A Safe Bet in Nassau

[Magicat]

With recent events in Nassau, we were on the Navigator that Friday, we have found a not too bad place to go when in port. If you just want to get to a beach, listen to some music, have some cheap beers and swim in the ocean and relax, head over to Junkanoo Beach.

 

When you exit the port, take the main road to the right and in 10 minutes you are at a beach with change rooms, washrooms, showers, lockers (all free). There are 2 small huts that sell beers, hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. And it is right across the street from the Police station.

[pokergirl34]

Did you walk there or take a taxi?

 

thanks for the information!

[Magicat]

We walked. It is like a 10 minute walk. I'll post a pic of it from the ship tonight.

[missholly24]

Thanks! Was thinking Wyndam, husband wants to stay on ship to avoid being held up at gunpoint. LOL...Maybe this will be compromise.

[Magicat]

Thanks! Was thinking Wyndam, husband wants to stay on ship to avoid being held up at gunpoint. LOL...Maybe this will be compromise.

 

LOL, we liked going to the Wyndam but they are now charging $40 per person for the day. Now that does include lunch but we thought it pretty steep as we just wanted to relax on the beach and pool and sip a few wobbly pops.

 

 

The only down side to Junkanoo is that they are currently dredging the harbour for the Oasis and there is a big barge there, but should be gone soon I would imagine. Other than that we felt safe even with our stuff on the beach and all of us in the water. I'm sure if you asked one of the guys at the bar to watch your stuff he would.

[mrstravel]

Was the beach clean? and were there people there renting umbrellas or chairs?

and if so, how much are they?

Thanks

[Magicat]

Was the beach clean? and were there people there renting umbrellas or chairs?

and if so, how much are they?

Thanks

 

Beach was very clean, there was someone with chairs but we didn't get one as we had a small table with "stools" (the only way I can describe them) under a palm tree. Didn't see any umbrellas. There really weren't a lot of people at this beach.

[mrstravel]

thanks

[C&F]

Sounds good! We'll be there in late December. Did you feel safe on the walk there?

Also, you mention cheap beers? How cheap and what brands?

Thanks,

Freddie

[Magicat]

Yes, we felt safe, it is on a busy street across from the police station. The beers were Kalik beer - two types and a few others. The beers were 2.50 each.

[mrstravel]

Is it possible to take a jitney to Junkanoo?

[Magicat]

What's a Jitney?

[mrstravel]

I think it's a local bus that people take around nassau. Most people take the #10 to the sheraton at cable beach. I thought maybe it went there too.

[Magicat]

Oh, no you can easily walk there. The picture I posted is of Junkanoo beach and it was taken from the ship. Once you get out of the terminal, head up one street then hang a right and you can't miss it. Ten minutes from the ship tops.

[mrstravel]

Thank you so much. Happy holidays.

[nimbex1970]

So is this just past the british colonial? I had thought that those were all inclusive resorts there so I've not ventured out on foot that far to the right. Thanks

[marshalljm]

I'm curious, what do you mean by "recent events". We are going to Nassau on the 16th and were going to take a cab to Atlantis.

[C&F]

We took a cab to the Comfort Suites. We heard there was a deal where you can pay for a room there and have all access to Atlantis. This is true, but they have a 2 night minimum at 400 bucks a night for the room. If you are looking to just see Atlantis, we got some money saving advice from the cab driver. He took us to Cabbage beach. It is the same beach as Atlantis, but it is free. It is over a few properties. There was a guy to rent chairs from for 10 bucks each. Also guys walked around selling soda and water for 3 bucks each. There was a little place called Viola's right near it. Not sure if there was a restroom. We then walked down to Atlantis and walked around there for awhile. There were places that were off limits without a bracelet such as the waterpark, but we weren't interested anyway. We say the hammerhead sharks and stingrays and other fish. It is a very nice place, but I'm glad I didn't pay $150 to use the beach. My in laws paid 35 each to see the Dig and the rest of what we saw as well. But if all of Atlantis is what you want to see, enjoy.

Have a great cruise,

Freddie

[Capecodbeachfront]

Since your in-laws went to The Dig, could you tell me what their opinion was of it. I do want to check out the Atlantis, at least the free public part. Since I will be part of a Taste of Nassau Tour I would have to take a taxi back to do The Dig after the tour ended. Undecided whether to plan on doing that or just going back on board ship for a afternoon of ship exploring. The Dig does look better than the average aquarium but $70 for 2 people seems a bit much.

[jlocole]

Previous posters have mentioned the dig/aquarium is pretty easy to see for free in the early evenings, after people have left the beach for the day.

[C&F]

Previous posters have mentioned the dig/aquarium is pretty easy to see for free in the early evenings, after people have left the beach for the day.

 

This is probably true, but our ship left at 5:00pm and it was before the guards drop their posts. We did walk around most of the Atlantis site for free, but they went in during the early afternoon. They loved it and felt it was worth it. My B-I-L is hard to impress and he liked it. They got good pics that we thought would've been nice to see, but we were more intersted in hanging on the beach and they weren't.

[Johnny Pie]

Magicat: Going to Nassau on the Oasis on Apr. 30th, and only there from 1-7, so int'd in a beach trip that's close, quick and cheap. Your experience sounds as though it fits the bill. OK beach for kids? You say take a right on main road; meaning you come out of the building with straw market that all disembarking cruisers come through, go out to main drag (that runs parallel to water and ships) and take a right there? Think we did this 2 yrs ago to meet our excursion to Blue Lagoon (and am guessing this beach is a five min. walk from there? i.e., would be walking away from the direction of Atlantis [that on opp side of the sound])? Were there any vendors or hawkers on that beach (had enough of the hair braiding ladies; with my wife and three daughters, they like to hound me). Thanks for the posting and any other advice you have, John:cool:

[Capecodbeachfront]

I was in Nassau at the end of January.

We did the public walk around Atlantis, etc.

I had planned to walk to the Nassau beaches...

either the British Colonial or Junkaroo...

Did not do either...

I could see them from the ship...

and they looked fairly average... weak waves, dull sand.

We did our beach day at CoCo Cay.

Nassau seems to be the weak link port on many cruises.

It is kind of a 'been there, done that' port.

Next time I may step up to Cayman Islands...

Regardless,

DO ENJOY YOUR CRUISE !

And may great weather be with you!

[Johnny Pie]

CapeCod: How was the Atlantis for just a brief (free) walk through? We're not in port long enough to beat the security going off duty at 7 pm and don't really want to pay for a day pass that will only turn out to be part of an afternoon......worth the walk over or doing something else? (last time in Nassau, on Disney Cruise, we took excursion to Blue Lagoon and then ended up in the straw market, where my girls had their hair braided). Any advice on things to do currently in Nassau (for 3-4 hrs)?

Also, I am jealous of your tagline -- if you're truly on the beach front on the Cape, I wish I were you.....(spent summers as a kid in Craigville, on the beach there). Thx for the post, John:cool:

[Capecodbeachfront]

Our tour of the Public Gounds of the Atlantis was excellent.

Once off the ship, we looked for 'water taxi' hawkers.

They organize you into boat size groups... $3 a person.

The actual trip takes 10-15 minutes...

Usually a 'local' gives you a quick tour, then asks for tips.

From the ferry dock you walk thru the marina to the Atlantis.

The yachts are wonderful, plus there are shops.

At the Atlantis you end up going thru the casino to outside walk ways.

The walkways are fine, they go along the top of the aquarium...

You feel like you are walking along a moat...

You can look down into the aquarium and there are people snorkeling.

You then enter the lobby to see more of the aquarium and murals.

The ceiling is amazing and the lobby area is huge.

VERY IMPRESSIVE and so far all you have spent is $3 a person.

Want more aquarium? You can add the DIG TOUR... we did not.

At this point you could do the casino, eat at a restaurant, or shop ?

We decided to do shopping back at the marina and take water taxi back.

TIP: Take the land taxi back for $4 a person. Taxis are at Atlantis.

For a few dollars extra they will give you a mini tour as well.

I really wish we had done that.

The water taxi is not as efficient going back to Nassau... enough said.

We were at Atlantis for 2-3 hours and did enjoy it.

Downside is you can not see the waterpark to check it out.

Cost us $12 total plus a few magnet souvenirs, and tips.

Tip: You will not feel out of place. There were clearly more people doing the free public tour than those staying at the hotel for $$$$$.

Back at Nassau we were not impressed by Straw Market or Senor Frogs.

We went back on the ship...

Went to the Compass Deli for wonderful dessert crepes!

Warmed mashed banana crepe with a butterscotch drizzle...

followed up with a chocolate mousse crepe ! Wonderful.