See History
Fort Charlotte
Western end of Nassau Harbour
Built in 1788, it is the largest of Nassau’s forts. Explore the dungeons, dry moat, underground passages and 42 cannons, then look over the harbour.
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New Providence · The Bahamas
Nassau
Old forts, a limestone staircase and a beach, all close to your ship.
Nassau puts a walkable old town beside the ship. Climb the Queen’s Staircase, tour Fort Charlotte, taste conch salad at the Fish Fry and browse the Straw Market.
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Four Ways to Spend a Day in Nassau
Unwind Beach
Junkanoo Beach
Western Esplanade, Nassau
This is the public beach nearest to the port, about 10 minutes’ walk along Bay Street. Beach bars, music and chair rentals line the sand.
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Taste Local Food
The Fish Fry
Arawak Cay
Food stalls here serve conch salad, conch fritters, fried fish and cracked conch. It is a popular weekend spot with local people.
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Explore Shopping
Nassau Straw Market
Downtown, by the port
It is a few steps from the cruise terminal. Browse straw bags, hats, dolls and souvenirs.
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Tours & Tickets in Nassau
Getting Around Nassau
Ships use one terminal, at Prince George Wharf, with six berths. It is about a third of a mile from the city centre. The port has no shuttle, so you walk or take a taxi.
If you do one thing here
Climb the Queen’s Staircase
Enslaved people chiselled the 66 Steps out of solid limestone in 1793 and 1794. The stairway links downtown Nassau to Fort Fincastle, a fort built in 1793 in the shape of a paddle steamer. Only 65 steps show today, because paving buried the bottom one.
The stairway is shaded and cool, and good for photos. It is a 13-minute walk from the ship, or a 5-minute drive. The fort is a 15-minute walk.
The Queen’s Staircase (opens a new tab)Fort Fincastle (opens a new tab)
Safety and Weather
Nassau’s murder rate is higher than that of The Bahamas as a whole, but no murder victim in 2025 was a tourist. The UK government advises visitors to stay in downtown Nassau.
- CrimeIn 2025 police recorded 76 murders on New Providence, the island that holds Nassau. That is about 26 per 100,000 residents, against about 21 for the whole of The Bahamas, so about 23% higher. Our maths uses the 2022 census population. The police report lists no tourist among the murder victims.
- Where to walkUK advice says: “Stay in downtown Nassau, where there are regular police patrols.”
- Walking to townYes. The Straw Market is steps from the ship, and Junkanoo Beach, the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle are 10 to 15 minutes on foot.
- The beachJunkanoo Beach is the nearest beach, about 10 minutes’ walk along Bay Street. UK advice says to beware of jet skis when swimming.
- WeatherWinter afternoons reach about 75°F (24°C), and summer days seldom pass 90°F (32°C). January is the driest month and August the wettest. The official hurricane season runs from June to November, and most storms come from mid-July to October.
Crime figures: Royal Bahamas Police Force 2025 year-end report; population from the 2022 census, per resident. Weather: Bahamas Department of Meteorology, Climate of the Bahamas.
Make it part of your voyage
Cruises Visiting Nassau
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC and more call at Nassau. Find cruises that visit.
Nassau FAQ
Where do cruise ships dock in Nassau?
All ships use the Nassau Cruise Port terminal at Prince George Wharf, in downtown Nassau. It has six berths and can hold three Oasis-class ships at once. It is about a third of a mile from the city centre.
Is there a shuttle from the Nassau cruise port to town?
No. The port lists no shuttle service. The Straw Market is a few steps away, and the city centre is about a third of a mile from the terminal, so most people walk or take a taxi.
Can you walk from the Nassau cruise port to downtown?
Yes. The port gives these walks: the Straw Market a few steps, Junkanoo Beach 13 minutes, the Queen’s Staircase 13 minutes, Fort Fincastle 15 minutes, and Fort Charlotte and the Fish Fry about 30 minutes each.
What time do cruise ships arrive and leave Nassau?
Most arrive between 6 and 8 am and sail between 4 and 7 pm. On the port’s schedule for 21 October to 21 November 2026, 121 of 141 calls arrive by 8 am and 126 leave between 4 and 7 pm. Your ship’s daily planner gives the all-aboard time.
How much are taxis in Nassau?
Maximum fares are set by law, by zone, for up to two passengers. Each extra passenger pays $3, and a child under 3 rides free with a paying adult. Agree the fare before you get in.
How do I get from the Nassau cruise port to Paradise Island?
The tourist board says water taxis leave from the downtown waterfront by Prince George Wharf and take about 10 minutes. The Paradise Island ferry terminal is about 1.2 miles from the port in a straight line.
What is the nearest beach to the Nassau cruise port?
Junkanoo Beach is the public beach nearest to the port, about half a mile away and about 10 minutes’ walk along Bay Street. It has beach bars, music and chair rentals.
Is Nassau safe for tourists?
Police recorded about 26 murders per 100,000 residents on New Providence in 2025, against about 21 for the whole of The Bahamas. The police report lists no tourist among the murder victims. UK advice is to stay in downtown Nassau, where there are regular police patrols.
Is it safe to walk around Nassau?
UK advice says: “Stay in downtown Nassau, where there are regular police patrols.” The main sights near the port are within a 15-minute walk, except Fort Charlotte and the Fish Fry, which are about 30 minutes on foot.
What is the weather like in Nassau?
Winter afternoons reach about 75°F (24°C), and summer days seldom pass 90°F (32°C). January is the driest month, with about 1.9 inches of rain. August is the wettest, with about 9.3 inches.
When is hurricane season in Nassau?
The official season runs from June to November. In practice, most storms come from mid-July to October, and August, September and October see the most. The met service calls deaths from cyclones rare.
Photos: Nassau: Jcofilms (CC BY 4.0) · Fort Charlotte: Jerrye and Roy Klotz MD (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Junkanoo Beach: Rüdiger Stehn (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Conch salad: Hannah On The Go (CC BY 3.0) · Straw Market: Bluerasberry (CC BY 4.0) · Queen’s Staircase: Banja-Frans Mulder (CC BY 3.0) · Cruise ship in port: Kiran891 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Cropped for display.