Top 10 Things To Do On A Holiday In Nassau & Paradise Island

Mesmerising turquoise waters, sugary white beaches and postcard-perfect beauty make the shores of Nassau & Paradise Island in The Bahamas a dream come true for all seeking the ultimate Caribbean holiday.

Delivering more than 300 days of sunshine a year, this heaven on earth is the perfect destination for enjoying invigorating moments of relaxation and a raft of exhilarating outdoor activities. Known as the gateway to The Bahamas archipelago, Nassau & Paradise Island are brimming with things to do, offering nature, culture, adventure, cuisine and much more besides. No matter whether you’re travelling with family, friends, as a couple or solo, your holiday itinerary will be full of awe-inspiring experiences that will leave you energised and enriched. So, without further ado, here are our top 10 things to do on Nassau & Paradise Island.

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1. Wellness

Nassau & Paradise Island’s unspoilt natural beauty is a superb backdrop for you to truly relax and feel rejuvenated on a wellness holiday to the Caribbean. Sugary white beaches act as an Eden and are perfect for some sunrise yoga, ensuring you start the day off right with some mindfulness and meditation. Luxury hotels boast their own serene spas, offering world-class treatments that blend traditional and innovative therapies for ultimate relaxation like aroma therapy, massages, facials, scrubs and wraps. You’ll also discover modern fitness suites that provide exercise classes or you can go at your own pace on a leisurely stroll or bike ride through the divine coastal paths.

2. Beach Day

You’ll find beaches a plenty in Nassau & Paradise Island, all oozing their own unique charm that promises an unforgettable beach holiday. If you’re searching for somewhere to while away the hours, soaking up the sun and completely unwinding, Jaws Beach is a hidden gem on Paradise Island’s coast, nestled in Clifton Heritage Park. Couples should visit the aptly named Love Beach in Nassau as it’s famous for stunning sunsets, while Cabbage Beach is the hotspot for water sports and investigating intertwining underwater caves. Shallow shores make Cable Beach the best place for family fun as you can splash in the water, build sandcastles and dine in the nearby restaurants.

3. Sip Cocktails

The Caribbean is the rum capital of the world and Nassau & Paradise Island are no strangers to providing deliciously mouth-watering cocktails. With a mixture of timeless classics and bold, modern creations there’s a taste sensation for everyone. Sample the national cocktail of The Bahamas, Bahama Mama, or the immensely popular Goombay Smash, to get a flavour of the local rum, or enjoy martinis, pina coladas, mojitos and margaritas poolside, on the beach and in a glitzy bar. The famous Bay Street in Downtown Nassau is the best place for a pub crawl or you can experience a rum tasting and tour of John Watling’s Distillery in its original 18th-Century estate.

4. Golf In Spectacular Surroundings

Tee off in paradise, literally, when you visit these picturesque Bahamian islands for an out-of-this-world golf holiday. Nassau boasts the incredible Royal Blue Golf Course, where you’ll find rolling hills and tropical foliage. The stunning greens here are perfect for novices and pros alike, as is Paradise Island’s Ocean Club Golf Course. Running parallel to the ocean, you can see the bustling Nassau Harbour opposite. Both courses boast 18 holes and a par-72, making them an excellent choice for a round of golf alone, with friends or with your partner on a chilled out afternoon. Golf shops and rentable equipment means you can tee off whenever the whim takes you.

5. Experience A Festival

Good vibes constantly flow throughout the Caribbean but when visiting Nassau & Paradise Island, you can experience the intoxicating festival of colour and culture, Junkanoo. Showcasing local music and dance, this immensely popular event blends entertainment with tradition for a truly unforgettable show that holidaymakers are lucky to witness. Primarily taking place on Bay Street in Downtown Nassau, parades show off handmade and flamboyant costumes that will leave you in awe. To ensure you catch this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, visit Nassau & Paradise Island at Christmas and New Years, during the Summer Fest or for The Bahamas’ Independence Day on July 10th.

6. Cultural Sightseeing

Seek out culture, history and heritage on your Nassau & Paradise Island holiday. There’s plenty to visit while you wander through the lively streets, including museums and art galleries that are perfect for introducing Caribbean history to the whole family. Stop by Government House, the official seat of the Governor General of The Bahamas. This 18th-Century building highlights the colonial architecture that’s common across the Caribbean. Christ Church Cathedral is the first church ever built in The Bahamas and is important in the religious history of Nassau & Paradise Island. The Queen’s Staircase, named in honour of Queen Victoria, is the most visited attraction on these islands, with 66 steps leading you to Fort Fincastle.

7. Island Dining

Explore the flavours of Nassau & Paradise Island when you dine in the array of exceptional establishments. A multitude of international cuisines are on offer as well as classic Caribbean and Bahamian dishes, such as lemon pepper chicken, Bahamian-style mac & cheese and Johnny cakes, alongside freshly caught seafood thanks to the islands’ location in the Atlantic Ocean. Restaurants to ensure you have on your culinary bucket list include Pranza, Seafire Steakhouse, OIA Restaurant and La Plume, or you can embark on a romantic sunset dinner cruise. You’ll be treated to delectable food, tantalising drinks, music and spellbinding panoramic views of the islands. Cooking classes are available in your luxury hotels to learn authentic recipes and techniques.

8. Deep Sea Fishing

An exciting activity to have a go at in Nassau & Paradise Island is deep sea fishing. With such a diverse marine ecosystem, you’ll be able to catch showstoppers like marlin, mahi mahi, tuna, groupers and snappers. Any of your incredible catches can be taken to the Green Parrot Restaurant which will freshly grill them for you to enjoy your hard work. The best bits about deep sea fishing are the mesmerising views of Nassau & Paradise Island, the cerulean waters, sunshine and lovely warm breezes. So, whether you’re a novice or an experienced angler, charter a boat and head out on the day trip of a lifetime with an expert at the helm.

9. Water Sports

Make a splash on your Nassau & Paradise Island holiday with some thrilling water sports. One-third of the Caribbean’s coral reefs can be found in The Bahamas, including the 225 kilometre-long Andros Barrier Reef, and you can dive to admire the multitude of colourful marine life there, including starfish, seahorses, clownfish, stingrays and turtles. Cable Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in The Bahamas and is an excellent spot to rent aquatic equipment. The legendary Lost City in Ruins Lagoon is an exciting underwater playground that features sunken architecture and artefacts. Make waves on the surface too, with jet skiing and parasailing readily available for holidaymakers to feel that adrenaline high.

10. Admire Nature

Natural beauty shines from Nassau & Paradise Island, and you can visit its most spectacular and unspoilt areas when you venture into nature. The Retreat Garden is an 11-acre botanical haven that houses 90 different species of palm trees, plus native hardwood and flowering trees, and bundles of migratory birds. A trip to this stunning hotspot will be made all the more special when you learn that this was the first national park opened on New Providence Island. Ardastra Gardens & Wildlife Conservation Centre is the perfect family-friendly location to explore the natural world as you’ll discover more than 135 animals finding sanctuary here. Similarly, Primeval Forest is a woodland that’s home to flamingos, herons, sinkholes and limestone caves.