DISCOVER NASSAU
Get to know Nassau and its surrounds on this scenic bus tour. The itinerary lasts for around two-and-a-half hours and includes a visit to a rum distillery, complete with tasting, plus key sights such as Government House.
Excursion Details
Learn more about Bahamian culture and history during this approximately two-and-a-half-hour bus tour of Nassau. Once onboard, the excursion begins with a short drive from the port to nearby Paradise Island, passing by significant spots on the way. The first of these is Rawson Square, named after a former governor and where several important local politicians are honoured with statues.
Once arrived, enjoy around 35 minutes at Atlantis Paradise Island, home to – among other things – a huge, open-air marine habitat and a waterpark themed around the sunken city. Explore and take photos before boarding the bus again and continuing the tour past Potters Cay and its fish shacks.
A short journey ends at one of the highest points on the island: Fort Fincastle Water Tower. You will get around 30 minutes of free time to admire the view and visit the Queen’s Staircase. Informally known as ‘the 66 steps’, this local landmark was cut out of limestone rock by slaves during the 1790s, providing a route from Fort Fincastle (a defensive complex which houses the steps) into the city of Nassau. The staircase was later named after the UK’s Queen Victoria, but today it acts as a reminder of Bahamian history.
A short drive then transports you to John Watling’s Distillery. During the drive, look out for Government House – official residence of the Governor General as well as Gregory’s Arch, a chiselled, stone structure built in 1852 to separate downtown Nassau from Grant’s Town. Then spend around 30 minutes exploring the distillery, located on an 18th-century estate. During your visit, you’ll learn how the distillery slowly develops sugarcane molasses into its much-loved rums some are left to age for up to eight years. You’ll also sample some of the finished goods in the form of a piña colada.
Finally, after an approximately 20-minute drive and brief stop for photos at Junkanoo Beach and its locally famous Fish Fry restaurant, a short drive returns to the port.
Important Information: Guests must be at least 21 years old to consume alcohol. The driver of this tour is also the guide. This tour is considered not available for guests in wheelchairs. Guests with walking difficulty and mobility problems should consider that there is a walking distance of approximately 1 mile/1.6 km to cover form the ship to the buses. The order of stops visited may vary.
Guests can choose to enter Fort Fincastle while exploring Queen Victoria Staircase. The entrance fee to the fort is not included in the price of this tour and is to be paid at the guests own expense directly onsite. At Atlantis, there is an approximately 5-minute walk to reach the resort. Fort Fincastle will be closed for construction starting March 2025, therefore affecting access to the nearby Queen’s Staircase. As a result, the tour will be re-routed to Fort Charlotte (outdoor view only). Guests may choose to enter for an additional charge, time-permitting.
This tour is not a shopping-focused experience. While vendors may be present at select stops, shopping is at the guests discretion and the primary focus of the tour is on exploring the history and highlights of the island
