NASSAU BAHAMAS ONE DAY ITINERARY BY CRUISE
If you’re cruising and one of your stops will be the Bahamas, this Nassau Bahamas one day itinerary is exactly what you need!
We’ve spent a few weeks cruising recently, and one of our cruises took us to Nassau. We didn’t really know what to expect besides stunning beaches, so we had to carefully plan out our day in the Bahamas. We didn’t have the best weather in Nassau, so our excursion really saved the day. This itinerary will help you out whether you’d like to stay in Nassau or do excursions nearby as well!
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WHERE IS NASSAU
Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, and the name you’ll hear most often when people talk about the Bahamas. It’s located on the island of New Providence in the Atlantic Ocean, one of the many islands that make up the Bahamas. Nassau is just southeast of Florida, so it’s a quick trip to get there. Cruises usually leave from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, and by the next day you’re already in the Bahamas. The island and the town are known for their beautiful beaches, colorful buildings, and lively island atmosphere. Nassau is a very popular vacation spot, and most visitors actually arrive by cruise.
IS NASSAU WORTH VISITING
Nassau is definitely worth visiting if you want a mix of beautiful beaches, island culture, and plenty to do. Compared to some other towns or even islands in the Bahamas, it definitely has the most options for things to do on your holiday. It has stunning beaches, great water activities, and a town you can explore. It’s also easy to reach, with short flights from the U.S. and a major cruise port. Nassau can be a really fun holiday spot if you enjoy relaxing vacations with plenty of water activities.
NASSAU BAHAMAS ONE DAY ITINERARY
Here’s what you can do in Nassau! Not all of these activities can be done in one day, but you can definitely explore the town and enjoy the beach or take an excursion in a single day. Here are your options:
EXPLORE THE NASSAU CRUISE PORT
The first (or last) thing you should do during your day is explore the Nassau cruise port. The cruise port area is quite new, so it’s clean, colorful, and filled with shops, local craft stalls, and places to grab Bahamian snacks and drinks. It will take you around 30 minutes to walk through the open-air village, where you’ll see art displays, small cultural exhibits, and often live music. You can enjoy bars and restaurants, pick up some great souvenirs, and take in the gorgeous views of the Bahamas just a few steps from your ship!
VISIT THE DOWNTOWN
Just a few steps from the cruise port, you can enter downtown Nassau. Exploring the downtown area is a great way to experience the city’s culture and history. You’ll see colorful colonial buildings, lively shops, and local markets. There are plenty of duty-free stores to browse, but there’s also a lot of history to explore. You can visit Parliament Square, the Government House, Christ Church Cathedral, the Queen’s Staircase, Fort Fincastle, and other interesting spots that teach you about the island’s colonial past!
GO TO THE STRAW MARKET
The Straw Market is a must-do while in Nassau. It’s a lively place full of locals showcasing their craftsmanship and island culture. It’s located downtown, only a few minutes from the cruise port. The market is filled with stalls selling handmade straw bags, hats, wood carvings, colorful souvenirs, and personalized items. It’s a really interesting and loud place, with vendors calling out greetings and inviting you to browse their goods. At the Straw Market, you’ll be able to pick up unique, locally made gifts while chatting with Bahamian artisans. They’re very friendly and offer great prices for their products.
SPEND TIME AT THE BEACH
What’s the point of visiting the Bahamas if you’re not going to spend some time at the beach? There are a few beaches you can enjoy near the cruise port if you’d like to stay close, but the best ones are definitely a bit farther away. Junkanoo Beach is just a short walk from the cruise port, and it’s the most popular option for cruisers. Keep in mind that because of this, it’s also usually quite crowded. If you want something quieter, Cable Beach is a bit farther away. You’ll need a taxi but it’s absolutely beautiful. You can also book a tour at the cruise port to visit other nearby island beaches, as well as Atlantis Resort!
DO AN EXCURSION!
Doing an excursion can significantly improve your visit to Nassau, since the nicest things to do and see aren’t necessarily right in town. However, you don’t need to book these through your cruise ship. There are cheaper options on Viator, Get Your Guide, and even right at the port. Here are some of the excursions I’d recommend!
SWIMMING WITH PIGS
Swimming with the pigs is one of the Bahamas’ most famous and fun experiences, and one we really couldn’t miss. It’s usually a day trip from Nassau to the Exuma, but if you’re visiting on a cruise that’s not really possible since Exuma is quite far. We visited Pig Beach on Rose Island instead, and we had a great time, everything was adapted for cruise passengers. On the island, you can feed the pigs, take photos, and enjoy the beautiful shallow water while the pigs walk and swim around you. Here’s our tour described in detail, and I’d definitely recommend it!
SNORKELLING
The ocean is absolutely incredible in the Bahamas, and it would be a shame to miss a snorkelling tour. Not far from Nassau, you’ll find colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and calm blue water that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. Many tours take you to shallow reef spots or even shipwrecks, where the visibility is excellent and the sea life is active. We even saw turtles on our way back from the Rose Island tour!
ATLANTIS RESORT
Finally, if you love a water park, check out the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, which is one of Nassau’s biggest attractions. If you get a day pass, you can enjoy beaches, pools, and a huge water park called Aquaventure. There are marine habitats filled with sharks, rays, and tropical fish, plus aquariums and the famous lazy river. Atlantis is a highlight for many travelers visiting Nassau, so if you think that’s something you’d enjoy, definitely check it out!
CONCLUSION: NASSAU BAHAMAS ONE DAY ITINERARY
There’s no way you can do everything in one day since I gave you quite a few options to choose from! We personally did a tour to Rose Island to see the pigs, and later explored downtown Nassau, the Straw Market, and Junkanoo Beach. Our weather wasn’t the best, so we did what we could, but if you have nicer weather you could enjoy it even more!
