A Local’s Guide to the Top 10 Things to Do in Nassau

Nassau is an extraordinary destination within the Caribbean and people arrive here from all over the world, whether via plane or cruise ship. If you have been to Nassau before, you know how amazing this island is and if you haven’t been here just yet, you are about to find out just how thrilling your time here can be! As locals we can definitely say we are experts when it comes to what to do in Nassau, Bahamas. This is a list of things you must tick off your bucket list when visiting our home! We started with the must-do day tours from Nassau which are definitely the Exuma swimming pigs excursion and the Harbor Island pink sand beach tour because these are two things that make our country special.

1. PINK SAND BEACH DAY TOUR IN HARBOR ISLAND

There are not many Nassau tours that go out to Pink Sand Beach, which means that you will not find the crowds during this one-day excursion. The beginning of your journey will have you boarding a luxurious high-speed ferry and before you know it, you will be walking along the pink sandy beaches of Harbour Island. You may be tempted to spend all day at the beach, but it is recommended that you take a little time to explore Dunmore Town via golf cart. If you prefer you can also arrange a flight and private tour from Nassau as well.

2. FEED THE ORIGINAL SWIMMING PIGS ON AN EXUMA EXCURSION

Swimming pigs are not a common sight, which is why it is the most popular of all the Nassau day tours. The swimming pigs excursions are a sensation. They are the biggest celebrities in the entire country. Since recently, there are several that consider themselves “Pig Island” or “Pig Beach” within the Bahamas, such as at Rose Island and also in Eleuthera, but the original Pig Island is located in the Exuma Cays. These pigs can be found on Big Major Cay, a.k.a. Pig Beach, which is part of Exuma in the Bahamas and just over eighty miles from Nassau. You can take a day trip by boat or a more convenient flight into Staniel Cay which is only 5 minutes from Pig Beach. From here you can jump right in the water to swim with the pigs or feed them. You can also stay on the sand and play with them there.

3. ENJOY DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERS ON A PRIVATE ISLAND

There are plenty of dolphin encounters for you to experience during numerous Nassau tours, but one of the best happens to be out on Balmoral Island. It is there that you can meet a dolphin, or if you are a little braver, go swimming out in the water with them. When you are not in the water with the dolphins, you can spend your time at the private beach nearby.

With so many things to do in Nassau, you may want to stay on the island longer than you originally planned. The reason for that is you can easily take more of the Nassau tours, so you can truly experience the best of this small piece of paradise!

4. JOIN AN IMMERSIVE HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES

The best Nassau tours must include the experiences at Graycliff, which is a gorgeous culturally inspired property where you can indulge in awesome activities such as a wine lesson, chocolate making, and cigar rolling. A California winemaker with twenty years of experience leads the wine lessons, and it is there that you can learn all about tannins, balance, acidity, and even the finish of each wine you taste. This is also an excellent class if you are interested in eventually blending your own wine.

The master chocolatier leads the chocolate making classes, although you may want to skip that part and do the factory tour before indulging in the delectable chocolate at the end. In the chocolate lesson you will learn how to make chocolate from bean to bar! It’s perfect for kids and kids at heart. At the end you’ll have chocolate you made yourself that you can enjoy.

Not everyone loves cigars, but if you do, then you simply must know which leaves should be blended together for the best cigar and how to roll your own. This is all possible during the cigar rolling lesson, although you might want to take the one that also offers rum tasting when you are finished with your rolling. You also have the option of just taking a sneak peak at the cigar factory to see and smell what’s going on inside.

5. GET A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK WITH FACTORY VISITS

There are a couple of factories in Nassau, and they make the best Nassau cruise excursions when you do not want to be outside. The Rum Cake Factory will have you watching how rum cakes are made, as well as sampling a few different flavors before making your purchases to take back home if you desire. John Watling’s Distillery can be found on the Buena Vista Estate, which has been there since 1789. It’s a perfect opportunity to see how rum is produced and even have a taste. There is also Tasty Teas available for tea lovers!

6. VISIT OUR LOCAL STRAW MARKET AND THE DOWNTOWN AREA

Most people will check out the straw market and Downtown area before or after their Nassau cruise excursions, since they are so close to the port. There are dozens of different vendors inside the straw market waiting to offer you all the best in local crafts and souvenirs to take back for family and friends.

7. GET A BLAST FROM THE PAST AT HISTORIC SITES

One of the best things to do in Nassau is visit the historical sites. The Queen’s Staircase is comprised of sixty-six steps, although the first step on the bottom is buried underneath the newer pavement that was put in place. These steps lead directly from the city to Fort Fincastle, which was constructed to look like a paddle wheel steamer back in 1793. This fort is on top of Bennet’s Hill, and it was once used to protect the town from enemies. You should also take a look at the pink parliament buildings in Rawson Square. If you’re lucky you’ll see a fully uniformed police officer and you can take a photo!

8. REALLY RELAX WITH A DAY AWAY ON A PRIVATE ISLAND

There are numerous Nassau tours available, including those that allow you to spend all day at a private beach on a private island. As fabulous as the downtown area of Nassau truly is, there is nothing like escaping from it all for the day! This is possible when you take the time to do a day trip to Pearl Island. This island is only approximately thirty minutes from the port, and it makes an excellent Nassau cruise excursion option. Throughout the day, you can sit in the sand of two different beaches, take a stroll to the lighthouse, do a little snorkeling, or take a kayak out on the water. If you are interested in another private beach option, you may want to consider Rose Island.

9. GET YOUR ADRENALINE RUSH WITH A JET BOAT ADVENTURE

Jet boat adventures are easily considered one of the best things to do in Nassau by those who love adrenaline-filled activities! When you hop onto one of these jet boats, you will find yourself taking off on a high-speed water ride that will have you seeing a few of the seven hundred islands and the panoramic views that surround them. It’s like a roller coaster on the water! You’ll also have a ocean tour and see cool stops like the residence of Oprah! (One of many)

10. EAT LIKE A LOCAL AT THE FISH FRY

The Fish Fry is a go to spot for locals and visitors alike here you will find stalls serving up some of the most delicious Bahamian delicacies available on the island! You can dine in at one of the restaurants serving up local favorites like cracked conch, peas and rice, Souse and Johnny Cake and of course fried fish. You can also visit some of the stalls serving local snacks and drinks such as a tropical conch salad or “Sky Juice”. Here you’ll really have an opportunity to taste the Bahamas.

If you’re ready to start your adventure let us help you! We have tours that cover just about all of the spots mentioned above, and we can also create a customized tour for you. If you’d like to book your swimming pigs adventure, take part in a winemaking lesson, pump your adrenaline on a jet boat tour or enjoy a day lounging on a private beach, we can help you. Contact us today or book online now!