Nassau, Bahamas Travel Guide

The beautiful beaches of Nassau, also known as Paradise Island in the Bahamas, are a popular destination for cruise vacationers, honeymooners and travelers looking for an escape to some of the most scenic sites in the Caribbean. Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas and is located on New Providence Island. It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise, the picture-perfect destination to enjoy the tropical atmosphere, glamorous resorts and explore some beautiful natural sites. The 21-mile long stretch of sands around New Providence, the 11^th largest island in the Bahamas, is home to the protected sheltered harbor called Paradise Island. This area dates back to the 1600s and has serves as the home of 18^th-century fortresses, mansions, harbors and cathedrals.

Paradise Island alone encompasses just about 685 acres of territory and is connected to the city of Nassau by two long bridges. Nassau’s Paradise Island is primarily a tourist and resort area, home to several golf courses, stores, casinos, restaurants and an aquarium. This area is also where you’ll find some beautiful vacation rental properties and private residences.

From shopping to sailing, Nassau is the place to enjoy the leisurely lifestyle and soak up some sunshine. Highlights of the region include Blue Lagoon Island, Bay Street, Cable Beach and nature preserves that are perfect for birding and nature walks. If it’s your first time visiting Nassau and the beaches around Paradise Island, take a self-guided or escorted tour of the area to learn about the history of this area and stroll around some of the old government buildings. You’ll find a number of horse-drawn tours, air tours, taxi tours and bus tours running throughout the key tourist areas on any given day.

Casinos and nightclubs in Nassau abound, and you can find a number of popular nightspots that host local talent shows and live entertainment throughout the year. Whether you’re interested in partying the night away, gaming until the wee hours of the morning, or just enjoying a cocktail at ritzy lounge, you’ll find a number of nightclubs and entertainment venues in Downtown Nassau, Paradise Island and Cable Beach.

Nassau Weather and Best Time to Visit

The weather in Nassau is fairly consistent year round and the agreeable climate makes this city a popular destination for destination weddings and family vacations any time of year. The trade winds help to keep things cool and comfortable, even during the summer months. Average temperatures during the winter months are about 75 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. May through September are the most comfortable times of the year, with average highs in the low to mid-70s. Average temperatures the rest of the year stay in the mid-80s to low-90s. It is, of course, cooler along the coastline and you can expect temperatures to drop about 5 to 10 degrees when you get closer to the ocean.

The summer months are also very humid, and you can expect more comfortable temperatures in the early morning or late evening. Nassau enjoys more than seven hours of sunshine per day, on average, with only a couple of days of cloudy weather each month. The rainiest season is between May through October.

Experience Nassau

Whether you’re visiting Nassau in the middle of summer or heading to Paradise Island for the holidays, you’ll always find a wealth of things to do and experience throughout the area. The Bahamas continue to be one of the hottest destinations in the world and are especially famous for cruises and extended stay vacations. The islands are served by several major cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebration Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line. Head to the welcome Center at Festival Place to see the vibrant architectural styles of an old Bahamian village, see the work of local crafters and artisans, and enjoy a leisurely stroll among some of the beautiful buildings in the area.

This is also a great place to pick up some coconut and pineapple tarts, visit old towns and roads including Queens Highway and Settlers Way, and enjoy a live Bahamian music performance in the indoor square on certain days of the week.

Cable Beach is the “South Beach” of Nassau, the place to enjoy a few hours of people-watching, enjoy the upscale atmosphere and take in some of the area nightlife. It is primarily a resort area, and is usually quite crowded. You’ll find street vendors, locally-owned restaurants and some souvenir shops located along the coast. Junkanoo Beach is another popular destination for sunbathing and relaxation. It is within walking distance of the British Colonial Hotel. Other Nassau beaches that are worth a visit include Saunders Beach and The Beach at Atlantis.