Nassau Cruise Port: Spending One Day in The Bahamas

Nassau Cruise Port in Prince George Wharf is a popular port stop in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. It’s a busy hub for cruise ships and offers a variety of amenities and attractions for visitors. We recently sailed from Port Canaveral in Florida on a weekend cruise, and Nassau was our first stop. There can be multiple cruise ships in port, so it’s best to plan ahead. This guide includes the top things to do in Nassau, whether that’s taking an excursion, sightseeing in the town, doing some shopping and dining, or relaxing on the stunning beaches. 

Things to Do in Nassau Cruise Port  

Many cruise lines have Nassau port in their itineraries, such as Royal Caribbean International, Carnival, Norwegian cruise line, Disney, Celebrity, Princess and more. The good news is the cruise terminal is centrally located in Nassau, making it easy to access local attractions and the downtown area.   

Prince George Wharf, Terminal Facilities 

Stepping off the cruise ship, visitors are welcomed by a modern, brightly coloured port. There is a row of shopping stalls where you can buy souvenirs, crafts and alcohol. There are also large screens with videos from the tourism board. It’s worth waiting for the 3D and anamorphic underwater scenes to come on. They’re fun to watch. Some passengers choose to stay within the cruise terminal and enjoy its amenities. But I highly recommend venturing out and experiencing the town or the beach. 

Nassau Cruise Port Map 

I highlight many places to check out in Nassau in this travel guide. If you want to follow my exact self-guided route or see a particular place, you can find my free “Nassau Cruise Port for a Day” map on Google Maps. Let’s dive in! 

Nassau Cruise Port Without an Excursion 

Before our cruise, I did some research, and there seemed to be plenty of free things to do in Nassau without the need to book a shore excursion. It was our first time there, so we decided to explore on our own and try to get a sense of Bahamian culture and history. I’m sharing our itinerary, including what we got up to and the sights I recommend seeing in Nassau.   

Exploring Downtown Nassau 

As soon as we left the cruise port, we headed for Parliament Square, as it was only a 2-minute walk. The square, with its pink and white colonial style buildings, is home to many branches of the Bahamian government. A statue of Queen Victoria stands tall in the centre, and commemorative plaques are on the walls highlighting historical events and figures. We didn’t spend too long here, but it’s worth stopping by.   

Queen’s Staircase & Fort Fincastle

From Parliament Square, we made our way up the hill to the Queen’s Staircase. I’d read this was one of the most popular things to see, so we wanted to try and get there ahead of the crowds. This historic landmark comprises 66 steps (64 now) that visitors can walk up or down. In the late 18th century, enslaved people carved the steps out of solid limestone to link downtown Nassau with Fort Fincastle. It’s a beautiful area, like stepping back in time, and offers a unique piece of local history. Unfortunately, it was crowded when we arrived, but it didn’t prevent us from enjoying and appreciating the iconic spot.   

Fort Fincastle is a short walk from the Queen’s Staircase. The fort, built in the shape of a paddle-wheeler, was one of three forts constructed to protect Nassau from pirates and any outside threats.  Perched on the hill means it also has beautiful panoramic views of Nassau. There is a fee to go inside, but we opted not to as it appeared limited.  There were various vendors selling souvenirs, drinks and fresh coconut water outside. We were happy seeing Fort Fincastle from the outside, but if history interests you, Fort Charlotte is another in Nassau that you might want to add to your itinerary. 

Government House & Graycliff Heritage Village

Next up on our Nassau itinerary was the Government House and the Graycliff Heritage Village (Umbrella Street). Government House is the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas. It’s a typical pink and white colonial style building and looks impressive high up on the hill. We couldn’t go inside, but it was great to see it and grab a photo.  

Across the street from Government House on West Hill Street is the Graycliff Heritage Village, or Umbrella Lane as it’s also known. It’s a vibrant street with hanging umbrellas, colourful buildings, art stores, the Heritage Museum of The Bahamas, a winery, a chocolatier, bars and restaurants. The luxurious Graycliff Hotel can also be found on one end of West Hill Street, while The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas is on the other.  I loved walking in this area and admiring the artsy vibes. 

Close by is John Watling’s Distillery, a local rum distillery where you can tour the facility, learn about the rum-making process and sample some delicious Bahamian rum. We didn’t go inside, but I’d love to do the free tour on my next visit.   

Bay Street & The Straw Market

Bay Street is the main street running through downtown Nassau. It’s a lively place lined with shops, boutiques and restaurants. It’s ideal for a leisurely stroll and some duty-free shopping. The famous Straw Market is also here. It’s a traditional open-air market selling straw crafts like bags, hats, dolls, conch jewellery and Bahamian souvenirs. We enjoyed walking around and admiring the handwoven items and wood carvings. It’s a great place to experience local culture and pick up some unique gifts. 

The Fish Fry, Arawak Cay

I wanted to try some local authentic Bahamian food, and I’d read the Fish Fry area in Arawak Cay was the place to go. We decided to walk 30 minutes from Bay Street to the Fish Fry area. But I recommend taking a taxi as there isn’t much shade, and the weather can be pretty hot.

The Fish Fry area is a long strip of traditional restaurants, beach shacks and stalls serving the best Bahamian food. We knew we wanted to try some conch and fresh fish. We ended up heading to a place called Goldie’s Conch House towards the end. It’s on the water, surrounded by millions of conch shells. You can witness locals preparing their fresh catches out on the dock while you eat. Goldie’s has an open kitchen, and every dish is prepared to order. You’re in the Bahamas, and everyone is on island time, so don’t expect speedy service. We ordered some Bahama Mama cocktails and Sky Juice (gin, coconut water and condensed milk) to try first.

Fish Fry Food

For food, our table got a platter of cracked conch and conch fritters served with spicy sauces. I eat gluten-free, so the waitress recommended the fish of the day. It was wrapped and cooked in foil in the most delicious spicy broth with vegetables, plantains and rice. The flavours were so incredible. The ceviche-style conch salad looked fresh and delicious, but we were all too full to try it. Based on our experience, I’d head back to Goldie’s every time I’m in Nassau. After our meal, we took a slow walk back towards the ship, stopping by Junkanoo Beach for some drinks.   

If you’d like to see these sights but don’t want to walk, many tours are available. It’s worth checking what tours the cruise line offers against sites like GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor and Viator to compare the tours, prices and reviews. 

Spend the Day on the Beach

Junkanoo Beach is a short walking distance from the port and the most popular spot to enjoy a day at the beach. It does get crowded, but the further you walk along, the quieter it becomes. The stretch of white sandy beach and calm crystal-clear water has colourful shacks selling food and drinks, lounger and umbrella rentals, and water sports activities. We stopped to enjoy some drinks before heading back to the ship. The lively, happy atmosphere was perfect, and I didn’t want to leave.   

Cable Beach is another public beach, but it’s less crowded than Junkanoo. How to get to Cable Beach? Grab a taxi at the port or hop on the number 10 public bus to get there. I haven’t visited Cable Beach yet, but I read the public beach entrance is across from Starbucks and next to the Sandals Resort.   

Shore Excursions at Nassau Cruise Port 

Although we chose not to do any of the excursions, I made a list of popular tours, and experiences we’d like to do from Nassau cruise port in the future. Popular excursions can fill up quickly, so it’s a good idea to book in advance.   

Atlantis Paradise Island

Spending a day at the Atlantis Resort is a must for many visitors, and it’s just a short distance from Nassau cruise port. Day passes are available for the Aquaventure water park, the stunning beaches and the Lost Chambers Aquarium. 

How to get from Nassau cruise port to Atlantis? 

Getting to Atlantis from the port is easy. For the fastest option, grab a taxi to take you there directly. You can also board a water ferry from the cruise terminal, which will take you across. 

Swimming with Pigs

Swimming with the Pigs is a unique excursion to Exuma Cays, where you can swim with friendly pigs on a picturesque beach in the beautiful blue water. This tour has gained popularity on social media. The day trips also include transportation, lunch and a boat tour of the cays. 

Snorkelling, Scuba Diving & Kayaking 

Nassau is known for its vibrant marine life and clear waters, which makes it an ideal place to go snorkelling and diving or to enjoy the scenic coastline on a kayak or paddleboard. Several tours visit coral reefs, shipwrecks, and the famous Blue Hole. See what excursions your cruise line offers and check out some activity sites to find the best tour. 

Bahamas Food Tour

Experience local cuisine on a guided food tour of Nassau. Choose between a walking or vehicle-based tour and sample some traditional Bahamian dishes, while learning about the food culture. Several tours often include stops at rum distilleries and historical sites for the full experience. 

Nassau Cruise Port Tips  

• Review Excursions: Check out recent reviews to ensure the excursion meets your expectations.  
• Consider Time: Ensure that your chosen excursion or self-guided itinerary fits well within your port time to avoid missing your ship.  
• Is Nassau Safe? Nassau is generally safe for tourists, but like any popular destination, it’s wise to be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings in view.  
• What Currency? The Bahamian dollar (BSD) is the local currency, but US dollars are widely accepted. 

To sum up, it’s worth getting off the ship in Nassau. I felt safe the whole time and really enjoyed spending the day there. Whether you’re looking to experience local culture, enjoy beach time, or indulge in some shopping and dining, Nassau offers a range of activities to enjoy during your cruise vacation. Thanks for reading, I hope you found this guide to Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas helpful. If you have questions about Nassau, the Bahamas or the cruise, please let me know in the comments below, via my contact form, or on Instagram. 

If you loved this article – Don’t forget to Pin, Save and Share!