Things to Do in Bahamas

Get out your eye patch and peg leg and get ready to delve into one of the most infamous and legendary aspects of Caribbean history. During the Golden Age of Piracy, from 1690 to 1720, pirates patrolled the waters of the Caribbean, terrorizing merchant ships and no place played a greater role in illegal pirate operations than Nassau, home base to the world's largest concentration of swashbuckling seafarers. 

A trip to Pirates of Nassau takes one back to the Golden Age when pirates ruled the Caribbean. A favorite of both adults and children alike, this museum is one you won't want to miss. It is said that when a pirate slept, he did not dream of heaven, but of returning to Nassau. Come and find out for yourself what made Nassau pirate paradise.

Peterson Cay, a tiny island off the south shore of Grand Bahama, is home to Peterson Cay National Park, the smallest national park in the Bahamas, covering only 1.5 acres. Small though it may be, the cay is home to one of the most beautiful reefs in the Bahamas, and the gorgeous coral structures are replete with snorkeling and diving opportunities. 

Past the initial soft coral near the beach, the main reef is a short swim off the shore, so be sure to go past the initial soft-branch. There is also a wide variety of aquatic life that calls the reef home, so keep your eyes out for tropical fish, and even manta rays and barracuda. 

The pristine sandy beaches provide a perfect spot for quiet relaxation and afternoon picnics, and the calm atmosphere of the island is ideal for any Bahaman vacation. 

Discover the natural beauty and the wildlife of the Bahamas at the Garden of the Groves, an idyllic botanical garden filled with lush plant life, native animals, and plenty of photo opportunities.

Located a mere 50 miles east of the US Florida coast, Grand Bahama Island’s Freeport Cruise Port at Lucayan Harbour is a popular and convenient jumping-off point for cruisers (especially Americans) to experience the Bahamas’ famous white-sand beaches and opportunities for water sports. In contrast with the other Bahamian cruise port in the capital city of Nassau on New Providence Island, this laid-back launch pad for Caribbean fun is less about the bustle and more about the beach break.

The Basics
Freeport shore excursions from Lucayan Harbour allow travelers to make the most of their stop on Grand Bahama Island. When you get off the cruise ship, take a full or half-day city tour for some Freeport sightseeing that includes duty-free shopping at the famous International Bazaar or Port Lucaya Marketplace, or book a Bahamian Brewery tour for some beer samples. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature while in the Bahamas, you can spend a day kayaking at Turtle Park or tour Lucayan National Park, home to a spectacular underwater cave system and a beautiful hidden beach.

Other Freeport excursion options include relaxing at the popular Taino Beach or all-inclusive Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach; taking a scuba diving or snorkeling tour; and joining in on a beach bonfire party, where you can sip rum cocktails and limbo just like the locals.

• Freeport cruise excursions include pickup and drop-off from the cruise dock.
• Given Grand Bahama Island’s size and Freeport’s central location, it is easy enough to see the top sites in one day.
• Most cruises run to the Bahamas from December to May, when temperatures are typically in the low 80s (F). The hurricane season runs from about June to November.

How to Get to Port Lucaya From the Freeport Cruise Port
While it’s too far to walk from Freeport’s Lucayan Harbour to the downtown area known as Port Lucaya, the cruise ship port is located on the west-central part of the island, and cruisers can take a 10-minute taxi ride to get downtown. Most taxis will offer to make the trip for a flat fee of about $15. Also near the docks are shuttle vans offering rides from the pier to Port Lucaya for about $5 per passenger. The harbor is located just over five miles (nine km) from the International Bazaar.

Port Information
Grand Bahama Island is a frequented stop on cruise lines arriving from Florida. The tropical island’s close proximity to the United States means that English-speaking travelers are not likely to run into any language or culture snags. Both American and Bahamian dollars are accepted all over Grand Bahama Island.

High atop a hillside overlooking the harbor of Nassau is the British-colonial Fort Charlotte—the largest fort in Nassau. Constructed in the late 18th century for a battle that never took place, this historic site offers picturesque views, hidden underground passages, a waterless mote, remote dungeons and even authentic canons. Guides are available to help travelers navigate through subterranean halls far below the fort, but well-place signage and plenty of light means visitors can just as easily explore the grounds on their own.

Opened in 1967, Freeport's International Bazaar has been recognized as a symbol of the Bahamas. Filled with shops, restaurants, and other locally-owned stalls, the Bazaar used to be the light of the town. It was tragically affected by the hurricane season of 2004, and was, for quite some time, considered an abandoned artifact of Bahaman life. 

Luckily, life has begun to appear at the Bazaar in full force, as local merchants, restaurateurs, artists, and other business owners rallied together to restore it to its original glory. 

Sample the local cuisine, create your own perfume, browse the handmade crafts, and get a taste of a true symbol of Freeport at the International Bazaar. 

One of the traditional crafts of the Bahamas, straw working has become infused into Bahamian culture and industry. Each island has developed its own distinctive plaiting or braiding style to create beautiful straw hats, baskets, etc.

The Straw Market in Nassau serves as the ultimate destination to pick up Bahamian souvenirs. Grab a hat to protect yourself from the sun, or maybe pick up a small wood carving as a trinket to take home to a family member. In addition to the authentic hand-crafted merchandise, the Straw Market also offers many other items. What makes the Straw Market a unique shopping experience is getting to bargain the prices down; just remember to never accept the first offer and have fun seeing how low you can get the price to go!

This incredible 40-acre park has some of the most spectacular secluded beaches in all of the Bahamas. Filled with mangrove, pine, and palm trees, Lucayan National Park features incredible plants in bloom as well as a plethora of waterbirds and saltwater fish. 

Snorkel in the amazing turquoise waters or explore the world's largest underground cavern system. If you're interested in the history of the area, look into a tour of the burial grounds of the indigenous Bahaman people.  

Surround yourself with true Bahaman beauty in this lovely national park, and enjoy the protective care that its delicate environment demands. 

The island of Nassau is the seat of the Bahamian government and the four bubblegum pink buildings that house its key branches lend a distinctly island vibe to what’s known as Parliament Square.

The pastel Georgian-style buildings of the Supreme Court, the Public Library and Museum and the Houses of Parliament surround the square, where a statue honoring Queen Victoria stands. This government center is within walking distance from the main cruise ship ports, as well as numerous shops and restaurants, making it a perfect stop to learn a bit of history while touring the town.

This seafood paradise—ripe with fresh fish and strong drinks—is a destination for diners looking to truly taste Nassau. What began with a few tiny stalls selling locally sourced conch quickly grew to include a variety fish and a more extensive list of traditional Bahamian fare. Travelers line up for famous conch salad and crispy conch fritters that local cooks fry to order. But visitors can sample shrimp, lobster and snapper prepared street side, too. Be sure to request a hit of local hot sauce, made with the island’s special blend of spicy peppers and juicy limes.

Arawak Cay is a fun stop for an afternoon snack or a delicious local dinner. And since the streets come alive at dusk, this waterfront spot is an ideal destination for a frosty beer or a strong sipping sundowner to round out the night.

The Port Lucaya Marketplace is considered to be the commercial hub of Grand Bahama. With over 80 boutiques, restaurants, and bars, the outdoor market turns shopping, dining, and entertainment into a wonderful experience. As opposed to your typical indoor mall or strip mall, the Bahaman climate makes the marketplace a wonderful place to be. 

Centered around Count Basie Square, there is always nighttime entertainment including dancing, music, and street performers. There are tons of family-friendly activities for kiddies, including horse-drawn carriage rides, hair braiding, dance and music lessons, and much more.