What to Do in Nassau Bahamas WITHOUT a Cruise Excursion (2025 Walking Tour)
Explore Nassau, Bahamas without a shore excursion! Here's what cruise passengers can see on foot, from the Straw Market to Atlantis and more.
Today I’m in Nassau, Bahamas, and I don’t have a single excursion booked. But here’s the thing… I don’t need one. I’m going to show you a few places you can explore all on your own, and have a great time on your port day, especially if you’re a first-time cruiser.
Hello and welcome back to the channel, and welcome to Nassau. Most of the cruisers are headed off to beach resorts, but I like to walk around the port area in the morning, then head back to the ship for lunch and enjoy the ship with fewer people onboard. Whether you're cruising with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, or Norwegian, everything I visit today is close to the cruise port.
Here are 6 things you can do without an excursion in Nassau.
Port Marketplace, Nassau Bahamas
Watch my video tour of Nassau, Bahamas:
#6 Port Marketplace
Once you’re on the pier you'll walk straight into the brand new Port Marketplace — and this is a huge upgrade from what Nassau used to be like.
The Bahamian Port Authority recently gave this entire area a major facelift. It’s cleaner, better organized, and feels a lot safer and more welcoming than it did just a few years ago.
You’ll find colorful buildings and plenty of shops selling local souvenirs, T-shirts, tropical drinks, ice cream, artisan soaps, seashells, and jewelry.
There’s even a designated area for hair braiding now — something that used to take place in a makeshift park across the street in a park. Now it’s all been moved into a proper space right here in the marketplace, which makes the whole experience more comfortable for everyone. Braids start around $40. While my wife gets her hair braided, my son and I like to walk around and check out the different stalls.
The Global Porter is one of my favorites - it’s one of the larger shops in the port - it’s like a department store with things you can wear, collectables, and even things for your house. The Port Marketplace leads you to the Straw Market and taxi depot. It’s so easy to find the Straw Market now.
Straw Market is a legendary destination for purchasing souvenirs in Nassau.
#5 Straw Market
And speaking of the Straw Market, now is a great time to walk across the street and check it out. So, here you leave the actual port complex, and you’re officially in the city of Nassau. This indoor market is packed wall-to-wall with vendors selling things like handwoven straw bags, hats, wood carvings, T-shirts, and souvenirs with your favorite island slogans.
It’s lively, it’s crowded, and yes — it can feel a little overwhelming if you’re not used to being in close quarters. But that’s part of the experience.
Most of the items you see here are negotiable, so don’t be afraid to politely haggle. Just keep in mind — many of the vendors are selling very similar merchandise, so take your time, compare prices, and if you’re after something unique or handmade, be sure to ask who made it.
The Straw Market isn’t air-conditioned, so if you’re looking for that classic Bahamian market atmosphere, this is it.
Straw work has been part of island life here for centuries, But the actual Straw Market as we know it began in the 1940s, when the tourism industry started to grow and locals began selling their handwoven crafts directly to visitors.
This all started with a handful of women selling handmade goods under umbrellas. Today, it’s a symbol of local entrepreneurship, especially for Bahamian women. You’ll notice that the stalls in here are all women-owned, keeping the tradition alive even today.
I hope I don’t spoil any nostalgia here, but the current building is actually relatively new, built after a devastating fire destroyed the original structure in 2001.
And while you will find plenty of mass-produced souvenirs these days, there’s still genuine handmade work here if you look for it — like intricately woven bags, dolls, and even name-customized items made right on the spot.
It’s well worth a walk through if you want to take home something with a story behind it.
Once you’ve had your fill of browsing the Straw Market, it’s an easy walk just a few blocks west along the waterfront to one of Nassau’s newest attractions — the Margaritaville Beach Resort.
#4 British Colonial Hotel
On the way to Margaritaville, you’ll pass by the beautiful British Colonial Hotel.
This modern, family-friendly spot is open to the public, and even if you’re not staying here, there’s plenty you can check out — including the lobby and grounds.. Let’s head that way.”
If you're a hotel buff like I am, you’ll love the details here — elegant columns, polished marble floors, a painted ceiling above the check-in desk, and thoughtfully curated artwork throughout.
The British Colonial Hotel was originally built in 1924 on the site of Old Fort Nassau, which dated back to the 1600s. The fort was demolished, and the hotel was constructed as part of Nassau’s growing appeal to international travelers.
Over the decades, it’s hosted British royalty, world leaders, and Hollywood stars. In fact, it even had a cameo in the James Bond film 'Never Say Never Again' with Sean Connery.
After a few ownership changes and a closure during the pandemic, the hotel underwent a major renovation and reopened in 2024, restoring much of its historic charm while adding modern amenities.
The British Colonial Hotel was considered Nassau’s most luxurious hotel for many years.
Now, while the hotel does technically have a beachfront, it’s not exactly the postcard-perfect Bahamas setting. You’re basically looking out over the harbor and the cruise ships. Still, for anyone who enjoys a bit of architecture and history — or just wants to cool off in a gorgeous air-conditioned space — the British Colonial is a great stop on your Nassau walking tour.
Margaritaville in Nassau offers a vibrant island escape with tropical drinks, live music, and waterfront dining in a laid-back Caribbean setting.
#3 Margaritaville Resort
Just a few more minutes down the road and we’ve arrived at Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau — one of the most popular new stops for cruise travelers looking to enjoy some off-ship relaxation.
Even if you’re not staying here, the lobby is open to the public — and it’s definitely worth walking through. You’ll find that signature Margaritaville flip-flop - each resort has one in a unique color. Ours in Orlando is ruby red. : It’s great for some photo ops while you're here.
Just beyond the lobby, the resort opens up to an impressive pool deck and water park that overlooks the harbor. There’s a lazy river, water slides, a FlowRider surf simulator, and plenty of loungers and cabana rentals if you’re just looking to chill.
Now, here’s the important part — you can’t access the pool or water park unless you purchase a day pass, which is available directly through the resort or through some cruise lines as an excursion add-on. Prices vary, but it’s generally one of the more expensive day pass options in Nassau - somewhere around $120 per person.
Still, even without a pass, walking through Margaritaville is a great way to soak in some tropical energy, grab a drink at the bar, or just enjoy exploring a nice hotel before heading back toward the ship.
Bay Street in Nassau is a bustling thoroughfare known for its vibrant marketplaces, duty-free shops, and colorful colonial architecture.
#2 Bay Street
On the way back we’ll stop at Bay Street to hit the shops. But first, I see one more attraction I must stop at —Dairy Queen. I love Dairy Queen - it’s the one chain restaurant we don’t have in Orlando, so I have to make a stop. And just for fun, there’s even a McDonalds across the street.
I pass by the Pirates of Nassau Museum, I’ve been here before and it’s a great time - lots of detailed exhibits inside, and it’s especially fun for kids. It’s just a block off Bay Street is one of Nassau’s most unique attractions.
It dives into the Golden Age of Piracy — when Nassau was once a real pirate stronghold. If you think learning about some real pirates is pretty cool, hit that like button.
As we make our way back toward the heart of town, we’re walking along Bay Street, Nassau’s main shopping corridor — and, this is where you’ll find the usual mix of jewelry stores, designer brands, and locally-owned souvenir shops.
If you’re looking for Pandora charms, perfume, watches, or luxury sunglasses, you’ll find them here — often at better prices than back home.. Just be prepared: some shops can be a bit pushy, especially the larger jewelry retailers that cater heavily to cruise passengers.
You’ll also spot smaller, independent shops selling T-shirts, sneakers, rum cakes, and handmade goods, though prices can vary.
Even if you’re not shopping, Bay Street is a great place for people-watching and soaking in a bit of the local rhythm. It’s one of the busiest streets in Nassau — and it connects many of the attractions we’ve been visiting today.
The casino at Atlantis Resort offers a vibrant gaming experience with a wide range of slots, table games, and poker in an upscale, tropical setting.
#1 Atlantis Resort
Atlantis is pretty much an all-morning visit by itself, maybe combined with a walk down Bay Street. Rather than take a taxi, we hopped on a water taxi right from the pier to Paradise Island — the easiest and most scenic way to get to Atlantis Resort from the cruise port.
The boat ride itself is half the fun. You’ll cruise right past the harbor and get up close and personal with the massive cruise ships — it’s a whole different perspective seeing them from the water.
Once you arrive at Atlantis, there are a few things you can explore without a day pass. The Marina Village is open to the public — a pastel-colored shopping and dining district where you can stroll past luxury yachts. There’s a Starbucks here with indoor and outdoor seating.
Inside Atlantis, you enter through and browse high-end shops like Balenciaga, Rolex, and other designer names.
The casino is also open to the public, and you’re free to play here. If you came on a Disney ship and miss having a casino, this is your chance to try your luck. Even if you’re not playing casino games, you can still walk through and enjoy the air conditioning and sculptures.
That said, the main parts of the resort — including the aquarium, water park, hotel lobby, and beach access — are all off-limits unless you’ve purchased a day pass or are staying at the resort. A pass to the water park, beach, and pool will run about $250 per person.
Still, it’s a fun little adventure, and the whole experience — including the boat ride — makes it feel like you’ve gone much farther from port than you actually have
So there you have it — a few places to explore while walking around in Nassau, all on foot or by water taxi, and no excursion needed. From local shopping to historic hotels, from resort walk-throughs to pirate history and yacht spotting, there’s actually a lot you can see here on your own.
If it’s your first time in Nassau, here are a few quick tips:
☀️ Wear sunscreen — the sun here is no joke, and you’ll be walking a lot.
💵 Bring small bills — cash is helpful at the Straw Market and for tipping, but most shops accept cards. US currency is fine.
🚶 Don’t be afraid to explore — most of the popular spots are within easy walking distance, and the area around the port has become much cleaner, safer, and more tourist-friendly in recent years.
🚤 And if you’re up for it, take that water taxi to Atlantis. Even if you can’t access the full resort, the views alone are worth the trip. It’s a fun mini-excursion that you can do.
Have questions about planning your Orlando vacation? I have answers! Contact me now to get more out of your vacation.
Since 2010, Darren has been making Orlando vacations easy! As an Orlando resident, he is able to provide insider, expert advice on Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and Florida-based cruises.
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