Activities in Nassau
There is no shortage of activities in and around Nassau. For the landlubbers, there's tons of shopping, golf, and of course the casinos (one in Atlantis, one at Cable Beach). Once your amazement about the beauty of the crystal blue Bahamian waters subsides a little, you might consider diving into it yourself - there are many options for Scuba diving and snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, or just lolling in the surf. The water tends to be bathtub warm and utterly delightful. There are also boating options, from glass-bottom boats to hydrofoils to JetSkis to water taxis from downtown Nassau across the small channel to Paradise Island. You might also want to check out the Bacardi Rum plant on the south side of the island. Can you say “piña colada,” boys and girls?
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Fun & Sun
Food & Drink
Shopping
Fun & Sun
Pick up a “what-to-do” guide, or one of the “Super Maps” at the airport or your hotel for more information and to find discount coupons for many of these activities.
Beaches – Pretty much any spot you can stick your toes in the Bahamian water is great. But there are some special places:
• Cabbage Beach – a slightly out-of-the-way spot at one end of Paradise Island, is along the same stretch of fantastic beach touted by Atlantis and The One&Only Ocean Club, and with good reason - it's gorgeous, and the public part is often sparsely populated. You'll probably need to drive or scooter to it.
• Orange Hill Beach – across the road from the Orange Hill Inn - this is a small and quiet and, needless to say, very convenient beach for guests at Orange Hill.
• Love Beach – just up the road from A Stone’s Throw Away, this is another small and lightly attended beach.
• Cable Beach – named for the site of the first trans-Atlantic cable from Nassau to Europe, this is another beautiful beach that is mostly occupied with guests of the several resort hotels that abut it. If you're a guest at the Wyndham, Nassau Beach Hotel, or Sandals, this will part of your “package.” While technically public, access may be tricky if you’re staying elsewhere.
• Adelaide Beach Beach – (a.k.a. South OCean Beach) a long stretch of beach on the south side of the island, where the serious divers gather. Features Stuart Cove's Dive Shop, where you can rent equipment for Scuba or snorkeling. You'll need a car/taxi, jitney or scooter to get here.
• Paradise Beach – another beach on Paradise Island, also known at “Club Med beach.” It's at the opposite end of P.I. from Cabbage Beach. Club Med's no longer there, but the beach is. Access here may be limited due to construction of Atlantis’ latest expansion.
For Kids – Atlantis offers the Discovery Channel Camp, for ages 4-12, combining educational programming with the amazing marine habitat and other resources at Atlantis. It features a technology lab, nature crafts, and live animal touch tanks. I fed the manta rays out of my hand, and it was awesome! The Wyndham has Kids Klub Nassau, for ages 4 and up, where activites include beach games, scavenger hunts, pool relays, arts & crafts, nature exploration, and more. There are four-hour and full-day (up to 8 hours) programs, which include lunch. Babysitting services are also available at both locations.
All-day boat trip – Looking for an exciting day trip while you're in the Bahamas? Check out www.islandworldadventures.com. They'll take you on a high speed powerboat to Saddleback Cay, an uninhabited island 40 miles north of Nassau. There you can relax on the beach, take in some fantastic snorkeling at their shallow coral reef, and you'll be fed a great Bahamian lunch. The tropical fish on the island are amazing and the water is crystal clear. This is a fabulous trip if you have the time. Let us know if you're interested – we'll try to get you a good rate!
Scenic Cruises – Sea Island Adventures’ Fiesta II scenic cruise goes to a private facility on nearby Rose Island for beach activites, water sports, and snorkeling at one of the world's top beaches. Snorkeling equipment, lunch and beverages are included. Their Historical Bahamas Cruise is a narrated account of Bahamian history as it relates to Nassau Harbor. For more info: www.bahamasvacationguide.com/seaislandadventures.html
Catamaran Cruises – Flying Cloud offers half day sailing and snorkeling cruises to beautiful Rose Island. You can also enjoy the sunset and harbor lights on the Evening and Dinner cruises through Nassau Harbor or around Paradise Island. Nothing beats the experience of gliding through the waves on this 57-foot catamaran while the experienced crew does all the work. The only sounds you'll hear while sailing are the splash of the water against the twin hulls and the wind filling the sails. Check them out at www.bahamasnet.com/flyingcloud.
Undersea Walk – Want to experience life underwater, but aren’t certified to Scuba dive? Check out Hartley’s Undersea Walk – www.underseawalk.com. It’s perfect for non-swimmers (or nervous ones) - it's like taking a walk in a botanical garden in the sea.
Dolphin Encounters – Meet our smarter cousins, up close and personal! Two flavors: a 30-minute swim with dolphins, ending in the thrilling “foot push,” and the close encounter, where you interact with dolphins from a waist-deep platform. More at: www.dolphinencounters.com
Scuba & Snorkeling – Stuart Cove's Dive Shop - full-service rental facility on Adelaide/South Ocean Beach. They rent Scuba and snorkeling gear, as well as “personal subs,” and some provide free transportation from Paradise Island, downtown Nassau, and Cable Beach. Sun Skiff Divers and Dive, Dive, Dive are also located on South Ocean Beach. Sun Divers Limited is located at the British Colonial Hilton, and Bahama Divers and Diver's Haven are located near downtown Nassau. Click here for a summary page of dive operators. For information about nearby dive sites, click here.
Glass-bottom Boats – There are several outfits offering these, most departing from Potter's Cay beneath the western Paradise Island bridge. One of the best is the Seaworld Explorer Semi-Submarine, a special boat which has an underwater observatory area 5 feet below the water, rather than just a glass bottom.
Boat rentals – Take your own excursion in a self-drive rental from Blue Hole Watersports (242-325-5338), located at the British Colonial Hilton in downtown Nassau. They also offer reef snorkeling from $30 per person.
Golf – There are three public golf courses on Nassau: the Ocean Club Golf Club (formerly the Paradise Island Golf Club), the Cable Beach Golf Club, owned by the Radisson (guests receive discounts), and the South Ocean Golf Club (South Ocean Golf and Beach Resort guests receive discounts). The Ocean Club course is a championship quality course, currently undergoing major redesign by Tom Weiskopf, and it's pricey. It also has the edge in beauty, being surrounded by the ocean on 3 sides, but both courses are quite nice.
For the Birds – Any bird lovers out there? Yes, Cheryl, we mean YOU! You may want to check out one of Nassau's guided bird watching tours. Check out www.bahamasoutdoors.com. You may even get inspired to do a multi-day trip to one of the Bahamas “out islands.” Nassau and Paradise island have many fascinating species including the White Cheeked Pintail, Caribbean Dove, Bahama Woodstar, Cuban Grassquit, Cuban Pewee, La Sagra's Flycatcher, Loggerhead Kingbird, Red Legged Thrush, Bahama Mockingbird, Thick Billed Vireo, Bananaquit, Stripe Headed Tanager, Black Faced Grassquit, Greater Antillean Bullfinch. Summer, Gray Kingbird, Antillean Nighthawk, Black Whiskered Vireo, and in Winter, migrant warblers and shorebirds.
Other Wildlife – Ardastra Gardens Zoo and Conservation Centre is the world's largest collection of Bahamian land animals. Its 5-1/2 acres are part jungle, part gardens, and home to hundreds of beautiful mammals, birds and reptiles – many of them endangered Caribbean species. It features the world famous marching flamingos, as well as a petting zoo, and is open 7 days a week from 9am-5pm.
Horseback Riding – On the beach! Happy Trails Stables offer trail rides for adults and children age 9 and up, no experience necessary. The Stables are located at Coral Harbour, on the south shore of the island, and they provide free riding hats and transportation from Paradise Island, downtown Nassau, and Cable Beach. Cost is $95 per person, and they're closed Sundays. Phone 242-362-1820 from 7am to 7pm (ET) for reservations (required).
Deep-Sea Fishing – The Bahamas are legendary for excellent fishing. Check out the following operators for info on fishing excustions: Brown's Charters - Chubasco Charters - First Class Charters - Paradise Island Charters
Casinos – Can you say “gamblin’,” man? The casinos inside Atlantis and the Crystal Palace at the Wyndham Cable Beach offer Nassau's European-style (think Monaco, not Atlantic City) all-night gamer's paradise. This ain't no Internet poker - this is the real deal. Test your hard-won skills against live players and professional dealers. Exercise your slot machine arm, and practice your poker face - then take your chances! And remember: always bet on black. If you visit Atlantis' casino, don't miss the four huge, spectacular glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly at the entrances and within the casino. Crystal Palace features state-of-the-art sports viewing and betting on giant TVs - with live broadcasts of races and pro and college sports from around the U.S.
Helicopter Tours – Believe us: to see The Bahamas from the air at low altitude is incredible! Island Helicopters offer several tours, including a 25-minute flight over Nassau and Paradise Island, Salt Cay heli-tour and beach “safari,” 4-hour Exuma tour, and Harbour Island sightseeing and escape tour. Tours depart daily from Paradise Island Heliport, near the west Paradise Island bridge. They also offer charters. Call 242-363-4016 and ask for 10% discount.
Seaplane Charters – Another option for aerial viewing and excursions is Safari Seaplanes. They offer half- and full-day Eco-tours to places like the Exuma Cays, and other services including snorkeling, aerial and underwater photography. Landing and taking off on the water is a real, well, trip!
Ommmm – The world-famous Sivananda Yoga Retreat on Paradise Island is perhaps the polar opposite of extravagant Atlantis. Get centered and stretch your mind and body at one of the retreat's 2-hour classes (8am and 4pm daily) on an open-air waterfront deck. Classes cost $10, and for an extra $10 you can stay for a vegetarian meal. Call ahead for a free boat ferry from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal or Prince George Wharf (242-363-2902).
Junkanoo Museum – Some of the winning costumes from the Annual Junkanoo Festival, held in the early morning hours of Boxing Day, (the day after Christmas) and New Year's Eve, are displayed. There's also a short film on the history of the Junkanoo Festival, thought to be named after slave revolutionary John Canoe. Located on Prince George Dock in downtown Nassau. Hours are 9am to 5 pm daily.
Bennet Hill Water Tower – A great spot to see the whole island from a height of 126 feet. The spiral staircase takes you to the observation deck where you'll have a bird's eye view of New Providence from coast to coast (there's also an elevator). The Water Tower has been closed recently for renovations, so be sure to check ahead. Located at Elizabeth Ave. and Prison Lane, near Fort Fincastle and the Queen's Staircase.
Bahamas International Film Festival – The second annual gathering, headquartered at Atlantis already has a high profile. See Special Events on the main Delite page for more details.
Horse-drawn Surrey Tours – See the Getting Around page for details.
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Food & Drink
Poop Deck – Solid Bahamian fare and very fresh seafood in a casual, nautically-themed atmosphere. Great harbor view from the downtown location, and good drinks too. Two locations: one about 1/2 mile from the center of Bay Street, just beyond the east Paradise Island bridge; the other in the Cable Beach area.
Graycliff – the Carribean's only 5-star restaurant. An elegant gourmet dining experience in a classic Colonial setting. Reserve ahead. After dinner, smoke a fine cigar from Graycliff's own stock. The Graycliff also offers a free tour of the cigar factory (9am-4pm except Sunday) where the legendary Avelino Lara oversees the Cuban rollers.
Humidor Churrascaria – also at Graycliff, this is reputed to be The Bahamas’ best steakhouse. The restaurant features a Brazilian-style feast of meats slow-roasted on a giant rotisserie rotisserie. Gaucho waiters serve chicken, pork, lamb, steak, beef tenderloin, and more. A huge salad bar offers seafood, pasta and bean dishes.
Travelers’ Rest – a great casual spot renowned for its sumptuous Bahamian dishes and tropical drinks in a beautiful setting by the sea. The grouper here is especially excellent. They take pride in their daiquiris, and claim to have invented the banana daiquiri. Our Friday night “drop in” is here, so you’ll get a taste of it then, if not before.
Arawak Cay – this little enclave features a charming array of conch shacks lining the street, about 2 miles west of downtown. It's always our first stop upon arriving at the airport, for an ultra-fresh serving of conch salad made on the spot. This ceviche-like concoction is a little spicey and completely delicious. Most of the places also offer other fare. Our favorite is Goldie's. Highly recommended.
Potter's Cay – at the foot of the Paradise Island bridge, this is another place to get just-plucked-from-the-water fresh conch salad from one of the little shacks on the pier. Walkable from downtown or Paradise Island (over the bridge).
Bacardi Rum Plant – for a tour and a taste. ’Nuff said! Historic Visitor’s Pavilion and bar open 10am - 4pm. Tours Mon-Thu at 11am and 2pm, Fri 11am. (242-362-1412)
Atlantis – numerous restaurants, from burger joints to fine dining. Favorites include The Lagoon Bar & Grill – situated right smack in the middle of the giant predator tank (think sharks) within the complex – and Fathoms – a fancier place with an awesome view of the underwater tank called “The Dig.” They also have live cocktail piano at times. Also worth a visit is the more casual Café at the Great Hall of Waters, another spot with fabulous views into the Lagoon. And 23 others to choose from.
Marina Village at Atlantis – the world unto itself that is Atlantis has dozens of shops and restaurants. They are all high-quality, though shops tend to be overpriced and a little touristy, but some are decent and worth checking out. Note that the shops and restaurants are open to the public, even if you're not staying at Atlantis.
Sivananda Yoga Retreat – Serving healthy organic meals in a simple, beautiful garden and beach setting. Call ahead (242-363-2902) for a free boat ferry from the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal or Prince George Wharf.
The Green Parrot – Surprisingly good bar and grill serving decent burgers, fish and drinks at Hurricane Hole Marina on Paradise Island, overlooking the harbor.
Café Johnny Canoe – Colorful casual and inexpensive restaurant at the Nassau Beach Hotel in Cable Beach. A wonderful, truly Bahamian experience. The decor alone is worth a visit. Authentic Junkanoo masks & antique photos of “old” Nassau on the walls. It has indoor and outdoor dining, and varied menu of standard bar & grill food, as well as Bahamian classics. Try one of the guava desserts. Happy Hour daily 4-6:30pm, and live music on weekends from 7:30pm-12 midnight (242-327-3373).
Dune and Dune Bar – at the exclusive One&Only Ocean Club, this new gourmet spot is presided over by celebrity master chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten (of highly-regarded Vong, Jean-Georges, 66 and Spice Market in New York). The menu is a blend of French-Asian cuisine infused with Bahamian flavors and herbs grown in the restaurant's organic garden. The Dune Bar overlooks the sea on a bluff over Cabbage Beach, and is a lovely location for breakfast or lunch alfresco. Attire is “resort upscale.”
Villaggio is Derek's new favorite place in Nassau. And that's saying a lot! Located at “Caves Village” shopping center (between Cable Beach and A Stone's Throw Away), they serve authentic Italian lunch and dinner in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Dine indoors or out on the terrace. There is also a wine & cocktail bar on the premises, offering a romantic tropical ambience, and live jazz Thurs - Sat. Closed Sunday and Monday.
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Shopping
Straw Market – Nassau's famous Straw Market is one of the largest in the world, and is open 7 days a week from early morning until evening. You'll find an array of handmade mats, hats and baskets along with fabrics, jewelry, woodcarvings, and guava jellies (and some schlocky T-shirts too). Of course, half the fun of shopping there is in the bargaining. The Straw Market is on downtown Bay Street, one block east of the British Colonial Hilton Hotel.
Bahama Craft Centre – On Paradise Island across from Hurrican Hole Plaza (a shopping area) you'll find the Bahama Craft Centre. Browse through booths of Bahamian arts and crafts made from indigenous products found all over the Bahamas. Crafts include paintings, sea treasures, blown glass, conch shell jewelry, Junkanoo art, clothing, driftwood paintings, straw work, ceramics, pine seed dolls and more.
Bay Street shops – Aside from the Straw Market, Bay Street offers several blocks of shops of all kinds, with an emphasis on jewelry, watches, luggage, leather goods, china/crystal, and clothing. There are some bargains to be had here, especially on goods originating in the U.K., with some items available duty-free.
Atlantis – the world unto itself that is Atlantis has dozens of shops and restaurants. They are all high-quality, though shops tend to be overpriced and a little touristy, but some are decent and worth checking out. Note that the shops and restaurants are open to the public, even if you're not staying at Atlantis.
Bahama Hand Prints – Resurrected from near-closure by a friend of our good friends Derek & Tricia, this place features gorgeous, authentic handmade island designs on great bags and women's clothing. You can even order fabric and make your own items. Located near the eastern Paradise Island bridge. Highly recommended.
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