Bat Caves

The Caves Nassau is a Bahamas site that showcases the diverse types of beauty the archipelago has to offer. While most travelers make their way to the island nation for beaches and blue water, the Caves in Nassau Bahamas let you enjoy a completely different experience. 

Although the Bahamas may be famous for its stunning beaches and bright blue water, the Caves Nassau exhibit a different type of natural beauty. With dark and moody limestone crags, bat colonies, and a unique history surrounding them, the Caves in Nassau Bahamas are a destination you won’t want to miss out on. 

The Caves Nassau: Understanding the Caves in Nassau Bahamas 

The Caves Nassau: A History

The Caves Nassau are the oldest attraction on the island. Their history goes back millions of years to a time when the entire site was at sea level. As waves wore against the more delicate areas of sedimentary rock, hollows formed over time. Today, these are the Nassau Caves.

Humans have used them for various purposes throughout history. The Lucayan people, the original inhabitants of the islands, used them for different reasons, including keeping food safe as hurricanes passed by. Centuries later, many believe that pirates used the Caves to hide treasure and weapons, as well as themselves when rival pirates or British warships were passing through. 

In 1861, Queen Victoria’s second son and fourth child, His Royal Highness Prince Alfred the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the site. The Bahamian people were so overjoyed that a Royal visited the Bahamas that they carved his name and the date he visited into the stone. 

The site of the caves commemorates the visit of Prince Alfred.

Nassau Caves: What to See

While they won’t take you long to explore, there’s still plenty to see inside of the Bat Caves.

The Caves

Skylights allow natural light to pour into portions of the Caves Nassau.

The main highlight of the area is the Caves Nassau themselves. At the site, travelers enter through a narrow hole that leads into the central cavern. As you descend, you might want to crouch down for a moment to give your eyes time to adjust. 

While there, you might run into Shawn, the self-proclaimed Nassau Caves historian. Being pressured into a tour and coerced into paying a tip isn’t usually fun, but many tourists have reported enjoying what Shawn had to say. Before shutting him down, consider giving him a chance! 

Bats

Inside the Caves resides a colony of bats. These nocturnal creatures are small and roughly the size of mice. If you’re afraid of them, remember that most of them will be sleeping when you visit. They’re also used to seeing travelers!

Bats call the Caves in Nassau Bahamas home.

The Nearby Beach: Cave Beach

The site also features the Cave Beach that’s fairly clean and offers the stunning vistas that the Bahamas are famous for. With sea glass, snorkeling opportunities, and tide pools at certain points during the day, it’s another area you’ll want to spend some time exploring. 

The Caves Beach is beautiful, tranquil, and worth a visit.

Getting Around

The Caves are a series of dark tunnels, so traversing them can be a bit difficult for some. Watch your step as you walk, and don’t be afraid to pull out your phone or a flashlight if necessary.

Watch your step as you traverse the Caves Nassau!

Caves Beach Nassau is right across the street from the Nassau Caves, and while the sun makes it easier to see where you’re going, you’ll still want to be careful. Some of the stairs are damaged and lead to uneven ground. If you come across those, look for another nearby set in better condition. 

Getting in

While the Caves Nassau aren’t far from Downtown, traffic can add to the time it takes to reach them. That said, a taxi ride to Caves Beach Nassau should have you there in around 25 minutes.

You’ll find a giant seashell chair near the entrance of the bat caves.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option and don’t mind compromising a bit on comfort, consider taking the Route #10 bus. Before you get on, confirm with the driver that they’re headed to the Caves in Nassau Bahamas. Assuming they are, the fare to ride is only $1.25, with service offered from 6 am to 5 pm.

Just make sure that you have some small bills on hand, as drivers don’t usually give change back. You don’t want to end up having to pay more than necessary. 

Our Travel Guide Suggests…

You don’t have to spend more than several minutes touring the Caves Nassau. However, you do want to ensure you see everything you can. The right shoes can help you do that. Leave the flip-flops in your bag and instead don a pair of closed-toed shoes. The floor can be slippery!

Caves Beach Nassau: Appreciating the Diverse Natural Beauty of the Bahamas

While many travelers may head to the Bahamas for beach time and piña coladas, the beauty of the archipelago is everywhere, including at the Caves Nassau. With impressive geological formations, bats galore, and a side of New Providence that often goes unappreciated, the Caves in Nassau Bahamas serve as a worthwhile stop. 

After touring the Caves, head over to the Caves Beach, or Love Beach, which is just a five-minute ride west down West Bay Street. You also might want to head back to Downtown Nassau for lunch and more sightseeing.

Are you wondering what else you can get up to in the Nassau area? Check out our other travel guides and browse through our interactive map to learn about all of the top destinations with our interactive Nassau Map.