Nassau, Bahamas

Royal Staircase

This is almost the main attraction in Nassau - a staircase of 65 steps, carved into stone by slaves at the end of the 18th century. It was ordered by the island’s governor after the death of Queen Victoria, and each step symbolizes a year of the monarch’s life, while the entire monument represents the crown’s great merits. The steps lead down along the fort wall; nearby, a small waterfall trickles, and at the bottom there are usually tables set up where refreshing drinks are sold. As in other places on New Providence Island, local residents typically walk around. For a small tip, they are willing to act as guides and tell you all the legends connected with the staircase.

Fort Montagu

This fort is the oldest defensive structure on New Providence Island. It was built in the mid-18th century (the cornerstone was laid by Bahamian Governor Tinker in 1741). The fortress is half-destroyed, but nearby there is a picturesque park. Unlike other Nassau forts, the Montagu fort was the site of active combat. For example, in 1776, American naval forces managed to capture it, forcing British troops to retreat to Fort Fincastle. Not even ten years later, the fortress-along with the entire city of Nassau-was taken by the Spanish and remained under Madrid’s rule for almost a year.

Fort Charlotte

The largest of the three forts in the vicinity of Nassau, Fort Charlotte was built in the 18th century and has never taken part in any military battles. The reason is simple: the forts and military fortifications on New Providence formed such an insurmountable system of defensive structures that potential invaders did not dare to attempt to capture the islands. Today, the fort is an interesting museum, as well as a great viewing platform offering a very beautiful view of the capital of the Bahamas and the Port of Nassau.

Water tower

Water tower is the tallest building on the island. The tower is white in color, although practically all the buildings in the town are painted pink. At a height of more than 60 meters, tourists climb for a small fee, after which their view opens up to a stunning panorama of New Providence Island from one coast to the other, including delightful harbors with cruise ships moored at the docks. Perhaps it is precisely because of the unique opportunity to take in the city’s panorama from the height that the tower is considered almost the main attraction of the capital of the Bahamas. The year of construction of the structure, which became an essential link in the island’s water supply system, is considered to be 1928.

Historic Center

The historic center of Nassau, with beautifully preserved buildings from the 18th-19th centuries, stretches around Rawson Square. Two of Nassau’s most famous streets, Bay Street and Prince George Wharf, meet at Rawson Square, forming the crossroads of the old town. Today this is a bustling place where musicians, bankers, vendors, sailors, and tourists gather. Bay Street is home to many shops, restaurants, and cafés. It is one of the main centers for tourist shopping and leisure. A little farther south of Rawson Square lies Parliament Square, where administrative buildings were erected in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Here you’ll find the Parliament, the Colonial Administration building, the House of Assembly, and the Supreme Court.

Ardastra Reserve

Atlantis Aquarium

The “Atlantis” Aquarium is located on Paradise Island near the casino complex. There are 50 thousand specimens on display-ranging from those small fish whose species end up in the daily diet of the people of the Bahamas to sharks and rays. This is not just an aquarium-part of the animals also live outdoors at a shallow depth in a very picturesque lagoon.

Beaches

Junkanoe Beach attracts quite a lot of cruise participants who find themselves in Nassau for a few hours, as it is located just a 15-minute walk from the port. The beach features several kiosks with soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, as well as an old concrete pier from which you can dive into the water. Cable Beach is a hugely popular spot in the capital Nassau area; it is often called the Bahamas Riviera. It is always lively here, and the waterfront is lined with a great number of cafés, restaurants, bars, and also traditional resort entertainments. Sanditos Beach is a mini-resort on a small island. In addition to its white-sand beach and clear water, there are boats and motorboats for rent and equipment for active recreation, as well as a beach bar with drinks and snacks.

Paradise Island

Paradise is an island in the Bahamas, located to the east of Nassau. Tourists are drawn here by the world-famous resort Atlantis. There is a wide variety of excellent amenities for a luxurious vacation: stunning white-sand beaches with coral reefs and crystal-clear turquoise waters, beautiful golf courses, a magnificent water entertainment park, a popular casino, and great shopping as well. Paradise is renowned for the highest level of service worldwide and is deservedly considered the largest tourist hub.

Pirate Museum

Once, sea raiders considered Nassau a pirate paradise on earth. Visitors to this museum are not overloaded with too many dates, names, and facts. Instead, everything is clear here: here are the pirates dividing the loot-chests of gold coins, here they are feasting, here they’re boarding a sailboat, here they abandon an unwanted member of the crew to an uninhabited island, or send him “for a walk on the plank.” The Pirate Museum will also tell and show what the cabins and deck of a pirate ship looked like, what the flags and costumes of male- and even female- pirates were like.

Nassau Sightseeing Tour

During the tour, you will travel through old romantic Nassau and its surroundings to the ancient Fort Charlotte, which has preserved in its walls a great deal of information about pirate times. While sightseeing, you will stop at Parliament Square, built in 1815. Its buildings, done in pink tones, are wonderful examples of colonial architecture. Another architectural landmark in Nassau worth capturing in a photo is the Government House, which serves as the official residence of the personal representative of the English queen, the Governor-General of the islands. Right in front of it stands a statue of the discoverer of the Bahamas-Christopher Columbus. You will also see the famous Gregory's Arch, the water tower, the old prison, an authentic “straw market,” and other interesting places in Nassau.

Dolphin Reef

Dolphin swimming is one of the traditional tourist attractions on the Bahamas. The highlight of the Dolphin Reef is that more than 10 people at a time are simply not allowed in. You can swim with dolphins and sea lions both on the water and underwater, and you can also learn about the work of oceanographers, marine biologists, veterinarians, and other staff at the marine mammal research and rescue center. For an additional fee, you can order professional photos to remember your adventure. The Dolphin Reef is located on Paradise Island near Nassau.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can review it after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.