahamian crafts. No entry fee.
• Pirates of Nassau Museum - A family-friendly interactive museum. Admission charged.
• Blue Lagoon Island - Offers a natural dolphin encounter. Fees vary by activity.

Beaches
Paradise Beach on Paradise Island is the closest beach to the port (about 10 min drive by taxi). Stunning blue crystal clear water will welcome you and there is nothing more you want to do than to dive straight in.

Western Esplanade, which is also known as the Spring Break Beach, Junkanoo Beach, and Wharf Beach, is the closest beach to the cruise ship docks. However, for that reason it’s also very crowded.

British Colonial Hilton Beach is very similar to the Western Esplanade, but is less crowded. You will need day pass to enter the beach. The pass costs around $50 per person.

Goodman’s Bay Beach, Cable Beach and Coral Harbor Beach are also popular spots.

Eating/ Drinking

While international and Bahamian cuisines are differentiated in restaurants, there is nothing too exotic you can try in Nassau. The absolute priority is the national Bahamian dish – Conch. It’s made of mollusks, vegetables, rice or anything else the chef might like. In fact, conch can be served as a main dish, a salad, a side dish, or a snack. Every chef prepares it uniquely, so two Conches can never taste exactly the same in Nassau.

Other than that, you should try seafood, particularly lobsters. Splish Splash, which is more-widely known as Bahama Mama, is an absolute must while in Nassau. The cocktail is made from Bacardi Select, Nassau Royal Liqueur, pineapple juice, sugarcane syrup, cream and bananas.

History & Culture

Fort Fincastle and the Queen's Staircase offer insights into Nassau’s rich past.

History
Nassau, which was known as Charles Town before 1695, was entirely burned down and rebuilt by the Spaniards in the 17th century. In the early 18th century Nassau became a gathering place for pirates. The city has continually been in the center of Spanish-American battles. The Americans finally captured it in 1783.

Culture
The Bahamian culture is a combination of American, European and African influences. It’s original with colorful costumes, parades, music that is similar to reggae and so on. Locals are very religious, friendly and welcoming.

Transportation

Train Services

There are no train services in Nassau. The island's modest size makes other forms of transport more practical.

Bus Services

Public buses, known as 'Jitneys', offer affordable rides to popular spots like Cable Beach (5km, 20min) and Paradise Island (3km, 15min). Buses to Cable Beach run from 6:00 am to 6:30 pm and cost around $1,5. Other local buses charge the same rate.

Taxi

Taxis are always available near the port. Negotiate the price before hiring one. Some drivers can replace a tour guide as well, but you’ll have to pay more for such services. A taxi to the Paradise Island will cost around $4 per person, $15 to the Cable Beach. While tipping is not obligatory, you are always welcome to leave 10%-15%, if you’re satisfied with the service.

Ferry Boats
Ferry Boats can take you to the neighboring islands and cost $3 per person. They operate from 9am to 6 pm.

Renting a Car
Driving can be tricky here, as it’s on the left-hand side of the road.

Other
Bahamian-style carriages stop just outside the Festival Palace cost only $25 and take you to the key places in the city.

Taxis and water taxis are convenient for short trips. For a local experience, try renting a scooter to navigate the island.

Good to know

Language
As Nassau is popular with American travelers, English is the official language and everyone speaks it fluently.

Currency
While the price tags bear the “$” sign, remember that it denotes the Bahamian Dollar, which is cheaper than the US Dollar. In any case, the US Dollar is also widely accepted. Keep in mind that ATMs give out both Bahamian and US Dollars, while banks provide only Bahamian Dollar. The Bahamas and especially Nassau are always crowded with cruise passengers, which is why prices are higher than in the USA.

Local Food and Drinks

• Conch Salad - A spicy Bahamian delicacy.

• Rum Cake - A sweet dessert infused with local rum.

• Sky Juice - A refreshing mix of gin and coconut water.

Shopping

Browse the famous Bay Street for designer shops and duty-free bargains.

Local Customs

Greetings are warm and friendly. It’s common to say 'hello' and 'how are you' even to strangers.

Weather
The weather in Nassau is nice and warm year round. Summers pass with the average from 26°C to 32°C, while winter’s average is 20°C. Despite this, it’s almost always a bit windy here. The months of August and September might bring a few hurricanes.

Google Maps

City Center

Cruise Ship Terminal

Notice: Content and travel advice presented is created by a port moderator and/or AI. It is specifically designed for cruise passengers visiting this port of call. A port moderator could be a local individual, destination expert, port authority, or a tourism agency. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we recommend that you verify critical information like visas, health and safety, customs, and transportation with official sources before departure.