Whether you’re hopping off of a cruise ship to explore the island for the day or spending an entire week laying out on the beautiful white sand beaches, there are plenty of things to do in Nassau.
From swimming with sharks to indulging in the local rum, there are plenty of activities suitable for different travellers with varying adventure levels.
Pack your bags and get ready to head to the Bahamas! Here are the top seven unmissable things to do in Nassau to ensure you enjoy your time there.
Things To Do in NassauHow do these rankings work?
1. Enjoy Tropical Paradise at Ardastra Gardens
Ardastra Gardens was actually the first zoo in the Bahamas, which is interesting considering just how lush and tropical the landscape is.
This tropical garden zoo is home to more than 200 tropical animals that are native to the Caribbean. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with the Caribbean flamingo, pigs, lemurs, and more exotic animals.
2. Go Shark Diving at Stuart Cove
Can you really head to the Caribbean and not go shark diving? The heart-pumping, adrenaline-inducing nature of this activity makes it one of the best things to do in Nassau.
While you need to be Scuba certified to participate in this nearly four-hour dive, it’s well worth getting certified for. You’ll head out to the famous Shark Wall where your dive guide will feed sharks from a pole.
3. Shiver Your Timbers at the Pirates of Nassau Museum
Want to tour a real Caribbean pirate ship? Visit the Pirates of Nassau Museum, which is about as close as you’re going to get to seeing real-life pirates in action.
The museum itself isn’t as cheesy as most theme park rides, and the history they divulge is actually pretty interesting. You’ll be able to see live-action pirates in action and there are some great options for photo ops for the whole family.
4. Enjoy a Day at the Atlantis Resort
It’s hard to visit the Caribbean and not spend at least one day romping through the waters and relaxing along the lazy rivers at the famous Atlantis Resort.
If you’d rather save your money for other things, you can just purchase a ticket to marvel at the more than 250 marine life species that call the 8 million gallons of aquarium space their home.
5. Shop for Souvenirs at the Straw Market
Looking for handmade Bahamian crafts to take back home with you? You won’t find a better place to shop for souvenirs than that the local Straw Market.
You’ll find this market tucked away behind the boutique shops on Nassau’s Bay Street. And, you’ll be able to find great handmade crafts, such as conch shell jewellery, wood carvings, straw hats, bags, and more.
6. Take a Food and Rum Walking Tour
Caribbean food and Caribbean rum – need we say more? One of the best things to do in Nassau is to immerse yourself in the local culture and flavours of Bahamian food.
Taking a food and rum walking tour is one of the best ways to do this. The rum part of the tour will take you all the way over to the island’s famous John Watling’s distillery. Then, you’ll get to try authentic rum cake.
7. Swim with Pigs at The Exuma Cays
So, this activity isn’t technically in Nassau, but Nassau makes for a great starting point to get to the Insta-famous pigs of The Exuma Cays.
From Nassau, you’ll take about an hour-long boat journey that will drop you off at one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. The inhabitants? Just as cute.