Looking for things to do in Nassau while your cruise ship’s in port?
You’ve come to the right place, as I’ve visited the Bahamas, and stayed in Nassau for a day. Nassau has interesting historical landmarks, beautiful beaches, and delicious local cuisine.
To help you plan a fun day trip, I’ve compiled a list of 15 things to do in Nassau off the cruise port.
Whether you want to swim with pigs on Rose Island or relax on the beach, there’s something on this list for you.
Here are 15 fun things to do in Nassau, Bahamas while your cruise ship is in port.
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Things To Do In Nassau Bahamas Cruise Port
1. Go On A Food And History Tour
Learn about Nassau’s history, all while tasting incredible local cuisine on a walking food tour. You’ll get to visit the top landmarks in Nassau, and sample food from 5 different restaurants.
This tour also includes a stop at John Watling’s Rum Distillery, where you’ll get to tour a rum distillery, sample rums, and purchase bottles to bring home.
With a local guide, this is an excellent way to learn about Nassau’s culture, and see everything within a day.
The tour meets at the Bahamian Cookin’ Restaurant, which is just a short 5 minute walk from the cruise port.
2. Relax on Junkanoo Beach
If you want to have a relaxing beach day, walk to Junkanoo Beach – one of the closest beaches to the cruise port.
This beach is just a 15 minute walk from the cruise port, and it’s completely free to visit. There are a variety of food vendors and restaurants near, and you can rent out lounge chairs and umbrellas to relax on the beach.
Keep in mind that this is the most accessible beach near the cruise port, so it’s often very crowded.
If you want to avoid crowds, I recommend you take a taxi to Love Beach or Cable Beach. Cable Beach is a 15 minute drive, and Love Beach is around a 20 minute drive from the cruise port.
3. Swim With Pigs On Rose Island
Swimming with pigs is one of the most unforgettable things to experience while in the Bahamas. From Nassau’s cruise port, you can go on a half-day excursion to swim with pigs on Rose Island.
Rose Island is just a 30 minute boat ride from Nassau, and it has some of the most idyllic beaches in the Bahamas.
On the island, you’ll get to feed pigs, enjoy drinks from their beach bar, and swim in crystal clear waters. This tour provides pickup from the cruise port, and lasts 4 hours long.
4. Visit The Queen’s Staircase And Fort Fincastle
Just a 15 minute walk from the cruise port, the Queen’s Staircase is a landmark you won’t want to miss while in Nassau.
This is a historical 66 step staircase carved out of limestone that honors Queen Victoria for ending slavery.
It’s completely free to visit, and you can walk up the staircase. Once you reach the top, you can stop by Fort Fincastle. Fort Fincastle is a limestone fortress built all the way back in 1793 to protect the harbor from invasion, and you can tour inside the castle for $2.
Queen’s Staircase: Greenwich St, Nassau, Bahamas. Open 24 hours. Fort Fincastle: Bennet’s Hill, Prison Lane, Nassau, Bahamas. Guided tours from 8am-4pm.
5. Explore Nassau On ATVs
For a fun way to explore the city, go on an ATV tour with a local guide. You’ll get to stop by multiple historical landmarks, cruise pass the beaches, and end the tour with lunch on the beach.
The tour includes all transportation, including pickup from the cruise port. From visiting the rum distillery to driving through local neighborhoods, this is an incredible way to see all of Nassau in a day.
6. Visit The Pirates of Nassau Museum
Less than a 10 minute walk from the cruise port, the Pirates of Nassau Museum is another museum worth visiting in the city.
This museum has tons of unique exhibits and displays on the history of piracy in the Bahamas, and costs $13.50 to enter.
It only takes around 30 minutes to explore the museum, and it’s just down the street from the Pompey Museum.
3MH4+23H, King and, George St, Nassau, Bahamas. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-3pm.
7. Tour John Watling’s Rum Distillery
If you love rum, head to John Watling’s Distillery for a free rum tour. You’ll get to tour the distillery for free, learn how rum’s made, and sample their signature rums for $20.
The distillery has a gift shop where you can purchase bottles of rum to bring home on vacation as well. It’s just a 15 minute walk from the cruise port, or a short 5 minute taxi ride.
Buena Vista Estate, 17 Delancy St, Nassau, Bahamas. Open daily 10am-6pm.
8. Try Guava Duff At The New Duff
Take a 5 minute taxi from the cruise port to New Duff to try out guava duff. Guava duff is a delicious Bahamian pastry made with fresh guava and topped with rum butter that’s a must try for anyone visiting the Bahamas.
The New Duff serves everything from duff pastries to homemade hot sauce, and jerk chicken buns.
139 W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-7pm.
9. Go On A Pirate Jeep Tour
See all of Nassau’s top sites on a private jeep tour with a friendly local guide. This tour visits ten sites, including Nassau’s caves, Cable Beach, and the Graycliff Chocolatier Mansion.
From hearing fun pirate stories to cruising along the coast, this is a great sightseeing tour for all ages. The meetup location is just across the street from the cruise port, and the tour lasts 3 hours.
10. Sample Rum Cake At The Bahamas Rum Cake Factory
Head to the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory to sample rum cake, and learn about the history of rum production in the Bahamas.
They offer free rum cake samples, and have a variety of delicious packaged rum cakes to bring home. From piña colada to amaretto flavored rum cakes, foodies definitely won’t want to miss stopping by this place.
It’s just a 10 minute walk from the cruise port, and is a good stop if you’re planning to visit Paradise Island.
602 E Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 8:30am-2pm.
11. Visit The Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation
Head to the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation to learn the history and impact of slavery in the Bahamas.
The museum has lots of interesting exhibits, displays, and stories about Pompey’s Rebellion, and the emancipation of slaves.
If you’re a history buff, you definitely won’t want to miss stopping by this place for an hour. It’s just a short 10 minute walk from the cruise port, and it only costs $6 to enter.
2 W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas. Open Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 9:30am-4:30pm, Thu 9:30am-1pm, closed Sunday.
12. Buy A Day Pass To Atlantis, Margaritaville, Or Baha Bay
While your cruise ship is in port, consider buying a day pass to one of Nassau’s top resorts – Atlantis, Baha Bay, or Margaritaville.
This is a great way to avoid crowds, and relax on the resort’s beautiful beaches. Margaritaville is a 15 minute walk from the cruise port, while Atlantis and Baha Mar will require a taxi ride to get there.
A day pass to Margaritaville will give you access to the resort’s waterpark, poolside dining options, and beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Day passes to the Margaritaville cost $110 plus tax for adults , and $55 plus tax for children.
The Atlantis day pass will grant you access to the Aquaventure waterpark, restaurants, private beaches, casino, and more. Day pass prices for the Atlantis vary depending on season, and cost from $150-$300 per person.
The Baha Mar day pass covers access to Baha Bay waterpark, which has pools, slides, restaurants, private cabanas, and more. Day passes to Baha Bay cost $160 for adults, and $65 for children.
Day Pass Prices For Nassau Resorts
- Margaritaville: $110 plus tax for adults, $55 plus tax for children (2+)
- Atlantis: $150-$300 per person (prices vary by date)
- Baha Bay: $160 for adults, $65 for children
13. Enjoy Fish Fry In Arawak Cay
If you love seafood, head to Arawak Cay or the “fish fry”. The fish fry is a street lined with shacks and restaurants that serve fried seafood delicacies.
Some of the most popular restaurants are Curly’s Restaurant, Drifter’s, Fish Central, and Goldie’s Conch house. From conch fritters to fried grouper, this is a great place to try out local Bahamian cuisine.
It’s a 30 minute walk from the cruise port, or a short 5 minute taxi ride.
14. Visit The National Art Gallery Of The Bahamas
Just a 15 minute walk from the cruise port, The National Art Gallery Of The Bahamas is a nice place to stroll around for an hour.
This gallery showcases a variety of paintings, sculptures, and artwork from Bahamian artists. It costs $10 per person to enter, and is just a few blocks away from the John Watling’s Distillery.
3MG3+63C, W Hill St, Nassau, Bahamas. Open Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm, closed Monday.
15. Shop For Souvenirs At The Straw Market
Just a 5 minute walk from the cruise port, The Straw Market is a bustling open-air market that sells souvenirs, food, and a variety of handmade goods.
This is a great place to shop for souvenirs and gifts before returning to your cruise. If you plan on visiting, make sure to bring cash, and negotiate for cheaper prices on goods.
3MH4+8J9, W Bay St, Nassau, Bahamas. Open 7:30am-5pm.
Nassau Bahamas Cruise Port Map
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