Active pursuits for cruisers to Nassau: reviews of British Colonial Hotel, Graycliff Hotel, Fishing Trips, Fat Tuesday, Self-Drive Boats, Segway and Surrey Tours
Nassau is a cruise port where besides the excursions and tours offered onboard, the cruise passenger will always find something fun, exciting or just plainly relaxing to do.
For those looking to spend a relaxing day at the beach the British Colonial Hotel, the Junkanoo Beach with its bars or the Fat Tuesday Beach Club are places to go.
If looking for something more active, Diving, Snorkeling, Fishing Trips, Catamaran Sails, Dolphin and Sea Lion Encounters are on offer. The cruise visitor can also enjoy a ride on a Horse Drawn Carriage, go on a Segway tour or even a self-driving boat ride in the harbor.
Top Things to Do: Activities
British Colonial Hotel
Beach Break
This famous hotel is many times listed and reviewed both as a hotel and a landmark of Nassau. But the British Colonial Hotel is also one of the best places to enjoy a relaxing day on a private beach, as it offers day-passes to cruise ship passengers. For $60 you will have access to the hotel's pool and private beach with $40 food and beverage credit. Most savvy cruisers know about this and therefore you should either take your chances and get there as early as possible or book Online before getting to Nassau.
British Colonial Hotel - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE | Downtown - 10 minute walk from Cruise Terminal |
|---|---|
| What | Resort - Private Beach and Pool |
| Must Know | Book ONLINE |
| Prices | $60 per person with $40 food and beverage credit |
| When: | Everyday - morning and afternoon |
| Website: | www.hilton.com |
| Phone: | 1-242-322-3301 |
Graycliff Hotel
Chocolates and Cigars
A classic institution in Nassau, the Graycliff is much more than just an excellent hotel in Nassau - its restaurant is one of the best in the Caribbean, offering Wine and Cheese Tastings and Wine Luncheons to cruise ship travelers. It also features two attractions that cruise travelers may enjoy on a discovery tour: the Cigar and Chocolate factories. Although some cruise lines offer tours of the Graycliff, the hotel is within walking distance from the terminal and will be easy to do it on your own. The hotel also offers day-passes if you wish to enjoy a day by the pool.
Graycliff Hotel - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE | Downtown - 10 minute walk from cruise terminal |
|---|---|
| What | Cigar and Chocolate Factories; Wine and Cheese Tastings, Wine Luncheon |
| Must Know | Wine cellar with over 250,000 bottles from over 400 vintners in 15 countries. |
| Prices | CONTENT |
| When: | Everyday - morning and afternoon |
| Address: | 8 - 12 West Hill Street (Downtown) |
| Website: | www.graycliff.com |
| Phone: | 1 (800) 476-0446 |
Fishing Trips
Charters
Considering that The Bahamas has one of the best waters for sport-fishing in the Caribbean, the cruise ship passenger should consider a fishing expedition. There are a number of charters available that you can book online. Below you find 3 of the best.
NAME - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
Chubasco Fishing Charters: www.chubascocharters.com
Born Free Charters: www.bornfreefishing.com
Hunter Charters: www.huntercharters.com
Fat Tuesday
Beach Club
Fat Tuesday is a bar-grill on the waterfront (with access to the water) and not a beach bar like many may expect. It is a great place to have nibbles for lunch like Conch Salad and Panini, taste exotic drinks, whilst dipping in the ocean. And you can also go for a boat excursion on a self-drive adventure in the harbor - see Mini Boats review on this page.
Fat Tuesday - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE | Right after the British Colonial Hotel - 10 minute walk from Terminal |
|---|---|
| What | Bar-Grill and Boat Tours |
| Prices | Conch Salad $12.00, Club Panini $12.00 |
| When: | Everyday - morning and afternoon |
| Address: | West Bay Street |
| Website: | fattuesdaybahamas.com |
Self-Drive Boats
at Fat Tuesday
The Self drive boat adventure offered by Fat Tuesday is one of the great ways of cruising the harbor in Nassau, going as far as Paradise Island, exploring historical sites and enjoy a secluded beach. The cruise ship passenger doesn't need to have any experience just a valid drivers license and attend a Mandatory Safety Briefing.
Mini Boats - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE | Right after the British Colonial Hotel - 10 minute walk from the Terminal/ |
|---|---|
| What | Water sport adventure |
| Must Know | Mandatory Safety Briefing is 45 Minutes prior to tour leaving. Snorkel gear and Life Jacket provided |
| When: | Two Tours - 9:30am and 1:30pm (arrive 45 minutes prior). |
| Duration: | 3.5 to 4 hours |
NOTES: Some cruise lines offer this tour as part of their shore excursions packages or you can book online.
Segway
Sightseeing
After a short and easy orientation/training session the Segway tours will take the cruise ship passenger along a scenic roll to Junkanoo Beach and then to the Arawak Cay - aka The Fish Fry - for a short break. The tour ends with some 'free riding' on the green slopes of the Fort Charlotte.
Segway - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
NOTES: Free transportation for cruise ship passengers is provided
| WHERE | Tour starts behind the Cricket Club on Bay Street (just across from “The Fish Fry”) about a mile west of downtown Nassau. |
|---|---|
| What | Adventure Tour |
| Prices | $75 per person + 7.5% VAT |
| When: | Everyday - morning and afternoon |
| Duration: | 1.5 hours |
| Website: | www.segwaynassau.com |
| Phone: | 242-376-6809 |
NOTES: Some cruise lines offer the Segway adventure as part of their Shorex excursions (Carnival: $89.99 - Person). You will only be able to book online if your cruise ship does NOT offer the tour onboard.
Surrey Tours
Horse Drawn Carriage
A 20 to 30-minute tour on a horse-drawn carriage trough the historical streets of Nassau is one the most affordable and comfortable ways of sightseeing in the capital of The Bahamas if you don't wish to walk or just like to experience old-fashioned ways.
Horse Drawn Carriage - Nassau
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE | Inside the gated area of the Cruise Terminal, close to the east gate. |
|---|---|
| What | Sightseeing |
| Must Know | Max passengers: two adults and one child. |
| Prices | $20.00 for up to two adults. $10.00 for children |
| When: | Everyday - morning afternoon. Horses rest between 1:00pm and 3:00pm |
| Address: | Woodes Rodgers Walk |
| Website: | Facebook Page |
| Phone: | 1 242-322-7500 |
