Welcome to Nassau, Bahamas where the office walls disappear, deadlines fade into the distance, and the only thing on your to-do list is to explore and unwind. Only a short flight from Florida, the Bahamas is easily accessible from the US, home to stunning beaches and outdoor activities, and is perfect for both short and long vacations.
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Some quick history and facts
Before we immerse ourselves in the beauty of Nassau, let’s take look at a few quick facts.
- The capital of the country is Nassau
- The Bahamas is home to the planet’s third largest great barrier reef (Andros Barrier Reef)
- The Bahamas is an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands.
- Only 30 of the islands are inhabited.
- The islands became a British Crown Colony in 1717.
- Yes, there were pirates.
- There is a history of slavery. In 1834, slavery was abolished in the Bahamas.
- Only steps from the cruise ship port, the Bay Street Straw Market has been a Nassau tradition since the 1940s. The vibrant Straw Market in Nassau is famous for its handmade Bahamian crafts.
- The Bahamas remained under British control until it gained independence in 1973.
- In recent decades, the Bahamas has become a popular tourist destination, known for its stunning beaches, clear waters, and vibrant culture. Tourism has become a major driver of the Bahamian economy.
How to get to the Bahamas
In our opinion, the Nassau, Bahamas is one of the easiest islands to get to from the United States. A handful of major US airports offer nonstop service to Nassau. If your airport doesn’t offer nonstop service, you can connect via a quick hour flight from MIA or FLL. For example, flights run from Miami to Nassau just about every hour on American Airlines.
Travel seasons
High Season
- Mid-December to mid-April
- The busiest time of year and the most expensive.
- Temperatures range from 70-78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Shoulder Seasons
- May to August
- Warmer weather brings fewer crowds.
- Temperatures range from 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Late November is also considered shoulder season as the risk of hurricane is lower and the high season crowd has not yet begun.
Low Season
- August to November (also hurricane season)
- Hurricane season can be hot and rainy.
- Great time for lower prices.
- Make sure you purchase trip insurance.
Top accommodations in Nassau
Luckily, Nassau is home to a handful of wonderful accommodations for any range of pricing. Here are a few for you to consider.
The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort. It’s A Four Seasons located on the beautiful Cabbage Beach…I think that explains it all.
Baha Mar. Home to 3 hotel brands, this fantastic resort property sits on a fantastic stretch of beach and offers luxury accommodations, wonderful restaurants, and even a waterpark. Check out the Grand Hyatt and SLS for moderate price ranges and if you are looking for more luxury, the Rosewood should be considered.
The Atlantis Resort. With 5 hotels on site, the property sits on Paradise Island and is home to great restaurants, a waterpark, fantastic beaches, and a large casino. The Cove at Atlantis is the most high-end on property and offers added luxury.
Looking for an all-inclusive? Sandals Resorts offers two luxury properties within the Bahamas. The Royal Bahamian is located on Cable Beach in Nassau and Great Exuma island is home to the Emerald Bay Resort.
There are also many options for lower budgets. Our favorite is the Comfort Suites on Paradise Island. While the hotel itself leads much to be desired, it has a partnership with the Atlantis. This allows you to free access to the Atlantis property, including the waterpark and beaches.
There are even a few VRBO options to checkout on the beautiful Cable Beach.
The 7 best things to do in the Bahamas
The 700 islands within the country offer many activities. So, here are a few ideas for your vacation itinerary.
- First things first – relax on a beach. Duh, you’re in the Bahamas. But more on that later.
- Enjoy the waterpark and aquarium at Atlantis Paradise Island.
- Swim with pigs at Pig Beach – located within the Exuma chain of Bahamian islands.
- Swim with Nurse Sharks at Compass Cay – as cool of an experience as you can imagine.
- Experience a Dolphin Encounter at Blue Lagoon Island.
- Go bonefishing or deep-sea fishing.
- Take your chances at the casino. Both the Atlantis and the Baha Mar offer fantastic gambling options.
Top 3 beaches in Nassau
There are way too many islands in the Bahamas to do a comprehensive list of the best beaches. So, we are going to focus on Nassau as it is the most popular of the Bahamas islands. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing-serene escape or water activities, the Bahamas has it all.
- Cable Beach. With blue waters and perfect white sands, this beach is wonderful and a great choice for beach goers of all ages.
- Blue Lagoon Island. Not just one beach but many are located just quick boat ride north of Paradise Island.
- Cabbage Beach. If you are staying on Paradise Island, you don’t have to go far to experience a fantastic beach – Cabbage Beach lines most of the north shore of Paradise Island.
Get out of the office
The Bahamas is an easy getaway for both a weeklong rejuvenation or for a quick long weekend break from reality. And, while sitting on a white sand beach, your office responsibilities will fade into the background. You are free to explore, relax, and indulge in the magic of this captivating place. With access to a hundreds of islands from Nassau, there’s something for every type of traveler. The ease of getting here, coupled with an array of activities, makes Nassau, Bahamas an ideal escape for corporate America workers seeking a rejuvenating break.
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Christine says
What a fun trip! Nassau looks so beautiful and it’s wild that you can swim with pigs! My partner and I have been mulling beach vacations and this looks like such a cool option.
Sheila says
Looking to book a trip next year – thanks for the helpful breakdown on what to expect during the respective months, that’s helpful with planning!
Lana says
This is what all travel guides should look like. Thanks for sharing.
Amy says
Funny, I’ve been to so many of the islands, but never to the Bahamas! Will have to add it to my list now!
jeanne Dee says
Love this fun and informative post! I’ve been many times, but it has been a long time so it was great to relive those happy memories through your post and learn a few new things! ( Like I don’t think they had swimming with pigs when I was there lol).
Susan says
The most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen were in Nassau. The Atlantis resort is fascinating and my daughter & I thoroughly enjoyed the water park. Nassau is so colorful and pretty. Everyone should go if given the chance!
elaine says
Nice guide and informations. love the pictures
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment) says
Lovely post with great tips and suggestions when visiting Bahamas. Thank you
Marilyn says
An information and interesting travel guide. Swimming with dolphins is a wonderful experience, however unsure I’d appreciate the same experience with pigs.
Taylor says
I visited the Bahamas many years ago and missed the pigs on the beach! I’d love to see that.
Linda (LD Holland) says
Nassau has always been a favourite Caribbean escape for us. It is a single relatively short flight from Toronto. And the weather is great most times of the year. The water is always a big draw for us – above or underwater.
Carol says
Oh my goodness, stunning! And super informative post, thank you!
Saviour says
An absolutely beautiful travel guide, anytime I think of the Caribbean, I think of Captain Jack Sparrow lol. Thanks for sharing these, and your images are stunning too!
Sharyn says
I’m so ready to visit Nassau – get away from this cold weather!
jennifer says
I’ll be visiting Nassau as part of a cruise next month, so loved reading this for ideas of what to see in my short time there!