31 Things to do in Nassau, Bahamas that are not swimming with pigs

Last Updated on January 16, 2024 by Roslin Dwivedi

We picture a deep blue ocean, relaxing on those white sands, swimming with the pigs/ sharks, learning about the history of Pirates, the known place for Hollywood movies, especially the James Bond movies. These things come to mind when talking about vacationing in the Bahamas. After arriving here, we have already watched the James Bond scene at the Ocean Club multiple times. Isn’t that crazy? I am putting together a few things to do in Nassau, as the Bahamas is the best beach vacation destination in the Caribbean sea.

I have always appreciated the tourist attractions that are close to each other. It makes it possible by walking —free, self-guided and time-saving tours. Downtown Nassau is possible to explore on foot since most of the things around are tourist attractions and all close by.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Let’s look at what you can walk and cover at Downtown Nassau. Most of them are free until you purchase something over there:

Things to do in Nassau

Pirates of Nassau Museum:

Pirates of Nassau museum is a fun place for kids and adults who would love to learn pirate stories of the Bahamas. There is an escape room inside the museum to keep the enthusiasm going. To visit the Pirates of Nassau, you need to buy tickets. For adults, it’s around 14 Bsd; for kids, it’s about 6-7 Bsd.  

Christ Church Cathedral:

The church is opposite the Pirates of Nassau museum. It’s a simple, small gothic stone episcopal church built in the mid-18th century in Nassau, Bahamas.

Bay Street:

Not far from Christ church, you will find Bay street. It is a nice long street and a great place for luxury shopping. The usual local clothing or beach wears, souvenirs and much more are there to see on this street. Strolling this street, you will find the Jitney bus stop. If you would like to take a bus to distant places like cable beach or further, this bus is a cheap option to reach those places. Bay street is full of surprising bars and restaurants. Especially on the backside. When you get to Parliament Square, walk to the Prince George wharf cruise terminal and the whole back street. It’s much more fun than watching only shops on the front side of Bay street. While walking on this road, we came across a few ATV rental vendors. They offered ATVs a full day or half a day starting from 100 BSD.

Prince George Wharf Cruise Terminal: 

If you are coming to Nassau via a cruise, you will disembark here and be welcomed by a few local and colourful souvenir shopping shacks. Come out of the port and enjoy the vibrant and musical Bay street.  

Nassau Straw Market:

The straw market is famous in Nassau and the entire Bahamas. You can not miss this place as it’s in the middle of Bay street. The straw market is full of local sellers and artists. You will find handmade bags, baskets, dolls, recycled coca cola and Pepsi cans, showpieces, and much more in this place. We bought a 2-sided handmade Bahamian doll from here for 10 Bsd and a few magnates for 5 Bsd. What is great about this place is that you can watch a few artists creating their woodwork or sewing a bag, doll, or basket in this market. It feels extraordinary to watch them doing that.

Parliament Square:

A square of a few pink buildings from the 18th century built in the British colonial era. A historical landmark that is now a government building. In this square, you will also find Queen Victoria’s statue, which reigned longest from 1838 to 1901. The square is also decorated with two cannons on the sides of the statue. 

Pompey Square:

Another historic landmark you will find while walking on the back streets of Bay street. Or when you are coming to the Senor frog restaurant. This square is named after a slave Pompey who rebelled against the enslaved person getting sold on this square in 1830. The square has a place to sit and a beautiful ocean view. 

Junkanoo Beach:

Junkanoo derives from the Bahamian folk dance Junkanoo. And the beach is easily found next to the Margaritaville hotel in Downtown Nassau, not the one in Paradise island. The Junkanoo has calm and clear waters. I feel it’s the best after Montagu beach on Nassau island. Junkanoo beach is crowded whenever a carnival cruise is docked at the port. Also, on busy days or weekends, this beach is magnificently crowded and more vibrant than usual on weekdays. On busy days, this beach looks like a movie beach with people relaxing on the shore, loud music playing in the bar shacks, overbooked restaurants and beach body people playing volleyball. No kidding, it does look like the movie scene at the beach.t.

Western Esplanade:

A beautiful stretch of beachside with metal benches overlooking a beautiful ocean view. You can reach the western esplanade through Arawak Cay or use it as an entrance to Junkanoo Beach, a few steps ahead. We parked our car at the Western esplanade and walked to Junkanoo beach.

Arawak Cay(Fish fry):

Arawak Cay is often called a Fish fry because all the local restaurants are on the fish fry road. It is a famous place to find some local delicacies in the Bahamas. We enjoyed Conch fritters, Chicken tenders and salad, local Kalik beer and Shirley temple non-alcoholic drink for lunch at Big yard restaurant. 

Queen staircase:

Enslaved people built the stairs in the 17th century. There are 66 steps on the staircase carved by the 600 slaves over 1793 to 1794 to escape from the Fort. 

Water Tower: 

The 126 feet tall water tower is behind Fort Fincastle. It was constructed in 1928 to supply water to the city of Nassau. Visitors are not allowed to climb the spiral staircase. The water tower maintained the water pressure in the new providence island.

Fort Fincastle:

In 1793, Lord Dunmore built Fort Fincastle to protect Nassau from enemies. Fort Fincastle was built after Fort Charlotte and Fort Montagu, further protecting the island. The fort was perfectly built on Bennett’s hill’s top location, providing excellent vantage points for lookouts. Shaped like an old saddle-wheel steamer, the Fort Fincastle mainly served as a lighthouse until 1816 and later as a signal house. 

Ps: Queen staircase, Water Tower, and Fort Fincastle are clustered attractions, and you may find parking a bit difficult if you come from the back side of the Queen’s staircase. 

John Watling’s Distillery:

If you love to learn about the making process of rum, you will enjoy the free tour of the distillery. You will get some free Pina Colada and a tour of this place. 

Ps: You can skip this one if you like.

Rum cake factory: 

Located in the heart of Downtown Nassau, the rum cake factory is one delicious tour. The tour of how to manufacture is not yet resumed after Covid 19. Still, you may taste various flavoured rum cakes like coconut, pineapple, banana, pina colada, cinnamon, chocolate, Irish cream, coffee and many more. That is marinated in Ole Nassau rum. And learn the history of it through the staff working there. We bought four flavoured rum cakes. 

Fort Montagu: 

Fort Montagu was built in the 17th century to protect British possession from Spanish invaders. Fort Montagu is a small fort with four cannons on the eastern coast of Nassau. You will also like the beautiful Montagu beach over here. There is a small shack that serves some snacks and drinks. The beach is one of the best ones we have found in Nassau. The water is clear and has lovely spots to click pictures.

Atlantis The Dig: 

The Dig is one of the incredible experiences your younger kids would have at Atlantis hotel. Make a plan to spend a whole day at the Atlantis. Check out the hotel, you can also use their beach, and the best part is that you don’t have to stay in the hotel to experience all this. You can get tickets to the Dig close to the aquarium, or if you stay at the Atlantis hotel or ocean club, you don’t have to buy the tickets. Just give them your room number, and they will probably charge you the hotel bill. But you can experience the aquarium with your kids. It’s not very long but has a fascinating theme of the lost city in the ocean and features a lot of aquatic fishes and animals in the aquarium with some old-looking fallen city stone look. Also, have a cave tunnel set up, which is very exciting. We did this because of our three years old sons, and he loved it.

Marina Village Atlantis: 

Marina village is a pleasant shopping and eating place. You can take a free walking tour with kids over here. Enjoy various cuisines with a beautiful view of the marina and magnificent yacht. 

Day pass at the Atlantis Bahamas:

Atlantis day pass is one of the ways you can enjoy the marine life in the Bahamas. 

It’s a must for families and groups staying in Nassau. The Atlantis Day Pass allows access to the Casino, shops and Marina Village. 

You can use Atlantis beaches, resort pools, Aquaventure water park, and The Dig aquarium tour. Before booking your day pass, check it correctly for the kids’ age. You can do a specific adventure with certain aged kids and adults. 

Cabbage Beach: 

The beach is one of the best beaches on Paradise island. Since it’s a public beach, it is easy to access from the road. This beach’s white, soft, and fine sands make it unique. Sometimes it also has high waves, so be careful of the timing. It is a very long stretch of beach. You can rent some chairs and get drinks from the nearby restaurant.

Pearl Island Beach Adventure with the Pigs:

Yes, I mentioned activities that don’t include swimming with pigs. But there are plenty of tourists who come this far to experience this. So here it is. If you are not leaving Nassau, you can enjoy your time at Pearl Island Beach swimming, feeding the pigs, and sun-lounging at the beach. Absorb the beauty of the blue ocean and white sand, Bahamian lunch and lovely times with your family and group. Sway with waves of Bahamas on Kayaks & Standup paddle boards. Or play on provided Water Mats and Water Trampoline. Climb the lighthouse and take a 360-degree view of the surroundings. Don’t forget your camera because these are some fantastic views you will capture. 

You can book the excursion with Tripadvisor. 

Exuma Full-day Experience:

Go for an astonishing Exam full day experience where you go on seven-cay (island) expedition. The tour will take you to 

1. Allen’s Cay – where you meet and feed protected Exuma Rock Iguanas in their natural habitat.
2. Normans Cay- Snorkel the infamous Pablo Escobar plane crash.
3. Aquarium – Famous for its breathtaking marine environment, this stretch of pristine water, land and beaches is an ecological preserve and wildlife refuge perfect for your second snorkel site. 
4. Big Major Cay – Home to Exuma’s world-famous swimming pigs. You may interact with and feed the pigs. 
5. Black Point- Breathtaking Backdrop for an authentic Bahamian Lunch, followed by jumping off the dock into pristine clear blue waters.
6. Compass Cay – Feed and swim with Nurse Sharks. The majestic, docile mammals often become your favourite stop!
7. Private Beach/SandBar – You will visit one of Exuma’s spectacular secluded beaches. Calm waters, white sand and the most beautiful water you can imagine!

It is rated as NOT TO BE MISSED by most of the visitors on TripAdvisor.

Have Pigs Encounter Tour: 

More swimming with pigs option! Rose Island is a short boat ride away from Nassau. A wonderful island where you relax on the pristine beach and play with pigs.

Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau:

Get on board a catamaran and cruise through the most romantic Bahamian sunset. Enjoy your evening with some breathtaking views of Paradise Island Harbor and the Atlantis.

Go on a Food and History Tour: 

This tour around Nassau shows you the history of the Bahamas, museums, old forts, cake factories, and local bush teas. Finish your time with a feast at a Bahamian restaurant, getting acquainted with the food culture. Indulge yourself in traditional Bahamian cuisine. 

Take an ATV tour: 

Ideal for adventurous travellers, explore Nassau’s history, culture and cuisine riding on ATV, where you also stop at the beach. Like the other walking tours, this tour will cover all the historical sights, tea tasting, rum tasting, and chocolate treats at Graycliff chocolatiers. Government buildings, art galleries and much more. 

Dilly Dally Walking Tour of Nassau:

Though I have mentioned where to walk and take a self-walking tour in Downtown Nassau if you are sceptical about going around by yourself better go for a trusted guide and organized trip. You will be safely taken for a Dilly dally walking tour around the island and learn all the tales you need to know about the Bahamas.

Funky Jeep Adventure Tour:

Recommended by 92% of travellers on TripAdvisor

Explore the whole site in Nassau mentioned above in a long, limo-style jeep with this island tour. 

Look at the fun jeep below.

Jet Ski Adventure in Cabbage Beach:

Rent a jet ski at Cabbage Beach and go on Bahamian water ride with your partner or single with a guide. 

Some hotels in Nassau include this activity with your room, so check your room inclusions properly to avail of this facility. 

Go on Parasailing:

Imagine soaring over the turquoise waters and white sand of Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island on this parasailing excursion. 

I saw people parasailing during our stay at Ocean Club. And I am sure it’s an enjoyable activity. 

We did this in the Maldives; I must mention it was a lifetime experience. So go for this. 

Take a Cultural Walking Tour of Downtown Nassau:

Take a lovely guided cultural walking tour of Downtown Nassau. Learn the history, and admire the colonial era architecture at the Rawson and Parliament Square. Check out the old forts and Queen’s staircase, and shop at the Straw market.

Stop at Graycliff Chocolatier and indulge in locally made delicious chocolates. Tour the National Art Gallery, sample rum at John Watling’s Distillery, taste Teas and learn about the Bahamian bush teas and traditional medicines.

Where to eat when in Nassau

Since we ate here and enjoyed the place and the food, I recommend not going far anywhere and either eat in these places right here. But you may also find other sites on Bay street. 

Senor Frog 

Lukka Kairi bar 

Arawak Cay

Poop Deck 

Meze Grill

Social House Sushi & Grill

These restaurants and bars have amazing views and decor that make you feel like the Bahamas.

Taj Restaurant: For Indian food

Anthony’s (at Paradise Village )

Best beaches to visit in Nassau

Cabbage beach

Cable beach

Goodman beach

Montagu Beach

How to get around in Nassau

Since there is no Uber in the Bahamas, You may take Jitney minibuses. But they stop operation at around 6-7 pm. So, renting a car can be a good idea. You can rent a car for 50 BSD a day.
If you are getting down from the cruise, you may better book those travel trucks or ATVs. Or you can explore walking downtown Nassau.

Also, you can take a taxi for a few hours to get around the island, which is mostly 60-70 BSD per hour.

Many travellers don’t need to rent a car in The Bahamas, especially if they are coming to soak in the sun at their resort’s beach for a few days.

You may book a private boat or take a ferry from the port to get from one island to another.

Where To Stay In Nassau, Bahamas

Most tourists prefer to stay at Paradise Island or around downtown Nassau. Since there are a lot of historical sites in and around downtown Nassau, you may consider living in some resorts near Junkanoo beach or hotels on Paradise Island.

I also want to suggest Baha Mar resorts because that resort is also huge and has many activities that fulfil the holiday dreams. They also have many restaurants and kid’s clubs to accommodate their needs.

Have you visited the Bahamas? How did you like it. I would love to know your stories about Bahamas. Comment below.

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