What to do when docked in nassau

You can book excursions through your cruise line or independently. A statue of Queen Victoria erected in the early s also stands at the site. Bahamian culture was also shaped by Africans who arrived in the territory as slaves from Sierra Leone and other West African nations.

Other Black people traveled to the Bahamas directly from Africa, Bermuda and Haiti, some enslaved by ex-British loyalists from Georgia and South Carolina, and others as ex-soldiers who won their freedom fighting for the British during the American Revolutionary War.

Several historic sites around Nassau recognize this influence, including Adelaide, Fox Hill and Gambier. These three historic villages were settled by liberated Africans in the s and still maintain their African heritage.

Cultural and sightseeing tours to these villages can be arranged. Related: 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly.

Just about every conceivable water sport is available to Nassau visitors via cruise ship excursion. This includes sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and encounters with sea lions, dolphins, stingrays and pigs yes, swimming pigs. Other cruise ship tours feature glass-bottom and jet boat excursions, catamaran sailings paired with reef snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and exclusive beach days with private cabanas.

You can start earning points for your next vacation with the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. You can also look for a resort offering day passes. Most cruise lines offer shore excursions to Blue Lagoon Island, but travelers can also book a visit through a travel advisor or on their own online.

The excursion tends to be popular and does sell out, so be sure to reserve early in your voyage or before you leave home. At Blue Lagoon, cruisers can swim in a calm lagoon, enjoy kayaking, water-biking or snorkeling tours, play with water toys like floats and inner tubes, or simply relax in a beach hammock under coconut palms.

Blue Lagoon offers a gift shop, changing rooms, restrooms and shower facilities. Related: 8 cabin locations on cruise ships that you definitely should avoid.

In addition to the nearby private-island beach experiences, there are several local beaches within walking or short driving distance. Junkanoo Beach is approximately a minute walk from the cruise port, offering travelers an inexpensive and convenient way to enjoy some sun and fun.

You can normally see your cruise ship from the nearby beach, and vendors selling buckets of ice-cold Kalik and Sands beer the local favorites can be found lining the beach. Some will package a bucket of beer with chairs and an umbrella.

Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island is a minute walk or short taxi ride away from Nassau just over the bridge that spans the islands. While beautiful. However, locals parade up and down the beach offering chairs for rent and beverages sale. A long walk down the beach will bring visitors to Atlantis, where they can pose for their prerequisite Instagram shot. Related: 7 tips for visiting Atlantis on a budget. A cheaper alternative is the No. The 2. Cable Beach is home to several top Nassau resorts and offers a full array of watersports activities.

Montague Beach is situated east of the Paradise Island Bridge and is home to a historic fort constructed in the 18th century. The beach promenade is a popular hangout on weekends and public holidays, with local vendors offering delicious local food and drinks.

The beach is also a preferred spot for wading and picnicking. Delaporte Beach is west of Cable Beach near the former plantation village of Delaporte. East of Nassau lies Saunders Beach, also popular with visitors and locals, and known for its beautiful twilight views. Sandyport Beach is connected by a small bridge to the Venice-like resort Sandyport development near Cable Beach. Related: The TPG guide to travel insurance for cruises.

Shannon's expert tip : Visit this attraction during daylight hours and wear comfortable shoes. Junkanoo, a uniquely Bahamian spectacle, brings to mind the high energy, vibrant colors of Mardi Gras and the rhythmic sound of Brazil's Carnival.

Its roots are in the 17th century, when slaves took to the streets to celebrate Christmas and New Year's. Junkanoo continues to draw the community together every December 26th and January 1st for an incredible pre-dawn procession down Bay Street. If you aren't lucky enough to be present for the actual festivities, be sure to stop by this museum to marvel at the elaborate and often sizable! The music of the Junkanoo drums is sure to boost your party spirit and get your toes tapping!

Shannon's expert tip : Make this your first or last stop if you're getting off the boat at 9 a. Overlooking Nassau from its elevated position, Government House has been the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas since The architecture of the impressive pink and white mansion blends island and American colonial influences, and the size and location testify to the power and esteem granted to the personal representative of the queen. A foot statue of Christopher Columbus is a silent sentinel in front, honoring the explorer's Bahamian landfall in Interior tours are not available, but try to time your visit to include the pageantry of the Changing of the Guard ceremony which takes place every other Saturday at 10am.

Recommended for Attractions near Cruise Port because : The stately pink and white mansion, home to the Governor General of the Bahamas, is an easy walk from the port. Shannon's expert tip : Pose for a family photo here. The pink and white mansion provides a beautiful backdrop. Tour the distillery, sample the rum and enjoy the view of the harbor from the historic estate, which often hosts weddings and other special events.

Tours of the distillery are complimentary and museum-like, with very informative tour guides. John Watling's three varieties of rum pale, amber and Buena Vista are available for purchase in the store and in the signature cocktails made in the Red Turtle Tavern. The store, tavern and tour are open daily.

Plan your visit for a Friday evening and take part in happy hour. Or visit the distillery on a rainy day. More About Shannon. Follow 10Best Like 10Best. Bahamas Historical Society Museum. Photo courtesy of Bahamas Historical Society Museum. National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. Christ Church Cathedral. Photo courtesy of Christ Church Cathedral Bahamas.

Junkanoo Beach. Photo courtesy of Chelle Koster Walton. Ardastra Gardens Zoo and Conservation Centre. This octagonal building was originally constructed as a jail. It later became a library. It provides a direct path between Fort Fincastle to downtown Nassau.

Surrounded by lush gardens it makes for a great photo op. If you have the energy make you way up the steps. The first step is buried. So now there are only 65 visible. So you made the climb and you now find yourself in Fort Fincastle.

The Fort overlooks Nassau therefore you will get great views of Nassau, the harbor and even your cruise ship. Definitely well worth the climb. Built in the early s this homes architecture combines both British and Colonial features which results in a magnificent pink and white structure.

What is better is that because it sits high it overlooks Nassau and the harbor. If you find yourself in Nassau on the second Saturday of the month be sure to stop by to witness the changing of the guard. The Christ Church Cathedral has a long history. The first two churches to be built on this site were both built and subsequently destroyed by the Spaniards in the late s and early s. A third building made of wood was built in but was replaced 30 years later by a stone builiding.

A steeple was added in the late s but was taken down and replaced by a square tower in the early s. The fifth building was added to extend the church which is what you see today. Today this is a present day house of worship. The gothic architecture is beautiful and a must see however please be respectful of the parishioners during your visit.

Take a little break from sightseeing and make your way down King Street for some shopping and a bit of a food and beverage break. Looking for more restaurants and shopping. Charlotte Street is another great spot in downtown Nassau with restaurants, shopping and bars. As soon as you step out of the cruise terminal you most likely made you way through or around Rawson Square.

Rawson Square was named for the Governor of the Bahamas in the late s. Located about a 15 minute walk from Port, the Graycliff Hotel is an experience of itself and you can easily spend the whole day exploring the property sipping on wine, tasting chocolate and even indulge in a handmade cigar. Take a tour of the hotel followed by a three course meal poolside. Take a tour of the Graycliff Cigar Company, enjoy a Cigar and Rum pairing or learn how to roll you own cigars.

Visit the Graycliff Chocolatier where you can take a tour of the factory or learn how to make your own chocolate. They also offer a chocolate and spirits tasting. Located right at the cruise docs Festival Place is a great spot to get your last minute souvenirs and gifts.

Comprised of over 45 vendors selling crafts, food and drink it is a great stop just before you get back on the ship or for those that do not want to venture too far. Located in the middle of it all on Bay Street the Straw Market is home to a variety of Handmade Bahamian gifts, crafts and souvenirs. This is the perfect place to get your shopping fix and find goodies to take home to love ones. With several museums located within walking distance to the port it is easy to do a museum crawl and get to know a different side of The Bahamas.

This cultural center tells the story of Junkanoo, a celebration that takes place around the Christmas holidays in The Bahamas. The Junkanoo parade was a celebration that started when slaves were given three days off for Christmas. Today Junkanoo is a parade full of colorful costumes, music and all around celebration. It is a nice treat for anyone that happens to be in The Bahamas during the holidays. It is believed to be the oldest residential building still standing in The Bahamas.

Admission is free to visit the Museum however the Museum is closed on Holidays and Weekends so be sure to plan accordingly. The Museum is named after Pompey, a slave that escaped his plantation which sparked the beginning of the fight against slavery in The Bahamas. The one room museum features a collection of articles, letters and photos which document the history of slavery in The Bahamas. Located on King and George Street, the Pirates of Nassau offers an interactive experience for the whole family.

The museum tells that story of the Pirates of the Bahamas through displays and live reenactments. If you are looking to enjoy a beach day then Nassau is the perfect place with you.

With beaches within walking distance even those that are short on time can fit in a bit of sun and sand. Below is a list of beaches sorted by distance to the cruise port. Junkanoo Beach is within walking distance to the cruise port which makes a cheap way to spend the day. There are vendors up and down the beach where you can buy a bucket of ice cold beer. Kalik and Sands are two of the island favorites and you will see plenty of people enjoying a beer or two on the beach.

Budget Tip: If you walk further down the beach there are vendors that will give you free chairs when you buy a bucket of beer. It is was a great deal.

The beach is also a local favorite so it does get crowded on weekends with tourists, cruise passengers and locals enjoying a beach day. This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Nassau however the water can be a bit rough at times so it may not be the best beach for non swimmers. So it is not a bad deal.

As a bonus take a long walk on the beach and you will eventually get to the famous Atlantis where you can take advantage of some photo ops. Fun fact. This is one of the very first beaches I ever visited as a child. The other we went to most often was in Playa Del Carmen. Cable Beach is about a 20 minute drive from the Cruise Port. You can take a cab there however the cheapest way to get there is to take the 10 bus. This is the most economical way to get there as cabs charge per person and can be pricey.

Bahamian cuisine is something to get excited about. Make sure you try the conch fritters. If you do not like seafood then you definitely have to try the rice and peas. If you are not the adventurous type there are plenty of international options in and around the cruise dock. Here are some options:. But for the more adventurous try a Fish Fry.

From fried fish to pork and everything in between you will be treated to a culinary feast. Arawak Cay or the Fish Fry is a great spot for traditional Bahamian food and a local favorite.

Be sure to check out Oh Andros. Located about a 25 minute walk from port it is the perfect place to enjoy an authentic Bahamian lunch. Take your pick from one of the many fish shacks in this spot located under the bridge. You will not be disappointed. Tip: This is definitely a rustic spot that is a local favorite. If you are looking for white table clothes this may not be the place for you.