There is a world of activities to explore beyond your resort to add to your vacation fun. In Nassau and Paradise Island, youll find there is so much to see and do, you may have to book yourself another trip to enjoy all thats available. From snorkelling to shopping and sightseeing, theres something for everyone.
For a full list, pick up a copy of the What-to-do booklet at your hotels activities desk. And to find your way around New Providence, use the Bahamas Trailblazer Maps. Both publications are free and you can find them at dozens of locations around town.
Undersea adventures
A dip in The Bahamas gin-clear waters is a great way to cool off on a hot day, but how about taking it one step deeper?
Bahama Divers and Stuart Coves Aqua Adventures offer a wide range of snorkelling and scuba diving trips.
Stuart Coves offers a unique opportunity to go below the surface without getting your hair wet. SUBs (Scenic Underwater Bubble) are one-man submersibles that allow you to cruise 15 feet below the surface over a breathtaking reef, without the need for you to take a deep breath.
Excursions galore
If you fancy a day of fun and relaxation, then a boat excursion around New Providence or to a nearby Out Island is just the ticket.
Enjoy a leisurely sail to beautiful Rose Island with Flying Cloud Catamaran Cruises, which offers half-day cruises Monday to Saturday and a five-hour cruise on Sunday.
If speed and adventure is more to your liking, hop aboard Island World Adventures? powerboat for an unforgettable trip to the nearby Exuma islands. During this trip, youll visit a Cay where the only inhabitants are wild iguanas.
For landlubbers
A trip to The Bahamas is not all about getting wet. Take a walking tour through historic downtown Nassau, which offers photo ops of colonial-era buildings as well as great shopping.
At the heart of the downtown area is Parliament Square, home to the pink Parliament buildings. In front youll find a statue of Queen Victoria, a popular spot for shutterbugs. Behind Parliament Square, youll find the Supreme Court and an eight-sided building, now a public library but once the citys main prison.
Along Bay Street you will also see Vendue House, near the Straw Market. It was once a marketplace where slaves were bought and sold. Today, its the Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation.
Behind the temporary Straw Market, where youll find many souvenirs, handicrafts and gift ideas, is Woodes Rogers Walk. Promenade along this walkway past the docked cruise ships to Festival Place, another spot to find Bahamian handicrafts, gifts and souvenirs.
Not far from downtown near the Water Tower (closed for renovations) is historic Fort Fincastle, another favourite spot for photos. At the base of the fort and water tower site is the Queens Staircase, where each step commemorates a year of Queen Victorias reign.
Located across from Arawak Cay along West Bay Street and Chippingham Road, you will find two more worthwhile attractions. Fort Charlotte offers guided tours where youll learn about the battlements of yesteryear, while nature and animal lovers will definitely want to check out Ardastra Gardens, Zoo Conservation Center.
Ardastra is home to about 300 animals and features one of the worlds few captive flocks of breeding flamingos, The Bahamas national bird. Twice daily, you can watch these flamingos march to the commands of a human drill sergeant.