Things to Do in the Bahamas
Imagine warm, white or pink sands embracing your feet as you walk along a pristine coast, cerulean water lapping softly at your side. Picture a tropical paradise you can explore with a drink in your hand or swim in deep blue waters with fins on your feet.
If your idea of a vacation sounds anything like that, a Bahamas cruise is just the thing you need. The Bahamas has everything from jungle adventure to relaxing on picture-perfect beaches. The easiest way to hit all of the highlights of the Bahamas is to visit with Princess and Princess excursions. Between water sports, snorkeling, exclusive resorts and rich cultural experiences, there's no shortage of Bahamas activities that embrace the spirit of the tropics. Read on to see our top 18 picks of things to do in the Bahamas to help you start crafting your perfect itinerary.
- Things to Do in the Bahamas
- 1. Princess Cays
- 2. Glide through crystal-clear waters on a paddle board
- 3. Unwind in the comfort of a private beach bungalow
- 4. Snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with life
- 5. Meet gentle stingrays in their natural habitat
- Start your Bahamas adventure
- 6. Dive underwater on a semi-submarine adventure
- 7. Cycle along Eleuthera’s stunning coastline
- 8. Playtime with dolphins and thrills at Aquaventure
- 9. Kayak through serene Bahamian lagoons
- 10. Ride on a thrilling banana boat adventure
- 11. Soar across the waves on an Aqua Bike
- 12. Explore Nassau’s historic forts and colonial past
- 13. Savor Bahamian flavors with a cooking class
- 14. Explore the wonders of Atlantis Resort
- 15. Meet sea lions and unwind on Blue Lagoon Island
- 16. Swim with pigs at Exuma’s Pig Beach
- 17. Scuba dive to a famous shipwreck
- 18. Tour a historic distillery
- Discover the best of the Bahamas
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Things to Do in the Bahamas
1. Princess Cays
2. Glide through crystal-clear waters on a paddle board
3. Unwind in the comfort of a private beach bungalow
4. Snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with life
5. Meet gentle stingrays in their natural habitat
6. Dive underwater on a semi-submarine adventure
7. Cycle along Eleuthera’s stunning coastline
8. Playtime with dolphins and thrills at Aquaventure
9. Kayak through serene Bahamian lagoons
10. Ride on a thrilling banana boat adventure
11. Soar across the waves on an Aqua Bike
12. Explore Nassau’s historic forts and colonial past
13. Savor Bahamian flavors with a cooking class
14. Explore the wonders of Atlantis Resort
15. Meet sea lions and unwind on Blue Lagoon Island
16. Swim with pigs at Exuma’s Pig Beach
17. Scuba dive to a famous shipwreck
18. Tour a historic distillery
Discover the best of the Bahamas
1. Princess Cays
If you’re looking for some much needed R&R on your vacation, nothing’s going to feel better than a private island. Princess Cays is an exclusive island only for passengers, so you can get the best of the Bahamas without the crowds. On this 40 mile island of Eleuthera, you’ll have access to private beaches, unforgettable snorkeling adventures, a beach barbecue and resort amenities. We’ll go into a few more details of what you can do in Princess Cays to strike the perfect balance between relation and adventure.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
2. Glide through crystal-clear waters on a paddle board
Find out what all the fuss is about with stand-up paddleboards — or a SUP as the enthusiasts call them. These boards let you get out on the water and start exploring, and when you take them out on crystal clear waters in the Bahamas, you can see a rainbow of fish, coral reefs and maybe even rays swimming beneath you as you glide across the water. Rent paddleboards and get out on the water to start seeing what’s under the sea in the Bahamas.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
3. Unwind in the comfort of a private beach bungalow
If your idea of a perfect vacation is peace, quiet and relaxation, look no further than a private beach bungalow. In Princess Cays, there’s rows of brightly colored bungalows for you to use. Each comes with a ceiling fan to help you cool off from the heat, a table and four chairs inside to relax and enjoy a snack, two sun loungers outside on the deck to catch some rays and a private shower to rinse off after swimming in the ocean. It’s your own quiet, protected space to help you unwind and enjoy a perfect beach day.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
4. Snorkel vibrant coral reefs teeming with life
Calling all snorkeling enthusiasts! If you’re experienced swimming around reefs, you’ll love this private spot off of Princess Cays where your small group can explore brightly colored coral reefs, soft coral-like sea fans, sea sponges, schools of fish and the occasional turtle or ray. You won’t have to worry about any of the logistics because Princess will take you out on a 42-foot boat with showers to clean up when you’re done.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
5. Meet gentle stingrays in their natural habitat
Get up-close-and-personal with stingrays when you visit Stingray Beach — a place where the rays swim around you as you wade out into crystal clear waters. On this excursion, you’ll head out to a stunning white sand beach where your expert guide will teach you all about stingrays and how to interact with them safely. After that, you’ll gear up and wade out into stingray waters, where you’ll get to feed them!
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
6. Dive underwater on a semi-submarine adventure
Have you ever wanted to see what’s beneath the water’s surface without getting wet? You’re going to love this semi-submarine adventure where you can go 5 feet into the ocean from the comfort of an air-conditioned sub. The semi-submarine will take you to the azure waters of Athol Island where you can see the colorful schools of fish and coral in the Sea Gardens. You get all the thrill of snorkeling and diving without any of the hassle!
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
7. Cycle along Eleuthera’s stunning coastline
No trip to Princess Cays is complete without thoroughly exploring Eleuthera. See it all with relative ease by biking along the coastline and taking in all the shoreline views and the waves crashing against the rocks. Some sites to keep an eye out for include Straw Market where you’ll see a colorful array of souvenirs — a great spot to pick one up. Then head out of Princess Cays to see a countryside of lush rolling hills and a sparkling mangrove lagoon. Check out the Salt Pond where you can see the remnants of the island’s salt industry from the nineteenth century.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
8. Playtime with dolphins and thrills at Aquaventure
Get ready to splash with your new best friends: bottlenose dolphins! Head out to Dolphin Cay to play with a rescued pod of dolphins as they swim and do tricks in the pool around you. You’ll walk out into waist-deep water and get a close-up view at these amazing creatures. After you’ve played with the dolphins, get ready to get your thrills on at Aquaventure, 141-acre waterpark. Slide down 9 different waterslides — or take a break and float down the lazy river.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
9. Kayak through serene Bahamian lagoons
Marvel at sea turtles, eels, clownfish and angelfish from the comfort of a clear-bottom kayak. Glide across the stunning turquoise waters and keep your eyes peeled for amazing sealife swimming right up next to you. The lagoon you’ll go through on this 90-minute kayak ride goes through mangrove forests — and you’ll love the unique root formations jutting out of the water. Floating through the trees surrounded by colorful fish is the perfect way to relax and soak in the Bahamas.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
10. Ride on a thrilling banana boat adventure
The only thing better than banana splits is a banana boat. Hop onto an inflatable banana as it’s pulled across the ocean by a powerboat. It’s a high-speed thrilling ride, so you’ll definitely feel the wind in your hair and get soaking wet. You’ll get fantastic views of the bay and the ride of a lifetime.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
11. Soar across the waves on an Aqua Bike
If you love biking and the ocean, you’ll love the Aqua Bike excursion. This bike has three giant buoyant wheels and two seats each that let you and a friend or family member pedal through the waves together. You’ll see the bright turquoise waters and the breathtaking white sand as you get some good energy. If you get thirsty as you go, stop at one of the three beachside bars for a fruity cocktail.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
12. Explore Nassau’s historic forts and colonial past
Vibrantly colored cobbled streets, delicious guavas, historical pirate base and crystal clear azure waters draw thousands of people to Nassau each year. This capital city is an unbelievable Caribbean destination where you can explore buildings from the 1600s and dive into the turquoise sea to be surrounded by dazzling schools of fish.
Some must-see historic spots in Nassau include Rawson Square where you can see the bright pink colonial-style buildings that act as the official government offices. Don’t miss Fort Fincastle, a protective fortress from 1793, where you can step into the Bahamas’ history and get some breathtaking views of the ocean. Then head over to the Queen’s Staircase — also called the 66 steps — where you can climb from Fort Fincastle to downtown surrounded by palms and sprawling walls covered in moss.
There’s so much more to do in Nassau! We’ll give you a few more highlights you won’t want to miss.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
13. Savor Bahamian flavors with a cooking class
Ready for some drool-worthy food? Don’t just make delicious Bahamian food — learn to make it! Take this local cooking class where you can learn how to make traditional dishes under the tutelage of a local chef. You’ll learn to craft a two course meal including conch fritters — fried shellfish — as appetizers and steamed fish or the local favorite called the Fire Engine — steamed corned beef — as a main course. Then eat the fruits of your labor (literally!) as you enjoy a sun-soaked Bahamian lunch.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
14. Explore the wonders of Atlantis Resort
Step into paradise at the Atlantis Resort — a resort packed with thrilling water slides, world-class shopping and casinos. Drop down a 141-foot slide and brave the seven-story Power Tower before kicking back and floating through the mile-long Rapids River with slow waves and rolling rapids. Brought the kids? They’ll love Poseidon’s Playzone with a full splash park. Take the whole family over to the marine habitat that’s home to over 50,000 sea critters. Then try your luck at the Atlantis Casino and cash in your winnings at the shops. Visiting the Atlantis Resort is a recipe for a perfect day in the Bahamas.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
15. Meet sea lions and unwind on Blue Lagoon Island
Get up close to the adorable whiskered faces of the local sea lions — and meet them in their habitat. Head out with Princess to this rescue facility where you can wade out into the marine habitat to get to know these energetic and social creatures. Watch them swim, bark and play while you’re out there with them. After you’ve made some new friends, sit back and relax on Blue Lagoon Island, which is packed full of white sand beaches and stunningly clear ocean views.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
16. Swim with pigs at Exuma’s Pig Beach
Oink, oink! Believe it or not, you can actually swim with pigs and piglets in the Bahamas — and it’s just as adorable as it sounds. Jump on a chance to head out to Pig Island where you can play, feed and swim with the thriving colony of wild pigs. Legend has it that these pigs were abandoned by pirates or swam from a shipwreck and claimed this beach as their home. However they got there, they’ve flourished for several decades and are super friendly and ready to play with you and your family.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
17. Scuba dive to a famous shipwreck
Beneath the waves near Nassau, there’s a 100-foot freighter used in James Bond movies. Nearby, there’s also a wreck used in Jaws IV, and this Princess scuba excursion will take you to explore one. Besides famous wrecks from movies, you’ll also see shallow reefs with rainbow fish swirling around the colorful coral.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
18. Tour a historic distillery
If your dream vacation involves sipping Caribbean rum, you’ll love this excursion that goes to John Watling’s Distillery. This distillery is nestled within the historic Buena Vista Estate in downtown Nassau where you can tour the big house and see how the signature rums are made. The Buena Vista Estate was established in 1789, so you get a taste of the history of Nassau — and a taste of the signature Pale, Amber and Buena Vista rum.
Excursion location: Princess Cays port on the island Eleuthera
Discover the best of the Bahamas
The Bahamas can be an unforgettable experience when you visit with Princess. Discover all the best things to do in the Bahamas, from thrilling adventures to tranquil escapes, all made stress-free by Princess shore excursions. Learn more about Princess Bahamas Cruises and start planning your dream getaway today, sit back and relax — we’ll handle the details.