Found on New Providence Island, Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and an exciting place to visit. From exploring the city to using it as a transit hub to tour other parts of the country, there are many things to do in Nassau Bahamas.
Read on for 6 can’t-miss activities in the area!
New Providence Island: 6 Things to Do in Nassau Bahamas
1. Nassau Bahamas Tours to Swimming Pigs Island
Using Nassau’s connectivity to access other parts of the country is one of the smartest things to do on New Providence. And while there are many great Nassau Bahamas tours, day trips to Pig Island might be the best.
When you sign up for a Pig Island tour, you’ll travel to Exuma. This district of the country contains 365 stunning islands and offers a break from the busyness of Nassau.
You can find boat tours to Pig Beach, but flying is actually the way to go. Air travel saves you time (getting you there in 30 minutes) is much more comfortable, and offers amazing views.
Besides seeing the cute and friendly pigs, Nassau Bahamas tours to Swimming Pigs Island also let you visit:
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- Staniel Cay, the island you fly into
- Compass Cay, home to nurse sharks
- Bitter Guana Cay, home to endangered iguanas
- Pipe Creek, where you’ll find incredible sandbars
- Thunderball Grotto, where you’ll find a system of underwater caves
- An underwater plane wreck
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2. Stop by Cabbage Beach
The Bahamas is full of exquisite beaches, and New Providence Island and Paradise Island (the small neighboring island connected by a bridge) are no different.
Visiting the beautiful beaches is one of the best things to do on Paradise Island.
Located on Paradise Island, Cabbage Beach is one of the prettiest in the capital area. With soft white sand and palm trees all around, it’s one of the many beaches that feels like a postcard.
Cabbage Beach offers some of the best things to do in Paradise Island, including swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.
Along the beach, you’ll also find many upscale resorts. If you’re looking to stay in the New Providence Island area, you can’t go wrong with any one of these.
3. Explore Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle
New Providence Island is full of history. If you’re wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas, make sure to visit Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle.
Queen’s Staircase is a set of stairs carved into solid limestone in the late 18th century. It leads up to Fort Fincastle and served as an escape route from the fort.
Make sure to climb up Queen’s Staircase on Nassau Bahamas tours around the city.
Lord Dunmore ordered the construction of Fort Fincastle in an attempt to ward off pirates. Its sturdy walls and cannons show how real of a threat piracy was.
Today, the staircase and fort are two of the many historic landmarks in the area, as well as some of the best things to do in Paradise Island and New Providence.
4. Go on a Rum-Tasting Tour
You can’t visit New Providence Island without enjoying the island life. One of the best ways to do that is by signing up for a Nassau rum-tasting tour.
John Watling’s Distillery has a tasting tour that lets you sample several different varieties of local rum. It’s a great place to enjoy a drink while learning more about rum production.
Besides being fun, the rum-tasting tour also lets you appreciate some local history. Like many of the top sites on New Providence Island, the estate dates back to the 18th century!
Anyone wondering what to do in Nassau Bahamas should go rum-tasting.
5. Shop at the Nassau Straw Market
If you’re looking for a gift to bring home on New Providence Island, the Nassau Straw Market might be a good place to find one.
The market offers visitors the chance to buy all sorts of locally-made products, including:
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- Woven hats
- Bags
- Handmade dolls
- Jewelry
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While many tourists might not be used to it, the vendors expect you to barter (or at least try to) as you explore the market. Once you land on a suitable price, you can buy things for yourself and friends and family back home.
6. Visit Parliament Square
Parliament Square is another top site on a New Providence Island tour. The area is the perfect place to learn more about how the government of the island nation operates.
Make sure to stop by Parliament Square while visiting New Providence Island.
Colonial loyalists who fled the revolutionary 13 Colonies constructed the square in 1815. Today, it houses some of the most important buildings on the island, including the chambers of both the Senate and the House of Assembly.
In addition to these colorful buildings, visitors can also see a statue of Queen Victoria, the monarch who ruled Great Britain for 63 years until 1901.
Know What to Do in Nassau Bahamas
New Providence Island and Paradise Island offer plenty of things to do in Nassau Bahamas. However, when you’re ready to take a break from the capital, the Exuma Pigs are just a 30-minute flight away.
Sign up for a Pig Island tour to see them and other sites in the Exumas today!
