Nassau, Bahamas - Information

Often dubbed the "Isles of June" for its glorious weather year-round, Nassau sits prominently within the chain of 700 tropical islands that make up the Bahamas. Nassau, the capital of New Providence Island, is a sophisticated, charming town built on a sun-splashed hillside overlooking the sea. If blue skies, clear waters and un-crowded beaches aren't tempting enough, maybe the water sports, duty-free shopping and excellent seafood will lure you to the breathtaking shores of one of our most popular vacation destinations.

Time Zone

Nassau is on Eastern Standard Time

• 3 hours ahead of Los Angeles (PST)
• 2 hours ahead of Denver (MST)
• 1 hour ahead of Chicago (CST)
• 5 hours behind London
• 13 hours behind Japan

Currency

The legal tender of Nassau is the Bahamian dollar (B$1) which is equivalent in value to the US dollar. Both U.S. and Bahamian dollars are accepted throughout the island, as are US dollar travelers checks and most major credit cards.

Language

The official language is English.

Proof of Citizenship

Acceptable forms of proof of citizenship for U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and our International Destinations are a valid passport, OR a certified , state issued birth certificate with raised seal AND a valid government photo ID, (i.e. a driver's license). It is the traveler's responsibility to provide proper documentation. Married women traveling with any documentation in their maiden name must supply a marriage license (a copy is acceptable).

How do I get around?

Visitors can choose from many forms of ground transportation including car, bicycle and scooter rentals (driving is on the left hand side of the road). Taxis are available, as well as horse-drawn surreys for sightseeing. Ferry service is available for inter-island transportation.

Tours

Fun Club's Theme Park
You won't know what to do first - play 18 holes on the executive miniature golf course, challenge your skill at the putting or chipping greens, sand traps and driving cages or practice your swing at the state-of-the-art batting cages - there's time for it all.

Majestic Lady Dinner Cruise
Dine and dance the night away while cruising Nassau's lighted harbor. It's all aboard the Majestic Lady, an 85-foot catamaran, equipped for a fun-filled adventure.

Catamaran Cruise
Relax and enjoy the strumming of the Calypso band as you cruise through waters of unbelievable clarity aboard the 2 largest catamarans in the Atlantic.

Events

January

New Year's Day Sailing Regatta
The grand finale to a week of racing with Bahamian-built sloops battling for the championship and a festive atmosphere onshore.

February

Festival in the Park
Features marching bands, "rake 'n scrape" music, limbo, fire dancing and more.

March

Carifta Games
The best athletes throughout the Caribbean compete at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Center.

April

Breezes Golf Classic
A tournament for amateurs sponsored by SuperClubs' Breezes Resort.

June

Caribbean Muzik Festival
A celebration of Calypso, Reggae, Dance Hall and Junkanoo music.

July

Independence Day
Festivities, parades and celebrations commemorate the Independence of the Bahamas.

August

Emancipation Day
The first Monday in August commemorates the emancipation of slavery in 1834 with a day-long celebration including food and cultural events.

September

Bahamas Atlantis Superboat Challenge
A major international power boat race with five days of festive events.

October

International Month
The month of October marks a celebration of international culture filled with entertainment, food and art.

Great Bahamas Seafood Festival
A culinary extravaganza featuring excellent Bahamian seafood dishes.

Bahamas National Trust Wine & Art Festival
Spotlights works by local artists and a wine tasting.

November

Christmas Jollification
An arts & crafts festival with holiday foods and music.

December

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Children's choirs entertain at this annual event to celebrate the Christmas season.

Nassau Classic Car Festival
A showcase and parade of priceless classic cars held on Cable Beach.

Junkanoo
A spectacular pre-dawn parade with music, dance and costumes in the Mardi Gras tradition held on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's morning.

Ongoing Events

Changing of the Guard Ceremony
Witness the pomp and pageantry marking the changing of the Guard at Government House, the residence of the Governor General, personal representative of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Activities

Attractions

The Cloisters
The remains of a 14th century Augustine stone monastery overlooking Nassau Harbor.

St. Augustine's Monastery
A famous landmark designed in the Romanesque style.

The Ardastra Gardens & Zoo
A small and charming sanctuary for over 300 birds, mammals and reptiles and more than 600 species of flowering plants.

Forts
The three existing forts in Nassau were built in the 16th century to command the western harbor. Tours to Fort Charlotte, Fort Fincastle and Fort Montagu provide an interesting look at the history of the island.

European Art Museum & Gallery
Features a permanent exhibition of European art as well as works by local artists.

Queen's Staircase
This steep staircase is believed to have been carved from limestone by slaves in the 18th century to provide an escape route into town.

Dolphin Encounters
Swim in the ocean with dolphins! A variety of programs are offered including a day-long cruise to Blue Lagoon Island and a 20-minute excursion to Sanctuary Bay where you can observe these intelligent, playful creatures up close.

Submarine Dive
Take a tour through the depths of the ocean aboard a comfortable submarine and get an underwater view of coral reefs and exotic deep-sea creatures.

Junkanoo Museum
Learn all about Junkanoo, the Bahamians official Carnival, and the origins of this colorful, festive event from the days of slavery.

Pompey Museum of Slavery and Emancipation
Once used as an auction house for slaves, this building now houses exhibits of the African Bahamian lifestyle from slavery to post-emancipation.

Hartley's Undersea Walk
Stroll across the ocean floor, without even getting your hair wet!

Nassau Straw Market
Bring your cash as well as your bargaining skills to Nassau's lively market which sells souvenirs, woodcrafts and just about anything that can be made from straw.

Parliament Square
Home of the Queen Victoria statue, Chambers of Parliament, House of Assembly and the Senate.

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Shopping

Bay Street, the International Bazaar, and the Nassau Straw Market are excellent shopping locations. Long a leader in duty-free shopping, popular goods sold in Nassau include fragrances, jewelry, china, leather goods, linens and cameras. These items are often sold for up to 40% below retail prices. Visitors from the US are allowed to take items, valued up to $600, back home with them duty-free once every 30 days, provided the items are properly declared to customs and the traveler has been out of the US for at least 48 hours. For complete details, a helpful booklet titled "Know Before You Go" is available free of charge courtesy of the US Customs Service.

Dining

Restaurants of all varieties, from casual to upscale, can be found in Nassau. Although virtually every type of food is available, from steaks and pasta to Chinese, try not to miss an opportunity to sample the local fare. The cuisine is spicy, subtly flavored with local meats and produce and heavily influenced by the American South. A perfect example of this is one of their popular entrees using broiled fish, which plays a major role in Bahamian cuisine, and served with grits ("fish 'n grits"). Many dishes are served with pigeon peas and rice ("peas 'n rice") with spices, tomatoes, onions and bacon added. Souse (pronounced "sowse"), a delicious, rich soup made with only water, onions, lime juice, celery, peppers and meat is also a regional specialty.

Seafood is the staple of Bahamian cuisine, especially conch (pronounced "konk") the firm, white, peach-fringed meat from ocean mollusks. It is served uncooked with lime juice and spices or deep fried ("cracked conch"), steamed or made into conch chowder and fritters. The Bahamian "rock lobster" is a spiny variety without claws and served broiled, minced and is also used in salads. Another local delicacy is boiled or baked land crabs, which can be seen running across the roads at night before they are cooked.

Recreation