Nassau Sealife Activities

Want to know what maritime activities you can enjoy during your visit to the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau? Read on!
Nassau Sealife Activities

More about: Nassau Sealife Activities

Nassau is a coastal city in the Bahamas and is therefore surrounded by the waters of the Caribbean Sea . Given its geographical location, it is not surprising that you will find a wide range of water activities during your stay .

For example, among the best things to do in Nassau that involve marine activities, a visit to Junkanoo Beach for snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, and boating stands out. There is also the snorkeling experience at the Love Beach coral reef , the jet ski tour at Cabbage Beach, and interacting with swimming pigs in Exuma, among others.

1. Visit Junkanoo Beach in Nassau and enjoy a wide range of marine activities

Junkanoo Beach| ©Erin Young
Junkanoo Beach| ©Erin Young

If you want to enjoy a wide variety of marine activities during your stay in Nassau, then you should visit Junkanoo Beach. This is a very popular destination, often included in the itinerary of the best tours of Nassau, due to its picturesque landscape of white sand and turquoise blue waters.

This small beach is very close to the Cruise Port, making it easily accessible by car or on foot. You can spend the whole day here without getting bored, whether you decide to relax on the sand, swim, or play some sports.

For example, some of the marine activities you can enjoy at Junkanoo Beach include the following:

  • Snorkeling to discover the local marine life, which includes tropical fish and beautiful corals.
  • Take a boat trip to see some areas of interest and discover the nearby reefs.
  • Get in a kayak to explore this coastal region at your own pace.
  • Surfing, taking advantage of the gentle waves at this beach.

In addition, during this marine activities excursion at Junkanoo Beach in Nassau, you will have the opportunity to play beach sports on the sand, such as volleyball and soccer. You can also sample Caribbean cuisine at the beach restaurants.

Useful information

  • Price: the average price of the activity is around €39 per person.
  • Duration: approximately seven hours.

Book a water sports excursion at Junkanoo Beach

2. Snorkel at the coral reef at Love Beach in Nassau

Snorkeling Day| ©ollie harridge
Snorkeling Day| ©ollie harridge

Visiting Love Beach and snorkeling on its coral reef is another option to add to your list of marine activities in Nassau. You will find a natural space of great beauty, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and with calm waters to explore.

From the moment you arrive, you'll be amazed by the contrast between the dense white sand and the crystal-clear waters. There are also coastal rocks that protect the beach from strong waves. It's undoubtedly a peaceful and romantic atmosphere, ideal for relaxing and taking photos.

You can snorkel in the shallow natural pools found here. Once underwater, you will have the opportunity to explore the coral reef that covers part of this beach, where you will find tropical fish, sea turtles, moray eels, sea urchins, and devil fish.

The beach is easily accessible. It is about a 20-minute drive from the city center and approximately six minutes from Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport. In fact, if you decide to rent a buggy in Nassau, you could include this destination when planning your route.

Useful information

  • Price: to access the beach, you must pass through Nirvana Beach Bar and pay approximately €5 per person.
  • Duration: as this is an outdoor activity, you can stay on the beach all day.

Rent a buggy in Nassau

3. Head to Cable Beach in Nassau and try your hand at some motorized sports

Jetsurf| ©Liborio58
Jetsurf| ©Liborio58

Motor sports enthusiasts will find Cable Beach an unmissable destination. If this is your case, then you should visit this beach and embark on an unforgettable adventure exploring its waters in an innovative way.

This beach , approximately four kilometers long with soft sand, shallow blue waters, and small waves, is located about a 20-minute drive from downtown Nassau. It is a lively, picturesque, and very popular place.

Among the motorized water sports you can enjoy at Cable Beach are the following:

  • Jetsurfing: these boards incorporate a jet propulsion system, allowing you to enjoy high performance as you glide over the waves (at least 32 km/h).
  • Underwater jet ski diving, which allows you to dive at high speed and without any effort, reaching a depth of up to 40 meters.
  • Jet ski or aqua kart tour to explore the water's surface.

At the end of this motorized adventure, you can continue with your itinerary. Perhaps take a guided tour of downtown Nassau to discover this charming capital, or return to your hotel to connect with the shuttle service to Nassau Airport, if this is the end of your trip.

Useful information

  • Price: admission to the beach is free, but to participate in sports you will have to pay approximately €66 per person.
  • Duration: about four hours. It all depends on the number of sports you want to practice.

Book a guided tour of Nassau

4. Discover the marine wildlife that Blue Lagoon Island in Nassau is home to

Blue Lagoon| ©Dolphin Encounters
Blue Lagoon| ©Dolphin Encounters

Blue Lagoon Island is an ideal place to have fun and relax for a whole day. These turquoise blue waters are home to incredible marine wildlife, which you can easily discover while enjoying some water activities.

You will need to meet up with the guide in charge of the activity at the Paradise Island ferry terminal, where you will board a boat and sail to Blue Lagoon Island. During this trip, you will have the opportunity to admire the seascape.

Once you arrive at your destination, the real adventure begins. You will have free time to explore the area by kayak or water bike. You can also take advantage of the shallow waters to snorkel and appreciate the wildlife (tropical fish, turtles, rays, and more).

In addition to water activities, you can play volleyball and ping-pong in the designated areas or simply lie back in a hammock and relax. If you booked the Segway tour of the Blue Lagoon in Nassau in advance , you can take an unforgettable ride and learn about the history of the place.

Useful information

  • Price: the tour to Blue Lagoon Island costs approximately €94 per person.
  • Duration: six to eight hours.

5. Take a stroll along the west coast of Nassau and discover Clifton Heritage National Park

Clifton Heritage National Park sign| ©Valérie Lévesque-Beaudin
Clifton Heritage National Park sign| ©Valérie Lévesque-Beaudin

At Clifton Heritage National Park, located on the west coast of Nassau, you'll find a peaceful natural space with crystal-clear waters for snorkeling. What's more, when you dive in, you'll enjoy an amazing display of underwater art.

When you arrive at the park and start your walk towards the water, your first encounter will be with a sculpture of the face of a Lucayan (the island's first inhabitants), which protrudes from the sand. There, you will have the opportunity to take some photographs.

Next, you can enter the water, swim a few meters, and begin this snorkeling adventure through the region's coral reefs. You will also discover some of the sculptures submerged by British artist Jason DeCaires Taylor.

For example, you will see:

  • The Virtuous Man, which is about 2.5 meters tall.
  • Ocean Atlas, a girl approximately five meters tall and weighing 60,000 kilos.

To get to the park, you only need to drive about 35 minutes from the center. This is a quiet place that you can visit on your own. You also have the option of booking one of the quad bike tours around Nassau, jeep or van tours, which include this destination among their maritime activities.

Useful information

  • Price: general admission costs around €15 per person. However, if you hire a park guide, there are other prices.
  • Duration: if you go on your own, the experience can last as long as you want. Meanwhile, park tours last approximately four hours.

Book a quad bike tour of Nassau

6. Enjoy a snorkeling experience in the Sea Garden conservation area in Nassau

Boat trip| ©R'lyeh Imaging
Boat trip| ©R'lyeh Imaging

The coastal city of Nassau has many maritime activities to offer, one of which is snorkeling in the Sea Garden conservation area . You can explore a coral reef with many forms of life that will surprise you.

The adventure usually begins at the city's port, where the best boat trips around Nassau depart daily. There, you will board a boat and sail quickly to the conservation area.

Upon arriving at this coral reef system protected by a cove, you will dive in with a specialized guide. But first, the guide will teach you basic snorkeling techniques to avoid any inconveniences.

During the dive, you will be amazed by the crystal clear blue waters of this magical place. You will also have the opportunity to see a variety of marine plants, tropical fish, sea coral, at least a couple of turtles, and much more up close.

After this experience, you will return to the boat and then to the port to continue with the activities on your itinerary. For example, you could walk five minutes along Woodes Rodgers Walk to the Straw Market to buy some souvenirs or visit the nearby bars and restaurants for a gastronomic tour of Nassau.

Useful information

  • Price: the approximate cost of the activity is €117 per person.
  • Duration: approximately a couple of hours.

Book a food tour of Nassau

7. Rent a jet ski and explore the crystal clear waters of Cabbage Beach

Cabbage Beach| ©Aaron Headly
Cabbage Beach| ©Aaron Headly

Perhaps your itinerary is a little too tight to undertake one of the day trips and excursions to Nassau with maritime activities. If that's the case, but you don't want to miss out on the water sports this coastal city has to offer, then you should visit Cabbage Beach.

You can rent a jet ski with a guide and transportation to the beach. All you have to do is meet up with the activity manager in downtown Nassau or at the cruise port for a 15- to 20-minute trip to Cabbage Beach.

When you arrive at this beach with crystal clear waters and white sand, a certified guide will teach you how to ride a jet ski. You'll travel along the north coast of Nassau at your own pace, enjoying a privileged view of the sky, the sea, and the resorts that line this kilometer-long beach.

Once the rental time is up, you will return to the starting point. You can then continue with your itinerary of things to see and do in the city and, if it is your last day, you can go to the hotel to connect with a shuttle service to and from Nassau Airport.

Useful information

  • Price: this rental service starts at €110 for two people.
  • Duration: motorbikes can be rented for one hour.

8. Take a trip to the outskirts of Nassau and visit the Exuma district

Exuma| ©Ana Alexandrino
Exuma| ©Ana Alexandrino

If you plan to stay in the city for more than two days and want to explore the surroundings of the Bahamian capital, then a trip to the Exuma district is ideal . Enjoy various water activities, mangrove landscapes, and incredible native wildlife.

For this excursion, you will board a plane at Nassau Airport bound for Rock Sound Airport, approximately 20 minutes away, in Exuma. Upon arrival, you can begin a tour with a guide. You'll be amazed by the crystal clear waters, beautiful palm trees, and miles of white sand.

You'll get to meet and interact with the friendly swimming pigs, considered one of Exuma's biggest attractions. You'll also have the opportunity to swim alongside dozens of nurse sharks without any fear.

On this swimming pigs and sharks excursion to Exuma from Nassau, you will also get a close-up view of the Bahamas iguana colony. These are a species of giant lizards that can weigh up to eight kilograms.

Useful information

  • Price: the price of this getaway usually starts at €604 per person.
  • Duration: approximately six hours.

Book an excursion to Exuma from Nassau

9. Have fun on Pearl Island beach and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of Nassau

Pearl Island| ©tom.fraley
Pearl Island| ©tom.fraley

Pearl Island Beach stands out as another must-see on your itinerary if you want to enjoy the best water activities in Nassau. You can swim freely, do water sports, see marine wildlife, and more.

You'll need to join a guided tour to Pearl Island Beach, which usually includes ferry transportation from the port of Nassau, about 20 minutes away. During this trip, you will get a different perspective of the city and the surrounding coastline from the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Once on dry land, you can grab your snorkeling gear and head to the crystal-clear waters of the beach to dive in and gradually discover the species that live in these reefs. You'll see lots of colorful fish, some turtles, and stingrays. In addition, on this excursion to Pearl Island Beach from Nassau, you'll have the opportunity to explore the coast at your own pace by kayak.

Useful information

  • Price: the price of the experience is around €84 per person.
  • Duration: approximately five hours.

10. Take a scenic cruise along the coast of Nassau and see the city from a different perspective

Afternoon Cruise| ©Güldem Üstün
Afternoon Cruise| ©Güldem Üstün

Perhaps you're not keen on diving into the water to explore Nassau's wildlife up close. However, this doesn't mean you can't enjoy some maritime activities. Such is the case with taking a scenic cruise to see the coast from a different perspective.

These types of experiences usually depart from Nassau Port, where you will board a boat with the captain and crew. All you have to do is sit on the deck, relax, and let yourself be enveloped by the paradisiacal view, led by the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Without a doubt, this is an activity that will take your breath away at any time of day. However, the sunset is a true natural spectacle. You will witness how the sea and sky merge on the horizon, while the last rays of sun cast multiple hues reflected on the surface of the water.

Useful information

  • Price: the activity has an average cost of around €106 per person.
  • Duration: at least a couple of hours.

Reviews from other travellers

4.6
· 2272 Reviews
  • J
    J.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The Pearl Island excursion was, in our opinion, an impressive experience.
  • N
    N.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    The beach was amazing and we enjoyed the water activities and the company.
  • I
    I.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The beach was beautiful and I enjoyed the water activities.
  • A
    A.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    This Pearl Island beach excursion was an awesome experience that I highly recommend to anyone who loves the sea.
  • T
    T.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I recommend it to everyone of all ages.