Often dubbed the "Isles of June" for its glorious weather year-round,
Nassau sits prominently within the chain of 700 tropical islands
that make up the Bahamas. Nassau, the capital of New Providence
Island, is a sophisticated, charming town built on a sun-splashed
hillside overlooking the sea. If blue skies, clear waters and un-crowded
beaches aren't tempting enough, maybe the water sports, duty-free
shopping and excellent seafood will lure you to the breathtaking
shores of one of our most popular vacation destinations.
The legal tender of Nassau is the Bahamian dollar (B$1) which
is equivalent in value to the US dollar. Both U.S. and Bahamian
dollars are accepted throughout the island, as are US dollar travelers
checks and most major credit cards.
Language
The official language is English.
Proof of Citizenship
Acceptable forms of proof of citizenship for U.S. citizens traveling
between the U.S. and our International Destinations are a valid
passport, OR a certified , state issued birth certificate with
raised seal AND a valid government photo ID, (i.e. a driver's license).
It is the traveler's responsibility to provide proper documentation.
Married women traveling with any documentation in their maiden
name must supply a marriage license (a copy is acceptable).
How do I get around?
Visitors can choose from many forms of ground transportation including
car, bicycle and scooter rentals (driving is on the left hand side
of the road). Taxis are available, as well as horse-drawn surreys
for sightseeing. Ferry service is available for inter-island transportation.
Tours
Fun Club's Theme Park
You won't know what to do first - play 18 holes on the executive miniature
golf course, challenge your skill at the putting or chipping greens, sand
traps and driving cages or practice your swing at the state-of-the-art batting
cages - there's time for it all.
Majestic Lady Dinner Cruise
Dine and dance the night away while cruising Nassau's lighted harbor. It's
all aboard the Majestic Lady, an 85-foot catamaran, equipped for a fun-filled
adventure.
Catamaran Cruise
Relax and enjoy the strumming of the Calypso band as you cruise through waters
of unbelievable clarity aboard the 2 largest catamarans in the Atlantic.
New Year's Day Sailing Regatta
The grand finale to a week of racing with Bahamian-built sloops battling
for the championship and a festive atmosphere onshore.
February
Festival in the Park
Features marching bands, "rake 'n scrape" music, limbo, fire dancing and
more.
March
Carifta Games
The best athletes throughout the Caribbean compete at the Queen Elizabeth
Sports Center.
April
Breezes Golf Classic
A tournament for amateurs sponsored by SuperClubs' Breezes Resort.
June
Caribbean Muzik Festival
A celebration of Calypso, Reggae, Dance Hall and Junkanoo music.
July
Independence Day
Festivities, parades and celebrations commemorate the Independence of the
Bahamas.
August
Emancipation Day
The first Monday in August commemorates the emancipation of slavery in 1834
with a day-long celebration including food and cultural events.
September
Bahamas Atlantis Superboat Challenge
A major international power boat race with five days of festive events.
October
International Month
The month of October marks a celebration of international culture filled
with entertainment, food and art.
Great Bahamas Seafood Festival
A culinary extravaganza featuring excellent Bahamian seafood dishes.
Bahamas National Trust Wine & Art Festival
Spotlights works by local artists and a wine tasting.
November
Christmas Jollification
An arts & crafts festival with holiday foods and music.
December
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Children's choirs entertain at this annual event to celebrate the Christmas
season.
Nassau Classic Car Festival
A showcase and parade of priceless classic cars held on Cable Beach.
Junkanoo
A spectacular pre-dawn parade with music, dance and costumes in the Mardi
Gras tradition held on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's morning.
Ongoing Events
Changing of the Guard Ceremony
Witness the pomp and pageantry marking the changing of the Guard at Government
House, the residence of the Governor General, personal representative of
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Cloisters
The remains of a 14th century Augustine stone monastery overlooking Nassau
Harbor.
St. Augustine's Monastery
A famous landmark designed in the Romanesque style.
The Ardastra Gardens & Zoo
A small and charming sanctuary for over 300 birds, mammals and reptiles and
more than 600 species of flowering plants.
Forts
The three existing forts in Nassau were built in the 16th century to command
the western harbor. Tours to Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and Fort Montagu
provide an interesting look at the history of the island.
European Art Museum & Gallery
Features a permanent exhibition of European art as well as works by local
artists.
Queen's Staircase
This steep staircase is believed to have been carved from limestone by slaves
in the 18th century to provide an escape route into town.
Dolphin Encounters
Swim in the ocean with dolphins! A variety of programs are offered including
a day-long cruise to Blue Lagoon Island and a 20-minute excursion to Sanctuary
Bay where you can observe these intelligent, playful creatures up close.
Submarine Dive
Take a tour through the depths of the ocean aboard a comfortable submarine
and get an underwater view of coral reefs and exotic deep-sea creatures.
Junkanoo Museum
Learn all about Junkanoo, the Bahamians official Carnival, and the origins
of this colorful, festive event from the days of slavery.
Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation
Once used as an auction house for slaves, this building now houses exhibits
of the African Bahamian lifestyle from slavery to post-emancipation.
Hartley's Undersea Walk
Stroll across the ocean floor, without even getting your hair wet!
Nassau Straw Market
Bring your cash as well as your bargaining skills to Nassau's lively market
which sells souvenirs, woodcrafts and just about anything that can be made
from straw.
Parliament Square
Home of the Queen Victoria statue, Chambers of Parliament, House of Assembly
and the Senate.
Bay Street, the International Bazaar, and the Nassau Straw Market
are excellent shopping locations. Long a leader in duty-free shopping,
popular goods sold in Nassau include fragrances, jewelry, china,
leather goods, linens and cameras. These items are often sold for
up to 40% below retail prices. Visitors from the US are allowed
to take items, valued up to $600, back home with them duty-free
once every 30 days, provided the items are properly declared to
customs and the traveler has been out of the US for at least 48
hours. For complete details, a helpful booklet titled "Know Before
You Go" is available free of charge courtesy of the US Customs
Service.
Dining
Restaurants of all varieties, from casual to upscale, can be found
in Nassau. Although virtually every type of food is available,
from steaks and pasta to Chinese, try not to miss an opportunity
to sample the local fare. The cuisine is spicy, subtly flavored
with local meats and produce and heavily influenced by the American
South. A perfect example of this is one of their popular entrees
using broiled fish, which plays a major role in Bahamian cuisine,
and served with grits ("fish 'n grits"). Many dishes are served
with pigeon peas and rice ("peas 'n rice") with spices, tomatoes,
onions and bacon added. Souse (pronounced "sowse"), a delicious,
rich soup made with only water, onions, lime juice, celery, peppers
and meat is also a regional specialty.
Seafood is the staple of Bahamian cuisine, especially conch (pronounced "konk")
the firm, white, peach-fringed meat from ocean mollusks. It is served uncooked
with lime juice and spices or deep fried ("cracked conch"), steamed or made
into conch chowder and fritters. The Bahamian "rock lobster" is a spiny variety
without claws and served broiled, minced and is also used in salads. Another
local delicacy is boiled or baked land crabs, which can be seen running across
the roads at night before they are cooked.
