There’s nothing like the feeling of flying into a destination with clear blue water on all sides. This trip was a long time coming — though Jacob and I lived in the U.S. most of our lives, we never made it to The Bahamas. Now we can’t imagine why! It’s a short flight away and a welcome slice of paradise. We’ve done so much traveling in Europe lately that we also were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to get around — everyone speaks English, we could use U.S. dollars everywhere, and the locals are so friendly. Like most tropical destinations, there are elements of The Bahamas that speak directly to a cruise-ship driven economy. However, once we made our way out of the most-trafficked spots on the island, there were plenty of hidden gems to be found. Read on for how to experience the best parts of Nassau Paradise Island.

*Update September 2019: The Bahamas was recently affected by Hurricane Dorian. For more information on which islands were impacted, relief efforts, and how you can help, click here. 

PRESET COLLECTIONS USED IN THIS BLOG POST: GREEK ISLANDS COLLECTION, EUROPE COLLECTION

5+ DAYS

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BEST TIME TO VISIT– MID-DECEMBER TO MID-APRIL IS PEAK SEASON

WEATHER – TEMPS ARE WARM YEAR-ROUND, HURRICANE SEASON IS TYPICALLY JUNE THROUGH NOVEMBER

GETTING AROUND – RENTAL CAR, MOTORCYCLE

CURRENCY – US DOLLARS, MOST PLACES TAKE CREDIT CARDS

LANGUAGES – ENGLISH

NEARBY AIRPORTS – LYNDEN PINDLING (NAS)

Left to right from top: One of the beaches at Rose Island, aerial views of Rose Island, swinging at Sandals private island, Sandals private island at sunset, ‘stranded’ with our boat on Rose Island. 

Where to Stay

While there’s plenty to explore on-island, the place you stay in Nassau will dictate the experience you have. In addition to the popular all-inclusive resorts, there are options for laid-back hotels, boutique hotels or a house rentals. No matter where you end up, you’ll also want plenty of opportunities to try the local food and culture!

Hotels in Nassau

SLS Baha Mar – $$$ – We absolutely loved this newly-built hotel. Everything from the room (clean white, with nods to retro style), to the grounds (the poké food truck and daquiri stand were our favorite) to the service was impeccable. We also had our favorite meal of the trip here at their in-house restaurant, Cleo. Where I stayed.

Sandals Royal Bahamian – $$$$ – this was our first time staying at a Sandals resort! While an all-inclusive resort isn’t typically our go-to, Sandals’ private offshore island was definitely a highlight for its pristine beach. We also loved their oceanside restaurant, Gordon’s on the Pier. Where I stayed.

Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant – $$$ – located in the heart of old town, Graycliff hotel is a historic colonial mansion with tropical gardens and pools that provide a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the island. Their wine cellar features over 250,000 bottles sourced from around the world, just a short walk from their on-site chocolate shop which offers lessons in chocolate-making. We got wonderfully lost exploring the grounds of this property! Where I’d stay next time.

The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort – $$$$ – transport yourself into luxury at this historic Four Seasons resort, which has played host to travelers and celebrities since 1962. It’s a unique and romantic property: we loved the stretch of white sand beach and the Versailles-inspired garden, complete with cloisters from a 12th-century French Augustinian monastery. Where I’d want to splurge.

Atlantis Paradise Island – $$$ – this oceanside resort has it all: bars and restaurants, a water park, golf course, casino, spa, and more. We had a blast visiting for the day to see the aquarium. It’s an iconic property that’s been known to attract celebrities such as Kevin Hart and Serena Williams since its opening 22 years ago.

View Additional Hotels in Nassau Paradise Island

Airbnbs in Nassau

Historic Nassau – $ – the most charming pink cottage a walk away from historic sites and downtown Nassau.
Grand Suite #8 – $ – this quaint suite is great for traveling as a couple, 10 minutes from downtown.
Luxury Beachfront Unit – $$ – a modern beachfront property, but the true draw is a private beach that’s steps away.
White Beachfront Home – $$ – located in a quiet area on the western side of Nassau, steps away from the beach.
Secret Garden Villa – $$$ – a nice retreat located on three lush acres of tropical gardens.
Paradise Island Villa – $$$ – located in a beautiful gated complex walking distance from Atlantis Resort.

New to Airbnb? Here’s $40 off your first booking.

Where to Eat

Bahamian Cookin’ – this local spot is a must-try at some point during your trip. It’s simple and features classic Bahamian dishes, like conch fritters, cracked lobster, and steamed chicken.

Biggity – this family-owned restaurant was built by hand with repurposed wood and natural elements. Their menu is simple and healthy, with flavors that pack a punch. A must for a laid-back, cozy meal downtown.

Cleo Mediterraneo – one of our favorite meals of the trip, Cleo restaurant is located inside the SLS Baha Mar and features tapas-style mediterranean dishes. You’ll want to share — everything on the menu is so tasty!

Louis & Steen’s – recommended by a local on the island, this New Orlean’s-style coffee house is eclectic (read: purple cottage) and serves up typical cajun-style dishes and excellent coffee.

Graycliff Restaurant – this property is on our list twice for a reason! We didn’t get a chance to have dinner at this elegant restaurant, but we’ve heard it’s a real treat. At the very least, go for the atmosphere and wine selection alone.

Athena Cafe & Bar – though conch is not typically a ‘Greek’ dish, I was pleasantly surprised by the flavors at this no-frills Greek cafe. Perfect if you’re craving something filling while exploring Nassau’s downtown.

Social House – for fresh sushi, try Social House. Their lunch menu offers deals for the afternoon, or make it an evening and sample their small plates for an unforgettable experience.

What to Do

Swim with the pigs – Unfortunately the weather was not on our side the day we were meant to swim with the pigs. But, this experience is not to be missed! If you’re staying on Nassau, the closest option is the Sandy Toes experience on Rose Island.

Visit the Atlantis Marine Habitat – the Atlantis property is huge and home to an amazing aquarium. You can buy day passes on their site to visit and explore for a day, which is also a great activity if you get hit with tropical rain.

Go on a food tour – This is becoming a regular activity for Jacob and I when we travel, and I have to say it’s always one of our favorite parts of the trip. I’m always curious to see what places locals recommend and any excuse to eat is a plus. Tip: if you go on the food tour we went on, you’ll stop at Bahamian Cookin’, Athena Cafe, and Biggity.

Take a boat tour – as with most destinations, we loved exploring local islands off Nassau with a private boat for the afternoon. Don’t miss the turtles at Turtle Cay (tell your captain to take you!) and the sandy beaches of Rose Island for pristine water all to yourself. For a group boat tour with lunch included, check out this boat excursion.

Explore the local shops – a lot of on-island artists are represented. We loved visiting Doongalik Studios and Craft Cottage, located next to one another. The studio features artist’s work on display and Craft Cottage has a variety of handmade gifts for purchase. I bought a hand-carved ornament here for my mother.

More Things to Do around Nassau

If you only plan one excursion while visiting, make it a boat trip to Rose Island! It’s absolutely beautiful and untouched here, and we had the beach all to ourselves when we went. Getting out on the water and away from the crowds is amazing.

 

Where to Go

Clifton Heritage Park – You can snorkel at this beach park, which features giant underwater sculptures. Bring an underwater camera!

Montagu Beach & Fort – Take an afternoon to visit this public beach and surrounding area. You can visit historic Fort Montagu for $2 a person. Another highlight is the nearby fish market, which features fresh conch salads for sale (and lots of live conch!).

Bay Street – Explore the architecture in Nassau’s downtown by heading to Bay Street. There are local markets here, but we found them to be a bit too tourist-driven for our taste. The real highlight are the old buildings, and charming neighborhood spots like Biggity.

Local Beaches – Cable Beach is recommended by locals and visitors alike, and Junkanoo Beach is fun and upbeat. We stumbled upon one of our favorite stretches of sand when we went looking for a local SIM card for our phones. It just goes to show that it’s worth exploring parts of the island that no one mentions! You never know what you’ll find…

What to Bring

• Light, breathable clothing – think linen pants, flowy dresses.
• A light jacket for the evenings and when it gets windy.
• A hat and plenty of sunscreen. Here is my favorite spray-on sunscreen (it’s coral reef friendly).
• A GoPro for underwater photos! A GoPro dome is also a must if you want to take underwater photos. Our travel photography gear post details out all the gear we use for underwater shots, and examples.

Final Notes

Like most tropical islands, summers can be warm and also rainy. Hurricane season is July to October and high season is November to April. We visited at the end of April and had sunny (but windy!) days, with spots of tropical rain. If you don’t mind crowds, head to Nassau during high season.

The majority of the shops and restaurants on the island take U.S. dollars and converters are U.S. standard, so don’t worry about either if you’re visiting from the states.

For more information on what to do, hotels, and other activities in Nassau Paradise Island, check out NassauParadiseIsland.com.

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A big thank you to the Nassau Paradise Island team for hosting us so we could capture the beauty of this island! As always, all opinions from this trip are our own.

I often get asked about my favorite beach destinations. If you’re looking for more sun and sand, head to our Cook Islands and Aruba travel guides for more inspiration.