Things to do in Nassau & Paradise Island

Atlantis on Paradise Island has some stonkingly good attractions. First off, there’s the biggest open-air aquarium in the world, with over two hundred species of exotic marine life including sharks, dolphins, rays and barracuda. There are a few ways to experience the sea life, from a slide through a shark lagoon to snorkelling with rays and swimming with dolphins. Then you’ve got the Aquaventure water park, which has eleven different pools – three for kids and an adult-only one – a mile-long river ride and waterslides of all shapes and sizes. Book a day pass and whether it’s just for the beach (which you can watch dolphins from) or for an action-packed agenda, this is an incredible place to visit.

In downtown Nassau’s Buena Vista Estate, John Watling’s distillery is the creator of the Spirit of the Bahamas rum. Watling was a pirate in the seventeenth century, and the distillery named in his honour was opened in 2013. It uses sand from San Salvador Island (previously known as Watling Island) to filter the water. Don’t leave without a sip of Wilfred’s legendary John Watling’s Rum Dum cocktail.

18 acres of tranquil, tropical landscape in Nassau, with more than 600 species of fauna (look out for the Yellow Elder, the national flower of the Bahamas).

Parliament Square was built in 1815 by the Loyalists, who were inspired by architecture in North Carolina. A statue of Queen Victoria joined the scene in 1905. Painted pastel pink, the colonial architecture harks back to Nassau’s past and are still used by the government and supreme court.

With some 170 species, The Retreat has one of the biggest private collections of palms on the planet. This National Park is the HQ of the Bahamas National Trust, and beside rare palms, you’ll find orchids, red ginger and other tropical flowers across the 11 acres. The trust also organise bird watching walks around the island.

This staircase was named to honour Queen Victoria after her 65 years on the throne. Its 65 steps were carved from limestone by slaves and took sixteen years to create. They link a waterfall and market with Fort Fincastle and were used by soldiers for speedy access to the fort.

Pirates used this island to take salt to preserve food – earning it the official name ‘Salt Cay’. The island is home to a hidden lagoon (hence the other name) which is guarded by a concrete entrance tower (if you can get to the top, the views are spectacular). It’s been a popular spot for royalty and celebrities through the ages and these days draws visits for the chance to meet dolphins.

Ardastra’s zoo, landscaped gardens and conservation centre give visitors a chance to feed parrots, meet snakes and watch their famous marching flamingos. The gardens occupy four acres of jungle, with twisting paths, a canopy of exotic trees and beautiful plants and flowers.

Hogging the west coast of the island, this National Park has historic sites, natural beauties and some fabulous hiking trails. Visit the ruins of a slave village and plantation, learning about what life was like hundreds of years ago. Walk through 208 acres of coppice forest and relax on idyllic beaches. Bring your snorkel and there’s even more to see under the water.

Nassau has more museums than any of the other Bahamian isles. Pompey Museum tells the story of slaves, in the very same marketplace that saw slaves sold in 18th century. Step through the doors of the Balcony House Museum and it feels like you’ve gone back in time to 18th century – this is one of the oldest buildings in the Bahamas and it’s been fully restored with old-school furnishings. In the Bahamas Historical Society Museum, visitors can see pre-Columbian displays and Lucayan Indian artefacts. We love the interactive Pirates of Nassau Museum, which has an awesome replica pirate ship. Colours burst in the Junkanoo Expo Museum, for a flavour of the legendary island festivities.

East of Nassau harbour, Fort Montague is New Providence’s oldest fort, having been built in 1741. They run tours here throughout the week where you can brush up on local history. The biggest fort on the island, covering a hundred acres, is Fort Charlotte. Named after the wife of king George III, it was built by Lord Dunmore in 1788, complete with a moat, dungeons, underground paths and cannons, which have never been used in warfare. The views over the western end of the harbour, the city and Paradise Island are incredible. Fort Fincastle and its Water Tower were built in 1793 as lookouts for pirates, and lay claim to the highest point of the island at 65m above sea level. The views are incredible. Follow the steps of soldiers to get here via the Queen’s Staircase.

Easily reached on foot from Downtown Nassau, the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is inside the beautiful Villa Doyle. It has four spaces, including permanent and temporary exhibitions. Around the corner, the D’Aguilar Foundation has a massive collection of Bahamian art from the last 50 years or so. We also like the Doongalik Studios, which showcases colourful creations by local artists, often hosting readings and a farmer’s market.

By hook or by crook, don’t miss the legendary Straw Market on Bay Street where you can haggle for straw hats, shell jewellery and souvenirs. The Doongalik Farmers market takes place in the arty hub of the Doongalik Studios, selling vegetables, eggs, cakes, fish and meat as well as the most incredible fish wraps.