Nassau is one of the Caribbean’s busiest cruise destinations, there is a lot to see here and while some find it too busy we loved the exciting atmosphere. Nassau is ideal for both first-time and repeat visitors as there is a lot you can do here. The Nassau Cruise Port is quite big, there are lots of shops here selling souvenirs, local foods, drinks and the whole area feels quite modern. There is a city style atmosphere and also beaches you can visit, truly something for everyone.
This guide includes all the options for different amount of time in port and also what we did while at port here on our Virgin Voyage cruise.
Table of Contents
Nassau Cruise Port Overview
What To Know Before You Go
Nassau Cruise Port is located at the centre of downtown, it is really easy to walk into Nassau town. The port area has been redeveloped, it is very modern with lots of facilities. You can use USD here, cards are accepted and the local currency is the Bahamian Dollar (BSD) which is pegged 1:1 to the USD.
The offcial language of the Bahamas is English which made it really easy to shop and talk to people we met. We felt safe walking around, there wasn’t too much of an issue. Use your regular travel safety precautions and look out for petty theft.
Is Nassau Worth Leaving The Ship For?
Yes. Nassau offers a mix of history, beaches, local food, shopping and excursions all within easy reach of the cruise port. Even if you only have 4–6 hours in port, you can comfortably visit the Queen’s Staircase, downtown Nassau and Junkanoo Beach.
Nassau Port Day At A Glance
- Spend the morning in downtown Nassau.
- Head to the beach at midday to grab some lunch and a drink on the sand.
- Afternoon shopping and sightseeing in downtown Nassau.
- Return to ship at least an 30-60 minutes before all aboard time
Explore Downtown Nassau
Discover The Historic Heart Of The Bahamas
There is a lot to see in Nassau, we spent a lot of time walking the downtown area from the cruise port. The town is full of colourful colonial architecture, local markets and shopping, street art and a vibrant atmosphere. Some of our favourite stops were:
- Parliament Square
- Queen’s Staircase
- Nassau Straw Market
- Pompey Museum
- John Watling’s Distillery
Relax At The Best Beaches Near Nassau Cruise Port
Option 1: Junkanoo Beach
Junkanoo Beach is the closest beach to the port, it is about 1.5km away and we walked there in about 20 minutes. There are lots of beach facilities with sun-beds to hire for the day and food and drink vendors. It is a busy spot with lots of vendors but the atmosphere is really upbeat and fun. The water here is clean and clear and the sand is good, it is a nice place to hang for the day or over lunch.
We walked further around to the public beach that lies along the boardwalk from Junkanoo. It has a lot of pine trees and the water is fine but it isn’t spectacular. After this we kept going along to Saunders Beach and it was a little nicer, there were sun-beds out for free if you purchase food or drinks from the local shacks. It had a laid back, back packer vibe and sand was nicer than at the public beach area but it still wasn’t that perfect Bahamas beach you dream of.
Option 2: Cable Beach
Cable Beach has better sand and water quality than Junkanoo Beach but you can’t walk there it is about 9.5km away from the port so a taxi is the best option and will take about 20 minutes to get there. It has a resort like atmosphere with lots of water sports you can book to try.
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Visit Queen’s Staircase And Fort Fincastle
Nassau’s Most Famous Historical Landmark
The Queen’s Staircase is a really interesting landmark, it consists of 66 steps that were carved out of limestone by 600 slaves between 1793 and 1794. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it serves as a shortcut from Fort Fincastle to Nassau town. It is located an easy 800m walk from the cruise port and a great spot for photographs. Free to visit with plaques around to explain the significance to tourists. The stairs were named after Queen Victoria who abolished slavery in British Colonies in 1834 and are now not only a tourist attraction but a symbol of freedom, historical remembrance of resilience and the spirit of the Bahamian people.
Take A Nassau Food Tour
Taste Authentic Bahamian Cuisine
The Bahamas has a unique cuisine with lots of flavours and dishes to try, particularly seafood. There are lots of local restaurants near the port and beach areas with many serving the national food, conch. You will find it served as cracked conch or conch fritters, guava duff which is the dessert of the Caribbean and of course rum-based beverages. Taking a walking food tour is always a great idea to get to know the best places to eat and try the local delicacies.
Visit Atlantis Paradise Island
Is Atlantis Worth It On A Port Day?
Atlantis is a huge resort located across from the port, you can actually walk there however it is a 2.5km/30 minute walk. Alternatively you can take a share taxi that would cost approximately $5 USD per person. Atlantis is full of aquariums and marine habitats as well as water park, casino and shopping. You don’t have to be staying here to experience it, the casino, shops and lobby are open to the public but if you want to access the water park, private beaches or pools you will need to buy a day pass or visit on a tour for a quick stroll through the casino or grounds.
Best Nassau Shore Excursions
Top Excursions For Cruise Passengers
- Snorkelling With Turtles, Pig Beach and Lunch Tour
- Glass-bottom boat tours
- Historical city tours
- Trolley culture tour
- Catamaran cruises
What We Did In Nassau
- Walked to Junkanoo Beach
- Then followed our own self guided Nassau walking tour including:
- Explored downtown Nassau
- Queen’s Staircase
- John Watling’s Distillery
- Shopped at Straw Market
- Museums
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Our Self-Guided Nassau Walking Tour
We did our own self guided Nassau walking tour and loved wandering the area, there was a lot to see. This is our step-by-step walking route:
From the cruise port head straight ahead 350m to Parliament Square and spend 10 minutes taking photos with the colourful old buildings here.
Keep walking 250m ahead and see the Garden of Remembrance, which is a stoic reminder of those who fought in World War 1 & 2. You will then head 500m on to the Queens Staircase, spend around a half hour here taking photos and walking up to see the views from the top.
Walk umbrella street to the distillery
Next start the 1.2km walk towards West Hill Street, checking out Gregorys Arch and Government House along the way. Stop off to see the beautiful Graycliff Hotel, cigar shop, chocolatier tasting and umbrella street. Spend about half an hour here looking at the colourful buildings, tasting and soaking up the scenes. Then walk 180m to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas to check out the local art (entry fee $10 USD).
Another 200m stroll and you will arrive at John Watling’s Distillery where you can take a free tour that includes a sample of pina colada. The tour is great, you learn a little about the distillery and its history. There is a bar you can order drinks at the end and they have a gift shop with rum and vodka available. We loved this stop and stayed for about half an hour.
Then walk 500m straight towards the water and you will hit the Tiki Bikini Hut if you haven’t already tried conch fritters give them a go or take a photo with the sign and walk 700m up the road to the Pirates of Nassau Museum where you can learn about the pirating history of the island.
Then it is only 100m to the Pompey Museum, entry $5USD. Spend some time here learning about history in the slavery museum, it is located in the historic district’s oldest building which is also the site of the 18th-century slave auctions.
Finally 180m on is the Straw Market which is a huge shopping market with all the straw baskets, bags, clothes and souvenirs you could ever need. You will end up across the road from the port.
Nassau With Kids
There are lots of family-Friendly things to do in Nassau, head to the beaches for a swim or go to Atlantis on a day pass to enjoy the water parks and pools. Kids will love the Pirates of Nassau Museum with cool displays, the straw market or swimming with pigs!
Nassau Port Day Budget Breakdown
Expected Costs
- Transportation – walking for free or taxis between $5 – $15 USD depending on where you go.
- Beach rentals – sun-beds can be rented for about $25 USD for the day
- Food and drinks – Conch fritters start at $8 USD for a plate.
- Attraction admissions – Entry to the museums are between $5 USD and $20 USD
- Excursions – Start at $10 USD and go up to $300+ USD
Sample Nassau Port Day Itineraries
4-Hour Nassau Port Day
With 4 hours in Nassau I would stay close to the port and do our self guided walking-focused itinerary above. See the best of the town, there is a lot of interesting sights here.
6-Hour Nassau Port Day
Combine history and beaches, along with our walking tour I would add some beach time. After walking the town and seeing the historical attractions head out to Junkanoo Beach and relax on the sand.
Full-Day Nassau Port Day
A full day in Nassau gives you enough time to take an excursion to snorkel and swim with the pigs in the Bahamas or head over to the Atlantis and spend the day in the waterpark, pools and beaches.
Practical Tips For A Nassau Cruise Stop
Leave the ship as early as possible so you can fit in as much to your port day as possible. Nassau has a lot on offer so you want to enjoy it. Carry a little cash if you want to take taxis, and some to spend at the beach bars. Make sure you know your departure time and be back at least an hour ot half hour before so you can board without stress. Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, it gets hot during the day.
FAQs About Nassau Port Day
Can you walk to a beach from Nassau Cruise Port?
Yes, you can walk to Junkanoo Beach from Nassau Cruise Port within 20 minutes.
Is Nassau safe for cruise passengers?
Nassau is regarded as safe for cruise passengers, it is a really busy and popular port with lots of tourists walking around. As always be cautious of fake taxi/tour scams and petty theft, use your regular travel safety precautions.
What is the closest beach to Nassau Cruise Port?
Junkanoo Beach is the closest to Nassau Cruise Port. There are sun-beds for hire here, beach bars and cafes and facilities available so you can just relax for a beach day.
How much time do you need in Nassau?
Our port stop was from 9am to 5pm. This was enough for us to check out the beach and walk the town.
Is Atlantis worth visiting during a cruise stop?
While we didn’t visit Atlantis on this cruise, it remains one of the Nassau’s most popular attractions, we think it sounds awesome for a family day out or travellers looking for a resort-style day pass experience.
What is the best excursion in Nassau?
I think that the Snorkelling trip & Pig Beach is the best and most unique excursion, I would definitely book this on our next visit!
Can you walk around Nassau without an excursion?
It is extremely easy to walk around Nassau without an excursion, the town is really well laid out and google maps works perfectly here.
Is Nassau walkable from the cruise port?
It is only a 5 minute walk from the cruise port and you are in the heart of downtown Nassau.
Final Thoughts
Nassau has everything from an easily walkable and interesting town to explore, great beaches, animal encounters and unique culture and food to enjoy, there really is something for everyone.
Beach lovers, history enthusiasts, couples and families will love it here, plan ahead to maximise your port time. We like to get out early to make the most of our day and if we end up with extra time there is always a bar or extra shopping time to keep us occupied.
We think Nassau is a great stop on any Caribbean cruise. Use our itinerary to plan your day and make sure you don’t miss the highlights.
Plan your trip:
→ MSC Bahamas Review
→ Antigua Cruise Port Guide
→ Barbados Cruise Port Guide
→ Martinique Cruise Port Guide
→ St Maarten Cruise Port Guide
→ MSC Gluten Free Review
→ Virgin Voyages Caribbean Review
→ Virgin Voyages Gluten Free Review
→ Nassau Cruise Port Guide
→ Ocean Cay Cruise Port Guide
Want to see it all in action? Watch our full Caribbean series on YouTube (subscribe to our channel to stay up to date with our travel guides) and follow along on Instagram @passport_nomads and @kelly___buckley for real-time travel tips, guides, and behind-the-scenes moments.
We hope this guide helped you plan an unforgettable trip.
