Best Nassau Boat Tours

The capital of the Bahamas is the ideal place to board cruises, ferries and even kayaks, and embark on the best trips at sea. By boat you can reach the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and get to know the marine life that inhabits this region, such as the coral reefs, marine ecosystems inhabited by a great variety of multicolored fish.

Boarding a boat in this island is a unique opportunity to discover the tropical paradises hidden in the Caribbean Sea and one of the best things to see and do in Nassau. There are many different tours you can take, such as tours in an individual kayak or boarding a cruise ship with exclusive services. I'll tell you all about it in this article.

This is one of the most popular tours in Nassau, as it includes a visit to Pig Beach on Exuma Island, which is famous for the pigs that inhabit it and often sunbathe on the beach or swim in the sea. During the tour you will also get to see iguanas and sharks in their habitat, making it one of the best marine life activities in Nassau.

The tour is usually done by boat with small groups of up to 14 people and all ages, but you also have the option to book a private boat. Transfer to and from the hotel, snacks, lunch and unlimited drinks are usually included. In addition, in these experiences you could have snorkeling equipment and a professional guide who will give you all the necessary recommendations in case you want to dive into the sea.

One of the main stops is at Pig Beach on Exuma Island, where you can swim with the pigs, or be very close to them, as they are used to the presence of people. You can also feed them with the meals they provide, always treating them with the respect they deserve.

Other places to visit are Marsh Harbour Great Guana Cay, where you can see lots of native iguanas on the beach; the Thunderball Grotto at Staniel Cay, one of the favorite diving sites in the world; and Compass Cay, where you will meet nurse sharks and even have the chance to swim with them. Just keep in mind that if you wish to dive in the grotto, equipment rental may not be included in the cost.

Details of interest

• Price: from 650 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 6 to 7 hours.
• Means of transportation: by boat.
• Advantages of this option: it is an ideal excursion to get to know the marine life and the best islands around Nassau, including Exuma Island, famous for its swimming pigs. They usually include hotel pick-up, lunch, unlimited drinks and use of snorkeling equipment.
• Disadvantages of this option: The boat ride to Exuma Island takes about 3 hours, but includes several stops in between.

One of the best day trips and excursions from Nassau is the one that takes you to Rose Island, where you can also see the famous swimming pigs. The boat usually takes you to a private beach where you can do many sports and water activities, such as snorkeling, or just enjoy the sea and the beach and a nice lunch with a drink.

The tour usually takes place early in the morning and you return in the afternoon. After the boat crossing, which lasts about 25 to 30 minutes, most companies give you free time to enjoy it as you prefer on the island. These tours are ideal for the whole family, especially for children, as they are very entertained watching the piglets.

Many tours include the accompaniment of a professional guide who can show you the best of Rose Island, while giving you interesting information about the island. These guides can also assist you if you wish to snorkel and are very knowledgeable about the fish and marine flora of the island.

Tours to Rose Island are usually done with a large group of people, but you will have plenty of room on the island to have a private experience if you wish. Rose Island beaches are fully serviced with restrooms, showers, hammocks, umbrellas and Wi-Fi. They also have bars and stores, where you can buy the best souvenirs of Rose Island.

Details of interest

• Price: from 250 € for adults and 190 € for children.
• Duration: about 6 to 7 hours.
• Means of transport: by boat.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know one of the best islands of the Bahamas, Rose Island, and you can have a snorkeling experience.
• Disadvantages of this option: it usually does not include transfer to and from the hotel. Activities usually have a separate cost.

One of the best things to do in Nassau is to get on a cruise ship and visit the paradisiacal islands of the Bahamas such as Blue Lagoon, home to dolphins and sea lions. Once on the island you can take a Segway tour, which is a very comfortable and fun way to explore it.

The tour usually starts early in the morning, and the cruise takes about 30 minutes to reach Blue Lagoon Island. It is a private island, where you can enjoy different activities, or just relax sunbathing or swimming in its crystal clear waters ideal for diving.

The segway is a self-balancing transport with two wheels, which people drive standing. You will be able to operate it without any problems once you are provided with the necessary instructions and safety equipment. You can then explore the island's trails, even through the sand, while learning interesting facts about the sites you see. Please note that there may be a minimum age requirement for this activity.

In addition to the Segway tour, there are many other activities you can do in Blue Lagoon, such as dolphin watching and/or swimming with dolphins, learning about native plants and other marine animals such as stingrays, sea lions and sea sharks. Some tours take you to The Tower, continuing on to Nassau, which offers the best views of the city.

Details of interest

• Price: from 120 € per person.
• Duration: about 4 to 5 hours.
• Means of transportation: by cruise ship.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know the private island of Blue Lagoon in a fun way aboard a segway. It can include lunch and bottled water.
• Disadvantages of this option: there is a minimum age to drive the segway which is usually from 12 years old.

One of the best Nassau tours you can do by boat is to visit the island of Pearl Beach and spend a full day on its white sandy beaches, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, and enjoy a delicious lunch.

During the whole tour, you will be accompanied by a professional guide, who will be in charge of telling you about the places you visit, and about the abundant marine flora and fauna of this paradisiacal island. There you will also have the opportunity to do guided snorkeling, but this activity may have an additional cost.

The coasts of Pearl Beach are ideal for kayaking and Stand-up Paddle. To do these activities, you also have the help of the guide, who can briefly teach you how to navigate. Another adventure you can do is to visit the lighthouse, an iconic site of the island, from where you can enjoy an excellent panoramic view.

Many of these tours include a lunch of local food, which may include typical dishes such as barbecued chicken, rice with peas and different salads. The beach has all the services and amenities such as showers, restrooms, umbrellas, chairs for sunbathing, mats and water trampolines, so you can make the most of your stay on the island.

Details of interest

• Price: from 90 € for adults and 46 € for children.
• Duration: between 5 and 6 hours approximately.
• Means of transport: by ferry.
• Advantages of this option: you can visit one of the best beaches in the Bahamas and perform various water activities such as kayaking and Stand-up Paddle with full equipment. Lunch is also included.
• Disadvantages of this option: the island does not have cash. Some tours do not usually include transfer to and from the hotel.

Junkanoo Beach is a beach located one kilometer from downtown Nassau, and very close to the cruise port, where you can rent a single or double kayak and launch yourself into a maritime adventure. You can also take boat tours to nearby reefs from this beach.

In addition to kayaking, you can use other water sports equipment such as snorkeling gear, surfboards, paddle boards and balls for playing soccer and beach volleyball. They will even provide you with a chair or lounger for lounging on the beach. You can use the equipment as many times as you wish during your rental time at Junkanoo Beach.

Kayak rentals are usually available every day of the year starting in the morning. Throughout the day the beach staff is usually available for whatever you need. On the beach you can also buy food and drinks and rent an umbrella.

Details of interest

• Price: from 40 € for adults and 29 € for children approximately.
• Duration: about 7 hours.
• Transportation: not included.
• Advantages of this option: you will be able to use the kayak and other equipment as many times as you wish during the time you hire it.
• Disadvantages of this option: transfer to and from the hotel is usually not included. It is possible that kayaking lessons or other sports may have additional cost.

In order to fully enjoy a boat excursion in Nassau, there are several recommendations that are important to keep in mind:

• Protect yourself from the sun, as you will be under the sun for several hours, so it is essential that you bring a broad-spectrum sunscreen, hat and sunglasses.
• Don't forget to pack your bathing suit, a towel and comfortable clothes, so you can move freely on the Caribbean beaches.
• It is advisable to wear special footwear for walking in the water.
• Bring your own bottle of water, fruits or snacks, although you can surely buy food and drinks on the ship or on the beaches you visit.
• In case you follow a special diet, don't forget to let the tour companies know, so they can provide you with what you need.
• Keep in mind that some islands in the Bahamas do not accept cash.

On the other hand, it is very important that you always respect the instructions of the guides and staff of the boat, especially if you do activities to learn about the marine life in Nassau, such as diving and snorkeling. The coral reefs are ecosystems of great ecological value that are very important to preserve.

Finally, try to travel to Nassau out of the rainy season, especially if you are going for a few days. The city has a warm climate all year round, with minimum temperatures between 18°C and 24°C and maximum temperatures between 25 and 32° C (77 to 90° F). The best time to visit is from November to April, when there are more sunny days. May to October are the rainiest months of the year.

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas, whose 700 islands and islets are a paradise to be discovered. From the city, you can board boats, cruises and ferries to visit some of the islands with the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. This way, you can reach beaches that are not only more exuberant but also quieter and less crowded by tourists.

Most boat trips include a stop at an island so you can enjoy a day at the beach. One of the natural wonders you cannot miss when sailing are the coral reefs, marine ecosystems with a huge variety of tropical fish that inhabit their waters.

For this reason, the Bahamas is one of the favorite places for scuba diving and snorkeling. Its transparent waters let you see its reefs full of life where, if you dare, you can dive with snorkeling or diving equipment and see them up close. You will also be able to see marine animals in the ocean, such as dolphins, sharks and sea lions.

Besides, the boat trip is an adventure in itself, since on board you will see the best views of the ocean and the islands. On most boats you can purchase refreshing drinks and typical Bahamian food. In addition, many boats try to create a festive atmosphere on board with music and an open bar, so that you will enjoy the trip all the time.

The first thing to keep in mind is that Nassau is a very touristy destination, so it is important that you plan your trip in advance and book the boat trips in advance, especially if you will visit popular destinations such as the island of the swimming pigs in Exuma.

The booking process for the excursion is very simple, but you must pay attention and read carefully all the conditions of the service. Be sure to write down all the important information, such as the date and time of departure from Nassau, and whether meals and/or drinks are included. Punctuality is essential, as these are very organized services, and you should arrive some time before the departure of the boat.