Graycliff Tours And Other Best Nassau Bahamas Excursions
I’m giving you my personal review of these excellent Nassau Bahamas excursions. They aren’t all free or necessarily cheap, but well worth the time and expense, like the Graycliff tours.
I spent several days in the Bahamas- Nassau and Paradise Island area. Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas, situated on Providence Island, and Paradise Island is just offshore. It’s easy to get between Paradise Island and Nassau by the two bridges that connect the Islands. The main cruise port sits close to these bridges so you have access to many different nassau bahamas excursions, including Paradise Island.
I’ve seen a lot of people talking about the Queen’s Staircase and renting jet skis is another one of those common Nassau Bahamas excursions … but why? Do something memorable that you can talk about when you go home. Read about and explore these top excellent Nassau Bahamas excursions.
1. Nassau Bahamas Excursions: Catamaran Snorkeling Tour
Take a Catamaran snorkeling tour. The aqua blue water around the Bahamas is stunning. It’s warm, calm, clear waters are perfect for snorkeling. The coral reef is pristine with beautiful purples and blues. Unique fish abound. You simply have to take advantage of this opportunity! You’ll also get to enjoy sailing on the water. This was my favorite excursion out of everything I did.
2. Graycliff Tours and Classes
The Famous Graycliff Restaurant and Graycliff tours. In the heart of old Nassau, Graycliff is a hotel and restaurant in a historical building, but it offers so, SO much more. The food was excellent for sure, but half of this article seems to be dedicated just explaining all of the Graycliff tours, classes, and experiences they have to offer. I’ve provided links to several of the experiences.
Chocolate Factory Graycliff Tours
Graycliff Chocolatier is a famous but small chocolate factory. You can simply indulge in gourmet chocolates and truffles, available at Graycliff’s Chocolatier Boutique at the front of their factory. But you can also take a tour. Or, you can take a tour and learn how to make chocolate. I took this tour and it was enjoyable. I learned about chocolate-making from the plant to how the bean is processed. During the tour, I got to taste different types of chocolate- white, milk and dark. And afterward, make my own.
When you take the chocolate making class, you’ll get a cup of chocolate, a chocolate bar mold, little paper chocolate cups, and other goods to add to the chocolate such as coconut, rice krispies, nuts, etc. and you can create your own combination. Once the chocolate is done you wrap it up in nice boxes with ribbon and take them home.
You can also take a chocolate and spirits pairing tour/ class where you learn why certain chocolates taste better with different alcohol- rum, whisky, port and more.
Graycliff Tours Of It’s Cigar Company
Just like the chocolate graycliff tours, the same options are available at the Graycliff Cigar Company. You can pick up some cigars, watch skilled “torcedoras” make the cigars on a factory tour, take a cigar rolling lesson, or enjoy a cigar while learning how to pair it with rum.
Graycliff Tours: Culinary, Wine And More
The list of options at Graycliff just keep going. Enjoy an interactive culinary experience at the famous five-star restaurant with classes, tours, wine and cheese tasting, or afternoon tea. Learn to blend your own wine and take your very own concocted bottles home, take a tour of the world-renowned wine cellar (it’s inventory of over 250,000 wines includes the oldest drinkable bottle in the world), or even book a pool-side massage. Is there anything they don’t do? All of it is a one-of-a-kind unique experience with a Bahamian twist.
The food here lives up to it’s five-star rating. Truly amazing! You may be amazed to learn of some of the famous figures in history who have also dined here. There is a dress code and it is strictly enforced. Read more on their website.
3. Stunning Beaches Nearby
Beaches. This one is free! The Bahamas is known for its stellar beaches. It boasts of the clearest water on Earth, stunning aqua blue, warm water even in the winter, pure white sand, and often very calm waters. On the north side of Paradise Island is several miles of some of the finest beaches in all of the Bahamas. Enjoy a stroll, swimming in the ocean, or relax and take in the scene from the beach.
Junkanoo Beach is very close to the port area but it is a popular party beach. If you want a more secluded and quiet experience you’re more likely to find it on Cabbage Beach, on the other side of Paradise Island. This beach is gorgeous and will not disappoint. Take a cab if you’re going from Nassau or take the 15 minute ferry ride across the narrow harbour if you’re jumping off a Cruise ship ($8 cash per person for round trip). Follow the crowd and then stay on the sidewalk to the right of the Atlantis resort to find public beach access.
A third option, if you want to be on an exclusive private beach with snorkeling while getting pampered, a Nassau Bahamas excursions best seller by the way, is the Sandy Toes, Rose Island Nassau Bahamas excursion. Booking here will give you all the instructions and the need to know information.
4. Nassau Bahamas Excursions: Atlantis
Atlantis also provides a lot of options for Nassau Bahamas excursions. It is a huge resort with multiple hotel towers. Inside it has several dining options and a casino. Outside are water Nassau Bahamas excursions. Be aware that space is limited for these excursions.
Aquaventure
Atlantis Aquaventure is perhaps the most popular thing to do at Atlantis. It gives all-day access to the big outdoor water park with water slides, a lazy river, a rapids river, and many individual pools. Some of the water slides are unique because they go through the shark aquariums. Lockers and food are extra, both of which are expensive. But the towel stands are included. Underground you can walk past the many aquariums.
I had a day pass to Aquaventure and I thought it was okay. If I had children it probably would have been more worthwhile. I didn’t stay as long as I thought I would, only a few hours. Some of the rides are quite decent and I enjoyed them. There are waterparks back home and they aren’t the largest in the western hemisphere (which Atlantis will boast about). A better option is the Dolphin Cay.
Dolphin Cay
Dolphin Cay is a marine habitat and animal rescue-rehabilitation facility at Atlantis that offers up-close and personal interactions with dolphins and sea lions. There are several to choose from. Dip ‘N Discover allows you to get face-to-face in waist-high water. With Swim in Wonder you can swim in deep water with the dolphins. With Ultimate Trainer for a Day you are working with the trainers who are taking care of the dolphins and sea lions and feeding the stingrays and sharks. You can paddleboard or kayak with the dolphins. And there’s play time with the Sea Lions. There are still more options! Read more detail here.
How To Book
You don’t have to be staying at Atlantis or be coming in from a cruise line to book either the Aquaventure, Dolphin Cay, or other activities at Atlantis. But they do put limits on the number of day passes they sell and the Dolphin Cay would be a good thing to book ahead as well. Book or make reservation on their website or call 1-888-882-8976.
Dolphin Cay is a much more memorable experience than Aquaventure but pricey! But where else can you swim with dolphins or feed sharks? Or, one of the world’s best beaches is within a short walking distance!
5. The Straw Market
Is shopping your thing? It’s not exactly what you think of when you hear Nassau Bahamas excursions, but it is a popular place to go and since it gives a cultural experience, I had to mention it. It’s a great way to fill in any extra time you end up with and most people like to pick up a few souvenirs.
The Straw Market is a five minute walk from the Nassau Bahamas Port and sits close to many high-end shopping boutiques and art shops. Here, you can find handmade Bahamian crafts, gifts, and souvenirs including all kinds of straw items such as hats, purses, bags, mats, and dolls. You can also find conch shell jewelry and wood carvings, etc., etc. Take cash. Most places will take U.S. or Bahamian money.
Nassau Bahamas Excursions
These Nassau Bahamas excursions provide good variety and opportunities where you can’t go wrong. From being on the water to experiencing the Graycliff tours. Whether you are staying in Nassau, on Paradise Island at the most luxurious resort, the Ocean Club, or taking a day excursion from the cruise port, you’ll be able to make the most of your day.
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