Things to Do in the Bahamas

Find adventure and relaxation on a Bahamas cruise getaway.

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.

1. Princess Cays

Close-up of a destination signpost in Princess Cays, Bahamas with some lounge chairs, a palm tree and a cruise ship in the background.
Discover just how relaxing and beautiful vacation can be at this private port for Princess passengers.

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

 A stand-up paddle boarding fitness man swimming in turquoise Caribbean ocean water.
Slide across the surface of the sea and spot all the spectacular creatures you can expect in the Caribbean.

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

A green, pink, and blue beach bungalow surrounded by palm trees.
Kick back in one of these brightly colored beach bungalows that are designed to facilitate a perfect beach day.

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

 Mother and daughter snorkeling in clear blue waters, surrounded by marine life in the Bahamas.
Make unforgettable memories snorkeling in the vibrant waters of the Bahamas.

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

Stingrays gliding gracefully in shallow turquoise waters of the Bahamas.
Encounter gentle stingrays in their serene natural habitat in the Bahamas.

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

 



Start your Bahamas adventure

6. Dive underwater on a semi-submarine adventure

 A semi-submarine next to a coral reef with a diver swimming in front.
Dive five-feet underwater to see the beauty of the Bahamas's coral reefs without getting wet.

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

A scenic aerial view of Glass Window Bridge in North Eleuthera, Bahamas coastal road, flanked by lush greenery and rocky shores, leading toward the expansive ocean under a clear sky.
Ride along the scenic coastline with a leisurely bike tour in the Bahamas.

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

Young Bottlenose dolphin is swimming.
Splash and play with rehabilitated bottlenose dolphins.

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

Colorful kayaks lined up on a sandy beach, ready for an adventure in the Bahamas.
Paddle through calm, crystal-clear waters on a serene kayaking adventure.

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

Two girls ride on a banana boat in the ocean.
Get your thrills on by taking a high-speed ride across the bay.

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

 Historic fort in Nassau, Bahamas, showcasing colonial architecture and harbor views.
Step back in time and explore the historic forts of Nassau, rich with colonial history and stunning views.

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

A woman scoops a cup of tomatoes, onions and peppers.
Was that your stomach grumbling? Learn to make a traditional two-course Bahamian meal.

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

Mayan Temple water slide aerial view including Leap of Faith and Challenger Slide at Adventure Park in Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island, Bahamas.
Calling all thrillseekers! Slide down a 7-story waterslide, hit the casino and shop until you drop at the 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

A young sea lion.
Have some one-on-one time with your new BFFs: these adorable sea lions.

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

Woman interacting with a swimming pig in the clear waters of Exuma, Bahamas.
Experience the unique joy of swimming with pigs in the turquoise waters of the Bahamas.

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

Female scuba diver swimming near colorful coral reefs and sea fans in clear blue Caribbean waters.
Dive into the Bahamas' vibrant underwater world and explore coral gardens teeming with life on a thrilling scuba adventure.

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

Close-up of three snifter glasses filled with dark Caribbean rum on a rustic wooden table, with a cigar and blurred bottle in the background.
Sip and savor smooth, aged Caribbean rum with a tasting experience that brings bold Caribbean flavor to every glass.

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

 A bay in Jamaica surrounded by green hills.
Set out with Princess and have an unforgettable vacation in 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.

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