lbmisura

We're going on a cruise that stops at Nassau, Bahamas. I don't usually care for tours and prefer to exploring on my own. I was looking into renting a car (yes, I know they drive on the left) and driving around, stopping at nice beaches along the way.

I was reading the cruise forum and some people kept repeating the beaches that are not hotel beaches can be dangerous and not do go there, you can be robbed and so on. Anybody here has the same experience? Is it really dangerous to explore New Providence Island on your own and we should stick to the hotel beaches?

I'm going with my husband and young daughter. We've been to Aruba, Brazil, Mexico, among other beach places and always drove around...

Thanks much!

lbmisura

Suze, that's what I thought, but all the advice I read on the cruise board said otherwise. I don't know if people there just want to scare everybody into buying tours, that's why I came here to ask!

rburgess55

I've been to Nassau numerous times, rented a car and gone all over the island. I did not experience any problems. Use common sense...don't flash fancy jewelry, have a lot of cash, or carry expensive camera equipment. Lock you stuff in your trunk just like you would at the mall.

lbmisura

rburgess55, thank you! I don't wear jewelry besides a wedding band anyway ;-) Was it hard to find parking? We basically want to drive around and stop for a swim any time we see a nice beach.

KVR

We went to Nassau in 2003 and stayed at Sandals. It was not one of my favorite destinations, but that was because we didn't find much to do off the resort. We went to Ardasta Gardens, did a catamaran snorkel trip, and went to Atlantis. The staff there were mean and nasty to non-guests. Such a put off. We didn't go to the craft market, but went shopping downtown and walked around during the day. We didn't leave our resort at night. At that time, doing our research I was advised not to leave the hotel property at night unless in a taxi going somewhere specific like a resturant or another hotel. I haven't keep up much with Nassau as it's not on our return list. We have never rented a car and just drove around an Island in any destination. I know some people do, but we don't feel comfortable doing that. Maybe on certain specific Islands if we ever did a return trip we might consider it.

We've done several cruises and we like guided tours especially if it's a destination that we are not familiar with. We are booked for Alaska in Sept and of the 4 ports, we booked 2 cruise sponsored tours, 1 from an on-line tour operator and we'll just walk around Victoria.

Many of the people that post on cruise critic are quite knowledgable and I would go with their recommendations. Especially the chronic repeat cruisers. If you don't want to go with a ship sponsored excursion, maybe go with an on-line tour operator. We've been to several Islands and not all can be treated equal. I truely feel that some are good for just wandering around and some you need to be on a tour. Stuart Cove's is a great on-line tour operator. Regret now that we didn't do a snorkel tour with them when we were there.

humptynumpty

There are three sides to The Bahamas, we have experienced all three.

1. Family Islands life. Everyone we have encountered has been incredibly friendly. From speaking to locals there is a little crime but we have never come close to experiencing it.

2. Nassau "high life". The hotels and resorts have very tight security and appear to be very safe.

3. Life on New Providence outside the resorts. We have encountered drugs on open show and many characters which have left in us a position where will stay away from "local life" on New Providence in future. I can't see that there are any "no go areas" on the island.

In short, on The Family Islands or in the resorts you have a very slime chance of encountering crime. Your risk of encountering crime outside the resorts on New Providence increases dramatically.

"We basically want to drive around and stop for a swim any time we see a nice beach"

We gave up trying to find a good local beach and opted to have lunch at one of the hotels to use their beach.

lbmisura

KVR, thanks for answering, but I really avoid tours at all costs. We might end up taking a taxi to a hotel and getting the day pass then, but I prefer doing that instead of booking a tour (and most tours are not appropriate for my daughter anyway, they are geared to older kids who are old enough to swim by themselves).

humptynumpty, thanks, we might end up doing that.

Daniel_Williams

In the early 2000s, I stayed near Orange Hill Beach in western New Providence and did not feel concerns for my safety walking on the beach there and on the beach close to Compass Point during the day. My parents mentioned that things were still lovely when they went back in 2008. It's quite quiet out there.

We took jitneys into downtown Nassau a few times. Closer to downtown Nassau, there are warnings about not walking alone at night (particularly on beaches) and I've read about rises in crime a few times over the years. My experience with downtown Nassau itself is that it seemed a bit worn-around-the-edges but during the day I had no issues (beyond a few insisting impromptu "tour guides"). There may be parts of town where you have to watch yourself a bit more.

I say, do your drive. Maybe go the restaurant "Traveler's Rest" which has nice ocean views on Western New Providence.

Best wishes, Daniel

sassy_cat

I've been to New Providence a couple of times and you will be fine driving around during the daytime. At night the roads are dark and winding plus the locals zip along so it might be daunting. It will be hard to find a really nice beach though.

The beach opposite Orange Hill Inn that Daniel mentions is OK (brown sand, seaweed with good snorkeling just off shore...ask at the inn for exactly where) and a little further on you can access Love Beach from the road but there's very little parking. Love beach is usually deserted which is why it got it's name....

Probably the best beach on the island is next to Atlantis (not part of the resort as it's a public beach) and you would only need to take a short taxi ride from the port. I think it's called Cabbage beach and it has beautiful white sand.
You can walk to the little marina with plenty of restaurants from here.

If you do hire a car there's a nice restaurant at Compass Point. I'd recommend spending the day here rather than at one of the big hotels.

travelbuff

I think you will be wasting money renting a car to drive around the island. The nicer beaches are where the hotels are located and the rest of the island is residential.

If you want a lovely day take the jitney to the Ardastra Zoo and Gardens right from the straw market. I think it is the #10 "bus", (really a van) and from the drop off it's a block to the zoo, and your daughter will LOVE it there. Bring lots of quarters to feed the birds. They will eat right out of your hand.

There are some really nice exhibits of animals there and PLEASE say HI to Toby the Molucan Cockatoo, my buddy. Across the street from the zoo (almost) is the Queens Garden and you might enjoy walking the garden.

From there take the jitney back into Downtown and see some of the sites, like the Pirate Museum. Have a late lunch at the Junkanoo Cafe or Conch Fritters (and order a conch burger). From there walk the straw market and you are almost back at the ship.

The other option would be to get a day pass at Comfort Suites so you have full access at The Atlantis to see all the aquariums, pools, lazy river, and everything else at The Altantis.

I'd tell you to head to Harbour Island, but you are only in port for the day so the next time you head to The Bahamas, try one of the Family Islands for a truely wonderful vacation.

Enjoy your trip.

girlonthego

We went to the Atlantis in 2004. We went onto the public beach next to the resort for about 10 minutes. I didn't step onto the beach for seconds and someone came over and asked me if i wanted to buy drugs. I said no and they walked away. No big deal, but it was the first thing that I encountered on the public beach.
The person did not bother us, but we were there with our kids who were only about 10-11 at the time. Not cool to me.

suze

I was just trying to get a feel for if there was a true problem with safety or just a repeated saying that was not true.

I found the same thing being said about Punta Cana in the DR. That you "couldn't" leave your resort. A number of times I asked why, when this came up (because I traveled there independently twice without issue) and turned out the *resorts* are who were saying this. And one person replied you really didn't WANT to leave the resort because of the poverty you might see around the island.

So I was wondering if this was similar to that. Or a real problem.

humptynumpty

Many people had mentioned The Travellers Rest and Orange Hill to us as solid short stops.

Last February we were on a 7 hour stop over between Marsh Harbour and the UK. We followed the advice on offer and found the beach to be truely awful and The Travellers Rest not much better.

We had just left Hopetown, Abaco which has to be one of most picture postcard towns in the world. The beach at the Travellers Rest was a shock to the system. We asked the taxi to head for The Sheraton, Cable beach. We are anything but chain hotel people but the food was fine, the beach fine and an altogether more comfortable experience than The Travellers Rest.

The year before, on a stopover we ended up on Nassau town beach. It was good fun (our three year old playing with the local children who laughed at his very white skin). It was great fun until a gang of drugged up teenagers started asking us for money. It was a situation that was about to turn bad, we left sharply.

"try one of the Family Islands for a truely wonderful vacation"

Is an understatement. One of the world's great experiences!
We have never encountered such friendly laid back people.

whammy77

I first went to Nassau in the 60's with my roommate and her parents -- we went to Paradise Island most every day -- back then you had to take a little boat,and there was NOTHING on the island but beautiful beaches and one little beach bar!!!! I have no desire to go back now! Many years later, we sold our house and took off by sailboat with our dog and cat, from Woods Hole to Florida. Found jobs there for the winter (we arrived dead broke!), then spent the summer in the Out Islands of the Bahamas -- wow! The friendliest, kindest, most wonderful people ever! Traveled all around the Exuma Islands, had many wonderful adventures! I would add my advice to Bahama-bound travelers -- skip Nassau and experience the "Family Islands"!!! We've been back once (by plane!) and can't wait to go again!

Daniel_Williams

I'll admit that Orange Hill Beach isn't a beach I'd tell someone to fly to Nassau, so that they *must* see this. There are more stunning/charming homes elsewhere, sand is whiter or pinker/the water more turquoise elsewhere, there's *more* secluded beaches elsewhere (I'd see typically six people when I went for my strolls) and certainly more picturesque beaches, there's lusher vegetation elsewhere, there's no water sports, no sexy muscle or bikini set (rather quiet actually), few amenities to speak of nearby. Perhaps it's a good thing it's not too superlative, as then I wouldn't be able to afford the nearby inn .

Humptynumpty described Orange Hill Beach as "truely awful". I stayed at the nearby inn and honestly found it all in all a relatively secluded, pleasant beach to go for my daily stroll and take a dip in the water. (And in my opinion, with appropriate expectations, there or by Compass Point not a bad stop if you're going for a drive anyway as your island activity.) But maybe my mind was clouded by my inner glee at escaping a Northeast winter and getting a little too seduced by palm trees and turquoiseish water. Or perhaps my relative inexperience with great world beaches is showing. But what can I say, I enjoyed myself.

Anyhow, I suspect some will agree with humptynumpty, and some will agree with me about that beach and some in-between. So, I found these videos to let all and sundry judge for themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dQd6wQ8K7w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmrmmUW8Frw

humptynumpty

Daniel

I'd agree that awful was a little extreme.

We were on our way home from some of the best beaches in the world.

Had we visited Orange Hill on the way out we would have probably had a different view. Many may also not appreciate paying $10 for a beer or $20 for a tuna sandwich in the resorts (I didn't).

AlnReg

I been to Nassau at least a dozen times, and have never had a problem. My wife and I always stay at Sandals Royal Bahamian. But we do go off resort all the time . We would leave sometimes at 8 am and not return until the wee hours of the morning.There is and offshore island that cruise ship people go to. You can rent jet skis or just chill on the beach. You should also check out www.powerboatadventures.com . They offer a great experience off Nassau.Shark feeding,snorkeling,bbq.Check them out on you tube,the videos are great. There are also a lot of great places to eat.The out islands or family islands as they are called are awesome.You can take the fast ferry to Exuma.

Daniel_Williams

Humptynumpty,

In truth, while I enjoyed Orange Hill and may go back one day, I preferred the overall energy of Grand Bahama (a bigger less densely populated island, so I think it's easier to get to quiet spots) to that of Nassau & New Providence. Plus, I loved cycling on Grand Bahama, which I wouldn't have felt comfortable doing on busier New Providence. So I suspect I'd prefer the Family Islands more. I hear nothing but good things about Hope Town and *hope* to experience its beaches one day .

Best wishes, Daniel

humptynumpty

Daniel

Hopetown is our "pidgeon hole", we just fit in.

The huge advantage of The Abacos is the Sea of Abaco which is protected by the barrier cays and reefs. It is around 10 miles wide and 80 miles long but only 20 feet deep with a sandy bottom. In places all you can see is bright blue sea.

It is also one of the cheapest places on earth to hire a 20ft speedboat and "bum around". Due to the shollow sandy sea bottoms it is very easy to anchor.

Take a look on google earth.

If you enjoy a little bit of "life" (energy was the word you used) then you may be disappointed. Elbow Cay is so laid back it falls over.

It would have been a huge regret to have life pass by without discovering Hopetown.

Marsha557

Who Mention the Guy Name Stan who has a boat that takes you Out TY