Things to Do in Nassau and Paradise Island

October 18, 2026

Travel advisory: The US State Department rates The Bahamas Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, because of crime, and the UK Foreign Office also warns of violent crime on New Providence. Both governments single out jet skis and other poorly regulated water sports, and the UK adds that fatal shark attacks can happen without warning around baited water. Read the current US advisory and UK advice before you book anything.

Nassau sits on New Providence, with Paradise Island just north across the harbour. The Bahamian dollar is pegged one to one with the US dollar and both circulate at par, so there is nothing to exchange. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, with the peak from mid-August to mid-October, so check forecasts if you travel in autumn.

Rum, food and culture

John Watling’s Distillery is at 17 Delancy Street on the Buena Vista Estate. The walk-in tour is free and ends with a complimentary cocktail sample. It runs daily from 10am to 6pm and closes on Bahamian public holidays. Paid sessions such as rum tasting, mixology and bottle-your-own exist, but no prices are published, so ask on the day. Details are at johnwatlings.com .

Arawak Cay, known as the Fish Fry, is a strip of Bahamian seafood stalls on West Bay Street. Goldie’s Conch House (conch fritters and sky juice), Drifters (conch salad) and The New Duff (guava duff) are named in recent coverage. Many stalls prefer cash, and evenings are busiest. Jitney Route 10 stops nearby.

The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas in Villa Doyle on West Hill Street charges $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors and students, and nothing for under 12s. It is closed on Mondays.

Under the water

Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas operates from Coral Harbour Road and offers scuba, snorkel trips to reefs and wrecks, Snuba and film-site dives. Its Shark Adventure is two dives with Caribbean reef sharks fed by staff, run at designated sites by professionals. Booking online saves $10 per person per activity, and the company takes cards only. Prices are not published on its website .

Clifton Heritage National Park offers snorkelling over the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden: $50 self-guided or $75 guided with gear. Ask at the gate whether park admission is added. The park is also a site that honours enslaved people, so arrive in a quiet frame of mind. Current fees are listed on the Clifton Heritage Authority page .

Beaches and sea safety

Cable Beach, in front of the Baha Mar resort, and Love Beach in the north-west are the usual choices for a swim. The tourism board says about 40 acres of protected coral lie near Love Beach. No source confirms lifeguards at the main public beaches, so never swim alone, stay out of the water at dusk and avoid any spot where operators throw bait.

Jet skis deserve a plain warning. The US Embassy advises Americans to avoid renting them anywhere in The Bahamas, citing hospitalisations, unlicensed operators and assaults on customers. The safest choice is not to rent one.

Getting around

Jitney buses cost about $1.50 in exact cash, and Route 10 runs from downtown to Cable Beach past Fort Charlotte, Ardastra Gardens and Arawak Cay. Jitneys do not go to the airport or Paradise Island. Taxis charge government zone fares and have no meters, so agree the total before you set off.

To compare organised options, browse Nassau activity listings .