Nassau and Paradise Island

Pastel history, big resorts, and nonstop flights from some US cities

Region

Caribbean · The Bahamas

Best time to go

Warm and sunny most of the year, with the driest, most comfortable weather from December through April. Summer is hotter and more humid, and hurricane season runs from June through November.

Getting there

Nonstop flights from many East Coast and major US hubs, including some Florida cities; West Coast trips usually need a connection, so check current airline schedules for your departure city.

Why go to Nassau and Paradise Island

Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas, on New Providence Island, with a historic harbor town, beaches on the west and north shores, and Paradise Island just across a bridge. It is a short flight from Florida, easy for a first trip abroad, and a base for boat trips to the Exumas and other out islands.

Things to do in Nassau and Paradise Island

BeachCabbage BeachCabbage Beach is a long stretch of soft white sand on the north shore of Paradise Island, backed by large resorts at one end and quieter dunes at the other. The surf can be rough on windy days, so watch the flags and swim near others.Explore related tours

BeachCable BeachCable Beach runs for a few miles along the north coast west of downtown, with calm water, resorts, and water sports rentals. Walk to the less developed stretches for more space, and expect beach vendors to approach you often.Explore related tours

CultureQueen's StaircaseThe Queen's Staircase is a set of 66 limestone steps cut into a rock gorge in the late 1700s, shaded by trees and a small waterfall. It is short and easy to combine with Fort Fincastle at the top, and early morning is the quietest time.Explore related tours

CultureFort Fincastle and the Water TowerFort Fincastle is a small fort built in 1793 in the shape of a paddle-wheel steamer, sitting on one of the highest points in Nassau. It sits beside the old water tower, and the hilltop gives views over the town and harbor.Explore related tours

CultureFort CharlotteFort Charlotte is the largest fort on New Providence, built in the late 1700s with a moat, cannons, and underground passages. Local guides lead short tours through the tunnels, and it pairs well with nearby Arawak Cay for lunch.Explore related tours

FoodArawak Cay Fish FryArawak Cay, known locally as the Fish Fry, is a row of colorful shacks west of downtown serving conch salad, fried fish, and cold drinks. Go in the evening or on weekends for the liveliest scene, and expect large portions and a slow, friendly pace.Explore related tours

CultureNassau Straw MarketThe Straw Market downtown is a large covered market with stalls selling woven straw goods, carvings, jewelry, and souvenirs. Some items are handmade locally and some are imported, so ask, and polite bargaining is part of the visit.Explore related tours

CultureParliament Square and Bay StreetParliament Square holds pink colonial government buildings and a statue of Queen Victoria, a short walk from the shops and harbor views of Bay Street. A morning walk covers it easily before the cruise crowds arrive.Explore related tours

AdventureSnorkeling at Love BeachLove Beach on the northwest coast has a quiet beach and a shallow reef close to shore, with reef fish and coral reachable from the sand. Bring your own gear, check conditions before swimming out, and do not stand on the coral.Explore related tours

NatureClifton Heritage National ParkThis park on the western tip of New Providence protects ruins of a Loyalist plantation, Lucayan sites, coastal trails, and nearby reef dive sites. It is calmer and less visited than downtown, and good for a mix of history and a quiet shoreline walk.Explore related tours

FamilyArdastra GardensArdastra Gardens is a small zoo and garden near Fort Charlotte, best known for its trained flamingos, the national bird of The Bahamas. It is easy with children, and a visit usually takes a couple of hours.Explore related tours

BeachJunkanoo BeachJunkanoo Beach is the closest beach to downtown and the cruise port, with small beach bars, music, and a busy, social feel. It is convenient for a quick swim, but it can be crowded, so pick Cable Beach or Cabbage Beach for more room.Explore related tours

Where to stay in Nassau and Paradise Island

Paradise IslandResort island, beaches, family activitiesParadise Island sits across a bridge from downtown, with Cabbage Beach, a marina, and many of the area's largest resorts and water activities. It suits families and groups who want lots to do in one place. Dining and activities are more expensive here, and you will take a taxi or water taxi into Nassau.FamiliesGroupsResort stays

Cable BeachLong beach, resorts, easy paceCable Beach is a hotel strip west of downtown along a long, calm beach, with all-inclusive and standard resorts side by side. It is a good choice for beach time with easy access to the Fish Fry and downtown by taxi or jitney. It suits couples, families, and all-inclusive travelers.All-inclusive staysCouplesCalm swimming

Downtown NassauHistoric, busy by day, practicalDowntown Nassau holds the harbor, Bay Street, Parliament Square, the Straw Market, and the main forts and staircase within walking distance. Accommodations are fewer and simpler than at the beaches. It works for short stays, history lovers, and travelers who want to walk to sights, though it quiets down at night.SightseeingShort staysHistory

Western New ProvidenceQuiet, residential, local beachesThe western part of the island, around Love Beach and Old Fort Bay, has villas, small hotels, and quiet beaches with good snorkeling. It is near the airport but far from downtown nightlife. It suits travelers who want calm, a rental home, and a car for getting around.Villa rentalsSnorkelingQuiet escapes

When to go

Dry season

December to April

Weather: Warm, sunny, and lower humidity, with some cooler evenings in January and February.
Crowds: Busiest period, with holidays, spring break, and Junkanoo around Christmas and New Year.
Value: Highest rates, especially over holidays and spring break.

Early summer

May to July

Weather: Hot and more humid, with short showers and calm seas.
Crowds: Moderate, with summer family travel in June and July.
Value: Usually lower than winter, with better value outside school holidays.

Hurricane peak

August to October

Weather: Hot and humid, with the greatest chance of tropical storms.
Crowds: Quietest months.
Value: Usually the best value, with travel insurance strongly advised.

Late fall

November

Weather: Warm, with less rain and humidity as the season changes.
Crowds: Light until Thanksgiving week.
Value: Often good value before holiday rates begin.

Getting the best value

Late summer and early fall usually cost the least, along with the weeks between Easter and the start of summer school holidays. Christmas, New Year, and spring break are the most expensive periods, and rates stay high through the winter dry season.

Check tour dates

Getting there and around

Getting there

Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is on the west side of New Providence, about 20 to 30 minutes by car from Cable Beach and a bit longer to Paradise Island.
Nonstop flights run from many East Coast cities and major US hubs, often quite short from Florida; from the West Coast most routes connect through a hub.
US citizens need a valid passport to fly to The Bahamas and must clear US preclearance on the way home; check current entry rules before booking.
Taxis wait at the airport with set fares by zone, and many resorts offer shuttles or arranged transfers.

Getting around

Taxis are the main way to get around; agree on the fare before you ride, since many are not metered.
Jitneys, the local minibuses, run along main routes like Cable Beach to downtown during the day and are inexpensive, but they stop running in the evening.
Water taxis cross the harbor between downtown and Paradise Island, and you can walk the bridge if you like.
Rental cars are available, but traffic drives on the left and downtown traffic is heavy, so most visitors only rent to explore the west end.

Eat and drink

Conch saladFresh raw conch diced with onion, peppers, tomato, and lots of citrus juice, made to order in front of you. Arawak Cay is the classic place to try it.Cracked conchConch pounded thin, battered, and fried, usually with fries or peas and rice. A filling lunch at casual local spots.Peas 'n' rice and mac and cheeseRice cooked with pigeon peas, and a baked, firm Bahamian macaroni and cheese, are standard sides with almost any main dish.Guava duffA traditional dessert of soft dough rolled with guava and served warm with a sweet butter or rum sauce. Look for it at local restaurants and festivals.Sky juice and rum punchSky juice mixes gin, coconut water, and condensed milk, and rum punch is on nearly every beach bar menu. Both are stronger than they taste.Johnnycake and fish breakfastJohnnycake is a dense, slightly sweet bread, and a traditional weekend breakfast is boil fish or stew fish served with grits. Try it for a local start to the day.

Day trips from Nassau and Paradise Island

Exuma Cays and the swimming pigsBoat and small plane trips head to the Exuma Cays, where pigs swim out to visitors at Big Major Cay and sandbars sit in very clear water. It is a long, full day on the water, so bring sun protection and expect some rough rides on windy days.Explore related tours

Harbour IslandA fast ferry from downtown Nassau reaches Harbour Island, known for its long pink sand beach and the quiet colonial streets of Dunmore Town. Golf carts are the main transport there, and the ferry ride can be bumpy in open water.Explore related tours

Rose IslandRose Island is a short boat ride east of Nassau, with quiet beaches and shallow reefs for snorkeling. Half-day and full-day boat trips often stop here, and it is a good choice for families who want an easy outing.Explore related tours

EleutheraEleuthera is a long, thin island east of Nassau reached by fast ferry or a short flight, with quiet beaches, small towns, and the Glass Window Bridge. It is a big island, so a day trip only covers part of it, and many people prefer to stay a night or two.Explore related tours

Sample itineraries

5 days in Nassau and Paradise Island

Day 1Arrive, settle in, and spend the afternoon on Cabbage Beach or Cable Beach.
Day 2Walk downtown to Parliament Square, the Queen's Staircase, and Fort Fincastle in the morning, then browse the Straw Market.
Day 3Take a full-day boat or air trip to the Exumas to see the swimming pigs, sandbars, and clear water.
Day 4Snorkel at Love Beach in the morning, then visit Fort Charlotte and have dinner at the Arawak Cay Fish Fry.
Day 5Spend a slow last morning on the beach, and stop at Junkanoo Beach if you have time before your flight.

Browse activities for this itinerary

7 days: Nassau plus an out island

Day 1Arrive and settle in at Cable Beach or Paradise Island, with a sunset walk on the sand.
Day 2Explore downtown, with Parliament Square, the Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, and Bay Street.
Day 3Visit Fort Charlotte and Ardastra Gardens, then eat at the Arawak Cay Fish Fry in the evening.
Day 4Take a fast ferry to Harbour Island for the pink sand beach and the town of Dunmore Town, returning in the evening.
Day 5Rest on Cabbage Beach and try water sports, or take a short boat trip to Rose Island to snorkel.
Day 6Take a day trip to the Exumas for the swimming pigs, sandbars, and snorkel stops.
Day 7Snorkel at Love Beach or walk Clifton Heritage National Park before heading to the airport.

Browse activities for this itinerary

Good to know

The Bahamian dollar is equal to the US dollar, and US cash is accepted almost everywhere, so you do not need to change money.
Check restaurant bills before tipping, since many places add a service charge of around 15 percent automatically.
Use reef-safe sunscreen, wear a rash guard for long snorkel trips, and reapply often, since the sun is strong all year.
Downtown is busiest on days when several cruise ships are in port, so plan your walking tour early or on a lighter ship day.
Stay aware of your surroundings after dark, especially downtown and in quiet areas; use taxis at night rather than walking.
Beach vendors and hair braiders can be persistent; a polite, clear no thank you is usually enough.

Questions people ask

What is the best time to visit Nassau?

December through April is the driest and most comfortable time, though it costs the most. Late spring and November offer a good balance of weather and value.

Do I need a passport for The Bahamas?

Yes, US citizens flying to The Bahamas need a valid passport. Check current entry rules before booking.

Can I use US dollars in Nassau?

Yes, US dollars are accepted almost everywhere and are worth the same as Bahamian dollars. You may get change in Bahamian currency.

Do I need to rent a car?

Most visitors do not, since taxis, jitneys, and water taxis cover the main areas. A car helps only if you want to explore the quieter west end.

Is Nassau good for families?

Yes, with calm beaches, forts, a small zoo, and big resorts with pools and water activities. Paradise Island and Cable Beach are the easiest bases with children.

How many days should I spend in Nassau?

Four to five days covers beaches, downtown history, and a day trip to the Exumas. A week lets you add Harbour Island or more boat time.

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