Are you wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas port? Even if you’re only visiting for the day, you can find plenty of things to do in Nassau cruise port. From walking along stunning beaches with a glass of rum to learning about the island’s rich culture and history, Nassau might end up being your favorite destination you visit while on your cruise.
Listed below are some of the top things to do in Nassau Bahamas port. All of the activities mentioned are perfect for cruise ship passengers; you won’t have to worry about them conflicting with your schedule. All you’ll need to worry about is seeing as much as you can while in Nassau.
Keep reading to learn about the many different things to do in Nassau Bahamas on a cruise. With Bahamas Air Tours you can discover the best of the Bahamas Exuma islands on their 5-Star Rated Day Trips and Tours.
What to Do in Nassau Bahamas Port: Visit the Swimming Pigs
Explore the Area Around the Cruise Ship Terminal
When you first disembark your boat, you’ll find yourself right in downtown Nassau. This area offers myriad things for travelers to do.
The Nassau cruise terminal is close to many shops and restaurants.
If you’re interested in shopping, there are a range of shops by the cruise ship terminal. You can find food, drinks, and handmade goods from street vendors, while dozens of stores selling clothes, souvenirs, and jewelry line Bay Street. You can also visit the Nassau Straw Market, which is a great place for wooden and straw products.
Travelers looking to explore Nassau can head south; many of the island’s cultural and historic sites are just a short walk around from the terminal. On the other hand, those looking to veg out can head to nearby Junkanoo Beach or stop at a restaurant or bar like Señor Frog’s.
Spend Time at Junkanoo Beach
Anyone wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas port should make a point to visit Junkanoo Beach. Located just a short walk away from the cruise ship terminal, visiting Junkanoo Beach is one of the best things to do in Nassau cruise port.
The site’s name comes from Junkanoo Festival, a local Bahamian event that takes place on Boxing Day and a couple of other points throughout the year. The beach is almost as lively as the festival – you’ll find it full of travelers enjoying the soft sand and the turquoise water for most of the afternoon.
Anyone wondering what to do in Nassau port should visit nearby Junkanoo Beach.
From lounging on a rentable sun chair to purchasing drinks from the nearby bars, the energy at Junkanoo Beach is palpable, which makes it one of the best things to do in Nassau port. That said, if you’re looking for a quieter beach experience, consider taxing over to Paradise Island to visit Cabbage Beach. Traveling further west on New Providence will also get you to Cable Beach, which is another stunning yet more secluded area.
Go Swimming With Sharks and the Exuma Pigs
Day trips are a great way to make the most of the limited time you have to spend in the Bahamas. And, while you’re in Nassau, there’s no better day trip to embark on than a Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour to see the Swimming Pigs.
While you can find pigs at other sites in the Nassau area like Rose Island, the original Swimming Pigs are in the Exuma Cays. A short 30-minute flight is all it takes to reach the region, ensuring that you have plenty of time to see them and other attractions and make it back in time before your ship’s departure. If a standard day trip conflicts with your schedule, there’s always the option to charter a private plane, as well.
From watching the Exuma Pigs swim out to your boat to floating around the waters of Compass Cay with nurse sharks, Swimming Pigs Tours are a great answer to anyone wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas Port. Don’t miss out!
Nurse sharks and the Exuma Pigs are just a short plane ride away from Nassau.
Visit Atlantis
Atlantis is one of the most famous resorts in the Nassau area. Even if you’re just visiting the Bahamas for the day and are wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas port, a trip to Atlantis is still something you should consider.
Make sure to visit Atlantis on your Nassau day trip.
Atlantis allows travelers to purchase a day pass, giving them access to the resort’s many amenities. The pass costs $190 for adults and $95 for children (travelers ages 4-12). So what exactly can you then enjoy?
Aquaventure is the resort’s massive water park, and it’s one of the highlights that a day pass gets you access to. It features a lengthy lazy river, as well as a menagerie of slides and pools. In addition to Aquaventure, you’ll also get to see turtles, rays, fish, and many other marine animals in the resort’s aquariums. All of that makes Atlantis a worthwhile visit for anyone curious about what to do in Nassau port.
Keep in mind that if you’re not looking to spend money, Cabbage Beach which is behind Atlantis and other resorts is beautiful and free!
Walk up Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle
Back downtown, you’ll find another one of the best things to do in Nassau Bahamas port: Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle.
Queen’s Staircase is a flight of stairs carved into solid limestone in the late 18th century. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it serves as a scenic escape route from the defensive structure above: Fort Fincastle.
During the golden age of piracy, pirate raids on the Bahamas were frequent. In an effort to stop them, Lord Dunmore ordered the construction of Fort Fincastle in 1793. Although the fort is small, its massive walls and cannons (which could fire miles into the distance) are intimidating nonetheless, and attest to how pervasive of a problem piracy was.
A walk up Queen’s Staircase is a great addition to any Bahamas vacation.
Today, both the staircase and the fort are great stops for history buffs wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas port.
Stop by Parliament Square
Whereas Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle are historical sites on New Providence, Parliament Square is a political one. It’s home to some of the most important buildings in the country, including structures that house the Senate and the Bahamian Supreme Court.
While it serves a vital purpose to the modern government, as with many parts of Nassau, Parliament Square is also full of history. Many of the buildings surrounding the square came to be in the years after the American Revolutionary War when loyalists fled to the Bahamas. The colonial architecture present is reminiscent of that found in southern American states, like the Carolinas.
In addition to these buildings, travelers wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas port can also see a statue of Queen Victoria, erected in honor of her birthday in 1905.
Visiting Parliament Square is one of the many great things to do in Nassau port.
Sample Rum and Cocktails at John Watling’s Distillery
After a long day of sightseeing, you might be craving a drink. John Watling’s Distillery is the place to get it, as it just happens to be another one of the best things to do in Nassau Bahamas on a cruise.
The distillery produces some of the finest rum in the Bahamas, making rum tasting a popular activity. If you’re craving something besides a rum flight, the bar serves all sorts of delicious cocktails, like piña coladas.
Touring the rum distillery is a great answer to anyone wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas port.
Besides drinking, one of the biggest appeals of John Watling’s Distillery is its place of fame in Hollywood history. If you’ve seen Casino Royale, you may recognize the site as a filming location. It’s where the famous parkour scene with Daniel Craig took place!
Things to Do in Nassau Port: Go Swimming With Pigs
Anyone wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas port has plenty of fun activities to choose from. But while you should explore all that Nassau has to offer, you might also want to consider making the most of your time on an Exuma day trip.
A Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour is one of the best things to do in Nassau Bahamas port because it lets you see so many exciting attractions. From the Exuma Pigs to nurse sharks and more, the best of the Bahamas is just a short flight away.
Sign up for a day trip or look into chartering a plane today!
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