The Bahamas’ capital mixes colonial pastel architecture with cruise ship energy, offering easy access to swimming pigs and some of the clearest water in the Caribbean.
Why Visit Nassau
Nassau serves as both a historic colonial capital, with its pastel colored government buildings and pirate history, and the main gateway to the wider Bahamas archipelago’s beaches and cays. Nearby Exuma’s famous swimming pigs, reachable by short flight or boat tour, have become one of the most shared wildlife encounters on social media. Paradise Island, connected to Nassau by bridge, adds resort scale attractions including Atlantis’s water park and aquarium.
Top Experiences
- Queen’s Staircase: a 66 step limestone staircase carved by enslaved laborers in the 18th century.
- Paradise Island: home to the Atlantis Resort’s water park, aquarium, and casino, connected to Nassau by bridge.
- Exuma swimming pigs: famous wild pigs that swim out to greet boats near the Exuma cays, a popular day trip from Nassau.
- Pirates of Nassau Museum: a museum recreating Nassau’s history as a haven for pirates in the early 18th century.
- Cable Beach: a resort lined beach a short distance from downtown Nassau.
Book Nassau Tours & Activities
Swim with Exuma’s famous pigs, explore Paradise Island’s water park, or dive into Nassau’s pirate history with guided tours from the Bahamas.
4hr Private Tour Island Hop Snorkel w/ Turtles & Sip Bahama Mamas
Bahamas Airport One Way Private Transportation (Departure Only)
Private Round Trip Nassau (BahaMar & Atlantis)Surrounding Hotels
Airport transfer to SLS bahamar,Grand Hyatt,Rosewood, Cable beach
Practical Tips
- Swimming with the Exuma pigs typically requires a full day trip by boat or seaplane from Nassau.
- Nassau’s cruise port brings large crowds on days when multiple ships are docked, plan accordingly.
- Paradise Island’s Atlantis Resort attractions can be accessed with day passes even for non-guests.
- The Bahamian dollar is pegged to the US dollar and both currencies are widely accepted.
FAQ
How do you get to the swimming pigs from Nassau?
Most visitors book a day tour combining a flight or boat trip to Exuma, where the pigs swim out to greet visitors in the shallow water.
Is Nassau just a cruise port?
While it is a major cruise destination, Nassau’s colonial history, pirate museum, and access to Paradise Island and Exuma give it plenty to offer beyond a quick port stop.
Final Thoughts
Nassau works well both as a colonial history stop and as the launching point for two of the Bahamas’ most memorable experiences, Atlantis’s water park and Exuma’s swimming pigs.
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