Bahamas travel guide

Atlantis is the iconic mega resort that takes up a good part of Paradise Island just across the bridge from Nassau. It’s a strange artificial world that holds several hotels, casinos, shopping malls, and a marina with bright white super yachts. It’s a fun place to people-watch and stare at the super rich's toys.

Cabbage Beach is considered one of the best beaches in New Providence (along with Cable Beach). Lots of the major resorts lie here, so parts of the beach are crowded with sun beds and umbrellas. Polite beach boys patrol the area near the public access path, offering everything from jet-ski and parasailing to coconuts and weed. Luckily, Cabbage Beach is very long, so you can always find a more quiet patch if looking for some privacy.

Cable Beach on New Providence Island is one of the reasons why Bahamas is so sought after as a holiday destination. It’s a pretty 5-km long stretch of white sand and turquoise sea. Sections have been taken up by resorts (some prettier than others), but there are lots of deserted parts as well.

The closest beach to downtown Nassau is Junkanoo Beach. It’s small, crowded, and lined with food shacks and beach bars. The setting isn’t particularly pretty among shabby buildings, but it’s a popular place to have the first drinks of the day.

Nassau is very much geared towards the many cruise tourists who arrive here on a daily basis. Jewels and fashion stores lie like pearls on a string on the main street where friendly touts will try to steer you into their bars. Outside the pastel coloured downtown Nassau is surprisingly run down and rather unappealing, but there are some interesting corners. There are several beaches within walking distance and for a peek into a Disneyfied holiday complex head to the gigantic Atlantis over the bridge on Paradise Island.