Sunday, March 31, 2024

Top 8 Bahamas Shore Excursions You Have to Try

nassau bahamas carnival cruise excursions

You’ll also have the chance to swim and snorkel, but you’ll have to bring your own gear. Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, is popular with cruise lines, offering a bit of island sun and bargain shopping close to Florida. But with such a popular cruise port, it may be difficult to choose between the many Nassau, Bahamas excursions available, whether they are ship-sponsored or independent excursions. If you are organising a special day for a group we can help you arrange private or custom excursions. Nassau offers an abundance of activities and tours both above and below the turquoise waters that surround this tropical island.

Nassau Highlights Boat Tour: Historic Sites, Beaches, and Mansions

Here are some of the ways you can explore all the island has to offer. Festival Place, which sits right on the wharf, has more than 40 local vendors selling artisanal items. Cruise to Nassau and make your way to Bay Street— just a block away— for duty-free luxury goods. This waterfront promenade is a bargain-hunter’s paradise, and the nearby Straw Market is the go-to spot for authentic Bahamian hand-made treasures. Bahamian cuisine showcases local seafood and reflects Spanish, West African, and British influences. Rock lobster and conch are served up in a variety of ways— from hearty chowders and fried fritters to citrus salads.

Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour

Enjoy a 20-minute boat ride through the beautiful canals of Grand Bahama Island then arrive at Sanctuary Bay where you’ll have an opportunity to swim with the dolphins in the open ocean. Or elect for the encounter where you’ll also visit Sanctuary Bay, a natural 9-acre lagoon and home to fourteen Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. Upgrades such as snorkeling gear and kayaks are available for an additional fee. If a unique experience is what you’re after, this is one of the best excursions in Nassau. This tour gives you the chance to splash alongside the famous swimming pigs of the Bahamas, a rarity not found in many other places. While there are pigs in several of the archipelago’s islands, Pig Beach is the most popular one due to its proximity to Nassau.

nassau bahamas carnival cruise excursions

Nassau Shore Excursions

nassau bahamas carnival cruise excursions

Browse Bahamas shore excursions before you set sail, and consider the following 8 great options. The capital of The Bahamas has long been known as one of the top tourist destinations in the world. The beautiful beaches are no doubt one of its main draws, but there are plenty of other types of fun to be had in this Bahamian paradise. If you’re taking a cruise to Nassau, you’ll definitely want to look into some of the fun adventures you can find while docking in this historic town. Check out some of these activities to make the most of your cruise to The Bahamas. Junkanoo Beach is a free, public stretch of sand with affordable lounge-chair and umbrella rentals and tasty Bahama Mamas.

Junkanoo Beach

Cruise ships visiting Nassau dock at the Prince George Wharf within short walking distance of Bay Street and the downtown district. Passengers who are booked on excursions arranged by the cruise line will find providers staged in areas leading from the dock. Private operators, including those who booked tours with guests separate from the cruise line, will be found beyond the first group. Nassau, Bahamas offers a wide range of shore excursions that cater to every interest and age group. From thrilling water parks to cultural tours, underwater explorations and even culinary delights, there's something for everyone in this Caribbean paradise. So, whether you're planning a family vacation, a romantic getaway or a seniors retreat, Nassau is the perfect destination to create unforgettable memories through its exciting shore excursions.

You might want to do little more than lounge on a sunny beach, or you might want a day packed full of high-adrenaline adventures. Whatever your preference, there are plenty of Bahamian cruise excursions available to make it all possible. If you’ve ever dreamed of riding horseback into the surf, then the Horseback Riding by Land and Sea excursion in Half Moon Cay is for you. Matched with a horse suited to your riding experience, you’ll ride up a winding trail to the highest point on the island, a spot affording unmatched panoramic views across the ocean. Return to the corral to exchange your saddle for a special pad, then ride right into the ocean for a refreshing and exciting horseback swim. Junkanoo Beach in downtown Nassau is one of the liveliest beach scenes you’ll find in The Bahamas.

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Yet visitors are missing out on genuine colonial-era history if they don't also spend time exploring the historic architecture and attractions located steps from the cruise pier. And, don't forget that the Chase travel portal offers excursions bookable with cash or Ultimate Rewards points. The tour includes a local guide, water, lunch, transportation in an air-conditioned minibus, and chances to taste local food and drinks. This shore excursion in Nassau also includes free pickup and drop-off at your cruise ship, hotel, or vacation rental.

It’s also an excellent natural filtration system for their well water. It was built in 1793 and was designed to protect from invasion, but it saw very little action. The Queen’s Staircase is sometimes also called “the 66 steps.” These steps, which have been retro-fitted with handrails and include a few small landings, were not challenging for our group. Only two chose not to climb the staircase; our guide drove them to Fort Fincastle to meet us. The Bahamas Rum Cake Factory was probably the most delicious stop on this tour. We were given a brief overview of the factory and samples of the rum cakes, which are small Bundt cakes soaked in Ole Nassau Rum.

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Additionally, be prepared for the tour to take place in various weather conditions, with provided ponchos in case of rain. At Stingray Cove in Half Moon Cay, gentle, mesmerizing stingrays congregate in crystal-clear, shallow waters. Choose the Stingray Adventure and you can encounter stingrays in the water, touching and feeding them with the assistance of a guide. If you’re in the mood to check out some wildlife, take the Ardastra Gardens and City Tour. You can explore the beautiful grounds of The Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Center, which is home to hundreds of mammals, birds and reptiles.

Take on the best excursions in Nassau by opting for thrilling jeep tours that offer different exploration experiences. Personally, I love the immersive experience and feeling the wind while traveling on this beautiful island. Enjoy off-road adventures and coastal cruising among the tours that I selected after extensive research. Last, this rum tour in Nassau will pass by Bob Marley’s former home for cool stories. The excursion ends at Cable Beach, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, where you’ll have some time to relax and swim. My advice is to skip the swimming part if you had way too many drinks.

It’s close to the cruise port, so you can easily head over to the pier after an exciting day shopping or a lazy day lounging on the sand. If you want to take home some authentic Bahamian souvenirs, there’s no better place to visit than the Straw Market. Here you’ll find hundreds of local handicrafts, including the famous woven straw bowls that are such a strong part of Bahamian tradition. You’ll also find T-shirts, beaded necklaces and plenty of other island-themed souvenirs to take home with you.

The British Colonial Hilton Nassau is another Nassau resort where you can use points. Spend 50,000 Hilton Honors points for a night's stay (which you'd use as a day room). You can earn points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

The purchase window for certain products and activities closes before to the sail end date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us on board, we'll help you find what you’re looking for. We warmly welcome all Carnival Sunshine Cruise Ship Passengers to the Port of Nassau and the Port of Freeport, Bahamas. The Jeep tour includes other stops and sights, so make sure to click the link and see the detailed description.

NAS Shore Excursions

nassau bahamas carnival cruise excursions

If you're a fan of marine life, the Dip 'N Discover dolphin interaction is an activity you won't want to miss. This interactive experience allows you to get up close and personal with dolphins in a natural lagoon setting. Learn about their behaviors, participate in hands-on activities and even enjoy a swim with these incredible creatures. You will also be offered chocolates made in the hotel’s own chocolate factory, which can also be toured as a separate excursion and is a fun activity for the whole family. First one is Graycliff Chocolatier, Nassau’s exclusive bean-to-bar chocolate factory. The second is John Watling’s Distillery, where artisanal Bahamian rums are meticulously crafted.

ADD A BOOKING

An easy hike with a guide who focuses on natural history and geology is also featured, along with lunch in a beachfront picnic spot. The Nicest Beach Is Cabbage BeachIf you’re headed out on an excursion to a beach, you can rest assured you’ll visit somewhere nice. If you’re trying to plan a beach day on your own, then we’d suggest Cabbage Beach.

Private Paradise

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It’s a wide spot that stretches for more than a mile, has golden sand and crystal clear water. It can get crowded with lots of tourists and vendors, but if you want fewer people, then just walk down the beach some to find your own spot. Cruise lines offer excursions on jet boats and scuba diving, along with cooking classes and walking tours. Want to see Caribbean reef sharks without putting your toes in the water?

Experience Nassau Shore Excursions with these sailings

A short, 30-minute boat ride off the coast is Pearl Island, one of the unique private islands of The Bahamas. Spend the day on water trampolines, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Or relax in front of the iconic lighthouse while enjoying a frozen drink and freshly made conch salad. Once you’ve climbed the Queen’s Staircase, you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous view and the chance to explore a fort that—like the Queen’s Staircase—was cut from limestone in the 1790s.

Whether you choose a half-day or full-day adventure, our Nassau shore excursions are designed to give you an unforgettable experience. With excursions you can get out of the city a little bit, and it’s much easier than planning yourself. Much of what you can do revolves around hitting the beaches in the area, usually with a boat ride over to the spot and lunch. There are beach days, snorkeling tours, swimming with pigs, and more. Nassau's nearby private islands offer a premium beach experience within a 15- to 20-minute ferry ride.

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So while The Bahamas is known for its laid-back vibe and atmosphere, don’t be surprised if it seems anything but that when you arrive. Across a narrow channel from New Providence sits Paradise Island, which is easily recognizable by the large Atlantis resort. This spot is also where the well-heeled have houses, including a number of famous celebrities. These days, it’s among the busiest cruise destinations on the planet with literally millions of passengers visiting each year. So if you have an upcoming stop in Nassau, then know you aren’t alone. Excursions that include access to Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas seem to no longer mention the name of the mega-resort that made Paradise Island famous.

Plan Your Visit

nassau bahamas carnival cruise excursions

You can take a beginner’s scuba tour to learn the basic how-tos, or experienced divers can gear up and head to the island’s famous Rainbow Reef. It’s only a 45-minute boat ride from Nassau Harbor, and this tropical oasis is home to some of the most beautiful coral structures in the world. You can snorkel, scuba dive, or simply swim the crystal waters while visiting from your cruise to Nassau. Nassau, the Bahamas, combines the excitement of a big city with the relaxed lifestyle of a Caribbean utopia. Located on New Providence Island, Nassau's sightseeing opportunities, crystal clear blue waters, and white sand beaches make it a truly remarkable tropical vacation destination. This city serves as the heart of the Bahamas and is near Paradise Island, Blue Lagoon Island, Salt Cay, Rose Island, Ardastra Gardens, Cable Beach, and Arawak Cay.

Stingray City Bahamas

Nassau's Caribbean flavor, warm temperatures and beautiful natural environment have made the port a staple on cruise itineraries. Montague Beach is situated east of the Paradise Island Bridge and is home to a historic fort constructed in the 18th century. The beach promenade is a popular hangout on weekends and public holidays, with local vendors offering delicious local food and drinks. In addition to the nearby private-island beach experiences, there are several local beaches within walking or short driving distance. The good news is that, with a little preparation, it will be easy to find the right Nassau activity to fit your personal vacation style.

nassau bahamas carnival cruise excursions

Another fun way to explore downtown Nassau is by joining an e-scooter or bike tour. If you don’t have much time to spare but want to get a nice overview of the city’s highlights, book one of the many boat tours that sail past some of Nassau’s attractions. Most will offer views of Potter’s Cay Dock, Fort Montagu, The Cloisters, the area’s stunning mansions and the local sailing club. You will also see many of the island’s popular beaches, such as Junkanoo Beach and Arawak Cay.

The luxury 50-foot sailing yacht is manned by a friendly crew who’ll provide cool drinks and a freshly prepared lunch. There’s also a stop for swimming and snorkeling over a beautiful reef, and you’re welcome to help sail the yacht on the return leg of the voyage. If rumbling along rugged back-country roads to remote beaches and crumbling old ruins sounds appealing, opt for the Dune Buggy Heritage Adventure Tour from Princess Cays. Drive a dune buggy away from the island’s tourist areas, getting dusty and muddy as you follow your guide to a secluded beach where you have time to enjoy the sand and sea.

You can choose the standard beach break option with lunch, beach games and use of water noodles and tubes. Or you can upgrade to a tour that includes snorkeling or swimming with stingrays, dolphins, sharks and even sea lions. Welcome to Nassau, Bahamas, a sunny island with beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters and a lot of fun things to do! The city is the capital of the Bahamas and offers a blend of natural beauty and rich history. The year-round tropical, warm weather and turquoise waters are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and water sports.

Most cruise lines offer shore excursions to Blue Lagoon Island, but travelers can also book a visit through a travel advisor or on their own online. The excursion tends to be popular and does sell out, so be sure to reserve early in your voyage or before you leave home. Beach lovers and travelers who enjoy water sports, diving or snorkeling will find a wide variety of excursions and activities to suit their tastes. Nassau is also filled with historic sites and shopping opportunities.

Families will find some of the craftsman working on their next creations. It’s fun to watch how quickly and creatively they can chisel and hammer the wood. Once an open-air affair, Nassau's long-running Straw Market is located in the center of the retail action on Bay Street and also offers Bahamian gifts, crafts and souvenirs. Bay Street also features a proliferation of high-end, designer stores selling luxury goods including apparel, jewelry, cosmetics and fragrances.

In my opinion, going on an ATV tour in Nassau, Bahamas is a fantastic choice for a few simple reasons. It’s loads of fun as you explore the island, from jungles to beaches. But whatever tour you choose for your holiday, make sure to book them as soon as possible.

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