Sign in with Facebook"Nassau in the Bahamas" Nassau by starship
Nassau Travel Guide: 649 reviews and 1,318 photos
The Bahamas are comprised of nearly 700 islands strung like pearls in an archipelago over a distance of 500 miles. In particular, Nassau is located on New Providence Island and possesses a happy mix of culture, beaches, resorts, shopping, and history. Having visited Nassau 3 times by ship, I can say I always look forward to the first sights coming into view in Nassau's harbor --- the Hog Island Lighthouse and the unforgettable Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island!! I love it as our ship glides into its berth at Prince George's Wharf and I look forward to arriving on Nassau's shore.
Regardless of the number of ships which have preceded us into harbor or the number of tourists that can be seen on the pier, I know it will be a good day in Nassau! The "stable" of ships lined up at Prince George Wharf are in themselves a treat for me and I love to see them and photograph them each and every time.
In the past we have limited ourselves to what we can see on foot or by water taxi. Visiting the Straw Market and taking the water taxi to Paradise Island to get one of the fabulous burgers at Murray's Delicatessen has been de rigor for us. However, the next time we visited we determined to venture further afield to test the proverbial "waters" on New Providence Island and Nassau itself.
The Bahamas possess some interesting history dat1ng back to several hundred years B.C., the time period which is thought to be represented in archaelogical digs around the island. Lucayan Indians (from which Grand Lucaya Island gets its name) were the peaceful inhabitants who were farmers living mostly in thatch huts, making tools and pottery. When Christopher Columbus landed on San Salvador (Or Cat Island depending on the historian) in 1492, there were 40,000 Lucayans living on the scattered Bahama Islands. It is said that within 3 years time, Columbus enslaved the Indians shipping them to Hispanola to toil in his mines. Because of the hardships of slavery and disease brought by the Europeans, the whole tribe was decimated in 25 years' times...a tragedy in every sense of the word.
In days of old, pirates and privateers plied the waters of Caribbean and the coastal United States terrorizing, stealing and murdering many of the unfortunate sea merchants who crossed their paths. Privateers often worked both sides of the law, while pirates were indiscriminate about their prey whether on land or sea.
One of the most notorious pirates ever to sail the seas was one Edward Teach, a.k.a., "Blackbeard." So fearsome was his countenance that victims would often surrender before the first shot was fired. Teach was physically large and formidable and made himself even more so by lighting on fire the hemp woven in his beard!! Then he would stand on deck with his fiery beard brandishing swords, knives and pistols!
While calling Nassau his home, his followers declared him as a sort of magistrate over the "Privateers' Republic" where Edward Teach WAS the law. In 1718, a new Roayl Governor by the name of Woodes Rogers arrived and quickly set about eliminating all pirates but especially Blackbeard. Blackbeard was trapped off the coast of Virginia and mortally wounded by Navy. He was then decapitated and his head hung on the ship's rigging for all to see. During Blackbeard's pirating spree which spanned only 5 years, he captured at least 40 ships. His legend still lives on in the Caribbean and the southeast coast of the United States.
Other well-known pirates in the Caribbean were John Rackham, known as "CALICO JACK", Sir Henry Morgan, and 2 female pirates of much note, Anne Bonney and Mary Read. You will find name references to these famous pirates in many places: cays named for them, rum cakes, stamps with their likenesses, etc. Today Captain Jack Sparrow" of the movie Pirates of the Caribbean puts a friendly and amusing face to the pirate legend, unlike the fearsome & often vicious creatures they really were.
- Pros:Beaches, sealife, shopp1ng, and friendly people
- Cons:Can be quite hot and humid, hurricanes!
- In a nutshell:It's always a good day in Nassau!!
Reviews (17)
The Pompey Museum of Slavery &...
Things to Do
(10)
One of the places I anticipated visiting while in Nassau was the Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emanicipation.... more travel advice
Pirates of Nassau Museum
Things to Do
(10)
On this latest visit to Nassau (Dec., 2009) I finally was able to visit the "Pirates of Nassau Museum" which is within... more travel advice
Graycliff Hotel, Restaurant & Cigar...
Things to Do
(10)
On our most recent visit to Nassau we made a point of visiting the Graycliff Hotel, Restaurant & Cigar Company. Though... more travel advice
Hail Britannia
Things to Do
(10)
A fitting reminder that the Bahamas were once a Crown Colony of Britain, a lovely sculpture of a young Queen Victoria... more travel advice
starship's Related Pages
-
Grand Bahama Island
-
St. Thomas
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Belize City
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
San Juan
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Isla de Roatán
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Trinidad
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Fort-de-France
-
Curaçao
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Sint Maarten
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Tortola
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Costa Rica
-
Dominican Republic
-
Cayman Islands
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
U. S. Virgin Islands
-
Istanbul
-
Kusadasi
-
Sidi Bou Said
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Carthage
Top 5 Page for this destination
-
Australia
-
Isla Margarita
Top 5 Page for this destination
Nassau Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Nassau - Capital of the Bahamas"
- "Islands in the sea"
- "Nassau!"
- "Happiness is Quite O-Cay"
- "My Wonderful trip to Nassau"
- "Pics from diving the reef"
- "Nassau"
- See All...
Explore the World
- Member Rank:
- 0 0 1 2 7
- Forum Rank:
- 0 0 7 7 9
- 936 Reviews
- 2,303 Photos
- Add Friend
- Follow
- Send Message
Badges & Stats in Nassau
- 17 Reviews
- 41 Photos
- 0 Forum posts
- 21 Comments
- 10,731PageViews
- See All Stats
- See All Badges (41)
Have you been to Nassau?
Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Nassau
- Posted in Miscellaneous Forum "Re: Philadelphia (Non-Travel)..."
- updated a Nassau Travel Page "Nassau in the Bahamas"
- Wrote a Review The Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation in Nassau Things to Do
- Uploaded a Photo to "Graycliff Hotel, Restaurant & Cigar Company"
- Commented on one of dlandt's Nassau travel pages
Photos in Nassau
See All Photos (41)
Top 10 Pages
-
Australia
Intro, 31 reviews, 134 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Costa Rica
Intro, 20 reviews, 113 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Bermuda
Intro, 20 reviews, 110 photos, 3 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Orlando
Intro, 31 reviews, 73 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
State College
Intro, 22 reviews, 69 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Norfolk
Intro, 15 reviews, 71 photos, 2 travelogues
-
Tucson
Intro, 14 reviews, 69 photos, 2 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Pittsburgh
Intro, 20 reviews, 58 photos
-
Venice
Intro, 17 reviews, 60 photos, 1 travelogue
-
Virginia
Intro, 16 reviews, 53 photos
Friends
See All Friends (68)
Cruise
Horse Riding
Historical TravelLatest Nassau hotel reviews
- SuperClubs Breezes Bahamas
- 4069 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 18, 2013 - Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island
- 4166 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 18, 2013 - Paradise Island Harbour Resort
- 96 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 13, 2013 - Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino
- 1531 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 17, 2013 - Atlantis Coral Towers
- 910 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 17, 2013 - Harborside Resort at Atlantis
- 794 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 18, 2013 - Sheraton Beach Resort Nassau
- 1706 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 17, 2013 - Blue Water Resort at Guanahani Village
- 168 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 5, 2013 - Towne Hotel
- 75 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 10, 2013 - Paradise Island Beach Club
- 96 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Mar 31, 2013 - Compass Point Beach Resort
- 276 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 5, 2013 - Sandyport Beach Resort
- 257 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 9, 2013 - Paradise Harbour Club and Marina
- 57 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 28, 2013 - Coral Harbour Beach House And Villas
- 44 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jun 9, 2013
Comments (22)
You always write great tips! I find Senor Frogs expensive (he is everywhere) but good service. All the very best!
Hey DAO, thanks for visiting my Nassau page --- I am sure it needs updating! I agree about Senor Frog's but honestly I've never found any place there that isn't unfortunately. Maybe off the beaten path would be the best, but I've heard of several robberies of tourists who do venture away from the waterfront area---even groups being robbed at major attraction sites.
Hi Sylvia...well done great informative tips with great pics...a place I have always wanted to visit..I will one day..
No, I leave today and have to be in Durness Scotland on Sunday. I only get my schedule 2-3 days before right now. All the best!
Looks lovely there, liked your tip on Senor Frogg ;-)
Sylvia, Nassau seems to be a fascinating place, only I haven't visited this region of the world yet. Gorgeous page here with fabulous updates. Well done.
I had to refresh my memory. I once went to Nassau when I was bored in Miami Beach after a week. It became the most expensive holiday in my life :-) But it was great. Your tips include everything I expect of ***** tips, fabulous! Sissi
Sylvia, Thanks so much for your nice map postcard of Bahamas. Happy New Year 2010 Year of the Tiger. Cheers, SL:)
I realy enjoyed your page. Great tips too. Makes me wish to vist. Maby some day soon. Valentina
nice information and great restaurant tips
Wow this place lives up to its name of Paradise! Sol Kerzner built Sun City many years ago-he knows how to please tourists. The sea in incredibly blue. Lovely page, Sylvia