When you go on a Bahamas or Caribbean cruise, you will most likely stop at Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. Nassau has so many options for things to do and places to see that it can be overwhelming, especially if you are traveling with kids. To help make your decision easier, we have put together a guide to some of the best activities and attractions you and your family can enjoy together while in port.
Pirates of Nassau Museum
Ahoy there, mateys! Do your kids love pirates and want an interactive experience? Then check out the Pirate Museum, located in the heart of Old Town Nassau. Nassau was a pirate stronghold for many years, so what better place to learn about the history of pirates and have a little fun? Stepping into this museum will take you back in time with multiple immersive exhibits that your children are sure to love. The museum is dedicated to the pirates of the Caribbean and offers everything from reenactments of everyday life to famous battles, balancing historical truth with lots of fun. Family favorites are walking the plank and taking a picture with your kids in the stocks.
Pricing
Tickets for adults are $14, children 4-17 are $7, and kids three and under are free.
Booking Information
No need to book through the cruise line for this one, it’s a less than 10-minute walk from the cruise port. Taxis are readily available if walking that far is too much for your family. Tickets for this experience are purchased on-site when you arrive.
Junkanoo World Museum & Arts Centre
If you’re traveling with your kids and want them to experience the culture of a new country, Junkanoo is the perfect destination. This vibrant celebration is an excellent opportunity for children to learn about local culture through exhibits, parades, music, and art. They can even dress up in authentic costumes for photos, play the rhythm of the drums, and sample delicious local cuisine. Junkanoo is the heart and soul of Nassau and a celebration of freedom that your kids will love.
Pricing
Pricing varies throughout the year. Expect to pay around $20 per adult and $15 per child for a guided tour. Self-guided access to the museum is about $5 per person.
Booking Information
The museum is a forty-minute walk from the port, so a taxi will be necessary for most. Some cruise lines offer this as an excursion. It is worth considering as the price can vary if you pay cash, and the cruise line will include transportation.
Blue Lagoon offers a variety of activities suitable for families with kids of all ages. You can enjoy Dolphin swims and encounters, sea lion encounters, and snorkeling with stingrays and sharks.
The Dolphin swims and encounters let you and your family get up close with these friendly creatures. Depending on the package you choose, you can have different levels of dolphin interaction. The Sea Lion Encounter allows you to get into waist-deep water and take pictures with the sea lions. Encounters are for kids of all ages, and swimming with the animals is reserved for kids six and up.
The stingray and shark encounter with snorkeling is another activity you can enjoy. There is an area reserved for this activity with shallow water, so it is beginner-friendly.
Pricing
The most popular package for families is the Dolphin Encounter, starting at $150 per person, four and up. Children 3 and under are free. A buffet lunch, ferry transportation to the island, beach access, inner tubes, lounge chairs, and restrooms with showers are included in this package. Drinks, additional experiences, and power sports are an extra cost to budget for. You are not allowed to bring your own camera for encounters and swims, so if you want a photo, you must buy one from Blue Lagoon. Prices vary, but plan on spending around $40 per person for photos.
Booking Information
Blue Lagoon is an island, which means it is not easily accessible on foot or by taxi. While booking directly through Blue Lagoon is possible, the logistics of reaching the island are slightly more complex. Therefore, purchasing this excursion through your cruise line is advisable to ensure a hassle-free experience.
If you’re looking for a place to keep your kids busy, Baha Bay Water Park might be just what you need. This newly opened luxurious waterfront waterpark is situated on 15 acres and offers various exciting activities, including thrill slides, a kid’s island, a surf simulator, a wave pool, a beach club, and a lazy river. The thrill rides are perfect for older kids who love twisting slides with big drops and two uphill water coasters. Parents with younger kids can also enjoy a large area with small slides, a splash pad, a tipping bucket, and a water battle zone. The quarter-mile-long lazy river is fun for kids and adults of all ages. If you didn’t travel all the way to the Bahamas for a manufactured water park, don’t worry; your day pass also includes access to a stunning private beach.
Pricing
Expect to pay $160 for adults and children over 48 inches and $65 for children under 48 inches. Also, factor in that you will likely eat a meal here. There are plenty of food options, but they are all relatively expensive. There are no counter-service options at Baha Mar; sit-down meals are the only choices.
Booking Information
Baha Bay is too far from the port to walk, so that you will need a taxi. Given the distance from the port, if you can find an excursion through your cruise line for a reasonable price, book it through them for peace of mind.
The Atlantis resort is a massive resort complex located on Paradise Island, easily visible from your ship in port. It’s the most prominent resort in Nassau and offers something for everyone, including families with children of all ages.
At Atlantis, there are three main activities for families to enjoy, all included in the day pass. However, it would be best if you kept in mind that lunch, drinks, and any additional marine life experiences you choose to participate in are not included in the pass and will require separate budgeting.
Private Beaches
Atlantis offers six private beaches for families to choose from, some of which have protected lagoons to keep young children safe from the swells. The Bahamas boast some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and the beaches at Atlantis are no exception, with warm turquoise waters and soft white sand. Don’t forget to pack your snorkel if you are looking for an active beach experience; these waters are teeming with beautiful marine life. Since the beach is part of the resort, guests can access clean bathrooms, towels, and food and beverage options. Private beaches with these amenities can be hard to find in Nassau, as most private beaches do not allow children under fourteen.
Aquaventure Water Park
A visit to Aquaventure water park is a must-do activity for most families that visit Atlantis. It is widely regarded as the highlight of the entire resort, and with good reason. The water park covers an area of 141 acres and boasts eighteen thrilling waterslides, two river rides, and over twenty swimming areas. Families will easily find something to do regardless of age or preferred thrill level. The Aquaventure park even has things to do for babies and toddlers, with a splash area and small water slides just for them! The scope of this water park is unrivaled in Nassau and will surely be a memorable part of your cruise.
Marine Habitats
If your kids are up for a self-guided adventure, you won’t want to miss the marine habitat area of Atlantis. The resort has numerous habitats you can explore, starting with the Dig, located in the main lobby, where you can experience the lost city of Atlantis. The predator’s lagoon, situated near the kid’s area, has everything from barracudas to hammerhead sharks. Atlantis has many habitats to explore, but don’t forget to check out Dolphin Cay. It’s a part of the Marine Adventures program, which offers unforgettable experiences with marine life to children and adults at an extra cost. These can be a great option if you want to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Pricing
Atlantis day pass prices vary based on demand. Expect to pay around $190 per adult and $95 per child 4-12 on slower days. Busy days will be $250 per adult and $125 for children 4-12. Three and under are free. Check the date of your visit on the Atlantis site for exact pricing.
Booking Information
If you decide to purchase a day pass for Atlantis on your own, please remember that you will have to arrange your own transportation. Atlantis is only a ten-minute taxi ride from the port, but traffic can be notoriously bad when returning from Paradise Island in the afternoon. Therefore, it is important to leave with plenty of time to get back to the ship.
Many cruise lines provide excursions to Atlantis, and opting for the cruise line’s package ensures stress-free transportation and guarantees that you won’t miss the ship if you encounter congested traffic or other transportation issues. Alternatively, you can save money by buying a day pass and arranging transportation to and from Atlantis.
Beach Day
There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a day spent at the beach. Sometimes, the simple things on vacation bring us the most joy – watching our kids splash around in the surf, sitting in the sand building sandcastles. However, finding beach access in Nassau can be tricky. If you want to skip paying for a private beach, here are the best options:
Cabbage Beach
This beach is one of Nassau’s most popular public beaches. Vendors offer umbrellas and chairs for a fee. If you choose to grab a local bite, food options are within walking distance of the surf. The beach is located on Paradise Island, a 10-15 minute taxi ride from the port. Traffic can get bad in the afternoon, so allow plenty of time to get back to the ship.
Junkanoo Beach
This is the only beach that is walkable from the cruise port. The beach is small and situated in the protected waters of the shipping channel. Though there is a good amount of sand, the bottom can be rocky, so it’s advisable to pack water shoes. The beach has public restrooms, which is a great convenience. The area is quite touristy, so you can expect vendors to approach you and try to sell you various goods and services.
Saunders Beach
If you are seeking a less touristy experience, this beach is an ideal choice. It is a local favorite destination, providing ample space for visitors to spread out and relax. The beach offers public restrooms and a small playground for children. Although there are a few food options within walking distance, very few vendors offer chairs and umbrellas. The beach is too far for most families to walk, but it’s just a quick ten-minute taxi ride from the port. While not entirely traffic-free, this area is relatively less congested than Paradise Island.
Pricing
Except for transportation, all expenses are optional with these beaches.
Booking Information
Booking beach days through the cruise line may not provide good value for money and impose strict time schedules. Consider planning your own beach day.
Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Nassau with Kids
Nassau is an excellent destination for families with children, as it offers a variety of activities. This little island is rich in culture and boasts beautiful white sand beaches. Whether you want to explore the local food and customs, enjoy thrilling waterpark rides, learn about the marine life, or discover pirate lore, your kids are guaranteed to have an experience of a lifetime.
