Best Nassau Boat Tours

The capital of the Bahamas is the ideal place to board cruise ships, ferries and even kayaks, and embark on the best sea voyages. By boat you can reach the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and get to know the marine life that inhabits this region, such as the coral reefs, a marine ecosystem home to a variety of multicoloured fish.

Boarding a boat in this island is a unique opportunity to discover the tropical paradises hidden in the Caribbean Sea and one of the best things to see and do in Nassau. There are many different tours you can take, such as individual kayak tours or a cruise on a cruise ship with exclusive services. I'll tell you all about it in this article.

This is one of the most popular tours in Nassau, as it includes a visit to Pig Beach on Exuma Island, which is famous for the pigs that live there and often sunbathe on the beach or swim in the sea. During the tour you'll also see iguanas and sharks in their habitat, making it one of Nassau's best marine life activities.

The tour is usually done by boat with small groups of up to 14 people of all ages, but you also have the option of booking a private boat. Transfer to and from the hotel, snacks, lunch and unlimited drinks are usually included. In addition, on these experiences you could have snorkelling equipment and a professional guide who will give you all the necessary recommendations in case you want to dive into the sea.

One of the main stops is at Pig Beach on Exuma Island, where you can swim with the pigs, or get very close to them, as they are used to the presence of people. You can also feed them with the meals they provide, always treating them with the respect they deserve.

Other places to visit include Marsh Harbour Great Guana Cay, where you'll see lots of native iguanas on the beach; Thunderball Grotto on Staniel Cay, one of the world's favourite dive sites; and Compass Cay, where you'll meet nurse sharks and even have the chance to swim with them. Just be aware that if you wish to dive the grotto, equipment hire may not be included in the cost.

Details of interest

• Price: from 650 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 6-7 hours.
• Means of transport: by boat.
• The advantages of this option: this is an ideal excursion to see the marine life and the best islands around Nassau, including Exuma Island, famous for its swimming pigs. Usually includes hotel pick-up, lunch, unlimited drinks and use of snorkelling equipment.
• Disadvantages of this option: The boat ride to Exuma Island takes about 3 hours, but there are several stops in between.

One of the best day trips and excursions from Nassau is the one that takes you to Rose Island, where you can also see the famous swimming pigs. The boat usually takes you to a private beach where you can do many water and sporting activities, such as snorkelling, or just enjoy the sea and beach and a nice lunch and drinks.

The trip usually takes place early in the morning and you return in the afternoon. After the boat crossing, which takes about 25 to 30 minutes, most companies give you free time to enjoy it as you prefer on the island. These tours are ideal for the whole family, especially children, as they are very entertained watching the piglets.

Many tours include the accompaniment of a professional guide who can show you the best of Rose Island, while providing you with interesting information about the island. These guides can also assist you if you wish to snorkel and are very knowledgeable about the fish and marine flora of the island.

Tours to Rose Island are usually conducted with a large group of people, but there is plenty of space on the island for a private experience if you wish. Rose Island's beaches are fully serviced with toilets, showers, sunbeds, umbrellas and Wi-Fi. There are also bars and shops, where you can buy the best Rose Island souvenirs.

Details of interest

• Price: from €250 for adults and €190 for children.
• Duration: around 6 to 7 hours.
• Means of transport: by boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the best islands in the Bahamas, Rose Island, and you will be able to have a snorkelling experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: it usually does not include transfer to and from the hotel. Activities are usually at a separate cost.

One of the best things to do in Nassau is to hop on a cruise ship and explore Bahamian island paradises like Blue Lagoon, home to dolphins and sea lions. Once on the island you can take a Segway tour, which is a fun and comfortable way to explore the island.

The tour usually starts early in the morning and the cruise takes about 30 minutes to reach Blue Lagoon Island. This is a private island, where you can enjoy a variety of activities, or just relax and sunbathe or swim in the crystal clear waters ideal for snorkelling.

The Segway is a two-wheeled self-balancing transport, which people ride standing up. You will be able to operate it without any problems once you are provided with the necessary instructions and safety equipment. You can then explore the island's trails, including the sand, while learning interesting facts about the sites you see. Please note that there may be a minimum age requirement for this activity.

In addition to the Segway tour, there are plenty of other activities you can do at Blue Lagoon, such as spotting and/or swimming with the dolphins, learning about the native plants and other marine animals such as stingrays, sea lions and sea sharks. Some tours take you to The Tower, continuing on to Nassau, which offers the best views of the city.

Details of interest

• Price: from €120 per person.
• Duration: around 4 to 5 hours.
• Means of transport: by cruise ship.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the private island of Blue Lagoon in a fun way aboard a Segway. May include lunch and bottled water.
• Disadvantages of this option: there is a minimum age to drive the segway, which is usually from 12 years old.

One of the best boat tours in Nassau is to visit the island of Pearl Beach and spend a full day on its white sandy beaches, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, and enjoying a delicious lunch.

During the whole tour, you will usually be accompanied by a professional guide, who will be in charge of telling you about the places you visit, and about the abundant marine flora and fauna of this paradisiacal island. There you will also have the opportunity to do some guided snorkelling, but this activity may incur an additional cost.

The shores of Pearl Beach are ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. To do these activities, you can also count on the help of a guide who can briefly teach you how to paddle. Another adventure is a visit to the lighthouse, an iconic site on the island, from where you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view.

Many of these tours include a lunch of local food, which can include barbecued chicken, rice and peas and various salads. The beach has all the services and amenities such as showers, toilets, umbrellas, chairs for sunbathing, mats and water trampolines, so you can make the most of your stay on the island.

Details of interest

• Price: from €90 for adults and €46 for children.
• Duration: between 5 and 6 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: by ferry.
• Advantages of this option: you can visit one of the best beaches in the Bahamas and do various water activities, such as kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding with full equipment. Lunch is also included.
• Disadvantages of this option: the island does not have cash. Some tours do not usually include transfer to and from the hotel.

Junkanoo Beach is a beach about a kilometre from downtown Nassau, close to the cruise port, where you can rent a single or double kayak and set off on a sea kayaking adventure. You can also take boat tours to nearby reefs from this beach.

In addition to kayaking, you can use other water sports equipment such as snorkelling gear, surfboards, paddle boards and balls for playing beach volleyball and football. You may even be provided with a chair or sun lounger for lounging on the beach. You can use the equipment as often as you wish during your rental time at Junkanoo Beach.

Kayak rentals are usually available every day of the year from the morning. Throughout the day the beach staff is usually available for whatever you need. On the beach you can also buy food and drinks and rent an umbrella.

Interesting details

• Price: from €40 for adults and approximately €29 for children.
• Duration: around 7 hours.
• Means of transport: not included.
• Advantages of this option: you can use the kayak and other equipment as many times as you wish during the rental period.
• Disadvantages of this option: transfer to and from the hotel is usually not included. Kayaking or other sports lessons may be at an additional cost.

In order to fully enjoy a boat trip in Nassau, there are several recommendations that are important to keep in mind:

• Protect yourself from the sun, as you'll be out in the sun for several hours, so it's essential that you pack a broad-spectrum sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
• Don't forget to pack your swimming costume, a towel and comfortable clothes, so you can move freely on the Caribbean beaches.
• It is advisable to wear special footwear for walking in the water.
• Bring your own bottle of water, fruit or snacks, although you can probably buy food and drinks on the boat or on the beaches you visit.
• If you are on a special diet, don't forget to let the tour companies know so that they can provide you with what you need.
• Please note that some islands in the Bahamas do not accept cash.

On the other hand, it's very important that you always respect the instructions of the guides and boat staff, especially if you're doing marine life activities in Nassau, such as snorkelling and scuba diving. The coral reefs are ecologically valuable ecosystems that are very important to preserve.

Finally, try to travel to Nassau outside of the rainy season, especially if you're only going for a few days. The city has a warm climate all year round, with minimum temperatures between 18°C and 24°C and maximum temperatures between 25°C and 32°C. The best time to visit is from November to April, when there are more sunny days. May to October are the rainiest months of the year.

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, whose 700 islands and islets are a paradise to be discovered. From the city, you can board boats, cruise ships and ferries to visit some of the most beautiful beach islands in the Caribbean. This way, you can reach beaches that are not only more lush but also quieter and less crowded with tourists.

Most boat trips include a stop at an island so you can enjoy a day at the beach. One of the natural wonders you can't miss when you sail are the coral reefs, a marine ecosystem with a huge variety of tropical fish that inhabit its waters.

For this reason, the Bahamas is one of the favourite places for diving and snorkelling. Its transparent waters reveal reefs teeming with life where, if you dare, you can dive with snorkelling or diving equipment and see them up close. You can also spot marine animals in the ocean, such as dolphins, sharks and sea lions.

The boat trip is an adventure in itself, as you'll see the best views of the ocean and the islands on board. On most boats you can buy refreshing drinks and typical Bahamian food. In addition, many boats try to create a festive atmosphere on board with music and an open bar, so you'll enjoy the trip all the time.

The first thing to bear in mind is that Nassau is a very touristy destination, so it's important to plan your trip ahead and book your boat trips in advance, especially if you're visiting popular destinations such as Swimming Pig Island in Exuma.

The booking process for the tour is very simple, but you should pay attention and read carefully all the terms and conditions of the service. Be sure to write down all the important details, such as the date and time of departure from Nassau, and whether meals and/or drinks are included. Punctuality is essential, as these are very organised services, and you should arrive some time before the boat departs.