Nassau Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Der-wuppertaler (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Thomas Schmiedgen, Weys Perú Willy Huaycama, Aziz Ndiaye, Harrison Brant, Gilda Antonella Ferrari · via Google Maps
- Country:
- Bahamas
- Region:
- Bahamas & Florida
- Coordinates:
- 25.0781° N, 77.3386° W
About Nassau
Nassau's cruise port puts you within walking distance of the city's most popular attractions. The Nassau Straw Market is just 0.5 km away, offering traditional crafts and souvenirs. Parliament Square and the Queen's Staircase, both 0.6 km from the port, showcase the city's colonial heritage and are highly rated by visitors.
Museums and Cultural Attractions
History enthusiasts can visit the Pirates of Nassau museum (0.6 km away) or the Pompey Museum (also 0.6 km away), both offering insights into the region's past. For a different experience, Junkanoo Beach is 1.0 km from the port, providing a popular spot for relaxation and water activities.
Nearby Experiences
Dolphin Encounters, located 1.8 km away, offers interactive wildlife experiences. Further afield, Clifton Heritage National Park (22.4 km away) provides a nature-focused alternative for those seeking outdoor exploration. As the capital and largest city of the Bahamas, Nassau serves as the country's centre of commerce, education, and culture, making it a substantial cruise destination. Nearby ports include Miami, Freeport, and Key West.
Nassau is the capital and largest city of the Bahamas. It is on the island of New Providence, which has a population of 296,522, 74.26% of the country's total population. Nassau is commonly defined as a primate city, dwarfing all other towns in the country. It is the centre of commerce, education, law, administration, and media of the country.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Nassau on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: alain aleman · via Google Maps Fleamarket
Nassau Straw Market
4.0 (9,393) 0.5 km from port
Traditional open-air market selling handwoven straw crafts, Bahamian souvenirs & tourist trinkets.
Near: Pompey Museum (81 m) · Pirate Republic Brewing Company & Taproom (153 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- 5 · “One of the most popular spots in downtown Nassau and definitely worth visiting if you want the full Bahamas market…” — Verified Travel Reviews
- 5 · “Absolutely loved visiting Straw Market! Such a vibrant and lively place filled with local culture, handmade crafts, colorful souvenirs, jewelry…” — Sweta Padhy
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Photo: Melissa Mathies · via Google Maps Historical landmark
Queen's Staircase
4.5 (5,678) 0.6 km from port
102-ft., 65-step staircase carved by slaves from limestone in 1793 as shortcut to Fort Fincastle.
Near: Fort Fincastle Water Tower (42 m) · Fort Fincastle (123 m)
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “This was the only place I really wanted to see and we got off the boat and walked all the…” — Tabitha Goodpasture
- 5 · “Visiting the Queen’s Staircase was a beautiful and memorable experience. The historic limestone steps are impressive, and it’s amazing to…” — Marsha Cill
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Photo: Sara N · via Google Maps Tourist attraction
Junkanoo Beach
4.2 (2,152) 1.0 km from port
Near: The Pointe (43 m) · McDonald's (174 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
- 5 · “Great beach with nice sand. About a 10 to 15 minutes drive from the cruise ports. Close to the cruise…” — Richard Macpherson
- 5 · “We had a great experience here! Best part is it’s a short walk from the cruise port and you don’t…” — Zane Manzione
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Photo: Natasha Warraich · via Google Maps Museum
Pirates of Nassau
4.4 (1,573) 0.6 km from port
Museum documenting city's history as 18th-century pirate base, with replica pirate ship & exhibits.
Near: Christ Church Anglican Cathedral (20 m) · Towne Hotel (54 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- 5 · “Lots of interesting things to see and read about as you walk through. Once you finish walking through the museum…” — Ashley Strickland
- 5 · “I'm glad we stumbled upon this looking for something to do indoors during a thunderstorm. Definitely one of the best…” — Nicholas McLaughlin
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Tourist attraction
Dolphin Encounters
4.6 (1,131) 1.8 km from port
Marine attraction in a natural lagoon, offering up-close encounters with dolphins, sea lions & rays.
Near: Bahamas Dolphin Adventure (22 m) · Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Bahamas (46 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- 5 · “Booked through our cruise line in July and had an awesome experience! Our trainer Danielle was very knowledgeable and led…” — Dominique Glover
- 5 · “An absolute amazing experience! I 10/10 recommend and would do this again! Booked through our cruise excursion options. We had…” — Shanna
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Museum
Pompey Museum
4.4 (435) 0.6 km from port
Museum of slavery in historic district's oldest building & site of 18th-century slave auctions.
Near: Joannsouvenirs Bahamas (23 m) · I.S Drug Store (27 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Friday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Saturday: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Sunday: Closed
- 5 · “Great museum on history of Bahamas from origins of enslaved people to present day. Interactive screens are really well done.…” — Laura C
- 5 · “Fascinating museum taking you on a journey through the twist & turns of bahamas history. Well presented & easy to…” — Andrew Derrick
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National Park
Clifton Heritage National Park
4.4 (413) 22.4 km from port
Park with hiking trails, an Amerindian cave, ruins of a cotton plantation, beaches & snorkeling.
Near: Pirate Stairs (281 m) · BREEF Coral Reef Sculpture Garden & Nursery- Ocean Atlas (391 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- 5 · “Great snorkeling and friendly staff. Had the beach all to ourselves. Changing room and outdoor showers on site. Of course…” — jay orr
- 5 · “Amazing park - great trail to walk and get a feel for the beach ecosystem. The snorkeling in the sculpture…” — Tommy McElrath
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Historical landmark
Parliament Square
4.5 (288) 0.2 km from port
Pink-and-white neoclassical mansions on an elegant square, including the Senate & House of Assembly.
Near: RBC Royal Bank (80 m) · The Supreme Court Of The Bahamas (89 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- 5 · “Beautiful historic area right in the heart of Nassau. Parliament Square is one of those places that instantly gives you…” — Verified Travel Reviews
- 5 · “Not much time there but was cool to see.” — Lee Boisvert
Map of Nassau and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Nassau
Cruises to Bahamas & Florida mostly sail november to April.
- Jan
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Cruises calling at Nassau
Deals update daily — see all Bahamas & Florida cruises.
