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Families and vacationers enjoy a parade of Flamingos at Ardastra Gardens. Families and vacationers enjoy a parade of Flamingos at Ardastra Gardens.

Bucket List Activities in The Bahamas

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Bucket List Activities in The Bahamas

Let’s face it, Nassau Paradise Island is filled with activities you can enjoy while visiting with us. And with so many fun and exciting options to choose from, it may be overwhelming to pick what to do while you’re here. And the last thing you want is to experience FOMO — the fear of missing out! Luckily, we’re here to help. Whether you are a culture enthusiast, an adventure seeker, a nature conservationist, a foodie, or traveling with your family, we have the perfect bucket list activities for you. With these tips and ideas, you can ensure that your stay with us is fulfilling and FOMO-free! 

Culture Enthusiasts

A family of four lounges in the sun at a historic fort in The Bahamas.

The Bahamas has a very unique and interesting culture, from notorious swashbuckling pirates making Nassau their home to rum runners transporting goods to the Southern States. These activities are deeply woven into the culture of The Bahamas, making learning more about the history here even more fascinating. “Argh” you a fan of Anne Bonney, Calico Jack, and the infamous Edward “Blackbeard” Teach? Then try Blackbeard’s Revenge Pirate Ship Tours to experience life in Nassau Paradise Island during the golden age of piracy — all while taking in picturesque views of Nassau Harbor and Paradise Island. It would then be a must to walk through the eerie passages and tour the local forts to catch a glimpse of life on the other side of piracy!

If you are enamored with collectibles, relics, and treasures spanning centuries, a trip to the Heritage Museum of The Bahamas is warranted! See antiques that have survived the test of time, taking you back into the history and heritage of The Bahamas. As you journey into the remarkable history of The Bahamas, you should also visit Nettie’s Cultural Centre. Here, view authentic Bahamian artifacts, listen to local legends and folklore, and discover Island traditions like plaiting the maypole, climbing the greasy pole, and slamming cards in Domino Square. Last but definitely not least, a stop at the Educulture Junkanoo Museum should be included in your bucket list! If you’ve been to Junkanoo, you’ve seen the beautiful display of costumes and heard the captivating sounds of the goat skin drums, brass, and cowbells that urge you to shake a tailfeather! Now learn about how Junkanoo came about. You can make your own mask, dance to the rhythmic sounds of Bahamian music, and maybe — just maybe — have the opportunity to meet a Junkanoo queen!

Food Lovers

Women sample local Bahamian cuisine on a food tour in Nassau Bahamas.

The cuisine of The Bahamas is like none other. We are lovers of all things seafood, especially conch! There are so many ways Bahamians have incorporated conch into local cuisine. From fritters to stews and salads, the list goes on. If you want to learn how to cook like a Bahamian, we suggest participating in an Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class. Put on your apron and enter the world of all things Bahamian food. Learn about the tips and tricks to make each dish savory and satisfying. Discover the ingredients that are vital to the dishes you’ve come to enjoy, and take them home with your own signature recipe that you can prepare to wow your friends! 

So, maybe you’re not up for a cooking class and just want to eat to your heart’s content? No problem! We suggest spending a Sunday satisfying your tastebuds with an explosion of flavor by participating in Savor Old Nassau Sunday Dining Stroll. Walk through Old Nassau and sip and savor sumptuous Bahamian dishes like conch chowder, the famous peas n’ rice, and some sweet and succulent fried plantains. Whew, we’re getting hungry just thinking about it!

Suppose you’re not up for a heavy meal and prefer something a bit lighter in the day. In that case, you should definitely try Bites of Nassau Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour! Stroll and snack through indigenous food-and-drink tastings at renowned restaurants and unique specialty food stores. All these delicious destinations are crafted by local artisans who adhere to the cultural and culinary traditions, so we assure you, you may leave with a couple extra pounds, but you will be getting Bahamian food at its finest! 

Alcohol Connaisseurs

Colourful house and green grass outside

Earlier, we mentioned that The Bahamas was heavily involved in rum running. This tradition, well, not rum running, but the production of rum is still ongoing today. And when we say, “one good thing about Bahamian beer, rum, and spirits, when you sip, you feel okay,” believe us! If you want to put your taste buds in a tizzy, we recommend your first bucket list experience be the John Watling’s Distillery Tour. Sniff, swirl, sip, and savor your way through pale, amber, and Buena Vista rums that have been handcrafted using a recipe perfected over 175 years! 

Another distillery that you can visit on your rum run is Luna Rum Distillery. An interesting thing to note about this distillery is that they incorporate local flavors into their rums. You can sample their Passionate Pineapple Rum, Calypso Cherry Chocolate, and one of their newest flavors, the Spicy Goat Pepper Rum, which brings the Nassau heat! Make sure you grab a bottle or a few — these rums are also good for cooking and baking. 

Maybe you’re not a rum drinker and prefer a nice glass of wine. If that’s the case, we suggest Bahama Barrels Winemaker for A Day. Here, you’ll learn what makes a great wine, including tannins, acidity, balance, and finish. Here, you’ll want to see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savor as you taste various wines, culminating in blending your very own bottle!

Nature Conservationist

Two scuba divers swim beneath water towards a statue.

We haven’t forgotten about you, nature lovers! Throughout the island, nature conservationists like yourselves strive to protect the indigenous species and maintain and restore natural ecosystems. There are several wildlife conservations you can visit here in Nassau Paradise Island. We recommend visiting The Sanctuary at Baha Mar. Find yourself observing the flamingos at Flamingo Cay, the many birds of the Aviary, tortoises, sea creatures, and much more during your time here. You can also visit Adastra Gardens and Wildlife Conservation Centre. With various bird species to learn about and lush green gardens to promenade through, Adastra Gardens is an oasis for a nature lover like yourself. 

If you’re a nature lover searching for an adventure, visit Clifton Heritage Park. Grab your snorkel and fins and explore sunken shipwrecks and the large underwater sculpture garden full of statues. If you include all these activities in your vacation plans, you will experience the best of nature conservation on land and underwater. 

Nassau Paradise Island is the perfect destination to scratch many activities off your vacation bucket list. Whether you are fascinated by nature and wildlife conservation, interested in tasting the local cuisines or rums and spirits, or a culture enthusiast, there are a plethora of activities to enjoy here. There’s no doubt about it, bucket list adventures are better in The Bahamas!

To start planning and crossing activities off your travel bucket list, check out our current Bahamas Travel Deals and for more things to do here.