Cruise season is here and so many of you are already planning the best things to do at each of your designated cruise stops. With multiple stops on your cruise, it is not always necessary to pay for “excursions” to have a great time and explore.

Nassau’s most famous attraction is the Atlantis and the all day pass is about $110 per person! That can cut deep into one’s travel fund.

Many beaches even have an admission fee! So, what are your options if you are not willing to pay those sorts of prices?

Today, we are going to talk about fun things you can do in Nassau Bahamas for free or on a budget. No tours, no taxis, just an open mind and your walking feet!

Nassau Cruise Port Guide

How To Start Your Day In Nassau

First order of business… sleep in! To get your day started, stay in bed a little longer, have breakfast delivered to your room and relax with this amazing view of Nassau (picture below) How often do you get to enjoy breakfast with this type of view?

Most cruisers rush off the boat as early as 7am to stand in lines with the crowds as they rush to get to planned tours. Madness! But, you won’t need to because today I am sharing how to tour Nassau leisurely and free!

As an insider cruise tip, if you wait until the first rush of cruisers gets off the ship, you will usually avoid the long lines.

What’s Next?

Time to mosey off the boat and explore. At the port dock, there are always taxis and tour hustlers ready to take you anywhere you want to go. So, there are always options if you have a change of heart and want a tour guide.

What can you do for free at Nassau Cruise Port?

If you are ready for a beach day and looking to swim in the beautiful waters of the Bahamas, the nearest beach is called Junkanoo where there is no entrance fee. And, you can walk! The walk is only around 20 min, but remember to wear comfortable shoes/sandals. Comfortable shoes is always a must at any cruise port.

How to get to Junkanoo Beach?

To get to Junkanoo Beach, walk to the right as you exit the port and continue to head right along the walking path. The beginning of your walk will be next to the beautiful waters of the Bahamas as pictured below.

Along the way, you will see many stores selling souvenirs and local goods. Shopping is always an option if you are not a beachgoer. There are many stores in the area including mini straw markets and stores selling handmade goods.

As you continue to walk around the path which will steer around the shopping area, the beach entrance will become obvious. Very obvious.

Would you like a video tour to show you exactly how to get around the Nassau cruise port and find the beach? Watch the video guide by clicking on the image above or watch here!

There are chairs and umbrellas for rent at the beach if you would like. Also, try a Bahama Mama drink that you can get from one of the walk up bars as you sip on the beach.

As a heads up, there may be a few people on the beach that will attempt to sell you things like bracelets, etc. If you have traveled to other touristy beaches around the world, this should come as no surprise to you. Just say no if not interested and continue to enjoy your day. I really didn’t have a problem personally, but if you are a new cruise traveler, I thought I would let you know so you know what to expect.

Safety Tips: No matter where you travel, never leave anything valuable unattended. To get in the water, I use a pouch like the one below to carry all my money, ID and even my phone into the water. They all fit into this pouch and I use the pouch to turn my phone into an underwater camera.

*Disclosure – This blog includes affiliate links. At no cost to you, I may receive a small commission from any purchases that derive from the links. I only recommend items that I have used and are of good quality.

If you have friends or family with you, take turns getting in the water if you don’t feel comfortable bringing your valuables in the water with you.

I also use a waterproof bag or pouch like the ones below that I can take in the water with me. At the very least, you can fit your I.D., Credit Cards, Money and even your phone. I always take waterproof bags with me on trips. Plus, they can keep your things dry if you go on other water activities at any of the ports.

I also recommend bringing your own snorkel gear if you like snorkeling. It’s useful to already have your gear at the cruise stops because you will have the freedom to snorkel anywhere. My favorite gear is the Tribord Easybreath full face snorkel mask. You can learn more about it here.

Other fun recommendations for Nassau cruise port?

There are restaurants and bars in the area where you can enjoy a drink or meal by the water. Fat Tuesday is one of the restaurants next to Junkanoo beach where you can enjoy ice cold Daquiris in over a dozen flavors with this amazing view shown below. Try a conch salad, its really good too!

Have a great time in Nassau and if you have any other questions about Nassau or cruising, I would love to help. Leave your questions and comments below.

Also, check out “Top Helpful Cruise Accessories – All Available On Amazon” There are tips in this post on what to pack and prepare for your cruise.

Top Cruise Accessories To Pack For Your Cruise