hi, i'm new here. we are leaving for nassau in a couple days for our first visit. any must do suggestions? has anyone been on the power boat adventure tour? we are staying at the wyndham crystal palace and want to get the most of our trip. thanks!

I've been to the Wyndham a few times and had a great time! There have been some complaints that it is older, which is true, but certainly acceptable. I stay in the 'C' tower which is attached to the casino but understand that the 'F' tower is nice as well. Either one has spectacular views. To some, the food is expensive but that also depends on what you're used to. Black Angus is excellent as is Sole Mare. Need to check in advance when they're open.

The powerboat adventure is one of the best day trips we've ever taken. You're picked up at the Wyndham, taken to the dock and off you go. Iguana island is very cool and the final destination island is terrific. Good food, good snorkeling, ray feeding, shark feeding, lounging, etc.

Other things to do depend on what you like, any kids, etc. I'd be happy to fill in on whatever you'd be interested knowing if I can.

thanks for your quick reply! we are leaving the kids behind for this one, so just looking to reeelaaaxxx and enjoy the atmosphere. i heard about a place called the fish fry, any comments on that? any idea where it is in relation to the hotel? did you use any of the hotel activities? i'm thinking about snorkeling in particular, which we've never done before, and was wondering if it is necessary to get our own equipment before we go or use what they offer at the hotel or on the tours. i'm getting really excited. we were also wondering if you can go fishing without chartering a whole boat? i can't wait!

II couldn't agree more on the Power Boat Tour - it was probably the best day trip we have ever taken since we began traveling to the Caribbean ten years ago! It really is awesome.

When we were in the Bahamas we stayed next door to the Crystal Palace at the Nassau Beach Resort. Make sure you get over there for dinner at least one night - they have this great little restaraunt called Johnny Canoe's - try the Blackened Grouper with the Bahamian style Macaroni and Cheese as a side! My husband still talks about that meal and we were there eight years ago!

Have a great time!

OK- fish fry...evryone seems to rave about this experience. It is a cluster of 20+ individual 'eateries' with locally caught and cooked fish and conch served all kids of ways. You can take the #10 bus ($1 a piece) while its running, it stops around 6 or 7 some nights, or a cab for probably 12-16 bucks. It is beyond walking distance but not terribly far. I can't offficially comment because we never tried it. Right next to the Wyndham is Johnny Canoe's, at the Nassau Beach. It is very good, fun, and less expensive than the in-house reataurants. Friday nights are 'Junkanoo', which is a parade/singing/dancing party. Definitely fun.

The actual Wyndham beach is small, but you have full access to the Nassau Beach side. I've always used the Radisson side for swimming/snorkeling because it's easier, literally adjoining the Wyndham. You can rent a mask and snorkel from the hotel (actually on the Nassau Beach side) which I found perfectly OK. There is a little rocky/reef area just off the beach with several types of fish. Any regular tour provides everything you'll need. Really no fishing unless you hire someone.

You can negotiate jet ski's, banana boat rides and parasailing on the beach.

Although it is rather 'cheesey', if you have the time take the bus into Nassau and do the straw market. Mostly just to see Nassau, but there's a pretty good bar next door called Senior Frogs with excellent tropical drinks (the food's only so-so) and a nice view of the cruise ship harbor. There's also a mini straw market right across the street from the hotel with pretty much the same junk!

Have fun! If i've left something out ask again.

thanks for more great tips! we are going to costco tonite to get the snorkel stuff. i was kind of leery of using public snorkels. a few things i noticed required cash. do we need to take it or the atm's in the hotel/casino are pretty reliable? i LOL at the straw market being a little cheesy...isn't that a requirement of a good vacation? hehe. ok, i better start packing...is it friday yet???

ATM in the casino works fine. Good idea having your own snorkel stuff too, at least at the hotel anyway. Check-in can sometimes be delayed until 4pm, depending on how busy they are. Keep your beach things seperate so you can use the pool and beach until your room is ready. Have a good time. I'm not going back until October and I'm jealous!

Wow bizz. Our very 1st vacation many moons ago was to Nassau and I was as pumped as you are. we han a great time and I can still remember our ride into town the morning after we arrived. I will never forget how cool it was to see those beautiful waters. Have a great time. Don't forget to try the rum

You are going to have such a great time. There is a bit of shopping on Bay St downtown Nassau and some good restaurants in the area as well.

Yes there are some good local rums that you might want to try and on Bay St, there is a very good wine and liquor store, pick up something to bring back to your room for cocktails in the evening on the balcony.

Recipe for smash: ( a local favorite)
Coconut rum
Dark rum
pineapple juice
apricot brandy
splash of lemon and lime juice
over lots of ice

Also at the liquor store is a favorite of ours that we can't get anymore in the US called Godet, it is a Belgian white chocolate liquor. REALLY good!

When you check into the Wyndham, make sure you ask for a room overlooking the ocean with a balcony.

The other suggestion of Johnny Canoe's the restaurant next door is also excellent, good food and fun atmosphere.

Have a GREAT time!

wow! thanks everyone for such great ideas and tips. just some last minute things to do around here and we are on our way. LOL @ jacket for making fun of me. yes, i'm sooo excited! hehe and have no fear, rum is one of the top priorities! ok, and all those pics i've seen of that water and those beaches. we have an oceanview room booked, so i hope our wyndham upgrade puts us in a jacuzzi suite, but if it doesn't, it'll be great anyway. i'll be buzzing with details when we get back. =) 6 more hours....and counting!

Can't wait to hear the review.

ooohmygosh! i had so much fun in nassau this summer i think i might be finally sobering up!! =) the wyndham was faaabulous! (F tower) thanks to all of you for your great suggestions. we did a lot of dis and dat and a lot of nothing. even managed to do not so bad in the casino. spent a few night's at johnny canoe's and a day was not complete without at least one trip to the dacquari bar across the street. got bumped from powerboat adv. due to weather, but went on island adventures the next day and it was like lifestyles of the rich and famous..."u r whisked off to your priiivate iiisland...." i got my hand sucked on by a stingray, and then got bit by an aggressive iguana. little monster! we even manged to bring back 8 bottles of rum. hey wantsum i just might be an expert smash maker now too. (grin) i can't wait to go back again. (this time i will NOT get any braids...i wanted 3 or 4 and ended up with 50 bux worth! LOL stupid tourist. do not go to the braiding pavillion after you've been drinking!) oohhh i could go on and on, but first i better make a smash for wantsum...=) time to start planning the next trip. have a great day everyone!

Visiting Atlantis is a must!!!!!

Ahhhhh you discovered "smash", certainly MY FAVORITE. I also love the daquiri bar too, he makes the best peach daquiris.

Glad you had such a great time, and glad you missed all the hurricanes that have been messing up the Bahamas.

I just got an email that this storm was not as bad as expected on Harbour Island, just some palm fronds and tree branches scattered around. LOTS of rain, and some wind, but no real damage.

Nassau also has had is share of storms this year and seems to have fared better than expected with Jeanne.

The BAD NEWS is that Jeanne is now a Category 3 and may be a 4 by the time it slams into Florida.

Glad to hear you had a good time bizzy and that the advice was accurate. I'll be back at the Wyndham in three weeks and can't wait either.

rstrisik...i've been thinking about you going back. i was hoping it wasn't during all these storms. oh what a nightmare that must be. maybe i better go with you and make sure everything's ok... =) hehe. we are going to florida in 4 wks and i tried to talk my husband into a cruise to nassau from there, just for a day or 2 for my birthday, but he said no. so alas, i'll be on an american beach this time.
i do have one piece of new advice...never believe anything the merchants (ahem..the guy in the duty free liquour store) tell you. they just want to sell you something and don't care if it will get you arrested at customs! (cuban cigars) i think i may have to start a new post for that story. (grin) and no, i didn't get arrested. i did manage to bring back 8 bottles of rum...all different flavors, including a couple of the exotic rum they use at the dacquari bar. what time is it.... =)

Thanks. Hopefully the hurricanes will subside for a while. We were there last year same time, at the end of October, and it was great. It's our anniversary and we've made it kind of a tradition now.