Caribbean Cruise Ship Destinations
The Bahamas are a chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida and northeast of Cuba.
Weather Update
Aletta weakens to Tropical Depression - no threat to land.
Our Home Port is Venice, Florida, a city located on the southwest coast of Florida in Sarasota County.
More Port Calls
Bahamas
Castaway CayFreeport
Coco Cay
Half Moon Cay
Nassau
Princess Cay
Stirrup Cay
Eastern Caribbean
AnguillaAntigua
Casa de Campo
Catalina Island
Grand Turk
Labadee
La Romana
Samana
San Juan
St. John
St. Croix
St. Thomas
St. Maarten/Dutch
St. Martin/French
Tortola
News for Nassau
Nassau Straw Market Reopens
Posted Dec, 23, 2011The historic Straw Market, destroyed by fire in 2001, officially reopened in December 2011. The new market is open on all sides permitting excellent cross ventilation. The openings are full door-sized and are outfitted with easy roll-down shutters to provide protection against the elements and security when the Market is closed.
Historic Museum Destroyed
Dec, 3, 2011
The Pompey Museum at the historic Vendue House on Bay Street caught on fire and the Vendue House was totally destroyed. Sadly, the artifacts showcased at the Vendue House were also destroyed. It is believed that the fire started at the site of the old Straw Market tent. Pompey Museum opened in 1992 as a museum of slavery and emancipation. The Vendue House is the oldest building in Nassau, dating back to 1769.
Personal Safety
Posted May 18, 2012
The Bahamas has a high crime rate. New Providence Island in particular has experienced a spike in crime that has adversely affected the traveling public. Pickpocketing and theft remain the most common crimes perpetrated against tourists. However, there has been a spate of more violent criminal activity in 2009. Three separate groups of tourists were held at gunpoint and robbed at popular tourist sites in and near Nassau; each of these incidents occurred during daylight hours and involved groups of more than eight persons. Several other groups of tourists allegedly were victims of armed robbery at more remote locations.
The U.S. Embassy has received reports of assaults, including sexual assaults, in diverse areas such as in casinos, outside hotels, or on cruise ships. In several incidents the victim had reportedly been drugged. The Bahamas has the highest incidence of rape in the Caribbean according to a 2007 United Nations report on crime, violence, and development trends. Much of the violent crime occurs outside of areas frequented by tourists, such as the “over-the-hill” section of Nassau. Two American citizens were murdered in Nassau in 2009, both allegedly in residential areas. Home break-ins, theft, and robbery are not confined to any specific part of the island.
The upsurge in criminal activity has also led to incidents which, while not directed at tourists, could place innocent bystanders at risk. An altercation at a major resort resulted in the shooting of two security officers, while several daytime robberies in Nassau led to exchanges of gunfire on busy streets.
Criminal activity in the outlying family islands does occur, but on a much lesser degree than on New Providence Island. The Embassy has received reports of burglaries and thefts, especially thefts of boats and/or outboard motors on Abaco and Bimini.
The Embassy has not received reports of harassment or hate crimes motivated by race, religion, or citizenship. There have been reports of harassment of persons based on sexual orientation. In addition, women have reported incidents of verbal harassment and unwanted attention.
Counterfeit and pirated goods are available in The Bahamas. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under Bahamian law, even though those laws are not routinely enforced. In addition, bringing such products into the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
Shopping
Duty free shops and the local Straw Market is just a short walk from the Pier complex. Nassau's Straw Market has been a popular tourist attraction for many years. Bahamian women sell handmade woven baskets, hats and valises - all made from straw, reeds and grass. Duty Free shopping at international boutiques located on Bay Street.
Area Events
Junkanoo
Takes place twice a year - Boxing Day Dec 26 and New Year's Day, Jan 1st. Nassau's Bay Street lights up each year for Junkanoo - an adrenalin rush of colors, costumes and floats driven by the beat of the goatskin drum.
All For One Regatta
Come the end of January a colorful sailing regatta sets off from the coast of Nassau's Montagu Bay. Between 30 and 40 ships, all built in the area, compete in the All For One Regatta every year.
Emancipation Day
August event. Bahamians look for any excuse to stage a Junkanoo festival and Emancipation Day is the best excuse of all. The celebrations are mainly concentrated in Fox Hill village, Nassau.
News Sports Legends Poker Challenge
September event. Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas Event welcomes 25 of the greatest legends in sports history and 25 world famous Poker Pros.
Bahamas International Film Festival
Annual December event. Famous actors and actresses mingle with film buffs at the annual Bahamas International Film Festival. Around 80 international films are screened. Click on the link for more info.
Nassau Bahamas
Nassau is the capital, largest city, and commercial center of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The city has a population of 220,000 (2006 est.) nearly 70 percent of the entire population of the Bahamas (303,611).
The Bahamas extend 760 miles from the coast of Florida on the north-west almost to Haiti on the south-east.
Good to Know
The city, which functions much like a federal district, is located on the island of New Providence. While there is no local government, it is governed directly as an administrative division of the national government.
Port of Entry
Prince George Wharf at Rawson Square.
Time Zone
EST - observes US daylight savings time.
Map Coordinates
25°06′N 77°.34′W
Average Temperatures
Water: 83º Summer - 78º Winter
Air: 86º Summer - 80º Winter
Medical Services
High-quality medical care is generally available, but expensive, in Nassau and Freeport. Medical care is limited outside of Nassau and Freeport. Bahamian doctors and hospitals do not usually accept U.S. medical insurance policies and typically expect immediate cash payment for professional services. It is the patient's responsibility to seek reimbursement later from their insurance companies.
Bahamas Ministry of Health for health announcements
Dengue Fever
U.S. citizens should be aware of the recent Dengue Fever outbreak in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Ministry of Health has reported over 1,000 reports by individuals suffering from symptoms similar to Dengue Fever. The Ministry of Health has begun spraying local communities to reduce the mosquito population to combat the outbreak and has stressed to the public the importance of prevention.
Things to do and see
Graycliff Estate
British colonial style estate built in the 1700s by the privateer John Howard Graysmith and established in 1844 as Nassau's first inn.
Fort Charlotte
Built in 1788, Fort Charlotte is the largest of the three major defenses on Nassau, with a moat, dungeons and underground passages to explore.
Paradise Island Attractions
Jokers Wild Comedy Club located at the Paradise Island Casino; Columbus Tavern set on a balcony overlooking Nassau harbor; Marley Resort and Spa; 16 luxury villas; an organic produce restaurant and an extensive spa.
Atlantis Resort and Casino
Located along the northern shore of New Providence Island. Take the 20 minute water taxi over from the Prince Edward wharf. The Resort offers a Marine Park with a seven-acre saltwater snorkeling lagoon, majestic waterfalls and the underwater ruins of "Atlantis" itself to explore.
The Atlantis resort unveiled Reef Atlantis in 2010 with the expansion of its Blue Tourism project: a collaborative effort aimed at studying and conserving natural reef habitats.
The Retreat
The Retreat is one of the Bahamas' national parks and the headquarters for the Bahamas National Trust. Open on weekdays only.
Hope Town Settlement on Elbow Cay
18th-century village built around a protected harbor - family-friendly spot
Arawak Cay
The site where the Junkanoo Summer Festival takes place.
Fort Montagu and Montagu Beach
Historic fort east of Paradise Island, constructed in the 18th century to guard the eastern entrance to Nassau Harbor.
Ardastra Gardens & Conservation Center
More than 300 birds and reptiles and botanical gardens.
Parliament Square
Buildings built in the 1800's and currently houses the Bahamian government offices.
Potter's Cay Dock
Local vendors selling fresh fruits, seafood as well as the government's Produce Exchange. There is also a cafe that offers local specialties such as conch salad. Located on the Nassau side of Paradise Island under the eastern Paradise Island bridge.
Pompey Museum and the Historic Vendue House
Museum of slavery and emancipation opened in 1992.The Vendue House is the oldest building in Nassau, dating back to 1769.
Update: Dec 10, 2011
The Vendue House and Artifacts of the Pompey Museum were destroyed by fire on December 3, 2011
Beaches
Cable Beach
3 miles west of downtown Nassau.
Goulding Cay
Small island one mile offshore. Excellent snorkeling site.
Goodman's Bay
Just before the Cable Beach Resort. This beach has restroom and recreational facilities for children.
Saunders Beach
Located just east of the Cable Beach resort area. Popular with locals.
Cabbage Beach
Located between the Atlantis resort and the Ocean Club on Paradise Island. Offers water sports such as water-skiing, snorkeling and parasailing.
Long Wharf
The beach of the Western Esplanade area
Reef Diving
Southwest Reef
15-30ft depth.
Elkhorn Gardens
Snorkeling just offshore of Goulding Cay.
The Cannonball Reef
Another site also filmed during many movies and known for great snorkeling and shallow diving.
Thunderball Reef
One of the most filmed reefs in the world (used in many James Bond movies). The reef starts in 5 ft. of water and reaches depths of 25ft.
Cave Diving
The Lost Blue Hole
A natural hole in the open ocean floor measuring about 100 ft. across and 220 ft. deep.
Trinity Caves
Shallow caves with 3 major openings. In 45 ft. of water, the caves go in about 30 ft. with the largest opening being 8 ft. across and 4 ft. high.
Pieces of Cake
Caverns located at a depth of 25ft.
Wreck Diving
The Mahoney Wreck
The site dates back to the 1800's and was a navigational hazard until it was blown apart. The remains are scattered in 30ft of water.
The Miranda Wreck
90ft wreck in medium depth water.
The Grennen Wreck
Located at a depth of 60ft of water.
The Shipyard
Consists of 4 wrecks that sit in 90ft of water. the 150 freighter, The Ana Lise; the 95ft Helena C; the 90ft Bahama Shell and a wooden-hull cargo ship sunk in 1994.
Click here for a complete list of dive sites.
Family Activities
Pirates of Nassau
Stepping back in time to the Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1720), the Pirates of Nassau promises a great family day out.
Blue Lagoon Island Close Encounter
Swim with the dolphins for approximately 30 minutes. Home of Universal Pictures Flipper.
Glass Bottom Boat Ride
Boats depart every hour to view the reefs and sea gardens of Athol Island from Woodes Rogers Walk which runs parallel to Bay Street along the harbor's edge.
Stingray Adventure at Blackbeard's Cay
25 minute boat ride aboard the Coral II, 65ft catamaran with a capacity of 250 passengers to Blackbeard's Cay to swim with the Stingrays. The tour costs $42.00 for adults and $37.00 for kids. All prices subject to change
