Regardless of when you visit Nassau, you’ll find yourself in a steamy tropical paradise. The temperature in Nassau doesn’t vary much throughout the year; highs top out around an average of 30 degrees during the summertime (May to September). Hurricane season is something to consider when you’re planning a holiday to Nassau– though airfares tend to be cheaper from June to November; the fierce rains can wreak havoc on the islands and cause severe life-threatening damage to beaches and property.
Central Nassau can be managed on foot or aboard one of the popular and affordable local buses, called jitneys. The most popular jitney is the one that will take you to Cable Beach. You can board the bus daily for a short trip to arrive at the best resorts, beaches and golf courses.
Getting from the Airport to the City
Flights to Nassau land at Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), formerly known as Nassau International Airport. The airport is located just 10 miles (16 km) west of the city. The easiest way to get to the centre after you land in Nassau is to make arrangements with your hotel. Many hotels have shuttles running to and from the airport, but you’ll have to set it up in advance. If you don’t feel like searching for your shuttle, it might be more convenient to hop in a taxi or rent a car. Just make sure your taxi’s meter is running or settle on a price before you leave the airport. Nassau is a major port for cruise ships, so you can always set sail on clear Caribbean waters.
What is good to know if travelling to Nassau?- Those lucky enough to visit Nassau during the winter holidays, especially over Boxing Day (Dec. 26) and New Year’s, are in for a treat: Junkanoo, a time-honoured Caribbean holiday tradition, is a spectacular parade with music and flashy costumes. You’ll be listening to the cacophony of cowbells, brass bands and conch shells on Bay Street for hours during Junkanoo. If rowdy festivals don’t really suit your fancy, consider planning a trip on alternate dates.
- Nassau plays an important part in several of the James Bond films, acting as both a setting and a filming location. “Thunderball”, starring Sean Connery as 007, is the Bond blockbuster that spotlights Nassau, while “Casino Royale”, starring Daniel Craig, also features Nassau.
- What better way to chill out after a long journey than kicking it on the beach alongside azure waters of the Caribbean Sea? The 17 beautiful beaches dotting Nassau’s coastline are each unique and immaculately maintained. Endless opportunities await you for water sports, snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing. Popular favourites include Cable Beach, which is the longest stretch of sand on the island at 4 miles (6.4 km) long, and Rock Point Beach, where scenes from “Thunderball” were filmed.
- The Atlantis Resort, located on Nassau’s Paradise Island, is famous for its luxurious accommodations and The Dig, the world’s largest open-air marine habitat home to stingrays, dolphins, sharks and hundreds of other swimming species. The Atlantis has been prominently featured in several television shows and feature films, and several popular music acts from the United States, including N*Sync and the Jonas Brothers, have performed or are scheduled to perform at the exclusive resort.
- If you’re hoping to explore the surrounding islands, take advantage of the numerous inter-island ferries servicing the Bahamian archipelago and spend the day touring Harbor Island. There are plenty of island tour packages available that include boat travel as well as an introductory tour of Harbor Island.
- The world suffers from a bad case of pirate fever courtesy the explosive popularity of Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. The Pirates of Nassau Museum brilliantly chronicles Nassau’s history as the base of operations for the real pirates of the Caribbean. Practice your pirate lingo and your best Captain Jack Sparrow impersonation, and head to the museum for a fun and funky day off the beach.
Nassau airport overview
Lynden Pindling International Airport, once known as Nassau International Airport, is situated 16km (10 miles) west of Nassau, New Providence Island. It is the Bahamas’ largest airport and the country’s main gateway.
Having recently undergone renovations, including terminal expansion and upgrading of various facilities, as well as the addition of 34 new gates, Nassau International now has the capacity to handle five million passengers per year. Staff are friendly, queues are generally short and check-in and security fast and painless. Better yet, the airport features a US Border pre-clearance facility for flights travelling to the US. Shopping and dining options are limited, though. In essence, Nassau International is a quick in-and-out airport with little reason to stay longer than you need to.