Everything You Need to Know About the Nassau Cruise Port

Almost every seasoned cruiser has sailed at least once to Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas, as it’s one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, capable of accommodating up to seven ships at a time. It's also one of those cruise ports that invites controversy. 

If you’ve heard negative reviews about Nassau from past cruisers, know that things have changed. A multi-million dollar renovation in 2023 completely transformed the cruise terminal, making it more welcoming and organized and eliminating many of the old complaints about pushy vendors and rundown infrastructure.

And yes, there are still local vendors immediately outside the cruise terminal area, and yes they will ask you to buy stuff. But just avoid eye contact, firmly say "no thank you," and keep it moving.

While I get that some cruisers dislike Nassau because of the vendors, I personally enjoy it. I think the beaches are gorgeous (if you know the ones to visit and which to avoid), and there's a lot to do that is inexpensive and walkable from the cruise port. 

Related🎥: Why does everyone hate Nassau? 

Some cruisers worry for their safety in Nassau, which is an unfounded fear, in my opinion. I travel to Nassau often, even solo and with my young daughter, and have never had any issues, nor have I felt unsafe.

Like any other touristic city, there is crime here, but it mainly impacts residents engaged in organized crime activity in the "over the hill" area. Avoid this area, and don't get into any illegal shenanigans, and you'll be just fine.

🚨 Important: Don’t wear camouflage here—it’s illegal in the Bahamas for civilians to wear camo. 

Related 🎥: Watch all my Nassau video content

 
Language and Currency in Nassau

English is widely spoken in Nassau, as it's the official language, and U.S. dollars are accepted, so there’s no need to exchange currency. Many vendors will negotiate on prices, and you’ll have more bargaining power if paying in cash rather than a credit card, though.

While vendors in the tourist areas will readily accept US currency, the Bahamian Dollar (BSD) is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively, B$, and it has a 1:1 exchange rate with USD.

If you do plan to shop with a credit card, opt for a travel-specific credit card instead of a debit card whenever possible. Travel credit cards often provide better fraud protection, lower foreign transaction fees, and added perks like purchase protection or travel rewards, making them a safer and more beneficial choice for international purchases.

Things to Do at the Nassau Cruise Port

One of the many things I like about Nassau is its variety, as it offers a mix of historical landmarks, local culture, shopping, and beaches, all easily accessible from the port. 

Best Nassau Beaches for Cruisers

The Bahamas are famous for their stunning beaches, and Nassau is no exception. I'm always blown away here by the almost unreal-looking turquoise color of the water.

As for beaches, some public beaches are walkable from the port, but these can become overcrowded, especially on busy cruise days. What happens too often is that cruisers seek out one of these public beaches, find them overcrowded and filled with pushy vendors, have a bad experience, and then paint Nassau with the "it's a bad cruise port" brush. 

So if you seek out a public beach, know there will be throngs of people there, many of them blasting their preferred music via Bluetooth speakers. There will also be lots of vendors, and there's a better-than-good chance that a local will even try to sell you drugs. You will likely smell marijuana. Locals will also try to rent you an umbrella and chair and sometimes get a little, well, not nice when you tell them no. 

If these things don't deter you (or hey, even if they appeal to you -- no judgment here), here are some of the best public beaches in Nassau: 

• Junkanoo Beach (closest to the port, and walkable, but can get crowded)
• Cabbage Beach (scenic but requires a taxi; the waves can get very aggressive here!)
• Cable Beach (pristine but further from the port and will require a taxi)

Here's one of my favorite Nassau insider tips... Goodman's Bay is a park that serves as an access point to Cable Beach, and not many cruisers know about it. It's a nice hidden spot if you want a quiet beach day, but there's no easy access to bathrooms, food, or chair rentals. 

Related🎥: Discovering Goodman's Bay

When it comes to a beach day experience in Nassau, my top recommendation here is always to book a private beachfront experience with a resort day pass. The experience with these, versus the public beaches, is night-and-day. Keep reading for my top recommendations for resort day passes in Nassau.

Related 🎥: Why cruisers hate Nassau

Not all cruisers, however, have the budget for private passes, as they aren't cheap in Nassau. If you visit one of the public beaches and want to avoid the unsavory aspects that make them unappealing, your best bet is to venture further down the beach away from the crowds.

Cruisers often bunch up together at the most accessible public beach access point, not realizing that investing a little bit of time walking down further will result in a much better, quieter beach day experience. 

Related🎥: Exploring Nassau's Public Beaches

Top Nassau Attractions Within Walking Distance

If you prefer to explore Nassau on foot, and experience things of the non-beachy variety, you have a lot of options -- just check out this Nassau downtown walking map. Here are some must-visit stops:

Queen’s Staircase & Fort Fincastle

The Queen’s Staircase, a 66-step landmark, was hand-carved by slaves in the late 1700s in honor of Queen Victoria. The steps lead up to Fort Fincastle, offering panoramic views of Nassau. This is a quick, easy stop about one mile from the port, and there's a little straw market at the site if you want to shop. Best of all, it's free.

Related🎥: What to expect at Queen's Staircase. 

John Watling’s Distillery

For rum lovers, visiting John Watling’s Distillery is a must. And hey, I don't even like rum (and I don't drink much), but I still love this little spot. Located in a historic estate, the free guided tour walks you through the rum-making process, and, of course, includes samples of their famous Bahamian rums. And yes, kids are allowed here too! The tour is very brief and to the point, just how I like it, and a visit here can be done in less than half an hour.

Related🎥: What to expect at Watling's Distillery.

Graycliff Hotel & Cigar Factory

A historic mansion-turned-hotel, Graycliff is home to a cigar factory, chocolate factory, wine cellar, and lush gardens. This spot is ideal for a nice quick visit, especially as there are plenty of Insta-worthy photo ops, including the colorful umbrella alley on the property.

Bahamas Rum Cake Factory

If you're walking from the port to Queen’s Staircase, stop at the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory to sample freshly made Bahamian rum cakes. The shop is small, and this is a popular stop, so the line can look crazy, but they run a smooth operation, and the line moves quickly. And yes, because the cakes are individually sealed and packaged, you can bring them back on the ship and fly home with them, no problem.

Related🎥: What to expect at the Bahamas Rum Cake Factory.

Pirate Museum

A family-friendly stop, the Pirates of Nassau Museum is a walkable attraction, only about 10-12 minutes from the cruise port, featuring interactive exhibits on the Bahamas’ history of piracy.

Fish Fry Market

Less than two miles from the port, the Fish Fry in Arawak Cay is a collection of colorful, locally owned restaurants serving authentic Bahamian food. This is the best place to try fried conch and other local specialties. On a recent visit, I stopped by to try fried conch, and it was crazy to see it being harvested from the ocean right there on-site. It truly is the freshest of the fresh.

Related🎥: Trying fresh conch in Nassau

Museum of Junkanoo

Located right at the cruise terminal, the Museum of Junkanoo offers a quick look into the history of Junkanoo, the Bahamas’ famous carnival festival. It’s not free, but it’s a great short stop if you’re interested in cultural history and are looking for something to do close to the cruise port.

Señor Frog’s

Fans of the cruise bar scene will love the fact that there’s a Señor Frog’s immediately to the right upon exiting the port. It’s a lively waterfront bar and restaurant known for its fun atmosphere.

Nassau Straw Market

Once you exit the cruise port area, you can't miss the famous Nassau Straw Market, which lies right outside the exit gates. Nassau's Straw Market offers handmade crafts, souvenirs, and local goods, although note that many items here aren't actually handmade but are rather mass-produced overseas and imported in.

The term "straw market" reflects the Bahamas’ long tradition of straw weaving, which dates back centuries as a way for locals to craft baskets, hats, and bags. Originally developed as a practical skill, it evolved into a major part of Bahamian culture and tourism. 

Best Beach Resorts for Cruisers

As noted above, I think Nassau has some of the most stunning beaches, but the public beaches just aren't for me. I find them overcrowded and, honestly, kind of gross.

So on most of my visits to Nassau, which are frequent, I always spring for a resort day pass instead. Food and drinks at these locations are pretty expensive, though, so unless you're visiting one of Nassau's rare all-inclusive properties, I always recommend eating before and/or after your visit, rather than on-site. You also might want to consider bringing your own snacks if you're on a budget. 

Here are some of the best private beachfront options for cruisers in Nassau, all of which offer private beachfront access:

British Colonial (Closest & Most Affordable)

• Closest to the port (next to Margaritaville)
• Affordable resort pass with access to a pool, loungers, and kayaks and towels provided
• Newly renovated and offers a relaxed vibe
• Kids are welcome here, but it lacks some of the kid-friendly elements like waterslides.

Get pricing and book British Colonial  | Related🎥: Spending the day at British Colonial

Margaritaville (Best for Families)

• Walkable from the port
• Features a lazy river, kayaks, water slides, surf simulator, and a high jump
• Towels are provided, which is a nice perk since you don't have to lug them from the ship.
• Private section of Junkanoo Beach, avoiding the crowded public area

Get pricing and book Margaritaville | Related🎥: Spending the day at Margaritaville

Baha Mar (Luxury & Waterpark)

• Requires a taxi ride but worth it for luxury lovers
• Includes Baha Bay Waterpark with slides, lazy river, and pools
• This is sort of like "Atlantis-lite," offering a lot of the same things as Atlantis, but at a slightly lower cost.
• Private access to Cable Beach, plus loungers and towels included

Get pricing and book Baha Mar | Related🎥: Exploring Baha Mar

RIU Palace (All-Inclusive & Adults-Only)

• The only true all-inclusive Nassau resort day pass option
• Private access to Cabbage Beach
• Infinity pool, premium food, and drinks included
• This is a great option, but the property itself is a bit dated, and the pool is pretty small

Get pricing and book RIU Palace | Related 🎥: Exploring RIU in Nassau

Atlantis (Best Waterpark Experience, but $$$)

• Expensive, but worth it if you love waterslides
• Day pass grants access to Aquaventure Waterpark and Cabbage Beach
• Located on Paradise Island, requiring a taxi or ferry ride
• If you're not a "waterslide" person, I recommend one of the other more affordable options

Get pricing and book Atlantis | Related🎥: Is Atlantis worth it?

Breezes (All-Inclusive and Older Kids Only)

 Offers multiple pools, water activities, and unlimited food and drinks

• Adult-ish vibe (ages 14+ only), making it a great option for families with older kids
• Solid mid-range all-inclusive option that provides a more relaxed, less crowded experience compared to other resorts. 
• Fronts Cable Beach with private access

Get pricing and book Breezes

Transportation in Nassau

While Nassau is a great port because of its walkability, sometimes you need to get somewhere that isn't accessible on foot, or you may have mobility issues that prohibit easy walking.

The great news is that getting around Nassau is easy, and there are several options, all easily accessible from the cruise port area, but there are no rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft.

Jitneys (Local Buses)

• Run frequently between downtown Nassau and Cable Beach
• Cost: $1.50 per ride (exact change required)

Taxis

• Flat rates (negotiated upfront), as taxis do not use meters
• Expect to pay $15-$20 for common routes (e.g., port to Paradise Island)
• Cash is preferred, as many taxis don’t take credit cards
• There are always taxis waiting outside the port area and at major tourist destination, so they're easy to find

Water Taxis (Ferries to Paradise Island)

• Operate from Festival Place & Woodes Rogers Wharf
• Cost: $6 per person (one-way)
• Depart every 30 minutes for a quick 10-minute ride

Private Driver (Best for Custom Tours)

I highly recommend hiring a private driver for cruisers wanting a more personalized way to explore Nassau. My go-to guy is Clement (book him here), and he'll take you anywhere you want to go in Nassau, and you can explore each site on your own terms and at your own pace.

Related: Book the best Nassau private driver

I'm a big fan of private drivers and recommend them at several popular cruise port destinations. They're especially a bargain if you're traveling with a group of 4+ people sharing the cost. Sharing a private driver is often cheaper than booking a cruise line excursion!  

Related 🎥: My experience in Nassau with a private driver

Is Nassau Really That Bad?!

With beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and great local food, Nassau has plenty to offer cruisers. The 2023 cruise port renovations have significantly improved the experience, and sticking to the main tourist areas ensures a safe, enjoyable visit.

Related🎥: Is Nassau safe for cruisers?

Seriously, ignore the Nassau haters.

For the best Nassau experience, I recommend:
✔️ Checking how many ships are in port to plan your visit
✔️ Walking to key attractions (Queen’s Staircase, Graycliff, Bahamas Rum Cake Factory, John Watling’s)
✔️ Booking a resort pass for a relaxing beach day
✔️ Haggling with vendors for the best prices, especially with cash

Nassau is a port that keeps getting better every time I visit. I promise you that with the right planning, knowing what to do and what to avoid, and going into your visit here with a positive, open mind, it can be one of the best stops on your cruise itinerary.