Are you planning a trip to Nassau? If you are, you’ll probably be wondering about the top activities in Nassau Bahamas.
As the capital of the island nation, you can find a host of things to see and do in Nassau Bahamas and the surrounding area. Listed below are 13 of these activities, encompassing everything from history and culture to beaches and day trips.
Keep reading to find out more!
Activities in Nassau Bahamas: 13 Things to Do in Nassau
1. Exuma Day Trips to Pig Island
Seeing the Swimming Pigs is one of the best things to do in Nassau.
Some of the best activities in Nassau Bahamas involve day trips, and while the Nassau area is full of beautiful sites, consider trekking out a bit farther to Exuma, home of the famous Swimming Pigs.
Big Major Cay (Pig Beach) is around 30 minutes away from Nassau by plane, making it an easy location to visit. However, since the island is uninhabited, you can’t fly directly there. Instead, you’ll first fly to Staniel Cay, an island near Pig Island, before switching over to a boat to explore the region.
The best part of Swimming Pigs tours in Exuma is that the pigs aren’t the only attraction you get to see. When you travel with Bahamas Air Tours, you can also look forward to visiting underwater caves at Thunderball Grotto, sandbars at Pipe Creek, and several other stunning locations. Explore these exciting 7 Exuma Attractions surrounding Staniel Cay.
Exuma is full of beautiful and exciting destinations like Pipe Creek.
Sign up for a Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour today!
2. Aquaventure Waterpark
The Nassau area encompasses two major islands: New Providence, which houses most of the capital, and Paradise Island. Accessible by bridge, Paradise Island is home to some of the biggest and most luxurious resorts in the country.
At Atlantis Paradise Island, travelers will find Aquaventure Waterpark one of the best things to do in Nassau.
Atlantis is a popular resort, but you can visit the grounds for the afternoon.
Home to dozens of water slides, Aquaventure is the perfect place to beat the heat and get a jolt of adrenaline. From plunging down the Mayan-themed Leap of Faith into shark-infested waters to seeing hundreds of species of marine animals in aquariums, there’s so much to see and do.
3. Dolphin Cay
At Atlantis Paradise Island, travelers will also want to check out Dolphin Cay. Home to one of the best swim-with-dolphins experiences in the area, Dolphin Cay is another one of the top activities in Nassau Bahamas.
Travelers can choose from several excursions, some of which let you play with dolphins, while others allow you to simply observe them. If you’d rather interact with another species, different tours also let you spend time with other animals, like sea lions.
Getting access to so many incredible animals makes Dolphin Cay at Atlantis another one of the best things to see and do in Nassau Bahamas.
4. Rose Island
Like the Swimming Pigs of Exuma, Rose Island makes for a popular day trip.
Located a couple of miles northeast of New Providence and Paradise Island, Rose Island serves as another fantastic Nassau day trip.
The island is one of the prettiest in the region, and as it’s only accessible through a tour, it lacks the crowds found at many other Nassau destinations.
The island also has a couple of pigs that trainers make run onto the beach and in the water. While it’s fun to watch, remember that the real Swimming Pigs are on Big Major Cay in Exuma!
5. Downtown Walking Tour
Many Nassau visitors don’t give themselves enough time to explore the city’s downtown highlights. This is a missed opportunity, as Nassau is full of history and culture.
A downtown Nassau walking tour is one of the top activities in Nassau Bahamas because it lets you tap into the island’s past. From checking out historic structures like the Nassau Public Library to wandering down to Arawak Cay, also known as Fish Fry, for lunch, there’s so much to see throughout the city.
Give yourself a couple of hours to tour the city by foot and find the best things to see and do in Nassau Bahamas.
6. Nassau Beaches
Of course, no trip to Nassau is complete without checking out some of the area’s many beaches in Nassau. Depending on what type of experience you’re looking for, consider checking out any of the following:
- Junkanoo Beach in Downtown Nassau
- Cable Beach, west of the city
- Love Beach, further west of the city
- Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island
If you have time for a day trip, many consider the best beaches to be in Exuma!
7. Nassau Museums
As mentioned, Nassau is full of history. Because of that, checking out the island’s various museums is another one of the top activities in Nassau Bahamas.
The Heritage Museum of the Bahamas, for example, is an eclectic collection of historical artifacts, while the Pompey Museum tells the story of slavery and emancipation. There’s also the Bahamas Historical Society, which showcases the various epochs of the country’s history.
Visiting these different sites is another one of the best things to do in Nassau.
8. Baha Bay Waterpark and Baha Mar Resort
Baha Mar has a popular waterpark, among other attractions.
Like Aquaventure at Atlantis, Baha Bay waterpark is another sprawling Nassau waterpark and beach resort. Located at Baha Mar Resort, Baha Bay covers 15 beautiful waterfront acres.
Whether you’re looking to chill or craving excitement, Baha Bay has you covered. With slides, lazy rivers, a wave pool, and other amenities, the waterpark is an exciting place to spend the afternoon.
As with Aquaventure, travelers not staying at Baha Bay can purchase day passes to visit the waterpark.
9. Nassau Straw Market and Bay Street
Bay Street is one of the main Nassau thoroughfares. Full of shops and restaurants, it’s also home to some of the top activities to do in Nassau Bahamas.
The Nassau Straw Market is one such venue. From dolls and hats to bags and more, the market serves as one of the best shops on the island for souvenirs. Tourists do stand out, however, so be prepared to haggle.
10. Nassau Forts
Nassau is home to three remaining forts: Fort Fincastle, Fort Charlotte, and Fort Montagu. Of the three, Fort Fincastle is the most accessible, although the other two aren’t too difficult to reach either.
The Nassau Forts showcase the island’s rich history.
Built hundreds of years ago to protect Nassau from piracy and other European powers, the Nassau forts serve as testaments to the lengths the British government took to protect its colonial holdings. Today, you can see fort walls, cannons, and other defensive elements.
While you should try to visit all three forts, give yourself time for at least one. The Nassau forts are another of the top activities in Nassau Bahamas.
11. Rum Tasting at John Watling’s Distillery
No Caribbean vacation is complete without a healthy amount of rum, and in Nassau, one of the best places to sample rum is at John Watling’s Distillery.
Rum tasting at John Watling’s Distillery is a special experience.
Located on the historic Buena Vista Estate, the distillery has a lengthy and colorful history. You can appreciate its past on a tour of the facilities. When the tour concludes, you can sample the different rum varieties or enjoy a standard cocktail from the distillery bar.
12. Historical Landmarks
Parliament Square and Government House are two additional historical landmarks worth checking out. Located a short walk away from the cruise terminal, both sites showcase classic colonial architecture.
Besides playing a role in the country’s past, the two landmarks also form an essential part of the country’s present. Government House is the home of the Governor General of the Bahamas, while the Bahamian government convenes in the buildings around Parliament Square.
13. Nassau Cruise Port and Port Marketplace
The Nassau Cruise Port was recently renovated.
The entry point for many travelers, the Nassau Cruise Port has become more than just a gateway to paradise. Today, after hundreds of millions of dollars worth of renovations, it serves as another of the top activities to do in Nassau Bahamas.
From the Museum of Junkanoo to Port Marketplace, the cruise port is the perfect place to disembark, learn a bit about the Bahamas, and find the perfect souvenir to bring home.
Activities in Nassau Bahamas: Exuma Day Trips and More
Travelers wondering about the different activities in Nassau Bahamas have no shortages of things to choose from. Between the island’s history, culture, and natural beauty, Nassau guarantees a memorable trip no matter how long or short your Bahamas vacation.
When visiting Nassau, sign up for Exuma day trips to see the Swimming Pigs. Once in Exuma, you can also look forward to seeing nurse sharks, underwater caves, colorful iguanas, and much more.
Book a Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour today!
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