Cruise Port Guide
Nassau Cruise Port
Quick answerShips dock at Prince George Wharf in the middle of downtown Nassau; the Straw Market is about 5 minutes on foot and Junkanoo Beach 10–15 minutes. For Cable Beach, take jitney #10 from Bay Street (about B$1.50 each way, exact cash, 2026); for Paradise Island, the ferry from the port's own ferry terminal (about US$7 each way, 2026) or a taxi. Be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard, and start back from Paradise Island or Cable Beach at least 2 hours before.
Checked October 2026 · Sources
At a glance
Terminal to centre
Walk
5–15 min to the Straw Market, Junkanoo Beach and the Queen's Staircase · Free
Walkable to centre
Yes
About 5 min · 0.4 km
Tender
No
Dock port
Typical time ashore
~9h
Check your own itinerary
Buffer before all-aboard
90 min
Measured for this port
Currency
BSD
English
Transport and cost figures are estimates, last checked 11 October 2026.
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When to head back to the ship in Nassau
Bay Street and the Straw Market
Walk about 5 min
Leave by
16:25
Junkanoo Beach
Walk 10–15 min along Bay Street
Leave by
16:15
Paradise Island
Ferry about 10 min, or taxi 10–20 min
Leave by
15:30
Cable Beach
Jitney #10 or taxi, about 20 min
Leave by
15:30
Queen's Staircase
Walk about 12 min
Leave by
16:15
Arawak Cay (Fish Fry)
Taxi about 10 min
Leave by
16:20
Where to leave from, and when
on foot bus, train, boat taxiPins show when to leave each place. Lines: route back to your ship.
Where people get it wrong: Relying on the ferry for a late return from Paradise Island, when the port publishes morning departures only.
Times count back from all-aboard using the travel times and buffers in this guide. Your ship's daily programme always wins.
Open my full Nassau day, timed to 17:30 Get this for every port on your cruise, with alerts on the day Write about Nassau? Put these leave-by times on your blog, freeTransport: Nassau Cruise Port (Prince George Wharf) to downtown Nassau and Bay Street
Nassau is a docking port in the literal centre of town: you walk off the ship, through the redeveloped Nassau Cruise Port, and onto Bay Street. The port was rebuilt in a US$300 million project that opened fully in May 2023, adding six berths, an arrivals plaza, the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo and a 3,000-seat amphitheatre. Up to around 33,000 passengers can arrive on a single day, so the real decision is how to get away from the crowds: a town walk up to the Queen's Staircase, a short walk to Junkanoo Beach, a cheap jitney to Cable Beach, or the ferry to Paradise Island and Atlantis.
Walkable? Yes · about 5 min (0.4 km)
Downtown is flat and starts at the port gate. The Straw Market is about 5 minutes on foot, Junkanoo Beach 10–15 minutes west along Bay Street (about 0.5–0.6 miles), and the Queen's Staircase about 12 minutes inland up Elizabeth Avenue. The Fish Fry at Arawak Cay is about 30 minutes on foot, so most people take a taxi. Pavements on Bay Street are narrow and busy; traffic drives on the left.
Where your ship docks
- Nassau Cruise Port, Prince George Wharf · 0.3 km to the centre — All cruise ships berth here, at six berths. The arrivals plaza holds the taxi stand, the Ground Transportation Area (scooter and ATV rental), the Paradise Island ferry terminal, the Junkanoo museum, shops and a police outpost. Bay Street starts at the port gate.
Walk
Free5–15 min to the Straw Market, Junkanoo Beach and the Queen's Staircase
The simplest option. Bay Street runs west from the port to the Straw Market and Junkanoo Beach; turn inland on Elizabeth Avenue for the Queen's Staircase.
Jitney #10 (public bus) to Cable Beach
About B$1.50 one way (2026)About 20 min by road to Cable Beach
Catch the #10 (or #10A / #10B, which take slightly different routes) on Bay Street or Frederick Street, about 5 minutes' walk from the port. Cash only and exact change; US and Bahamian dollars are both accepted at par. You usually pay as you get off. Buses run roughly 06:00 to 18:30, every 10–15 minutes on the main routes at busy times, with thinner service on Sundays. There are no day passes.
Ferry to Paradise Island
About US$7 per person each way (2026)About 10 min crossing
Board at the Ferry Terminal inside the cruise port. The port lists departures every 30 minutes from 09:00 to 12:00; confirm the last return boat with the operator when you board, because the afternoon return schedule is not published by the port.
Taxi
Zone-based fare for the first two passengers, plus B$3 for each extra passenger10–20 min to Paradise Island; about 20 min to Cable Beach
Licensed taxis wait at the stand in the arrivals plaza. New Providence taxi fares are set by zone under the Road Traffic regulations (the port is its own zone, downtown, Cable Beach and Paradise Island are others); ask for the fare before you get in. Not every taxi takes cards, so carry cash. A tip of about 15% is customary. Uber and Lyft do not operate.
Scooter, ATV or rental car
Varies by operator—
Scooters and ATVs are rented in the port's Ground Transportation Area. Traffic drives on the left, roads are busy and the US State Department warns that injuries on water and road rentals are common; most cruise visitors are better off on foot, jitney or taxi.
Know your all-aboard time? Build the whole day around it.
Return timing: getting back to the ship on time
Be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard. Leave Paradise Island or Cable Beach at least 2 hours before all-aboard (15:30 for a 17:30 all-aboard).
The port, Bay Street and Junkanoo Beach are all within 15 minutes' walk, so a town day is low-risk. Cable Beach is about 20 minutes by road, and jitneys need exact change and can be slow to fill. The port publishes only morning ferry departures, so the return boat needs checking on the day.
If you're running late
Take a licensed taxi from any resort and agree the fare first; it is 10–20 minutes back to the port. If you will be late, call the port agent number in your daily programme. The port's own line is +1 242 603 1870.
Cruise ships in Nassau this week
A one-day plan for Nassau (all aboard 17:30)
Assumes docking at 08:00 and a town-and-beach day.
08:30 Walk through the port to the Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo (opens 08:00) before the crowds build.
09:30 Bay Street east, then inland up Elizabeth Avenue to the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle (about 12 minutes from the port).
10:45 Back down through Parliament Square to the Straw Market.
11:45 Taxi to the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay (about 10 minutes) for conch salad and cracked conch.
13:15 Walk east to Junkanoo Beach for a swim; keep valuables with you.
15:15 Walk 10–15 minutes back along Bay Street.
16:30 Back on board, 60 minutes before all-aboard.
What to see in Nassau on a cruise day
Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo
Award-winning costumes, drums and headpieces from the Boxing Day and New Year's Day street parade, inside the cruise port.
⏱ 45–60 minutesAdmission charged; check at the entrance (2026)
Tip: Open daily 08:00–16:00, last entry 30 minutes before closing. Go first thing or late, when most passengers are in town.
Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle
A staircase cut into limestone in the late 1700s, leading up to a small 18th-century fort.
⏱ 45 minutesStaircase free (2026)
Tip: About 12 minutes' walk from the port via Elizabeth Avenue. It is a steep climb; go before midday heat.
Nassau Straw Market
Covered market for straw bags, wood carvings and jewellery, 5 minutes from the ship.
⏱ 30 minutesFree to enter
Tip: Prices are negotiable; check whether an item is locally made or imported.
Junkanoo Beach
The nearest beach to the ship, with bars and chair rental, 10–15 minutes' walk west.
⏱ 2 hoursFree; chairs and drinks charged
Tip: Busy and loud on big ship days. Do not leave bags unattended.
Atlantis and Aquaventure, Paradise Island
The large resort with a water park, aquariums and beaches, across the harbour.
⏱ 5–6 hoursDay pass price varies by date; book direct with Atlantis (2026)
Tip: Day passes must be bought in advance, numbers are capped, and passes are non-refundable within 3 days. Bring the confirmation, photo ID and the card used to pay; the resort is cash-free.
John Watling's Distillery
Rum distillery in the restored Buena Vista Estate on the edge of downtown.
⏱ 45 minutesEstate and distillery tours free (2026)
Tip: Rum Academy tastings and bottling sessions are bookable separately. Phone +1 242 322 2811 to check hours.
Arawak Cay (the Fish Fry)
A row of open-air Bahamian restaurants on the waterfront west of downtown.
⏱ 1–1.5 hoursFree to visit
Tip: About 10 minutes by taxi or 30 minutes on foot. Busiest with locals at weekends.
Cable Beach
A long, calmer stretch of sand in front of the resort strip, about 20 minutes west by road.
⏱ Half a dayJitney about B$1.50 each way (2026)
Tip: Public access points run between the hotels; resort pools and loungers are for guests or day-pass holders.
Beaches near Nassau cruise port
Junkanoo Beach
Walk west along Bay Street from the port. · 10–15 min on foot · Free
Closest and most crowded. The US State Department reports sexual assaults on and near downtown beaches; stay with your group.
Cable Beach
Jitney #10 from Bay Street or Frederick Street, or taxi. · About 20 min by road · Jitney about B$1.50 each way (2026)
Longer and quieter than downtown beaches.
Cabbage Beach, Paradise Island
Ferry from the port's ferry terminal, or taxi over the bridge. · About 15 min by taxi · Ferry about US$7 each way (2026)
Public beach next to Atlantis. Strong currents and rip tides occur; swim near others.
What to eat in Nassau
Conch salad, made to order
Arawak Cay Fish Fry
Cracked conch and fried snapper
Arawak Cay Fish Fry
Conch fritters
Arawak Cay Fish Fry and Junkanoo Beach food shacks
Bahamian rum tasting
John Watling's Distillery, Buena Vista Estate
Kalik beer and Sky Juice
Arawak Cay Fish Fry
Ship excursion or do it yourself?
Varies by line
Ship excursion avg, per person
See table
DIY day avg, per person
Depends on line
Saving, per person
Ship tour prices differ by cruise line and change often, so we only show ones we could verify. Check your line's cruise planner.
| Item | Ship tour | On your own | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantis Aquaventure day | Carnival: US$229.99 adult, US$139.99 child (2026) | Day pass bought direct from Atlantis (price varies by date) plus ferry about US$7 each way (2026) | Depends on the date's day-pass price |
| Cable Beach | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Jitney #10 about B$1.50 each way (2026) | Usually substantial |
| Downtown and the Queen's Staircase | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Free on foot | The full excursion price |
| Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo | Varies by line; check your cruise planner | Inside the cruise port; walk in | — |
Nassau needs no excursion for the town, the Junkanoo museum or Junkanoo Beach. Cable Beach is easy by jitney. For Atlantis, the ship's package removes the risk of a sold-out day and handles the transfer; buying the day pass direct only makes sense if you book it in advance, because Atlantis sells a limited number per day and does not sell at the door. Book any jet-ski, boat or snorkel trip through the ship or a clearly licensed operator: the US State Department reports unlicensed and uninsured operators around New Providence and Paradise Island.
Common mistakes cruise passengers make in Nassau
Turning up at Atlantis without a day pass.
Instead: Atlantis sells day passes in advance only, in limited numbers. Book direct or take the ship's package.
Paying for a jitney with a large note.
Instead: Carry coins and small bills; drivers do not give change and do not take cards.
Getting in a taxi without agreeing the fare.
Instead: Fares are zone-based plus B$3 per passenger over two. Ask the fare first and carry cash.
Renting a jet ski from a beach operator.
Instead: The US State Department reports deaths, injuries and assaults involving jet-ski operators. Use a licensed, insured company or skip it.
Packing CBD products or a stray bullet in your day bag.
Instead: All cannabis products, including CBD, and any ammunition are illegal. Check your bags before you leave the ship.
Relying on the ferry for a late return from Paradise Island.
Instead: The port publishes morning departures only. Confirm the return schedule when you board, or budget for a taxi.
Safety: is Nassau safe for cruise passengers?
The US State Department rates The Bahamas Level 2, 'exercise increased caution', due to crime (advisory of 28 July 2026). Most violent crime is in Nassau and Freeport. The 'Over the Hill' area south of Shirley Street has gang violence; cruise visitors have no reason to go there. Downtown, the port and Bay Street are busy and policed in daytime, and the port has its own police outpost. The advisory also reports sexual assaults on and near downtown Nassau beaches, weak oversight of jet-ski and boat operators, and drownings among snorkellers and swimmers who overestimate their fitness. Cannabis, including CBD, and any firearms or ammunition are illegal and strictly enforced. Hurricane season runs June to November.
Scams and tourist traps
- Unlicensed jet-ski operators on downtown and Paradise Island beaches. The US State Department links them to injuries, deaths and sexual assaults; book only licensed, insured operators.
- Unlicensed boat and fishing charters touting near the waterfront. Check the operator holds a Port Department licence before paying.
- Taxi drivers quoting a per-person fare well above the zone rate. Ask the fare before getting in; the zone fare covers two passengers, with B$3 for each extra.
- Atlantis access sold by touts. Day passes are sold only by Atlantis and authorised partners and need a confirmation, ID and the paying card at check-in.
Emergency number: 911 or 919
Practical information
Crowds
Nassau can take more than 30,000 cruise passengers in a day; the port recorded 33,254 on one day in 2026. Bay Street, the Straw Market and Junkanoo Beach fill between about 10:00 and 15:00 on multi-ship days. Visit the Junkanoo museum early, go up to the Queen's Staircase before midday, and head to Cable Beach rather than Junkanoo Beach for space. Atlantis day passes are capped and sell out on busy days.
Accessibility
The redeveloped cruise port is level, with a new arrivals terminal and plaza, and Bay Street is flat, so the Junkanoo museum, the Straw Market and Junkanoo Beach are reachable without steps. Pavements downtown are narrow, kerbs are high and some crossings are busy. The Queen's Staircase is a steep flight of steps and not accessible. The Paradise Island ferry and jitneys have steps; a taxi is the practical choice for limited mobility. Ambulances can be slow and hospitals may ask for payment upfront.
If it rains
The Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo is inside the port and open daily. John Watling's Distillery is largely indoors. The Straw Market is covered. Atlantis has its aquariums (The Dig and the Predator Tunnel) and a casino, but the water park and beach are the main value of a day pass, so check the forecast before booking. Summer showers tend to pass quickly; tropical storms are a different matter between June and November.
Money, language, time
Currency: BSD · Language: English · Time zone: EST (UTC-5), EDT (UTC-4) in summer
Your whole cruise, planned like this
This is one port. Pro plans every port on your cruise.
The day plan above assumes a 17:30 all-aboard. Your ship's times will differ, and so will every other stop. Pro builds the plan from your ship's real times: a timed day in Nassau and every other port, a leave-by time for each stop, and a Plan B if you run late. Ultimate adds a live leave-by countdown from where you are on the day. Every plan uses the same checked facts as this guide. Nothing is made up.
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Other ports on cruises that call at Nassau
Cozumel cruise port guide
Walk or short rideCozumel has three cruise piers: Punta Langosta in downtown San Miguel, and the International Pier and Puerta Maya about 4–5 km south.
Read the Cozumel guide
Bridgetown cruise port guide
Walk to townShips dock at the Deep Water Harbour and passengers pass through the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal; the centre of Bridgetown is about a 20-minute walk…
Read the Bridgetown guide
Freeport cruise port guide
Transport neededShips dock at the Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility in Freeport's industrial harbour, and there is nothing to walk to, so you need a taxi or taxi van.
Read the Freeport guide
Key West cruise port guide
Walk to townKey West is a docking port: almost every ship ties up at Pier B, in front of the Westin, a short walk from Mallory Square and the top of Duval Street.
Read the Key West guide
Nassau Cruise Port — Common Questions
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Sources & method
Facts checked against official sources: October 2026
- Nassau Cruise Port – About us
- Nassau Cruise Port – Transportation and parking
- Nassau Cruise Port – The Fish Fry
- Nassau Paradise Island (tourism board) – Getting around
- Nassau Paradise Island – Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo
- Nassau Paradise Island – Junkanoo Beach
- Nassau Paradise Island – John Watling's Distillery
- US Department of State – The Bahamas travel advisory
- Road Traffic Department – Taxi-Cab (New Providence Zone Fares) Regulations
- Atlantis Bahamas – Day passes
- Carnival – Atlantis Aquaventure Day Pass shore excursion
- Princess Cruises – What to do at Nassau cruise port
- Real Journey Travels – How to use the jitney bus in Nassau (2026)
- Cruzely – The closest beaches to Nassau cruise port (January 2026)
- Deep Arrival – Bahamas cruise passenger taxes 2026
- Royal Caribbean Blog – Self-guided Nassau walking tour
Independently researched
None confidenceParts of this guide were drafted with AI and reviewed against the sources above.
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