What is your favorite excurions on Nassau?

[Sweetie]

SORRY FOR THE BAD GRAMMER! I meant "what ARE your favorites?" or "what IS your favorite?" The nuns at St. Paul's would be so mad at me!


And why? Do you do more than one a day?

Just curious, I am planning my first cruise.

Here are the listed excursions FYI:

(Soure WDWinfo.com)

Nassau Shore Excursions

Atlantis Beach Day (2-7 hours)
There's something for everyone on this full-day adventure that begins with a 35-minute historical harbor cruise to the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal across from Atlantis. Upon arrival, we'll provide you with a beach chair and towel and escort you to a reserved location on the beach to bask in the sun and surf. Enjoy lunch at the Dive In snack bar (coupon provided), and the day is yours to spend as you like. Enjoy gaming at the casino, shopping at a variety of unique stores or visiting Discover Atlantis, a unique marine habitat that's home to more than 120,000 fish representing 150 species. Return ferry transportation is included and available until 5:30 p.m. After this time, you will need to take a taxi (additional cost) back to the ship by 1:30 a.m. NOTE: This excursion involves extensive walking. Please wear comfortable shoes. Use of the pools and water slides is not included.
Price: Adult $65 (10 & up) Child: $47 (ages 3-9)

Blackbeard's Cay Stingray and Beach Adventure (4.5 - 5 hours)
Your adventure begins with a 20 minute boat tour of the scenic Nassau harbor. Upon reaching the private island of Blackbeard's Cay, you'll enter the realm of the stingrays. During your unforgettable experience, you'll hand-feed these gentle sea creatures.
Price: Adult $47 (10 & up) Child: 35 (ages 3 - 9)

Discover Atlantis (2-5 hours)
Immerse yourself in the legend of Atlantis during this exciting excursion. After a 35-minute historical harbor cruise to Paradise Island Ferry Terminal across from Atlantis, you'll be escorted to the resort to begin a guided journey through the attraction, Discover Atlantis. Home to more than 120,000 fish representing 150 species, this attraction re-creates the lost city of Atlantis while providing a fascinating look at life in the ocean's depths. Return ferry transportation is included and available until 5:30pm. After this time, you will need to take a taxi (additional cost) back to the ship before departure. NOTE: This excursion involves extensive walking. Please wear comfortable shoes.
Price: Adult $39 (10 & up) Child: $26 (ages 3-9)

Sunshine Glass Bottom Boat Tour (1.5 hours)
Want to get an up-close look at the beauty of a coral reef without getting wet? Then come aboard this glass-bottom boat, which will ply the waters of Nassau Harbor as the host points out sights around this historic port city before heading off to the area's protected coral reefs. Here, you'll have a fascinating view of a variety of colorful tropical fish, corals and other aquatic life. Weather permitting, you may get a chance to see a shipwrecked vessel, the Mahoney, on the far side of Paradise Island.
Price: Adult $25.00 (10 & up) Child: $17.00 (ages 3-9)

Caribbean Queen Snorkel Tour (2-3 hours)
Begin your experience with a narrated tour of Nassau's historic points of interest as you boat to a reef at Athol Island. Once there, you'll don your snorkeling equipment while receiving instruction before entering the water for approximately 1 hour of open-water snorkeling. Witness the amazing variety of aquatic flora and fauna in this beautiful world under the sea as you snorkel the reef. NOTE: The vessel is equipped with freshwater showers and modern dive ladders. Children must be at least 6 years of age and be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate.
Price: Adult $37 (10 & up) Child: $27 (ages 6-9) No one under age 6.

Nassau Dolphin Encounter (4-4.5 hours)
You'll visit an exotic lagoon which is home to 16 bottlenose dolphins. Under the watchful eye of trained professionals, you'll interact with these friendly marine mammals. This unique experience takes place in waist deep water.
Price: Adult $99 (10 & up) Child: $84 (ages 3-9)

Nassau Dolphin Encounter Observer (4-4.5 hours)
Watch your friends/family as they enjoy the Nassau Dolphin Encounter while you remain high and dry.
Price: $35 (ages 3 thru Adult) No charge for under age 3

Nassau Historic City Tour (2 hours)
Travel comfortably in air-conditioned vans as you learn the history and lore of this storied port city. Your tour will include visits to historic buildings, significant sites and famous homes, with stops at Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and the Water Tower, and the Queen's Staircase. If you like, you can ask the driver to end your tour at the famous Straw Market for a little shopping.
Price: Adult $23 (10 & up) Child: $18 (3-9) Under age 3 free

Catamaran Sail & Reef Snorkeling (3.5 - 4 hours)
This tour offers the ideal combination of the best sailing and snorkeling in Nassau. After a short stroll you'll board your catamaran featuring a shaded lounge and spacious deck area, for a cruise through historic Nassau Harbor. You will sail to a lush, tropical reef for some amazing snorkeling. During your cruise, you will receive your snorkel gear and instructions by the knowledgeable crew who will also accompany you into the water to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Price: Adult $45 (10 & up) Child: $31 (ages 5-9) No one under age 5.

Thriller Powerboat (1.5 hours)
Tour Nassar Harbor and the crystal clear waters surrounding Paradise Island aboard the "Thriller" state-of-the-art powerboat. This narrated tour highlights the fantastic waterfront views of the private island, famous hotels and lighthouses.
Price: Adult $41 (10 & up) Child: $31 (ages 5 - 9)

Ardastra Garden and City Tour (2.5 hours)
Discover the lush, tropical gardens of Ardastra, where you can see the world famous marching flamingos strut their stuff, feed beautiful lory parrots by hand, and view the largest collection of Bahamian land animals in the world. Then depart on a narrated city tour with visits to many of Nassau's historical points of interest, such as Fort Fincastle, Water Tower, the Queen's Staircase and many more.
Price: Adult $37 (10 & up) Child: $27 (ages 3-9) Ages 3 and under free

Scuba Dive Adventure at Stuart Cove (4.5 - 5 hours)
During this exciting aquatic adventure, certified divers can take an in-depth look at the natural reefs and tropical fish found in the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas. Dive right in--the water's fine, and the view is even better! NOTE: All participants must present a dive certification card and have completed at least one dive in the past two years. Guests ages 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate. Price includes tanks and weight belt only. All additional scuba gear can be rented at additional cost.
Price: Adult 99 (does not include equipment) Ages 12 and up only.

NOTE: 1. All participants on this tour must be certified scuba divers and must present their certification card prior to departure. 2. All participants on this tour must complete a liability waiver prior to departure for this tour. 3. All Scuba tours include tanks and weight belts only. All other scuba gear can be rented at an additional cost (per schedule). 4. Disney Cruise Line guests under 17 cannot participate in this tour without a parent or guardian. 5. Price varies depending on equipment provided.

Atlantis Aquaventure (8 Hours)

Spend the day at the Atlantis Resort Aquaventure water park. You'll be transported via an air-conditioned motor coach to Paradise Island. Once you arrive, you'll first go on a walking tour featuring overviews of Atlantis' famous aquarium, casinos, stores and dining.

Next, it's onto Aquaventure. This 63 acre water park features water slides, water holes, special effects, 'river' rapids and water holes. There's the 120 foot tall Power Tower with 4 slides, and the Abyss which sends you on a near vertical 50 foot plunge through complete darkness into the pool below. Inner tubes will take you to The Drop, The Falls, The Surge and The Rapids.

You're welcome to enjoy the resort's sandy shores as well as the Royal Baths or Lazy River pools. There are also bike, kayak and snorkeling rentals available. If you're feeling lucky, the casinos offer slots, blackjack and craps. You can spend your winnings at the upscale shops which include Gucci and Cartier. An air-conditioned motor coach takes you back to port after your day at Atlantis.

Price: Adult $160, Child $110 (ages 3-9)

-A light lunch is included
- Water Slides have a 48" height requirement
-Towels and lifejackets provided. Locker rentals are available
-Swim diapers required for babies/toddlers
-Wheelchairs must be collapsible and are not allowed in the area of the waterslides. No ECV's are permitted and no beach wheelchairs are available

[GoofyWife]

How long are you in port?

Stuart Cove's also has a sub adventure that I HIGHLY recommend if you can swing it. You go into the water riding these little personal submarines that you sit on (see my profile picture). Four divers go down with you and it is by far one of my favorite experiences! You go way out and then 1/2 of the people snorkel for a 1/2 hour while the other 1/2 do the subs and then you switch out. Check out Stuart Cove's website.

The other thing we did was the PowerBoat tour but that takes up an entire day! You speed off to a private island where you stay for the day - stop on the way and feed giant iguanas, then go to the island and feed sting rays, snorkel (not the best as you have to exit via a rocky shoreline) and feed sharks (up close and personal!!). They feed you a fantastic lunch and there's a bar with all you can drink! Pricey, but well, well worth it! There are two different companies. This one departs right from the dock near Atlantis, so you could easily get there. Stuart Cove's is located on the other side of the island and it's a decent drive but they pick you up. If you're interested, I can get you the info or you can go to TripAdvisor and check it out.

We were not on a cruise ship, so we had lots of time to go and explore.

[Sweetie]

I am doing the 4 night cruise. I believe we are in port from 9:30am to 7pm.

The picture of those personal subs looks really neat!

[Mouse princess]

I love the Bahamas. I have been there a half a dozen times, twice on cruises and 4 times just staying on either Nassau or Paradise Island. The locals are usually super nice but can be a pit pushy selling their goods.

I did the Stuart Cove sub adventure also and it was really cool. My husband did that and a dive. That one gets my vote.
If you want to go to the Beach, you can take the ferry boatover to Paradise Island and go to Cabbage Beach. Bring a towel and you are all set. The locals are there selling jetski rentals and banana boat rides, the usual beach stuff. You can rent chairs also for about $10. Or you can spend the $65 for Atlantis beach but I am not sure it is worth it. I am not sure what your lunch coupon is worth, but I think the ferry is $5 and the chair rentals at Cabbage Beach $10 - so that is $20 per person, so unless the lunch is $45- a bit overpriced. But Cabbage beach is also a bit of a walk from where the ferry docks.(these prices are guesses- I haven't been there in 4 years)
I have done the Discover Atlantis and I don't think the $39 price tag was worth it, IMO. Way overpriced.

Also, in Nassau, you can just go to the Straw market. They have local items made, and other touristy junk, like beach towels and souveniers. Their is a Senor Frogs you can go to for lunch, or catch a cab to the Fish Fry. My husband and I love the Fish Fry. If you asked this to a cab driver they will know exactly where to take you.
Fish Fry Nassau (but you have to like seafood)

[GoofyWife]

Originally Posted by Mouse princess

I love the Bahamas. I have been there a half a dozen times, twice on cruises and 4 times just staying on either Nassau or Paradise Island. The locals are usually super nice but can be a pit pushy selling their goods.

I did the Stuart Cove sub adventure also and it was really cool. My husband did that and a dive. That one gets my vote.
If you want to go to the Beach, you can take the ferry boatover to Paradise Island and go to Cabbage Beach. Bring a towel and you are all set. The locals are there selling jetski rentals and banana boat rides, the usual beach stuff. You can rent chairs also for about $10. Or you can spend the $65 for Atlantis beach but I am not sure it is worth it. I am not sure what your lunch coupon is worth, but I think the ferry is $5 and the chair rentals at Cabbage Beach $10 - so that is $20 per person, so unless the lunch is $45- a bit overpriced. But Cabbage beach is also a bit of a walk from where the ferry docks.(these prices are guesses- I haven't been there in 4 years)
I have done the Discover Atlantis and I don't think the $39 price tag was worth it, IMO. Way overpriced.

Also, in Nassau, you can just go to the Straw market. They have local items made, and other touristy junk, like beach towels and souveniers. Their is a Senor Frogs you can go to for lunch, or catch a cab to the Fish Fry. My husband and I love the Fish Fry. If you asked this to a cab driver they will know exactly where to take you.
Fish Fry Nassau (but you have to like seafood)

You can also take the "city bus" (which is basically just an old shuttle van) for $1 each way. They have a stop at Fish Fry. We never made it down there primarily because we aren't fish fans. Everyone that we spoke to that went there, loved it!!

[pixie chick]

We're thinking of either doing the Nassau Dolphin Encounter (4-4.5 hours) or maybe going to Atlantis. I read somewhere that if you reserve a room there (that you won't actually use much, if at all), you have access to all of the resort activities and it comes out to be less expensive than if you buy the excursion package. I have to do a little more research to make sure that this info is correct, of course.

I'd love to do a little exploring, too, but I don't know that we'd have much time for that.

[Dawncala]

Hello Pixie Chick,

We did the Dolphin Encounter with our then 9 and 7 year olds. It was really a fun experience for all of us. You haven't been hugged until you've been hugged by a dolphin. One thing to consider though was that some younger kids in other parties were scared of the dolphins and they splash the group quite a bit.

I have been to Atlantis and it is a fantastic place. The aquariums are the best I've ever seen and all the pools and water play areas are great. Are you thinking of taking a tour or doing the Atlantis Play Day? In my opinion the amount of time one has there while the ship is docked versus the price it costs to go is not worth it to us. I'm looking forward to going to Atlantis again, but I'd stay for a few days to really enjoy all it has to offer.

My family wants to take the Submarine/City Tour combo. Has anyone heard anything about that one?