On January 1, the resort will also launch its “Warm up Your Winter” sale, perfect for travelers looking to escape the cold winter months and find warmth on Paradise Island. Travelers will be able to book by visiting atlantisbahamas.com/specials or calling 1-800-ATLANTIS during a two-week period, January 1-15, 2018. The special offer includes: Rates from $229 per night, with up to a $300 Resort Credit & Daily Breakfast for TwoValid in The Beach, The Coral, The Royal & The Reef (Note: offer not valid in The Cove & Harborside resort)Booking Window: January 1-15, 2018Travel Window: January 9 .....– December 23, 2018Black-Out Dates: February 8-10, February 15-24, March 9-16, March 23 – April 7, June 15-16, October 5-7, November 16-23 Show less

Voyage from Texas, New York or Port Canaveral to tropical destinations awash with sun, sand and surf—including Disney’s private island paradise, Castaway Cay. 2018 Disney Dream 3-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port CanaveralOctober 5, 2018 October 12, 2018 October 19, 2018 October 26, 2018 November 2, 2018 November 9, 2018 November 16, 2018 November 23, 2018 November 30, 2018 December 7, 2018 December 14, 2018 December 21, 2018 December 28, 2018 Day 1 – Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2 – Nassau, Bahamas Day 3 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 4 – Port Canaveral, Florida2018 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port CanaveralOctober 1, 2018 October 8, 2018 October 15, 2018 October 22, 2018 October 29, .....2018 November 5, 2018 November 12, 2018 November 26, 2018 December 3, 2018 December 10, 2018 Day 1 – Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2 – Nassau, Bahamas Day 3 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 4 – At Sea Day 5 – Port Canaveral, Florida 2018 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral with 2 Stops at Castaway CayNovember 19, 2018 December 31, 2018 Day 1 – Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2 – At Sea Day 3 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 4 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 5 – Port Canaveral, Florida 2018 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port CanaveralDecember 17, 2018 Day 1 – Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 3 – Nassau, Bahamas Day 4 – At Sea Day 5 – Port Canaveral, Florida2018 Disney Dream 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port CanaveralDecember 24, 2018 Day 1 – Port Canaveral, Florida Day 2 – At Sea Day 3 – Nassau, Bahamas Day 4 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 5 – Port Canaveral, Florida 2018 Disney Magic 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from MiamiDecember 5, 2018 December 19, 2018 Day 1 – Miami, Florida Day 2 – Key West, Florida Day 3 – Nassau, Bahamas Day 4 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 5 – Miami, Florida 2018 Disney Magic 5-Night Bahamian Cruise from MiamiDecember 14, 2018 Day 1 – Miami, Florida Day 2 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 3 – Nassau, Bahamas Day 4 – At Sea Day 5 – Key West, Florida Day 6 – Miami, Florida 2018 Disney Wonder 7-Night Bahamian Cruise from GalvestonNovember 16, 2018 December 7, 2018 December 14, 2018 Day 1 – Galveston, Texas Day 2 – At Sea Day 3 – Key West, Florida Day 4 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 5 – Nassau, Bahamas Day 6 – At Sea Day 7 – At Sea Day 8 – Galveston, Texas2018 Disney Wonder 7-Night Bahamian Cruise from GalvestonNovember 23, 2018 December 27, 2018 Day 1 – Galveston, Texas Day 2 – At Sea Day 3 – Key West, Florida Day 4 – Nassau, Bahamas Day 5 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 6 – At Sea Day 7 – At Sea Day 8 – Galveston, Texas   2018 Disney Magic 7-Night Bahamian Cruise from New YorkNovember 3, 2018 November 10, 2018 November 17, 2018 Day 1 – New York, New York Day 2 – At Sea Day 3 – At Sea Day 4 – Disney Castaway Cay Day 5 – Port Canaveral, Florida Day 6 – At Sea Day 7 – At Sea Day 8 – New York, New York Show less

If you are looking to see the sites and be adventurous on your Nassau port excursion, how about an ATV tour, like this one?  You can drive your own ATV or ride as a passenger. Your tour guide will teach you about the history of the Bahamas and you will visit historical sites, the Straw Market, and Paradise Island. Plus, you will have time for a beach break and lunch at Charley’s Philly Steaks.   They will pick you up and drop you off at the port.  You will be provided .....with a helmet. The tour price includes your lunch, snacks, and bottled water. Show less

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas.  It is located on the 21-mile-long-island of New Providence and is connected, via a bridge, to Paradise Island.  Nassau is a popular stop for cruises because it is located less than 200 miles from South Florida and has an abundance of attractions.  Three million cruises passengers visit Nassau annually. Up to seven cruise ships can dock at the port at the same time. Cruise ships dock at Prince George Wharf, near Rawson Square and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Downtown Nassau is less than .....a 15-minute walk away.  To get there you will pass through the Festival Place Welcome Center where you will find some local crafts and foods. There is also a tour desk if you want to be spontaneous and have time. The currency in the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar, which is equivalent in value to the U.S. dollar. Both U.S. and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably throughout the island.  Euros and GBP are not. Show less

Atlantis is more than your typical resort and it’s only two miles from the Nassau cruise port.  In addition to two gorgeous beaches and 11 pools, it has a waterpark (Aquaventure), casino, aquarium, and more.  Plenty of attractions cater to kids and there are also some water slides (like the Leap of Faith) for only the very brave.  My favorite ride was the Current which is like a lazy river on steroids. All cruise lines will offer excursions to Atlantis.  Be sure to review the details to make sure it includes .....the attractions that you want to visit.  Day passes can also be bought directly from Atlantis, but they are not cheap and can sell out.  I recommend buying online in advance.  There are different levels of Atlantis day passes for cruisers but to get the full experience make sure it includes Aquaventure.   Show less

Grand Bahama is protected by an offshore reef system that contributes to the clarity of the water. Snorkelers can take a short boat trip to explore the offshore reefs, suspended on the surface in spots where the reef is often just 10 to 15 feet below. Treasure Reef has abundant elk horn coral and schools of fish, while Rainbow Reef offers pillars of coral and schools of yellowtail goatfish and sergeant majors. At Battery Hole, snorkelers can plunge into one of the island’s many blue holes, where crabs, turtles and even nurse sharks congregate.

As you have read, Castaway Cay is not a destination to be missed. Book and start planning for your next trip here, to enjoy all the wonders of this island. Some important things to note are: You can save costs by taking getaway packages. It offers you a float rental, one-hour bike access and snorkel gear at $57 and $32 adult and kid respectively. Even If you carry your own snorkel gear, you will be required to wear a snorkel vest, the waters at the lagoon are a bit deep. You might or .....might not be charged for the vest, check with the ship. You don’t need to come with a baby stroller, they are available at the port for rent, for free. That’s it for now, enjoy your cruise to Castaway Cay, Bahamas and if you discover another fun thing worth mentioning, let us know. Happy cruising!! Show less

The Exumas have 365 islands. Many of them are completely deserted around Staniel Cay. We spent part of each day exploring different cays and beaches. Some were perfect for snorkeling, others were ideal for getting sun and some we just visited for lunch. The best part – we almost always had the beach to ourselves! My top 2 favorite Exumas islands are definitely Sandy Cay and Twin Cay. Both are beautiful and definitely worthy of stopping for a visit.

You cannot say your trip to Nassau is complete without a visit to the stunning Blue Lagoon Island. This island is located 3 miles away from Nassau and though it’s close to Nassau and Paradise Island it’s well hidden and offers a great secluded experience. Officially known as salt cay, this island bears a spectacular sandbar with crystal clear turquoise waters. It’s surrounded by many lush palm trees. And truly gives off the vibe of a real tropical paradise. Beach accessories are a must when visiting here, check what you need from .....Amazon. The lagoon is also a natural habitat for dolphins, sea lions, and native fish species. Make a point to visit this island to enjoy its perfect beaches and a relaxed vibe. And if you are an animal lover then take an extra excursion package for an encounter with dolphins. Then go learn about these amazing creatures while you feed, pet, swim and even get kissed by them. It’s an amazing lifetime opportunity that you won’t want to miss. Show less

"Fodor’s" recommends Deadman’s Reef at Paradise Cove for the best snorkeling off the beach. The dive starts in typically shallow water and descends to 35 feet, where barracudas, rays and angelfish lurk, with the sporadic appearance of sea turtles. Equipment, including motorized Seascooters that offer an underwater boost of speed, can be rented at the beach, but there is a small fee to enter the area. Otherwise, snorkeling off the popular Lucaya and Taino Beaches accesses jetties and rock clusters in shallow water that attract brightly colored tropical fish.

Just a mile off Grand Bahama, Peterson Cay is a tiny island that is also the smallest national park on Grand Bahama. Reach it by private boat or kayak for some shallow water snorkeling inside the sand bar. Alternatively, snorkelers can really spice things up with the Dolphin Experience tour at Sanctuary Bay. The tour leaves Port Lucaya and ventures 20 minutes along the south coast to a sheltered lagoon where trained bottlenose dolphins play with visitors.

Visit the colorful market at the port and shop for beautiful unique souvenirs at the local crafter’s lane or visit Princess’ Tropical Treasure Boutique also located at the port. Relax and buy whatever attracts your eye, the shops accept your room card.

You may hear different versions of how the pigs arrived on the Major Cay. Some say sailors brought them to cook later and others say it was by a shipwreck. Whichever version is true, they are definitely one of the biggest attractions and I’m not the only one who wanted to see those famous swimming pigs. Pig Island is less than a mile from the Yacht Club. We literally took our skiff there every day. Before you venture out, there are some things you’ll want to know before visiting. The pigs .....live on a deserted island. There are caretakers that go by daily to ensure they have fresh water but you’ll be visiting them on your own. Said another way, you are responsible for your own safety. It’s really a unique experience, just always remember they’re wild animals. The pigs associate humans with food. The minute they hear the boat engine approaching, they’ll swim out to your boat in the hopes of getting first dibs. They’ll do their best to get on the boat but don’t worry they can’t. It is pretty fun to see them try though and surprising how far they really do swim far to reach you. Show less

Atop Bennet’s Hill is  fort that dates back to the same time as the Queen’s Staircase. This fort which was named for Lord Dunmore, (the colonial governor of the Bahamas) whose 2nd title was Viscount Fincastle, is shaped like a steamboat and was mounted with several cannons.  You can walk around the outside of it for free and see several cannons or pay to walk inside. The views are pretty spectacular! No matter how you decide to spend your day in Nassau, be sure to stay safe. There are many things to do .....in Nassau, but make sure you do your research before heading out as there are some areas of the city that are pretty sketchy. Stick to the streets that are well-traveled with tourists and take verified Taxis to places like the beach. Do you have any favorite things to do in Nassau, Bahamas Port? Show less

History buffs will love exploring Nassau's old forts, originally built to protect the island from invaders, but luckily, none has ever had to be used in battle. Fort Charlotte is about a five-minute walk from Downtown Nassau and features displays of how the complex was built and what it was like to be stationed there in the 17th century (spoiler alert: it wasn't easy!) Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, $2 for children ages 6-12, ages five and under get in free. Closer to Downtown, Fort Fincastle sits .....at the top of Bennet's Hill overlooking the city. To reach it, climb the Queen's Staircase, a 102-foot tall staircase built by slaves in the late-1700s and later named in honor of Queen Victoria, who is credited with abolishing slavery in 1837—or do what I did and take a taxi to Fort Fincastle and make your way down the Queen's Staircase instead (admission is free for both sites). Pirate lovers will want to visit the Pirates of Nassau Museum, home to an interactive pirate attraction that feels like you've become part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride—keep an eye out for the pirate ship Revenge and get your close up of Blackbeard himself ($13 for adults, $6.50 for children ages 4-17). Show less

Fancy diving with sharks? Well in Nassau you get an amazing chance to do so. This experience takes you to New Providence’s best coral reefs where there is plenty of sea life. This excursion takes you to a two-wall dive at Stuart Cove. Where you will get to dive with reef sharks as they get fed by a professional. You can also go snorkeling or Snuba while on this tour. Or become a certified diver by undergoing the divers training offered here. You can purchase travel full face scuba masks from Amazon .....by clicking here. Stuart Cove is a great place to spend time underwater. Besides, if you don’t fancy snorkeling or diving you can captain your own mini sub and go exploring the reef. All in all, you are guaranteed a good time. Show less

Parliament Square is located south of Rawson square on Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas. The square has 3 pink and white Georgian neoclassical buildings that house the parliament and other government houses. These great buildings display early colonial architecture that’s so detailed and gorgeous to look at. Interestingly they are still in use to date. Why don’t you pop in in one of the parliaments sessions and travel back in time imagining how lawmakers in the earlier centuries sat in the same buildings creating laws that curved the fabric of civilization as .....is today. Or remain in the present and see how laws are made in the Bahamas. Show less

Nassau has something for everyone! From beautiful beaches to shopping to historical spots, you have a wide range of things to see in Nassau.  You can even do a day trip from Nassau to another island. There are also several Nassau excursions you can do on your own. Together with some of my fellow bloggers, I have compiled a list of things to do in the Nassau Bahamas port.

Located just 30 minutes via boat from Nassau, Pearl Island is a small private island that has its own lighthouse, sandy beaches and water activities. For a small fee, you can spend the day laying on the beach, snorkeling their very own reef, or taking a kayak out on the ocean. You will find a relaxed setting with beach chairs by the ocean, a shaded deck, bathroom facilities (showers as well) and bar & grill. There is even wi-fi on the island. We recently spent part of the day during a Nassau shore .....excursion at Pearl Island Bahamas. After a few hours of fantastic snorkeling right off the coast of the island, our boat docked and we spent time checking out all this popular destination has to offer. You’ll find the Pearl Island surrounded by crystal blue water with 2 small sandy beaches. There are plenty of beach chairs scattered on several sections of the island that will allow you to relax and enjoy the view. If you book a trip to Pearl Island Bahamas, you will get a full Bahamian buffet lunch, beach chair w/ umbrella, access to kayak & paddle boards (rental fee), and a free photo souvenir. You can even spend time snorkeling on the nearby reef. Probably what we appreciated most about our time on Pearl Island is that there was hardly anyone there. Pearl Island does a great job of limiting the number of guests per day so that you are able to fully enjoy each aspect is has to offer without feeling like you are on top of each other! Show less

Recommended by Halef from The RTW Guys Cigar smokers will agree: Cuban cigars are the best in the Caribbean. But a close second place is arguably the Bahamian cigars.   The Caribbean islands with their fertile soil have been producing top-notch agricultural commodities like sugarcane for hundreds of years. The tobacco industry thrives here too.

Our favorite Staniel Cay hotel is Staniel Cay Yacht Club which has been on the island since 1956. It’s family owned and operated, and even has a bit of a cult following. It’s not unusual to see some very impressive yachts pull up to the Club for lunch, dinner or drinks.

The grotto got it’s name from the 1965 James Bond movie “Thunderball” that was actually filmed there. The bar at Staniel Cay Yacht Club is full of pictures from the filming there. Plan your trip to the Grotto during low tide so you can safely snorkel inside the cave. You’ll just be amazed at all the fish you’ll see. There’s also an opening on the top of the cave so it’s not as dark as you may expect. On our 2nd visit we were fortunate enough to see a manta .....ray swim into the grotto and then quickly swim right back out. Show less

If you are staying at Atlantis, it’s just a quick walk to the water park, which is located right in the center of the whole resort. This huge water park is the largest in the Caribbean and offers so many things that families will enjoy. Here are some of the attractions you’ll see there.

Long Island is in the southern Bahamas between tiny Rum Cay and Great Exuma. The eastern shore is open to the Atlantic, so limestone bluffs meet crashing waves on much of the coast. On the western shore, it’s a different story. Tranquil, white sand beaches with flats and mangrove swamps abound. For such a narrow island, the changes in geography are notable. Both coasts are stunning! And the Tropic of Cancer runs through the island, to give you an idea of Long Island’s latitude.

If you’re taking a trip to Atlantis Resort, you’re already looking forward to relaxation and the ultimate in a getaway experience. So enjoy the Mandara Spa for a true pampered getaway. This award-winning spa offers massage, facials, body treatments, and a salon. Each and every one of these offer a variety of luxurious treatments.

Kids have it pretty good at Atlantis, they’ve got a whole set of activities made just for them! From toddlers to teens and in between, they’ll be able to hang out at the Atlantis Kids Adventure kids club (a drop off facility, ages 3 – 12), and participate in tons of programs catering to their age group. Participate in imaginative games and activities, arts and crafts, culinary activities, pottery classes, and take advantage of the theater, the computer room, Gamers Reef, Atlantis Speedway, and even CRUSH, a nightclub for teens. ..... Kids can choose their own adventure! Show less

Oh my, I’m in love with Stocking Island. Everyone knows the pictures with the huge stake and the millions of signs showing in all directions – and of course, the famous ‘Chat’n Chill’ bar. In the morning, we took the taxi boat from Georgetown and headed to the island. It was a short 10-minute ride. We were just on time with peak season prices: it cost 15$ per person for the return trip. The craziness immediately starts. Postcard motives wherever you look. Crystal clear, warm water, palm trees, white and soft beaches .....and: stingrays. Before noon we had the area around Chat’n Chill almost for ourselves and it didn’t really become crowded later. The main attractions for us – next to the island’s beauty – were definitely the stingrays which have found a food source here: the left-overs of the Conch Salad Bar. Stingrays love conch and actually anything else you bring with you. But Conch especially. At first, I was a little bit scared to touch them. But it turned out they’re already used to humans and loved to be tickled at their belly. To finally see them live and touch them was insane. Don’t make the mistake and purport, you might step on them – they get scared and might kill or hurt you with their stings. Just take care of that. You don’t have to worry otherwise. Have you ever been to the Exumas? Did you like it? What have we missed? You’ll find more information about the Bahamas here! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Show less

Escape the hustle and bustle of Nassau and enjoy some peace and tranquility at the Primeval Forest. This 7.5 hectares of lush jungle vegetation is a haven for nature lovers. Not only is this forest adorned with tropical flora and fauna but also interesting natural limestone formations such as caverns and sinkholes. Book a guided trip of the forest and learn the history of the place while exploring the beautiful nature at its best.

Nassau is one of the Caribbean’s premier duty-free shopping destinations, with visitors flocking to the shops on Bay Street to seek out deals on jewelry, crystal, fragrances and other upscale items. Keep in mind that all duty-free goods are not necessarily good deals; if you have a particular item in mind for purchase, be sure to research prices at home before your trip to make sure the “deals” you see in Nassau really will save you money. If you’re looking for more traditional souvenirs of your trip, visit one of .....Nassau’s street markets to find local handicrafts and artwork. The Straw Market is perhaps Nassau’s most popular attraction. You’ll find all things straw, including shopping bags, handbags, hats and wonderful dolls, made by locals. You’ll also see plenty of cheapie sunglasses, tacky trinkets and knock-off purses. Those who are willing to browse — and barter — may come up with some great finds. Just near the Straw Market is Bay Street, where you’ll find tonier shops like Gucci as well as a variety of upscale duty-free goods. This area is well frequented by the island’s many cruise ship passengers. The conch vendors are just part of the scene at Potters Cay, a Bahamian marketplace beneath Paradise Island Bridge. Here, you’ll find plenty of vendors selling locals goods, especially seafood, to both the locals and tourists. Show less

If you consider yourself an Art connoisseur, then a visit to the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas will make your cruise trip to Nassau all the more worthwhile. The National Art Gallery is housed in an 18th-century great house called Villa Doyle. Just as beautiful and vintage as the house is, so are the art pieces found inside. The gallery is divided into rooms that have special art purposes. A visit to this place guarantees an enjoyable visual experience.

If you have an hour or more to spare in the afternoon, then visit the Ardastra Gardens. These gardens house a variety of animal and avian life. You will see monkeys, flamingos, snakes, lorikeets and other tropical animals. It’s a nice place to learn about the tropical animals of the Bahamas. You also get to interact with them by feeding some. Go especially when there are shows, like the flamingo march that displays the glorious birds in action.

There are beaches and then there are Bahamian beaches - beautiful coastal stretches that feature everything from bars with thatched rooves on Cat Island to rose-coloured sand on Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island. For many, this and their resort’s pool is enough to keep them occupied for endless relaxing hours. For others, there’s the deepest known salt water hole to explore at Dean’s Blue Hole, the Pirates of Nassau Museum for a unique history lesson and the Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis Paradise Island to keep all ages entertained. There’s .....even an island famed for its swimming swine nicknamed ‘Pig Island.’ Yes there’s much more to the Bahamas than a couple of beaches – for more ideas talk to our team of travel Experts. Show less

If you come for the beaches, odds are you’ll stay for the food. On the menu is a mouth-watering mix of seafood running the gamut from fish and crabs to rock lobster and even conch, all typically seasoned with spices to give it that signature Caribbean flavour. To bond with local foodies in a homely atmosphere, hang out at the local Fish Fry on Arawak Cay where chefs show off their prep skills. The dish to try while you’re there is the freshly-made conch salad washed down with a cold .....local beer such as Kalik. For something more upmarket, book a table at The Landing Restaurant on Harbour Island – a haunt lauded by Conde Nast Traveller. Show less

Nassau’s dining scene offers everything from upscale restaurants serving fine European cuisine to casual beach bars where you can nibble on fried conch fritters as you look out over the sea. Seafood abounds here, particularly conch, rock lobster and boiled fish stew. And be sure to try Kalik, “the beer of the Bahamas,” which is brewed at Nassau’s Commonwealth Brewery. The food at Graycliff is great, they have more than 250,000 bottles of wine (worth millions of dollars) and they make their own cigars. What’s not to love? We say go .....all out and order the Perigord goose liver with black truffles! Dinner reservations are essential. Everyone loves Cafe Matisse for its excellent Italian food. The pumpkin gnocchi topped off with taleggio cheese fondue is amazing. Reservations are recommended. The oceanfront restaurant at the Compass Point Beach Resort offers West Indian dishes like Bahamian cracked conch and lobster salad. We love the ultra-colorful dining room and the beautiful sea views. Think T.G.I. Friday’s … Caribbean style. At Anthony’s Grill, you’ll find grilled or fried grouper sandwiches, excellent ribs doused in an awesome barbecue sauce and warm-weather cocktails bigger than a house. It’s located in the Paradise Village Shopping Centre. Show less

The Hilton Hotel is just further up from the cruise port which is around a 10-minute walk at the most. The hotel allows visitors to use its private beach and pool area for a fee. If you’re lucky enough to be a crew member you will even get a discount. Photo By: Jenni Konrad (Creative Commons) The hotel beach in Nassau, Bahamas offers some of the best views of cruise ships coming and going. There is a nice pool area with loungers to relax on along with food and drinks available for .....order. This place is very popular with cruise ship crew members so it must be good! Oh, and did we mention FREE wifi near the pool! Show less

Part of Norwegian's Jewel Class, the Norwegian Gem is a 2,400-passenger, eclectic cruise ship with a surprising number of at-sea perks. You can take a "ride" in a hot-air-balloon-themed bar, bowl a few frames in the ship's four-lane bowling alley, test your balance on an outdoor rock-climbing wall, or take in a Broadway or comedy show. The 4,000-passenger Breakaway is the 13th ship in Norwegian's fleet and the first of the Breakaway class. Breakaway is Norwegian's first ship to feature an at-sea water park, and the first cruise ship in the .....world with two free-fall slides. Other perks include a three-story fitness center and Cirque de Soleil shows. Show less

Recommended by Jennifer from Luxe Adventure Traveler The Bahamas’ famed sugar sand beaches are something that has to be seen to be believed. If you ever wanted to feel like Gilligan on a stretch of totally undeveloped white sand beach with the bluest water, then head on a day trip to Rose Island. The island is uninhabited other than one small house and has more resident peacocks and hermit crabs than the small group day trips that make their way there for a day of fun in the sun.There’s plenty to .....do and there’s a beach bar that opens with a buffet lunch and drinks exclusively for the day trippers. With a coral reef ringing the island, Rose Island is a perfect place to snorkel. You can also use the beach bar’s kayaks and make the short kayaking trip over to another uninhabited island aptly named Gilligan’s Island since scenes from the tv show were filmed there. Show less

An Island Tour is one of the best things to do in Nassau Bahamas while on a cruise because it gives you an idea of what the island has to offer in a short period of time.  In addition to seeing some of the popular sites, you can learn about the British influence and history of the area. I like this tour that takes you to the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory, Atlantis (for a quick stop), the Queen’s Staircase, the Graycliff Chocolate Factory, and the John Watling’s Distillery.  You have .....the option to be dropped off at Junkanoo beach at the end of the tour. There are many other Nassau tours options with different itineraries.  You can book it through your cruise line (which will probably be more expensive) or check out the options on Viator.  Pretty much all the Island tours will pick you up (and drop you off) at the cruise port. Show less

Embrace Resort is the newest accommodation option on the island, and the place we called home for a week on Staniel Cay. Embrace Resort offers affordable luxury villas to fit everyone’s budget. With prices ranging from $219 per night for the Mayaguana one bedroom villa to $589 per night Andros 3 bedroom/2 bath villa with complete kitchen. We stayed in the Ragged Island honeymoon villa, complete with jacuzzi. Embrace Resort grand opening is scheduled for 2017 and will consist of 7 villas, pool, meeting room, restaurant, spa, and a fitness center. We found the .....best Staniel Cay hotel prices and Embrace prices was on Airbnb. Read TripAdvisor reviews here. Get a $40 credit when you book your first trip! –>> sign up here! Show less

Ocean Beach isn’t a beach for swimming, due to the number of rocks and the size of the waves. There were a few signs to Ocean Beach, but the road was washed out due to rain so we had to abandon the golf cart and walk. I’d suggest coming here for sunrise in the mornings.

This self-proclaimed most unique and artistic structure on Bimini is a weird but wonderful mix of museum, art gallery, sculpture and home. Local visionary artist Ashley Saunders built this spectacular abode himself, and uses his beach-combed finds and practically anything he can get his hands on to decorate both the interior and exterior. Beside the art however, the convivial host is always happy to share his encyclopaedic knowledge of the islands with his visitors, giving a vivid, graphic and above all else, interesting and local perspective that you won’t find in guide books.

One of Eleuthera’s unique characteristics: the eastern side of the island faces the Atlantic Ocean, while the western side lies along the Caribbean Sea, or the Exuma Sound. The perfect place to see this dramatic contrast is known as the Glass Window Bridge.

Who knew that they would be such lush greenery right next door to the most perfect beach? But there is. And kayaking in the Lucayan National Park is one of the best ways of seeing that. There are multiple tours that will take you there. As mentioned above there is a $5pp entry fee for the park. The fee also covers Gold Rock Beach as well as a few other sights. 6. JEEP TOUR AROUND THE ISLAND Ever wonder how the super-rich live in the Bahamas? Yeah, us too. Take of these tours .....to not only drive in a Jeep with the top down (remember your sunscreen) but also check out some of the best parts of the islands (including where the rich people live). To be honest, we’re not sure if that neighborhood is part of the actual tour or a Freeport Bahamas excursion, but it’s definitely worthwhile. We recommend Grand Bahama Jeep Tours Show less

If you’re like us and are interested in checking out unexpected places, then we really recommend popping into the Perfume Factory located in a cute pink and white replica of an old Bahamian mansion (currently under construction) . You can take a free tour not only takes you behind the scenes of a working fragrance production operation but also gives you the opportunity to mix your own special fragrance, bottle it and name it. Seriously, who doesn’t want a perfume named after them?

  We started the morning with a hotel pick up at 8am. Your pick up time will depend on your resort location. We took an air conditioned shuttle bus to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal, more specifically to the Margaritaville restaurant. Here we had to sign a waiver, and had the opportunity to use the restroom and grab some water before boarding our speed boat for our hour long ride to the northern Exumas. Riding the speed boat was like being on a giant jet ski. We were cruising, and the ride was .....bumpy at times. For this fast ride, they gave us rain coats in case we got wet! Our first stop was the beautiful, uninhabited Allen Cay. I was one of the few people who opted to jump off the front of the boat! The water was perfection. At Allen Cay we stayed about 25 minutes to feed the wild iguanas, which was truly an unreal experience. We were given wooden sticks on which to place grapes and the iguanas would run up and grab them. I mean, where else can you feed wild iguanas? After the iguanas, we boarded back on the boat for a ten minute ride to the private island, Ship Channel Cay. As we disembarked, snacks were available for us (crudité, mini hot dogs, chips & salsa) and the complimentary open bar was ready for business, including serving up delicious Bahama mamas! The beach at Ship Channel Cay is outfitted with plenty of lounge chairs and the softest sand I have ever felt in my life! When we arrived, we took a few minutes to get settled and then it was time to swim with the pigs! More on that below – After the pig encounter, there were still many great activities to partake in. Again, you could do as little or as many things as you wanted to participate in. The group was small, so no overcrowding on this excursion, which I loved! Up next was the hand feeding of the sting rays and the chance to pet these beautiful creatures. Now, this activity was not in a tank or anything. The entire time we were at Ship channel Cay sting rays were just swimming around… as were sharks. When it was time for the feeding, guests lined up along the shore so the sting rays could come down the line and interact! This was a beautiful, natural experience and totally safe and controlled, but someone in our group did get her leg sucked on by sting ray. Like I said, the water was shark infested, and worth noting the staff did tell us not to get too close to the sharks while swimming! The last animal encounter was watching the shark feeding show which was really wild to see a whole school of sharks swimming so close to us. The Powerboat Adventures staff lured them in with a huge shish kabob of dead fish. Again, I loved that you could get as close to, or stay as far back as you wanted! Show less

The Exuma Cays are a group of 365 islands in the Bahamas. They’re located 75 miles south of Nassau and 250 miles southeast from Florida. Many people head straight to George Town on Great Exuma and find out later that they are too far from the fun things to do. You can book a half day Exuma Cay tour to pig beach, lizard island and Thunderball Grotto. If you stay in Nassau, you’ll need a full day tour to the Exuma Cays, which will cost $350+ per person. A better option .....is Staniel Cay, a quaint small island that is 1 mile away from those famous swimming pigs. There are vacation rentals and a few hotels, Staniel Cay Yacht Club and Embrace Resort. The whole island is 2 square miles so it’s easy to get around. If a private island piques your interest, Fowl Cay is resort that will also provide you with your own boat. Show less

Of all the things to do in the Exumas, catching a bonefish was at the top of my husband’s list. So we splurged on a half-day fly fishing trip. We both caught quite a few with the help of our guide showing us the best spots to find them. The cost was $275 per person. You will have to book the trip at your resort in person. I tried to book this on my own prior to arriving but the tour companies in Georgetown won’t travel the long distance to .....Staniel Cay. Talk to the locals or your concierge for recommendations. My husband loved it.   Show less

Admission to the waterpark including: 13 waterslides, Wave Pool, Adventure Pool, complimentary dining at Snack Shack, beach chairs, umbrellas and towels from $44 to $99 per person for a full day, depending on the season (thalf-day options are also available ). The zip line costs $79 to $139 for a single ride, the hot air balloon ride at $39 to $99 per ride for ages 13 and up ($24 to $64 for children ages 4 to 12). A package that combines admission to the waterpark with a zip line ride .....costs $99 to $179. Full price list HERE Show less

No matter how amazing the water slides are on your ship (and there really are some incredible ones) they don’t hold a candle to the stuff you’ll find at Aquaventure Water Park. Created by the fun-loving minds who dreamed up the water park of the same name in Dubai, this must-visit attraction offers the perfect balance of high-speed water slides, child-friendly splash zones and peaceful chill-out areas. It’s perfect for everyone – even families who never agree on anything.

You can’t visit the Bahamas without trying their most popular drink – rum! And where better to try the tipple than Nassau’s most visited distillery? Situated within the magnificent grounds of the Buena Vista Estate, John Watling’s Distillery runs complimentary tours which you can hop on for the chance to learn how the hand-crafted small-batch rums are created. And then sample a cocktail or two made with the delicious liquor at the end.