Initially, you might think that you’ll spend your Nassau vacation lazing around the hotel pool and the beach, catching up on the rest and relaxation you so desperately need. But chances are you will feel rejuvenated within a day or two and will be looking for something interesting to do. So, we’ve got you covered with our Top Ten Things To Do in Nassau, Bahamas.
Aquaventure at Atlantis
Mayam Temple Water Slide at Aquaventure
Whether you’ve had the pleasure of staying there or not, almost everyone these days is familiar with Atlantis Resort and its many amenities. However, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the resort’s Aquaventure waterpark. You simply need to buy a day pass to have fun among 20 million gallons of water, 20 swimming areas, 11 pools including three kids’ pools, a mile-long river ride with high-intensity rapids and wave surges, and water slides that include the six-story Mayan Temple where you plummet down into a shark-filled lagoon.
Slow things down at the Royal Baths or a zero-entry pool, all of which offer access to the white sands of Paradise Beach. It’s a great way to spend the day.
Day Trips to Exuma to Swim with the Pigs
Exuma’s Swimming Pigs
Although this side trip is on the pricey side, mainly due to the distance involved in traveling from Nassau to Exuma’s Big Major Cay (approx. 89 miles), it is wildly popular and worth it if you have a soft spot for wildlife. You’ll be greeted with warm, sandy beaches littered with indigenous iguanas and docile nurse sharks in the waters, along with the famous swimming pigs, which have become a must-see attraction.
Between the animals and their surroundings, Exuma is a picture-taker’s paradise. There are several tour companies that offer this excursion so do your research and choose the one that’s right for you.
Ardastra Gardens Zoo and Conservation Centre
Flamingos – National Bird of the Bahamas
Ardastra Gardens Zoo and Conservation Centre is home to nearly 300 animals, including Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, Madagascar lemurs, monkeys, jaguars, reptiles, and a vast array of birds. Some of these might be inclined to share the pathways with you as you walk through the serene park. Although just a few miles from downtown Nassau, this place feels worlds away from the busy casinos and fast-paced nightlife of the islands. Try to time your visit so you can see the flock of trained flamingos as they march in unison.
The zoo also schedules feeding times for its lorikeets, and guests are allowed to enter the screened aviary to hand feed the colorful birds. Nassau Botanic Gardens is located directly across the street so it’s possible to combine your visits and see both on the same day.
Cabbage Beach
Cabbage Beach – Paradise Island
Considered one of the best beaches in the world, Paradise Island’s Cabbage Beach hosts several of the big hotels including Atlantis, Hotel Riu Palace, and One&Only Ocean Club. Public access is on Casino Drive next to Riu Palace.
The beach is a beautiful stretch of soft white sand spanning two miles of coastline. Palms, sea grapes, and Australian pines form a backdrop and small tiki structures provide shade.
There are several places to rent water sports equipment, from jet skis to floats. Not surprisingly, it tends to be crowded, more so at the western end.
SCUBA Diving
Shark Feeding Experience
If you’re partial to Scuba Diving, Nassau offers plenty of options, from explorations of coral reefs and friendly marine life to investigating the many shipwrecks in the area.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie and want to kick your dive experience up a notch, some Scuba facilities in Nassau offer Extreme Adventures that introduce divers to sharks for an up-close and personal look. These dives can also include shark feeding if you dare.
Just remember that this particular activity isn’t one that you can rush into. Scuba diving requires extensive instruction and certification so plan wisely.
SNUBA
SNUBA with air tanks on a raft on the surface
SNUBA is for people that want to take their snorkeling experience to the next level. It is designed to mimic the SCUBA experience except that no certification or prior experience is required. Equipment includes a mask, snorkel, fins, weight belt, breathing regulator, and harness just as SCUBA diving does. However, the SCUBA tank that provides fresh breathing air remains on a raft on the surface of the water and is monitored by a guide. The only thing participants have to contend with is a long line that connects to the tank, making the experience feel more like snorkeling.
SNUBA is offered at more than one outlet in Nassau so travelers have a few options. At the dive center of your choice, certified and PADI-trained divemasters will instruct participants on equipment and safety before climbing aboard the boat that will take everyone to the dive location. The only skills required are basic swimming and a desire to have fun.
Queen’s Staircase
The Queen’s Staircase
With just 65 steps spanning 102 feet, this is a steep ascent from Elizabeth Avenue to Fort Fincastle and the Water Tower.
Carved out of a limestone wall by 18th-century slaves, the steps once gave soldiers protected passage from the fort to the town.
Lush vegetation flanks the stairway and water cascades into a pool below. Named to honor the 66 years of Queen Victoria’s reign (there were originally 66 steps), this is one of the most popular stops in Nassau and is on the agenda of most cruise ship shore excursions.
Glass Bottom Boat Ride
Sunshine Glass Bottom Boat Tours
For people that are hesitant to get in the water but still want a glimpse of the regional marine life, climb aboard a glass-bottom boat.
It’s the perfect sightseeing excursion with up-close views of colorful coral, tropical fish, turtles, rays, eels, and occasionally, even a shark.
Several tour companies offer a glass bottom boat excursion, some of which include a narrated tour of Nassau’s harbor that emphasizes historical highlights as well as the homes of the rich and famous.
SUB Mini Submarine
Guided SUB Adventure
An underwater SUB (the acronym for Scenic Underwater Bubble) is a personal self-propelled submarine. It’s a popular activity that allows participants to cruise underwater while enjoying coral reefs and marine life. The SUB runs at speeds of up to 2 knots an hour, and underwater guides accompany participants to prevent any mishaps.
Several outlets in Nassau provide this experience with round-trip transportation from your hotel. However, it’s wise to research the parameters of this adventure before rushing into it because there are some restrictions, including age, height, and some medical problems.
Dolphin and Sea Lion Encounters
We are aware that controversy surrounds this type of attraction – animal activists want to stop the practice while others insist that marine life is well cared for while providing an educational experience.
No matter what your view is, there are plenty of opportunities for interactive experiences with dolphins and sea lions if you are so inclined. Dolphin Cay at Atlantis, Dolphin Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island, and Island Routes Caribbean Adventures are just three of several offered in Nassau, all of which have packages to include dolphin hugs and kisses, and foot pushes