“Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Nassau?” This is a question that I get asked a lot. Quite frankly, there are some cruise ports where you absolutely must book an excursion, and then there are others where you really don’t have to. Honestly, you definitely don’t NEED to book an excursion in Nassau, however, there are lots of really great options available.
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What is an Excursion?
An excursion is an activity that you book in a cruise port. The excursions range from historic tours, snorkeling and beach tours, visits to popular attractions, activities that will get your adrenaline pumping, and cultural activities. They are booked through local tour companies and cost additional money. Excursions can go from anywhere from $39 to hundreds of dollars for scuba diving, golfing, and helicopter tours.
Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Nassau?
Nassau is one of the cruise ports where you can absolutely get away without booking an excursion. If you’re looking to cruise on a budget (or want to spend the money elsewhere), you can skip booking an excursion. The ships all dock on the northern side of the island right in the heart of downtown Nassau. From here you can easily walk to the world-famous Nassau Straw Market, Pirates of Nassau Museum, Parliament Square, and other local attractions.
You can also easily access Paradise Island and Atlantis from here via taxi or the Nassau-Paradise Island ferry. I recommend visiting Atlantis at least once in your life!
If you do decide to book an excursion in Nassau, there are plenty of great options, which we’ll cover below.
Nearby Beaches
Another option is to hail a cab and head towards one of the nearby beaches. We recommend:
Western Esplanade Beach– First off, this beach is located within walking distance from the pier making it super convenient. You could easily hit up the Straw Market and then make your way to this beautiful beach known for sea glass.
Cove Beach– This picture-perfect beach is located on the Atlantis property. The sand is pillow-soft and the water is PERFECT! There are two bars close to the beach that offer food and drinks. If you head to the northernmost tip of the beach you’ll be able to check out the stacked rocks and carvings made from driftwood.
Cabbage Beach- This beach is located not far from Atlantis. It is honestly one of the best beaches I’ve been to. The water is stunning and there is tons of space to spread out and find your own little piece of paradise.
Cable Beach- This is another popular beach with both locals and tourists. The beach is on the smaller side and can get a bit crowded due to its proximity to bars and restaurants. Snorkeling can be a bit of a challenge here because the water gets a bit choppy.
Jaw’s Beach- Don’t let the name intimidate you! If you’re looking to get away from the crowds, hop in a cab to Jaw’s Beach. If you take a cab there, arrange a time for the cabbie to pick you back up. It can be hard to get a taxi back to the port.
Recommended Excursions in Nassau
Again, although you can definitely get away without booking an excursion in Nassau, there are plenty of great options. When we visit, we love sailing on catamarans, visiting Atlantis, or doing an island tour.
Catamaran Sail & Reef Snorkel & Beach
Although the reef off of Nassau isn’t the prettiest we’ve ever been to, we still had a blast on this excursion. The catamaran out to the reef takes you past Atlantis and some pretty spectacular homes. After you’ve snorkeled for a bit, you are taken to a private island for a brief 30-minute beach stop. The tour lasts about 4 hours.
Top 10 Best of Nassau
On this 4-hour tour you’ll get to see the sights of Nassau and Paradise Island (home of Atlantis) from an air-conditioned bus. You’ll also get to try local food and drink samples (the cost is rolled into the tour!). You’ll get to check out the Parliament Buildings, the Rum Cake Factory, Atlantis, and make a stop at Queen Anne’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle. This tour combines local history with local cuisine.
SeaTurtle & 4 Island Snorkel Adventure with Beach Break
This tour crams a ton into 4 hours. You’ll hit up all of the best beaches and snorkel spots. What’s even cooler is you get to zip around in a high-speed boat! While you’ll only be able to view some from your vessel, others you’ll get to check out up close. You’ll get to see the island where they shot Gilligan’s island and get to scope out sea turtles and fish while you snorkel at Green Cay. Then it’s off to Rose Island for more snorkeling.
Sun, Sites & Beach Day
This 4-hour tour takes you by some of Nassau’s historic sites including Parliament, the Garden of Remembrance, and more. After seeing a bit of the island, you’ll be taken to a secluded beach for a bit of fun in the sun. There are free chairs available and you can rent an umbrella. There is a bar and restaurant nearby.
Atlantis
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with spending a day at Atlantis. The place is absolutely stunning and there’s truly something there for everyone. Whether you want to check out the water park, lazy river, casino, or aquarium, this place has it all! It’s no wonder many people consider this the #1 excursion in Nassau. Curious about Atlantis? Here are 5 Things to Know Before Your Trip to Atlantis!
Other Excursion Options
Did you know that you don’t have to book an excursion directly through the cruise line? You can book an excursion through an outside vendor! Often times, booking a trusted outdoor vendor is cheaper than going through the cruise line, because you’re cutting out the middle man. Other benefits of booking with an outside vendor include helping the local economy, smaller tour groups, and most tours don’t fill up like they often do on a cruise.
If you’re choosing to book an excursion in Nassau with an outside vendor, we suggest going with a trusted company. See the options below for more great excursions in Nassau.
Make Sure You Take These Along With You!
- Snorkel Mask
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Quick-Dry Beach Towel
- Hat
- Water
If you plan on hitting up the beach, we suggest you bring along snorkel equipment! You’re guaranteed to find something interesting in the turquoise waters that surround the island.
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4 replies on “Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Nassau?”
[…] …Nassau? […]
This article is so helpful to understand before you departured for the vaccations.
Keep in mind that unless you’re on a booked excursion you will not be allowed to walk around and take a taxi to your favorite destination WITHOUT a passport. Passports are required for self-guided touring. We found out too late, so the people we were traveling with who had ID and birth certificates were not allowed to enter the country except on an excursion. So the answer to “Do I need to book an excursion” can be “absolutely” for some people – those without passports.
That’s interesting, I’ve been to Nassau 8 or 9 times now and I’ve never encountered this. I’ve always been allowed back in the port area with my Sail & Sign Card and a driver’s license. That being said, it’s highly suggested that any time you visit a foreign country, you travel with a passport (even if it isn’t required, as with cruising).
In the past, I had to book an excursion because a member of my travel party wasn’t vaccinated, but that’s a different situation.