Things To Do In Nassau, The Bahamas | Tours & Water Activities
The Swimming Pigs
This is one of the most recognizable, Instagrammable activities. If you see photos of people frolicking in the water with pigs, they are most likely in The Bahamas. The original swimming pigs are actually wild and most notably live in Big Major Cay, known as Pig Beach in The Exumas. If you are staying in Nassau, the Exumas are a bit more complex to get to as the experience is a bit pricier and it requires taking a small flight to get there. Now, interactive encounters with pigs can be found on other beaches like Pearl Island and Rose Island at a much cheaper rate.
I booked an experience at Cable Beach/Manor Beach through J&S Tours, and it was a lovely experience. The pigs are harmless and are exponentially more preoccupied with eating that they wouldn’t have time to hurt people. The experience starts with feeding (fresh fruit, chicken and pasta), then an opportunity to cuddle with the smaller pigs, and finally an opportunity to be photographed with the pigs in the water. The handlers and staff are excellent at teaching the easiest ways to interact with the pigs and helping you get the best photos.
Nassau Straw Market
A visit to the Nassau Straw Market is a must, even if you don’t purchase anything; if you appreciate handcrafted items, it’s just beautiful to see. The straw market is more or less a warehouse where all of the vendors are selling either similar versions of the same general tourist souvenirs like t-shirts and shot glasses or distinct, finely-crafted, unique items. It’s a good place to get souvenirs of all kinds to take home, but mainly straw products as the market is named for. You may see vendors intricately weaving unique hats, bags, and bowls right there in the market. You’ll need cash to make purchases, and although you probably could haggle, it isn’t necessary as many vendors will offer a discount almost immediately.
Parasailing
I have always wanted to go parasailing, and I’m glad I chose Nassau to do it. I booked this experience through TripAdvisor, and for the cost, I think it was absolutely worth it. The business owner loves water sports and has done them his entire life, as his dad originally started the business in the 70s.
I was picked up from my hotel and driven to the dock. Once I was on the boat, I signed a waiver, put on a life vest, and was strapped into the harness in no time. I was the only participant the day that I went so the operators allowed me to stay in the air a little longer than 7 minutes. The view from the sky is absolutely incredible, so if you’re not afraid of heights, then I most definitely recommend this experience.
Walking Tour
I like to book food tours whenever I visit a new place so that I get a good sense of what I’m supposed to be eating while there. Food tours often are walking tours in the sense that as you’re going around getting to taste different food, you’re also getting to tour the area and often learn a bit of history and culture at the same time.
I booked a great experience with Tru Bahamian Food Tours through Airbnb with amazing host Captain Ron. He’s incredibly knowledgable, a lot of fun, and his tour is interactive in that he asks trivia questions and gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. On this tour, I tasted three different conch dishes, switcha which is Nassau’s official drink and version of limeade, rum cake, refreshing chocolates and more.
Hit The Beach
On any island, you’ll want to hit the beach. There are many beaches in Nassau and the one you choose to go to will likely depend on where you’re staying. My hotel was at Junkanoo Beach so all I had to do was cross the street and I was there. At Junkanoo Beach, there are plenty of food and drink options like Gloria’s Place and The Drunken Monkey if you want to enjoy lunch or a refreshing cocktail while you’re there. If you spend quite a bit of time at this particular beach, the locals will get to know you quickly.
