Bahamas Cruise Ports

The Bahamas cruise ports are the most active in the Caribbean because they receive more than 3 million visitors a year, the most in the entire region.

Eastern Caribbean cruises make the Bahamas a common stop because they are so close to Florida, which also accounts for many cruises as brief as three or four days.

Longer cruses include the various Bahamas cruise ports on their way to Turks & Caicos, the Virgin Islands and other popular stops on eastern cruises.

Nassau and Freeport are the dominant ports in the Bahamas. In addition, cruise lines visit these private islands:

1. Castaway Cay (Disney)
   
2. Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean)
   
3. Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian Cruise Line)
   
4. Half Moon Cay (Holland America Line and Carnival)
   
5. Princess Cays (Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

Following are brief profiles of the Bahamas cruise ports.


Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas and located on New Providence Island. Major hotels and resorts are mostly concentrated at Cable Beach and the more expensive Paradise Island, a second small island of 685 acres that is connected to New Providence by two bridges.

Attractions. Attractions include Blue Lagoon Island, which is 20 minutes away by sailboat and has beaches, snorkeling, diving and swimming with the dolphins. Nassau golf courses include Cable Beach Resorts Golf Club and South Ocean Golf & Beach Resort. The Nassau Botanical Gardens and Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre will appeal to nature lovers.

Local historical attractions include Fort Charlotte, which is the largest on the islands, or forts Montagu or Fincastle. The Queen’s Staircase of Sixty Six Steps, located at Fort Fincastle, is a popular tourist attraction that was hand carved out of solid rock.

Shopping. Nassau has plenty of duty-free shopping. Popular shopping destinations include the Straw Markets, which showcase local arts and crafts, and Bay Street, which is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.

Paradise Island has shops concentrated at Marina Village, Crystal Court (inside Atlantis Royal Towers) and The Craft Centre, which features local artisans. Nassau's Bay Street is easily accessible from the cruise docks and runs parallel to the waterfront. Festival Place shopping is located right by the docks, and Straw Market is nearby on Bay Street.


The Freeport cruise port is located on Grand Bahama Island, which is the second most popular tourist destination in The Bahamas after Nassau / Paradise Island.

It is one of the northernmost islands of The Bahamas, the closest to Florida and is known for two areas in particular – the resort center at Freeport and the suburb of Lucaya.

Freeport is the dominant city on Grand Bahama with its own cruise terminal and the Grand Bahama Island International Airport. Lucaya also has a cruise terminal and is a major hub for cruise ships, shopping, restaurants, hotels and entertainment.

Attractions. Attractions include Lucayan National Park, which has one of the world’s largest underwater cave systems, and Peterson Cay National Park, a protected area a mile offshore with coral reefs and opportunities for picnicking, snorkeling and scuba diving.

Another favorite attraction is Pinder’s Point Lighthouse, the birds and nature trails at Rand Nature Center or the Garden of the Groves, which has more than 10,000 species of plants and animals. Or swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Experience Lagoon.

Shopping. Shoppers will find plenty to browse and buy at the 12-acre Port Lucaya Marketplace or at the International Bazaar, one of the oldest shopping areas in Freeport. Golfers will be able to use two courses – The Lucayan Golf Course or The Reef Golf Course.


Castaway Cay is Disney's private port and provides activities such as snorkeling, boating, swimming and sunbathing. Amenities include:

• 325-square-foot private and furnished cabanas at Castaway Family Beach (for families) and Serenity Bay Beach (for adults)
  
• Two water play areas
  
• The Hide Out, a teens-only activity area on the beach
  
• Open-air BBQ dining locations, two shops with gifts and souvenirs, and tram transportation
  
• Swimming, kayaking, water sports and other activities at the various areas
  
• Open-air massages with an ocean view, a yoga class and a bar at the secluded, adults-only beach, Serenity Bay
  
• Excursions including stingray interactions, glass-bottom boat tours, parasailing and fishing
  
• Free childcare at Scuttle's Cove, a child's area supervised by Disney counselors
  
• Disney Character Greetings, including a Dance Party with Lilo and Stitch

Coco Cay, located just south of Freeport, is a private island owned by Royal Caribbean. Amenities include:

• Hiking, parasailing and kayaking
  
• Waverunners, the most popular activity
  
• Caylanas Aqua Park, a floating playground
  
• Seaside barbecues
  
• Snorkeling among sunken wrecks

This private island doesn't have any restaurants or shops, but the private beach offers mixed and frozen drinks.


Norwegian Cruise Line owns Great Stirrup Cay, which is located north of Nassau. Amenities include:

• WaveRunners and parasailing
  
• Snorkeling
  
• Kayaking and boat tours
  
• Complimentary dining.
  
• Straw market; Bahamian arts and crafts for purchase.
  
• Kid's play area and Hippo water slide

Half Moon Cay is located farthest south and east of any Bahamas cruise port. It is used by Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Lines. Amenities include:

• Horseback riding
  
• Snorkeling
  
• Stingray interaction in Stingray Cove.
  
• Shore excursions
  
• Two-mile beach
  
• Children's water park
  
• Interior lagoon