5 days in Nassau

Day by day

1. Day 1: Atlantis Aquaventure and Cabbage Beach

   Atlantis Aquaventure, Cabbage Beach and Parliament Square, then Arawak Cay Fish Fry in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Atlantis Aquaventure

      Non-guests can buy day passes, which are limited and sell out in busy periods; book ahead. (Full day, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Cabbage Beach

      Walk east away from Atlantis for space, and check flags before swimming. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Conch salad

      Arawak Cay Fish Fry and Potter's Cay Dock.

   4. Afternoon

      Parliament Square

      Visit early before the cruise crowds; the colours photograph best in morning light. (20–30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Arawak Cay Fish Fry

      Order a conch salad and watch it being chopped to order, then share a plate of fried snapper.

2. Day 2: Junkanoo Beach and Queen's Staircase

   Junkanoo Beach, Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle, then Paradise Island in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Junkanoo Beach

      Come early on cruise days, before the bars and loungers fill up. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Queen's Staircase

      Combine it with Fort Fincastle and the walk down to Parliament Square for an easy downtown loop. (30 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Cracked conch

      Fish Fry shacks and Bahamian restaurants downtown.

   4. Afternoon

      Fort Fincastle

      Go in the morning when it is cooler and the light on the harbour is clear. (30–45 minutes, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Paradise Island

      Atlantis's casino, bars and nightclub, plus restaurants at Marina Village.

3. Day 3: Fort Charlotte and Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre

   Fort Charlotte, Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre and Nassau Straw Market, then Cable Beach in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Fort Charlotte

      Walk down to the Arawak Cay Fish Fry for lunch afterwards. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre

      Check the times of the flamingo show when you arrive and plan your walk around it. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Conch fritters

      Beach bars, the Fish Fry and resort pool bars.

   4. Afternoon

      Nassau Straw Market

      Bargaining is expected; ask vendors which items are locally made. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Cable Beach

      Baha Mar's casino, lounges and bars along the resort strip.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Exuma Cays

   About 1.5–2 hours each way by speedboat each way. Getting there: Organised speedboat tour or small-plane excursion.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Exuma Cays

      About 1.5–2 hours each way by speedboat (Organised speedboat tour or small-plane excursion); about 130 km.

   2. Day

      Exuma Cays

      A chain of cays known for sandbars, very clear water, the swimming pigs at Big Major Cay, the Thunderball Grotto snorkel site and iguanas at Allan's Cay. Best for first-timers, couples and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Nassau

      Dinner: try Peas 'n' rice.

5. Day 5: National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and John Watling's Distillery

   National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, John Watling's Distillery and Nassau Public Library, then Arawak Cay in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

      A cool, quiet break from the heat of Bay Street, a few minutes uphill. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      John Watling's Distillery

      Try the rum punch on the veranda; the tour itself is short and free. (45 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Peas 'n' rice

      Every local restaurant.

   4. Afternoon

      Nassau Public Library

      Step in for a few minutes when passing Parliament Square; it is free and cool. (20 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Arawak Cay

      Fish Fry shacks with music and local crowds, especially on weekend evenings.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Atlantis Aquaventure before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Downtown Nassau keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Paradise Island ($$$$) suits families, luxury, beach and nightlife. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 19–25 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.6 hours in December to 13.7 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Nassau
• 2 days in Nassau
• 3 days in Nassau

Questions travellers ask