Nassau Vacations

Our Opinion of Nassau

Nassau is the capital and the heart of the Islands of the Bahamas. It is ideally located in a sheltered harbour and the city contains beautiful colonial mansions, cathedrals and 18th century fortresses. Just 180 m northeast of Nassau is Paradise Island which is connected to the city by two bridges. On it, you will find many resorts, hotels, restaurants, shops, a golf course and a casino.

The nearby Cable Beach is home for most resorts where you can play in the crystalline waters or simply sunbathe the day away. A great place to meet the friendly local and get acquainted with their handicraft is at the Straw Market. When night comes you can try your luck at the casinos or dance till dawn at one of the many hip nightclubs.

More Nassau Vacation Information

Cable Beach, just west of the capital, is home to many luxury resorts, a golf course and an array of entertainment. It offers 4 kilometres of white sand and crystal clear waters to play in.

Cabbage Beach, located on Paradise Island, is a very popular and crowded beach since most resorts, restaurants and water sport rentals are situated on the tiny island.

South Beach, on the south east shore of Nassau, has kilometres of white sand.

The Retreat is a huge 11-acre garden, owned by the Bahamas National Trust, and counts one hundred and seventy six rare and exotic palms as well as a variety of native orchids.

The Nassau Botanical Gardens offers 18 acres of plant life like tropical palms, sea grape trees with the occasional sighting of curly tailed lizards, and banaquit birds.

The best way to visit the surrounding cays is by participating in a sailing or boating adventure tour. Many tours also offer snorkelling packages and a great lunch is usually included. Other tours focus on bird watching or swimming with the dolphins.

Nassau Hotels

All hotels in Nassau

Atlantis Paradise Island

Best Western Bay View Suites

Breezes Bahamas

British Colonial Hilton

Comfort Suites Paradise Island

Graycliff Hotel

Marley Resort & Spa

Paradise Island Harbour Resort

Riu Palace Paradise Island

Sandals Royal Bahamian

Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort

The Cove Atlantis

The Reef Atlantis

Wyndham Nassau

Nassau Destination Reviews

Been to this destination?

Rating:

"This resort was one great surprise after another! Everything from the friendly staff, good food, and good times contributed to an all around successful vacation celebration at the Riu Nassau, all inclusive resort. There was a small fridge in the room filled with beer and soda and when they came around in the morning to see if I needed more, they were practically begging me to take more than the fridge would hold. Then, I found the liquor! Three full bottles (rum, gin, vodka) ready to mix with the soda! The food was fabulous and the drinks at the bars were perfect. Fun activities and plenty of gorgeous people to go along with them. Can't wait to go again !"
Reviewer: bettiehicks
Date: Apr. 13, 2009

Rating:

"Nassau is a wonderful destination for beach bums. Food is average to better for touristy destinations. Local fare is easy to find downtown and is surprisingly good. Traveling the island is easy by bus but you should take taxis if you are traveling after dark. The primary destination on the island is the casino and it's quite pricey as casinos go. This is not a place to take the kiddies; in fact it seems to be relatively discouraged and I would agree with that because the crime rate still remains elevated on the islands.

I have returned there not yearly but often through the years and find it remains virtually the same."
Reviewer: rchappell4770
Date: Apr. 13, 2009

Rating:

"Hi there,

I just wanted to say that the best vacation i've ever experienced was the one in the Bahamas at the nassau RIU hotel,and the beach was just gorgeous and the food there was incredible, just blew your tastebuds away, the people there were unbelievably friendly, and i'd recommend this vacay spot to anyone, I'M SO GOING BACK SoON, i hope...at least if i can afford another vacation away to the beatiful island of the Bahamas

Sarah :)"
Reviewer: ssarahh_874869
Date: Mar. 20, 2009

Rating:

"I have not seen too much from the destination because I was to busy having fun at the hotel. I have to come back to discover the island. "
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Apr. 12, 2008

Rating:

"Nassau - LOVE IT"
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jan. 19, 2008

Rating:

"Love Nassau"
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Jan. 19, 2008

Rating:

"Nassau is beautiful, especially Paradise Island. The weather was about 27 (80) in mid March. We had only overcast day during our 7 day stay. "
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Mar. 22, 2007

Rating:

"Bahamas is no Bermuda."
Reviewer: Anonymous [via Escapes.ca]
Date: Nov. 30, 2006

Things to know about Nassau Vacations

Activities & Sports

The marinas, beaches and resorts offer a wide range of water sports like sailing trips, day cruises, motorboats, jet skis, or windsurfing. Lake Nancy offers canoe rentals to explore its sparkling waters, native tilapias and an array of wild life.

Scuba Diving and snorkelling is a must in the world famous warm, crystal clear waters and drop offs. Many unusual dive sites filled with amazing marine life can be explored, as well as a few shipwrecks.

Fishing is a popular activity, whether from the pier or on a deep sea expedition boat. Another fun boating excursion is the glass bottom boats. It's the only and best way to see the gorgeous reefs and sea gardens of Athol Island without getting wet.

Golfers will be thrilled with all two championship golf courses found on the island: the Cable Beach Golf Course and the Ocean Club Golf Course. Picturesque tropical views make your game even more exciting.

Dining & Nightlife

Bahamas is famous for it's nightlife with dazzling clubs and friendly joints. Jazz, calypso, or Bahamas' own rake 'n' scrape and Goombay are sure make you dance the night away. Popular places are Club 601 and The Zoo Nightclub.

If gambling is more to your liking then the casinos will offer you hours of fun at with blackjack, slot machines, craps and baccarat. Try the Atlantis, Paradise Island Casino or the Crystal Palace Casino.

There is a variety of floorshows as well, like the King Eric's Native Calypso Show, Catch a show at the Centre for the performing arts.

Native cuisine consists mostly of seafood and fish, the most traditional one being Conch, a tasty shellfish. Conch specialties include chowder, salads and fritters or simply served with a dash of lime juice. Other wonderful dishes are made with the local ingredients like sugarplum, coco plum, sapodilla and sea grapes. Staples also include Grouper fingers, peas 'n' rice, johnnycakes and guava duff for dessert. Rum cocktails abound like the rum punch made with Bahamian rum.

For those less inclined to Bahamian cuisine, all the international restaurants can be found on the island such as European, American, Greek, Chinese and Mexican.

Shopping

The famous Nassau Straw Market on Bay Street is one of the largest in the world and is open all week long. This is a great opportunity to meet the local people and to purchase all you souvenirs and mementos. Popular items are the handmade mats, hats and baskets along with fabrics, jewellery, woodcarvings, and guava jellies. And make sure to bring your bargaining skills along.

The Bahama Craft Centre is also a great place to shop if you are looking for true Bahamian arts and crafts such as paintings, sea treasures, blown glass, conch shell jewellery, ceramics or Junkanoo art.

The Bahamas has offered duty free shopping since 1992 on the following categories of items: perfumes, crystal, leather, jewellery, linens and tablecloths, watches and clocks, photographic equipment, china, binoculars, and telescopes.

Currency: Bahamian dollar

Language: English, Bahamian dialect

Climate: The subtropical climate, ranging from 25° C to 32° C degrees with cooling trade winds, makes Nassau a great year round destination. The rainy season lasts from May through November. Night time temperatures are generally cooler in the winter months so bring a light sweater along. The annual water temperature oscillates around 24° C degrees.

Electricity: 120V, 60Hz

Documents

A valid passport is recommended. An official birth certificate and photo ID are accepted for stays not exceeding 21 days. Return or onward ticket required.

Driver's License

International license recommended. Must be 21 years old and have a credit card. Bahamians drive on the LEFT.