International travel has, thankfully, returned, and more and more people are scheduling trips to make up for the past trips they missed out on. If you fall into that category, consider planning a Bahamas vacation. With beautiful beaches, rich marine life, unique history, and a warm island culture, the Bahamas is the perfect travel destination. And regardless of where you end up going within the archipelago, you’ll want to spend some time looking into the many fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas.
As the capital of the country and one of the major gateways to the other islands, most people spend at least a day in Nassau. And luckily, whether you’re wondering what to do in Nassau for one day or plan on spending a week there, you’ll never run out of things to do.
Listed below are seven things to do in Nassau Bahamas for adults, kids, and all types of travelers. Keep reading to learn more!
Learn about fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas here.
Fun Things to Do in Nassau Bahamas on a Cruise
1. Embark on an Exuma Day Trip
If your time in the Bahamas is limited (or you’re looking to visit some of the top attractions in the country), one of the many fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas is to sign up for an Exuma day trip.
The Exuma Cays are a chain of 365 islands south of Nassau, renowned for their natural beauty. They’re also home to the famous Swimming Pigs. While you can reach them by boat, signing up for a day trip that travels by plane is actually the way to go.
Air travel gets you to Exuma in 30 minutes, as opposed to two hours, giving you a window of time to explore before the boat tours arrive. You also get to enjoy a more comfortable experience, all while being treated to jaw-dropping views of the region from outside the aircraft windows.
Swimming Pigs tours by plane treat you to unbeatable views out the windows.
Staniel Cay Day Tour: What to Expect
While the flight to Exuma is efficient and enjoyable, the real magic happens once you land. After touching down on Staniel Cay, you then make your way to different attractions around the region.
From swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay to watching the Swimming Pigs paddle out to you at Big Major Cay, a Staniel Cay day tour is a great answer to anyone wondering what to do in Nassau for one day.
On an Exuma day trip, you get to go swimming with sharks!
Add in several additional stops at other islands and attractions and you end up with one of the most fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas.
2. Hang Out at Junkanoo Beach
Back on New Providence, a visit to Junkanoo Beach is another one of the many fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas.
The area around Junkanoo Beach is lively and full of shops and restaurants.
Located right downtown near the cruise ship terminal, this bustling yet beautiful beach is full of vacationers looking to soak up sun, surf, and sand. Besides enjoying the area’s natural beauty, travelers also have access to the myriad shops, restaurants, and bars that border the beach.
While it can be crowded in the afternoon, Junkanoo Beach has an undeniable energy that makes it the perfect answer for anyone looking for things to do in Nassau on a cruise.
3. Take a Taxi to Paradise Island
If you know anyone who’s vacationed to Nassau before, there’s a good chance they stayed on Paradise Island; the nearby resort island is home to some of the biggest and swankiest accommodations in the area. Regardless of whether you stay there, Paradise Island offers many fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas.
Connected to Nassau and New Providence by bridge, the beauty of Paradise Island along with the incredible resorts it houses are just a quick taxi ride away.
The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort
The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort is the most exclusive resort on the island. With rooms and villas costing thousands of dollars per night, the hotel caters to an elite clientele of travelers. Even if you’re not staying there, however, the resort grounds are still worth a visit.
The Ocean Club houses stunning French Cloisters and Versailles Gardens.
Whether you’re enjoying a drink at Dune, the hotel’s seaside restaurant, or want to explore a quieter section of picturesque Cabbage Beach, the area offers all sorts of beautiful attractions.
Atlantis Bahamas & Aquaventure
Atlantis Bahamas is another one of the top resorts on Paradise Island and also offers tons of fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas. Again, like The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort, you don’t need to stay there to appreciate everything.
Travelers wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas can purchase a day pass to explore the resort grounds. You’ll then get to enjoy everything from Aquaventure Waterpark to aquariums teeming with marine life.
Bahamas Atlantis waterslides at Aquaventure Waterpark
4. Tour Rose Island
While Exuma day trips may be the best excursion you can sign up for, Rose Island is a great answer for anyone wondering about things to do in Nassau Bahamas for adults.
Anyone wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas should travel to Rose Island on a day trip.
A 30-minute boat ride from Paradise Island is all it takes to reach this slice of tropical paradise. Once you’re there, you’ll have several hours to snorkel (the nearby reef is home to fish, turtles, and other animals), lounge around the pristine beach, and enjoy tropical drinks from the island’s bar.
5. Go Rum Tasting at John Watling’s Distillery
Speaking of drinks, another one of the many fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas for adults is to visit John Watling’s Distillery.
The distillery has a central location in downtown Nassau, making it easy to visit no matter how long you’re in Nassau. Once you make it there, you’ll get to tour the beautiful estate grounds and learn about how the workers manufacture rum. Of course at the end, you’ll also get to try some!
James Bond fans will also recognize John Watling’s Distillery as a filming location from Casino Royale.
No Bahamas vacation is complete without a visit to John Watling’s Rum Distillery.
6. Walk Around Graycliff Heritage Village
Graycliff Hotel offers guests some of the most unique accommodation options in the Nassau area. Located in a historic colonial mansion, the hotel has housed famous guests from Winston Churchill to The Beatles.
Even if you don’t stay there, touring the area around Graycliff is one of the many fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas.
Right outside the hotel grounds, travelers can spend hours exploring Graycliff Heritage Village. From art galleries, bars, and a chocolatier to the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas, the area offers all sorts of exciting Bahamian attractions, making it another one of the many fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas.
7. Climb up Queen’s Staircase
If you’re still looking for things to do in Nassau on a cruise, make sure to visit Queen’s Staircase. It’s another one of the many attractions with a central, downtown Nassau location.
Queen’s Staircase and nearby Fort Fincastle are some of the many historic sites in the Nassau area.
The staircase’s name honors Queen Victoria, the monarch who ruled Great Britain for much of the 19th century. The 66 steps lead up to Fort Fincastle, a defensive stronghold with towering walls and cannons that local officials hoped would ward off pirates during the golden age of piracy.
Today, Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle are attractions that all travelers can appreciate!
What to Do in Nassau for One Day: So Much
There are so many fun things to do in Nassau Bahamas on a cruise or if you choose to stay there that compiling a list of must-see attractions is tricky. Nevertheless, your vacation will be everything you hope for if you do at least some of the activities mentioned above.
If your time in the country is really limited or you’re wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas for an afternoon, consider signing up for a Swimming With Pigs Bahamas experience. You’ll then fly out to the Exuma Cays, sightsee around the region, and return back to Nassau that same afternoon.
Sign up for a Nassau to Exuma Day Trip today!
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