Best tours of Nassau

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, a country made up of some 700 islands and islets located in the Caribbean Sea, and an unmissable destination for lovers of beaches and marine life. There are many things to see and do in Nassau, including a wide variety of tours that will allow you to get to know this city in depth.

From tours to learn about the culture and history of the Bahamas or snorkelling activities to discover the coral reefs, to tours to try typical Bahamian dishes and discover the colonial architecture of the city. Here you'll find the most interesting excursions to do in Nassau, so you can make the most of your stay on the island.

A great way to get to know Nassau is to sample the delicious Bahamian dishes on a food and cultural tour. These tours, which usually take place in the city's historic district, allow you to see the most representative buildings, such as Government House, which is located on Mount Fitzwilliam, and the Governor's Mansion.

These tours are usually conducted in small groups of people and are accompanied by a local foodie. It's an experience that allows you to sample delicious dishes at the best restaurants, and usually provides you with a wealth of information about Nassau's history and culture. Tastings usually consist of different varieties of food, drinks, chocolates and desserts.

These tours are available every day of the year and are suitable for all ages. Don't forget to let us know in advance if you are vegetarian or follow a special diet, so that the guide can make the best recommendations.

Details of interest

• Price: from €80 for adults and around €50 for children under 13.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to taste the best dishes of the local gastronomy, while touring the historic centre of Nassau and getting to know its culture.
• Disadvantages of this option: may be cancelled in case of bad weather.

For people interested in learning about the culture and history of Nassau, walking tours are ideal. These guided tours are usually accompanied by a local expert who can provide you with a wealth of information about the sites you visit, so you can learn a lot about Bahamian culture.

Tours usually start in the historic centre of Nassau, and include visits to iconic and historic buildings such as Government House, the Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, the Water Tower, the traditional Graycliff Chocolate Factory, the Bahamas Museum of Art, Rawson Square, the John Watling Distillery and the Nassau Straw Market.

These tours are available every day of the year, and often include entrance fees to the various attractions. They are usually in small groups, which ensures that you can always hear the guide's commentary (some tours provide you with headphones). Note that tastings at food and beverage outlets are not always included in the cost.

Details of interest

• Price: from around €34 per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: on foot.
• Advantages of this option: you can learn a lot about the culture, history, architecture and cuisine of Nassau and the Bahamas, while visiting iconic buildings.
• Disadvantages of this option: not all tours include transfer to and from the hotel.

Another fun way to see the highlights of Nassau is to join a Jeep Wrangler tour. These tours often include food and beverage tastings at traditional shops in town and a typical Bahamian lunch. In addition, some tours include a visit to Junkano World, a museum where you can see costumes and other items representative of Junkano, the Bahamian cultural expression.

It's an interesting way to see the city's most iconic sites such as the old Queen's Staircase, forts Montague, Fincastle, Nassau and Charlotte, and The Caves, a historically significant cave inhabited by bats.

These activities include visits to traditional Bahamian shops such as Tasty Teas Bahamas, where you can sample a variety of speciality teas; the John Watling Distillery, famous for its rums and piña coladas; and Arawak Cay Fish Fry, a restaurant where you can sample local seafood.

Please note that due to the type of vehicle used, young children may not be able to participate. It is also advisable to let the tour organisers know if you have any special dietary requirements.

Details of interest

• Price: from around €90 for adults and €80 for children.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: jeep.
• Advantages of this option: it is a fun way to discover the city's emblematic sites, with lunch, drinks and tastings included.
• Disadvantages of this option: children over 5 years old can participate.

An alternative to full-day excursions in Nassau is to rent water sports equipment for a full day on the beach. Equipment rentals are usually available every day of the year starting in the morning, and you can use them as often as you like. You can also join a boat trip to explore the surrounding coral reefs at this beach.

These equipment and items usually include single and double kayaks, surfboards, inflatable floats, paddle boards, tricycles, and beach volleyballs and beach football balls. Snorkelling equipment is also often available and is one of Nassau' s most popular marine life discovery activities.

Junkanoo Beach has a staff that can assist you throughout the day in handling the equipment. However, please note that equipment rentals do not usually include surfing or snorkelling lessons. Also, the transfer to the beach is not usually included. However, Junkanoo Beach is only one kilometre from the centre of Nassau and you'll be able to get there without any problems.

Useful details

• Price: from €40 for adults and approximately €29 for children.
• Duration: around 7 hours.
• Transport: usually not included.
• Advantages of this option: you can use the equipment for as long as you want during the rental period.
• Disadvantages of this option: the transfer to Junkanoo Beach and the surfing or snorkelling lessons may not be included in the cost of the rental.

For those who love sports and adventurous activities, ATV tours have an ingredient of excitement that sets them apart. They are definitely a fun way to see the highlights of Nassau and then relax on the beach.

The vehicles are easy to operate, and you'll be equipped with a helmet and all the gear you need. You are usually accompanied by a guide who is in charge of giving you instructions and interesting information about each place you visit. It is important that you check whether you are provided with headphones or whether you should bring your own, so that you can listen to the guide without any problems.

Sites included on these tours include the Queen's Staircase, an 18th century carved stone staircase; Government House; Forts Charlotte and Fincastle; John Watling Distillery; Arawak Cay and the historically and ecologically significant New Providence Caves.

As these tours require driving, tour companies may require a minimum age to participate or require you to have a driving licence.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately €180 for adults.
• Duration: about 3 hours.
• Means of transport: individual off-road vehicles.
• Benefits of this option: it's a fun and different way to see the best of Nassau. Bottled water and a typical Bahamian lunch are usually included.
• Disadvantages of this option: There may be a minimum age requirement to participate.

One of the best things to do in Nassau is to take a tour of the Nassau waterfront, where you'll find the city's traditional chocolate shops, distilleries and boutiques. These tours often include a visit to iconic attractions such as the 18th-century Queen's Staircase, made of hand-carved stone, and the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister, where there's a beautiful view of the ocean.

You can also visit shops such as The Bahamas Rum Cake Factory, a renowned rum cake factory; Graycliff Chocolatier, which offers more than 17 different flavours of chocolates; and the John Watling Distillery, famous for its delicious piña coladas and rums. Some tours also often include a visit to the Pirates of Nassau Museum, where you can learn about the history of the pirates who ruled the Caribbean.

These activities usually include tastings and admission to some of the attractions and include a local guide who is knowledge able about the history and culture of the city and provides valuable information about the sites you visit.

Details of interest

• Price: from around €130 for adults and around €80 for children.
• Duration: about 3.5 hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned van.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit emblematic sites of the city in a comfortable way, while learning more about its culture and history.
• Disadvantages of this option: entrance to the Pirates of Nassau may not be included.

If you prefer a more intimate experience and want to explore Nassau at your own pace, a good option is to rent a buggy to tour the island. It's very convenient if you're travelling with your family or friends, as the vehicles can accommodate up to 6 people. You can rent them for a few hours or for the whole day and they are usually available all year round.

Apart from being a fun experience, these vehicles have a great panoramic view, as they have no doors or windows. As the tour you can take is completely free, it is advisable to do some research on the sites in Nassau you wish to see before renting this vehicle, to make the best use of your time.

It is a requirement that drivers must be over 25 years of age and have a valid driver's license. Also, due to the characteristics of the vehicles, this experience is not recommended for people with back problems or pregnant women.

Details of interest

• Price: from 415 € for approximately 4 hours and around 650 € for the whole day.
• Duration: from 4 to 24 hours.
• Means of transport: 4x4 vehicle.
• Advantages of this option: it allows you to tour Nassau according to your preferences and at your own pace.
• Disadvantages of this option: as escorts are not usually included, you may have to plan the tour on your own.

A city tour by bicycle is perfect for those who love this eco-friendly mode of transport, and for those who want to get to know Nassau's culture and history in depth.

Please note that these are tours that require average fitness or a good level of cycling experience, although there are usually several rest stops.

Some of Nassau's most popular landmarks on these tours include the Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, the Governor's House, Graycliff Chocolate Factory, the Bahamas Museum of Art, Rawson Square, John Watling Distillery and the Straw Market. Arawak Cay Beach, where you can sample typical Bahamian food and drink, is also a popular place to visit.

Interesting details

• Price: from approximately €55 per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to see the most representative sites of the island, and learn more about its culture, history and art.
• Disadvantages of this option: this type of tour may require a minimum age to participate. Not all of them include the transfer to and from the hotel.

If you've travelled to Nassau with your family, and you're interested in touring the city on two wheels, you can book a guided bike tour designed for both children and adults to enjoy.

These tours have bikes available for children aged 6 and up, as well as toddler seats on some adult bikes. The number of bikes available for children is usually smaller, so it is advisable to book the tour in advance.

The experience usually includes transfer to and from the hotel, bottled water, helmet and all the supplies you need. You'll even usually be given a headsetso you can listen to all the guide's commentary.

Attractions usually visited during these tours include Fort Charlotte, Tasty Teas Tea Factory, John Watling Distillery, Graycliff Chocolate Factory, Arawak Cay' s traditional food restaurants and Junkanoo Beach, where you'll usually be given time to swim and enjoy the beach.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately €118 per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: these are tours for the whole family that allow you to see the most emblematic sites of Nassau. They usually include free time to enjoy the beach.
• Disadvantages of this option: Usually does not include food, meals or tastings.

This type of tour is ideal for people who want to see Nassau's most iconic sights and enjoy Nassau's paradisiacal beaches. They usually include full snorkelling equipment, which is one of the Bahamas' favourite activities, as well as boat trips around Nassau and scuba diving.

Sites often visited on this tour include the Queen's Staircase, a 66-step stone staircase built in the 18th century; the Graycliff Chocolate Factory; and Providence Cave, a bat sanctuary that may have been a pirate's lair.

The snorkelling site is near Nirvanna Love Beach, on a coral reef of about 16 hectares. You can also choose not to snorkel and just enjoy the beach or swim in the ocean.

Details of interest

• Price: from 200 € for adults and 140 € for children approximately.
• Duration: about 5 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: air-conditioned van.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to visit emblematic sites of the city in a comfortable way, spend time on the beach and snorkel if you wish.
• Disadvantages of this option: You need to be in average physical condition to enjoy the full excursion.