With kids · Nassau · Bahamas
Nassau with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ahodges7, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Nassau is an easy family trip: Atlantis's water park and aquarium, flamingo shows, forts with cannons and calm beaches on Cable Beach and at Love Beach, all within a short taxi ride. Top picks: Atlantis Aquaventure, Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre and Fort Fincastle. Families usually base themselves in Cable Beach.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 5
- Best area for families
- Cable Beach
- Rainy-day options
- 0
- Busiest months
- March and December
Best things to do with kids
Theme park · Paradise Island
1.Atlantis Aquaventure
The Atlantis resort's water park has slides through shark-filled tanks, including the Leap of Faith from a Mayan temple replica, a lazy river with rapids and large pools. The resort's marine habitat, The Dig, recreates the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis around aquarium tanks.
Non-guests can buy day passes, which are limited and sell out in busy periods; book ahead.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Day passes for non-guests are limited; reserve in advance, especially on cruise days.
- Kids
- Iconic
- Active
Zoo · West Bay Street
2.Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre
A small zoo and tropical garden near Fort Charlotte known for its marching flamingos — the Bahamas' national bird — trained to parade for visitors. It also has Bahamian hutias, parrots and lemurs.
Check the times of the flamingo show when you arrive and plan your walk around it.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
Historic site · Downtown Nassau
3.Fort Fincastle
A small fort on Bennet's Hill shaped like a paddle-wheel steamer's bow, built in 1793. It is one of the highest points on the island and looks over downtown Nassau and the harbour to Paradise Island.
Go in the morning when it is cooler and the light on the harbour is clear.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Kids
Historic site · West Bay Street
4.Fort Charlotte
The largest fort on New Providence, built in the late 18th century above the harbour's western approach, has a moat, ramparts, underground passages and dungeons. Guides explain its history, and the ramparts overlook Arawak Cay.
Walk down to the Arawak Cay Fish Fry for lunch afterwards.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Views
Beach · Paradise Island
5.Cabbage Beach
A long stretch of white sand along Paradise Island's north shore, backed by sea grape and resorts. Water sports, parasailing and vendors operate near Atlantis; the eastern end is quieter. Waves can be stronger than on sheltered beaches.
Walk east away from Atlantis for space, and check flags before swimming.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Kids
Where families should stay
$$$$ · Best for beach, families, couples and luxury
Cable Beach
About 10 km west of downtown, Cable Beach is a long, gently curving beach lined with big hotels, including the Baha Mar complex with its casino, golf course and several hotels. Jitneys run along West Bay Street to downtown, and the Arawak Cay Fish Fry is on the way.
- Good
- Long, swimmable beach; Wide range of resorts; Easy jitney ride downtown
- Watch out
- Some beachfront dominated by resort construction; Resort-style dining prices
- Nearby
- Baha Mar, Arawak Cay, Goodman's Bay, Sandyport
Family travel tips
- Choose a Cable Beach or Paradise Island resort with a kids' club and calm beach.
- Atlantis day passes for non-guests are limited; book them before you travel.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, hats and rash vests; the sun is intense even in winter.
- The Ardastra flamingo show is short and best for younger children.
- Taxis rarely have child seats; book transfers in advance if you need them.
Day trips for families
- Exuma Cays (About 1.5–2 hours each way by speedboat) — 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.
- Rose Island (About 30 minutes by boat) — A long, mostly uninhabited island east of Paradise Island with quiet beaches and shallow reefs used for snorkelling and beach-day excursions.
- Blue Lagoon Island (About 30 minutes by boat) — A private island east of Paradise Island, also known as Salt Cay, with beach day packages, dolphin and sea-lion encounters and calm lagoon swimming.
When to go with children
The best months overall are December–April. March and December are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Nassau good for kids?
Nassau is an easy family trip: Atlantis's water park and aquarium, flamingo shows, forts with cannons and calm beaches on Cable Beach and at Love Beach, all within a short taxi ride.
+What can kids do in Nassau?
Atlantis Aquaventure, Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre, Fort Fincastle, Fort Charlotte and Cabbage Beach.
+Where should families stay in Nassau?
Cable Beach: Strip of large beach resorts along West Bay Street.