Best Sailing & Boating Tours in Nassau
Below you will find the most popular sightseeing and sailing tours that operate from Nassau/Paradise Island. For a comprehensive list of sailing cruises and tours, go through this
Viator Website Page where you can check out the tour offerings, user reviews, rates and book tours of your choice.
Tour Boat in Nassau Harbor
Photo: Lauren_vdM Pixabay
The rates/prices given below are indicative and can vary depending on season and demand.
Rose Island Excursion by Sandy Toes
This is a full day boat excursion to Rose Island organized by Sandy Toes. The boat leaves from the Paradise Island ferry dock and takes 15 minutes to reach the Rose Island. Once there you can enjoy he private island beach along with fellow tourists.
The package includes the both way boat rides, enjoying the beach and hammocks, snorkel gears and guided snorkel tour, buffet style Bahamian lunch which includes barbecued chicken, hot dogs, rice and peas, pasta, salads etc. There is a shaded deck overlooking the ocean. You can get kayaks, tubes, beach massage at additional cost. Bathroom and shower facilities are also available.
Rose Island, Bahamas
Photo: Rüdiger Stehn, flickr, cc by-sa 2.0
Indicative rate: $89 per adult.
Website: www.sandytoesbahamas.com
Powerboat Adventures
This is a full day package. You are first taken to Allen's Cay which is about 38 miles from Nassau in Exuma Cays on a high speed powerboat. It takes one hour to reach. Here you can participate in feeding the critically endangered Rock Iguanas in their natural habitat (these large lizard like creatures locally known as Bahamian Dragons and n endangered species).
Rock Iguana at Allen's Cay, Exuma
Photo: Greg Grimes, flickr, cc by-sa 2.0
Your next stop is at the private island 'Ship Channel Cay'. You are greeted with snacks and drinks. Fishing cottage has been modified for shaded seating. There are lovely beaches for you to swim. You can also swim with pigs here and take photographs with them.
A stocked bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is kept open all through the day until it's time to return, and all drinks are free and unlimited.
You will next participate in interactive feeding of stingrays. And then you will witness shark feeding (Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, and lemon sharks). This will be followed by lunch which includes fresh grilled fish, steaks, pasta, hot dogs, salads etc. After lunch you will see how Bahamian national dish 'The Conch salad' is prepared from scratch and be able to sample a freshly made conch salad.
Note that this adventure trip has been featured in Discovery Channel and E! Television.
Indicative price of trip: $260 per adult, $160 per child + 12% tax (10% online discount applies).
The boat leaves from Paradise Island Ferry Terminal (starts at 9:30 am, returns at 5 pm).
They have two boats... a 60-foot boat with a capacity of 64 persons and a 40-foot boat with a capacity of 24 persons. Which boat you will get depends on the bookings on the day.
Phone: +1 (242) 363 22 65/66
Website: www.powerboatadventures.com
Sunset and Dinner Cruises
You get to watch magnificent sunset from Nassau harbor while you sail on a catamaran. Following the sunset some cruises serve dinner onboard which usually includes barbecued ribs, lemon pepper chicken, green salad, pasta salad, peas and rice, dessert and one rum punch, soft drink or filtered water.
View from Sunset cruise in Nassau Harbor
Photo: R9 Studios FL, flickr, cc by 2.0
Note: They also offer the catamarans on private charters for customized tours which can include sail and snorkel tours, cocktail cruise, island beach day tour, dinner cruise, private function etc. They work out the prices depending on your requirement and group size.
Bahama Boat Excursions
They only offer charter packages to take your private group to an island destination on their power boats which can take up to 20 passengers each.
A popular package is a half day tour to a private beach location at Rose Island which is about 20 minutes one way ride. You get a wonderful beach of your own, pristine water for swimming and snorkeling. The package includes water, drinks and snorkel gear. There are private cabanas and hammocks. You can bring your own food. Indicative rate is $1,000 for four hours for up to 20 guests.
Another exotic full day trip offered is to the Exuma Cays which is about 1 hour ride one way. The boat leaves from Nassau dock (can also pickup from Paradise Island marina). Once you reach the island with magnificent views, you can swim with pigs, feed the rock iguanas (rare giant lizard like creatures), see a plane wreck, experience the protected marine park and snorkel.
Rock Iguanas on a beach at Exuma
Photo: Tambako The Jaguar, flickr, cc by-nd 2.0
The package includes snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, snorkeling gear etc. You will be taken to an island restaurant for lunch (the charges are extra payable). Package starts with $3,500 for up to 20 persons for 8 hours.
Website: www.bahamaboatexcursions.com
Pearl Island Beach Day
This 5-hour group tour starts from Harbor View Marina at Nassau and takes 30 minutes one-way to the beautiful Pearl Island which is known for its lovely beaches and the lighthouse.
On arrival you are served a welcome drink. You can relax by the beach or swimming pool. Or optionally go for snorkel tour, kayak, paddle boarding or even parasailing tour at an extra cost. Shaded decks and beach umbrellas are provided. Traditional Bahamian buffet lunch is included in the package. They have a bar and make barbecue on the beach. If you want you can order for extra food and cocktails at additional cost. Indicative package cost is $65 per adult and $35 for children under 12. Bathroom and shower facilities are available. Free wi-fi is also available.
Website: www.pearlislandbahamas.com
Flying Cloud Catamaran Cruises
Captain Craig takes you for a cruise on his high speed 57-ft catamaran. All cruises leave from Paradise Island ferry terminal. He offers several packages.
The 3.5 hour sailing and snorkeling cruise (morning or afternoon trip) takes you to a beach where you can swim and snorkel. Rum punches and beverages are included (indicative cost: $80 per person).
2.5 hour dinner cruise on Nassau harbor shows you the glittering shore lights from the water as you dine. BBQ chicken and ribs buffet is included. Indicative price: $70 per person.
5-hour full day cruise is similar to 3.5 hour cruise, however it also includes visit to private Rose Island beach and reef area for extra swimming and snorkeling. Also included is BBQ chicken and ribs buffet with salad and peas and rice. Indicative price: $95 per person.
Website: www.flyingcloud.info
Harbor Safaris (Swim with Pigs)
This is a day trip from the Bay Street Marina (Nassau) taking you all the way to Exuma cays (in about one hour). The first stop is where you see lots of rock iguanas and then they take you to the 'Pig Beach' (Big Major Cay) where you see pigs that swim and you can feed them and swim along with them. This is followed by lunch at Staniel Cay Yacht Club.
Swimming Pigs at Exuma
Photo: bookfinch, flickr, cc by 2.0
The trip continues to North Exuma Cays, a brief stop at the sand bar and return to Nassau Harbor as you watch the wonderful sight of sunset.
Indicative rate: $399 per person. The tour departs at 8:30am and takes 8 to 9 hours.
Phone: 242-394-8687
Website: www.harboursafaris.com
Barefoot Sailing Cruises
They have two sailing yachts and offer regular sailing with snorkeling trips. The 3.25 hours half day trip includes 1.5hours of sailing as they turn off the engine followed by snorkeling at a reef in Rose Island. There is an extended trip of 4.25 hours which additionally includes island beach time. The package includes snorkel instructions and gears, beverages, light snacks and a rum punch while returning.
They also offer sunset champagne cruise on Nassau harbor. A common course is to sail under Paradise Island bridge and go up to Montagu Bay to the east. Champagnes are served while you watch spectacular sunset from the harbor.
Other offers include 'Sail your own boat' ... not bareboating though, while you can be the captain you will be guided by a sailor experienced in local water. You can also charter a yacht for private dinner.
Regular season price for:
Sunset cruise: $90 per adult, 3.25 hrs trip: $90 per adult, 4.25hrs: $115 per adult.
Rates increase in peak tourist months.
Phone: (242) 393-0820 or (242) 393-5817
Website: www.barefootsailingcruises.com
Reel Dreams Charters
Although they specialize in fishing charters, they also offer their fleet of boats for sightseeing and sunset cruise charters. Boat sizes vary from 27 to 38ft and each has a capacity of 6 people.
The Nassau Sightseeing cruise shows you the cruise ship dock (Prince George Wharf) from Nassau Harbor, Fort Charlotte, British Colonial Hilton Hotel (the oldest hotel in Nassau still in operation), the Lighthouse, then going past Rose Island (about 3miles east of Paradise Island) and Sandy Cay.
Other than sunset cruise on Nassau harbor, you can take a half or full day cruise charter to Exuma cays for fishing or lounging on a private island.
Email them to get your pricing ... you can charter for half day, 6 hours or full day (8 hours).
Website: reeldreamsbahamas.com
Atlantis Yacht Charters
If you are guest staying in an Atlantis property in Paradise Island, you have the privilege of chartering a half day or full day yacht from International Yacht Collection (IYC) which is one of the largest international yacht companies with about 90 professionals in 13 centers world wide.
You can choose from many activities including sailing, snorkeling, swimming with pigs in Exuma cays, diving, fishing and other water sports. The experts at the company will custom design a cruise for you. For fishing they provide a licensed fishing guide to take you to the best fishing spots.
IYC is located at the Atlantis Marina in Paradise Island at Dockmaster's Office.
Website: www.atlantisbahamas.com/thingstodo/activities/yachtandfishcharters
Seaworld Explorer - The Semi-Submarine
This is a semi-submarine, actually a boat with a deep hull. When you sit on a stool you can watch through the windows below the water level and see lots of fish and marine life.
The guide will first take you to a pier which is about 6-7 minute walk from the Nassau cruise terminal (i.e. Prince George Wharf). From there a small boat will take you to Sea Explorer in about 20 minutes. Once on board, the guide will let you know about different kinds of fish in the water here and their background. Just relax and watch the Atlantic below the water surface and spot many different fish.
Phone: +1 242-356-2548
Website: seaworldtours.com
You can also book this trip from your cruise line.
Island World Adventures
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This is a shared group day trip to the northern Exuma cays from Paradise Island ferry dock by a high speed boat that can move at a speed of 45mph and reach Saddleback Cay in one hour. On reaching you can relax on an unspoiled beach, or snorkel in shallow reefs that's teeming with all kinds of fish, or just take a leisure stroll on a nearby sand bar, collect shells and take wonderful pictures.
Saddleback Cay, Exuma
Photo: Nugget04, flickr, cc by 2.0
Bahamian style lunch is served under palm thatched roofs with excellent views. Post lunch you can feed sting rays, sharks of different types and barracudas. On the way back visit another island Leaf Cay where you can see lots of Rock Iguanas.
Indicative rates: The day trip is $200 per adult and $150 per child. The trip starts at 9am. Each boat can carry up to 28 persons. The charter rate for a boat is $5,500.
Phone: 242-363-3333
Website: www.islandworldadventures.com
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 By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj, a seasoned travel writer and Bermuda destination expert, has extensive global travel experience. This website reflects his profound insights, garnered over nearly two decades of dedicated findings and research on the island. Raj has assisted countless Bermuda-bound visitors by providing direct, personalized responses to their queries and imparting his wealth of knowledge through this platform. This site serves as an indispensable guide for those seeking informed and reliable insights into Bermuda's treasures.
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