Sign in with Facebook"A day in Nassau, Bahamas" Nassau by Marilu33
Nassau Travel Guide: 649 reviews and 1,318 photos
Our group of six decided our time in Nassau would be best used by taking a tour during our day there. We hadn't arranged anything before we got on the ship, so between sailing and leaving Key West we contacted someone back home and he arranged a tour for us over the internet. We settled on a four hour private tour at a cost of $40 for each of us. That seemed very reasonable. We set a time for 10 am and were directed to meet at a fountain across from the emigration building where we first entered Nassau.
We weren't sure what to expect, after the rent-a-wreck in Freeport, we thought we might be traveling in a rusty old van, but we were very pleased to be picked up in a lovely new 30 passenger bus with air-conditioning. Our driver, joe, who was the owner of the small touring company, was educated and knowledgeable about all things Nassau and Bahamas and treated us to a wide variety of sights and experiences during our four hours. We were able to give plenty of input to the things we wanted to see, and Joe ran with that and added things that he know we would be interested in.
We were really pleased with the tour, and got to see the usual tourist things as well as get some great insights and views of life in Nassau and in the Bahamas in general. for some of us the highlight was a stop at the Atlantis resort on Paradise island, for others of us it was a chance to see how native fishermen remove the conchs from their shells and then sample the meat prepared on the spot with fruits, onion and peppers from a nearby produce stall. Thanks, Joe! We recommend him and his tour company to anyone who wants a made to order informative and fascinating look at Nassau and Bahamian life.
To book a tour like ours go to http://bahamascruiseexcursions.com/PrivateIslandTours.htm
We were all so pleased and would recommend the experience to anyone, as you can personalize it to however you want to spend your time.
We enjoyed seeing some of the usual tourist stops like Fort Fincastle, the Queen's Staircase, and The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. We spent some time at the fort and went down the staircase, and also were able to go through the casino into the resort for a peek at the interior, as far as they allow the public in. Fort Fincastle is the highest point on the island and allows a view over the island for some great photos. The Queen's staircase was cut by slaves to allow the stone quarried there to be brought up to build the nearby fort. The stairs lead down into a shady canyon created by the stone quarrying. There are quite a few stalls for shopping here, but our tour guide recommended the straw market or the market by the port entrance for more genuine native items and to avoid some of the knock off made in China stuff sold at the other locations.
Most of our group went back to the ship after the tour, but my brother and I went down the waterfront a little to spend a little time on the beach. There is public beach down a little from the port entrance, and though it isn't as nice maybe as the resorts, at least we got our feet in the sand and water a bit. I even found a couple of tiny little shells. The rain clouds were gathering, so we got some fun photos, but then hurried back to the ship as the rain started to fall.
- Pros:Plenty of different things to see and do
- Cons:Have to know what you're doing when shopping
- In a nutshell:Go beyond the resorts for cool new experiences!
Reviews (8)
Public Beach Near the Cruise port
Things to Do
(6)
In the afternoon of our day in Nassau after we were done with our tour and a little shopping at the port market, my... more travel advice
Atlantis lobby no longer open to public
Things to Do
(6)
We had understood from past reviews that we would be able to go into the lobby of the Atlantis resort, but were told by... more travel advice
The Queen's Staircase
Things to Do
(6)
The Queen's staircase is named after Queen Victoria who is revered in the Bahamas. The canyon there was created as stone... more travel advice
Fort Fincastle
Things to Do
(6)
Like a lot of people, we went to Fort Fincastle. We liked it. It was only a dollar, is the highest point on the island,... more travel advice
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Comments (3)
Thanks to both of you. I hope you do get to tour with Joe, and I'd love to read about it afterwards!
Hi Marilu and a big welcome to vt! Your Fresh Conch video attracted me to your page.... and I am glad!! Just loved the read and pix!! :o) I've saved your tip on a day trip with Joe. I'd like to do the same thing when we eventually visit the Bahamas. btw, your tip is the first one for our next trip that I have saved. Thank you! Cheers, Ann.
Lovely page! I love your photos, especially of the Atlantis fountain horses!