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Original poster

To please ask for experiences holidaying in Nassau?

33 replies

coolnice · 25/04/2023 19:33

I have always wanted to visit the Bahamas since I can remember and H and I have a chance for a child free holiday thanks to my parents offering to have them while we go away

I found a really good AI deal (btw I'm paying for us both as it's only in the last couple years I've been earning well H has always paid for stuff and now I really want to treat us) . But H is a bit unsure as he basically feels it's a glorified beach holiday and we could do similar more local and cheaper. Tbh I'm totally fine with a relaxing beach holiday 😂 but want him to enjoy it as much as I am sure I will .

So if anyone has been, how was it ? Is there much to do outside of the resort in Nassau itself and is it safe to explore ...As that is his main concern

The resort btw is the Sandals Royal Bahamian if anyone has been there

Thanks in advance !!

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Original poster
coolnice · 25/04/2023 20:03

Hopeful bump

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CurlyKD · 25/04/2023 20:22

Pay a bit more if you can and stay in Exuma. Nassau is not representative of the real Bahamas. It can be a very dangerous place too.

Hawkins003 · 25/04/2023 20:23

Just thinking that's the pirate capital from history ?

Hawkins003 · 25/04/2023 20:23

Or to rephrase, was the pirate capital in history

Honeyroar · 25/04/2023 20:33

I’m not a fan of Nassau. It’s like a cruise ship car park. And can be a tad rough. It has lovely beaches and resorts, but it is just a beach holiday place. I was cabin crew for years and it’s my least favourite of all the “tropical holiday destinations”.

Honeyroar · 25/04/2023 20:33

Sorry!

Honeyroar · 25/04/2023 20:34

Why do the Bahamas attract you? (just interested)

itsmylife7 · 25/04/2023 20:35

Cousin and her husband went there recently. She was very bored after a few days. It's like being locked in a gilded cage, she said.

StillWantingADog · 25/04/2023 20:35

Dead boring. And full of rather unsavoury Americans. There was a wedding pagoda at the hotel we stayed in and it was literally a conveyor belt of brides, tacky as hell.

honestly I’d spend the money on a really nice European resort rather than the Bahamas.

AppelationStation · 25/04/2023 20:37

I don't get the hype with the Bahamas. I've been. Perhaps my experience isn't representative but its all I have to go on.

I've been to Nassau and Grand Bahama Island. Nassau was disgustingly excessive (think yachts with their own hellipad) in touristy parts and people living in real poverty everywhere else. Resorts are gated and there's very little outside them for locals. The divide between black people who live there and work in the tourist industry and white holiday makers was stark. I was ashamed to be honest.

Grand Bahama island is a bit different, more mixed, more geared towards an economy for locals as well as tourists.

They're volcanic islands with poor soil, so very little grows and most food is imported at high prices with limited freshness. Local diets are seafood (mainly conch) and variations on rice. Fresh veg, fruit, juice is extortionate and woeful.

The whole place felt very strange to me. Its a high status playground for Americans. I went, reluctantly, for a wedding and I wouldn't choose to go again. Nice beaches though. But then lots of places have nice beaches.

PollyPeptide · 25/04/2023 20:39

I stayed with a friend who lived and worked in Nassau. The high street is pretty much a tourist high street. Parts of Nassau she told me a mustn't go to as they were too dangerous. The rest of the island seemed quite safe. But the Bahamas is just a beach holiday really. As are most of the Caribbean islands, too. And yes, lots of ships docking so it gets pretty full.

AppelationStation · 25/04/2023 20:39

Sounds like my experience isn't to far off the mark...

Cuckoosheep · 25/04/2023 20:45

I went to Paradise Island on honeymoon 18 years ago. It was perfect for a honeymoon. The Atlantis is beautiful. We took a little boat over to Nassau, went to a market and had look around. We went on a little dinner cruise and did beach/ chilled out days and nights. Our suite was beautiful, the staff were amazing and yes there were lots of Americans but they were just people. We had a great time.

At the time there were no direct flights from the UK so we flew to MCO then got a little connecting flight after doing Disney.

I'd go again.

WhatToDo2023 · 25/04/2023 20:52

Nassau is a bit shit, that's just where the main airport is but the other islands are nicer so do some more research. The Carribean is generally expensive but much nicer (if you pick the right island) that most Mediterranean beaches.

What time of year are you going? July - November are a no go, it will be super hot and humid and a risk of hurricanes.

Original poster
coolnice · 25/04/2023 21:11

WhatToDo2023 · 25/04/2023 20:52

Nassau is a bit shit, that's just where the main airport is but the other islands are nicer so do some more research. The Carribean is generally expensive but much nicer (if you pick the right island) that most Mediterranean beaches.

What time of year are you going? July - November are a no go, it will be super hot and humid and a risk of hurricanes.

Would be February next year

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silentpool · 25/04/2023 21:35

I lived there for a couple of years but my advice is probably out of date. I wouldn't stay in Nassau, I'd go to one of the out islands. Hope Town is very cute and Harbour Island was lovely. But not sure how things are now.

What is really fun there in Nassau is just enjoying local things like daiquiri shacks, fish fry and getting some fresh conch on the dock.

Original poster
coolnice · 25/04/2023 21:39

Honeyroar · 25/04/2023 20:33

I’m not a fan of Nassau. It’s like a cruise ship car park. And can be a tad rough. It has lovely beaches and resorts, but it is just a beach holiday place. I was cabin crew for years and it’s my least favourite of all the “tropical holiday destinations”.

Where would you recommend?

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whumpthereitis · 25/04/2023 21:45

Don’t wander outside the tourist areas, especially not at night. There’s a gang issue in Nassau, and a fair bit of violent crime. Paradise island is connected to Nassau by bridge, and is safer.

Harbour island is fantastic for beaches.

Honeyroar · 25/04/2023 21:47

I would like to go back to Barbados or Antigua, it’s been years.

Nassau can be quite cold in Jan/Feb sometimes. Sorry to sound so negative when it’s somewhere you really fancy. It’s only my opinion and I have to say, I’ve brought many happy people home from there who have had great holidays…

Original poster
coolnice · 25/04/2023 21:52

Honeyroar · 25/04/2023 21:47

I would like to go back to Barbados or Antigua, it’s been years.

Nassau can be quite cold in Jan/Feb sometimes. Sorry to sound so negative when it’s somewhere you really fancy. It’s only my opinion and I have to say, I’ve brought many happy people home from there who have had great holidays…

Thank you I really appreciate this

I just have always fancied it as it looks absolutely beautiful and tbh another reason is - after years of being skint and never thinking I'd even go abroad again let alone somewhere amazing...I want a seriously brag worthy holiday don't judge 😂 just being honest !

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Original poster
coolnice · 25/04/2023 21:52

Thanks so much everyone think I may need to rethink aaargh

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misty64 · 25/04/2023 22:00

We are going there later this year , have planned a few trips including swimming with pigs its a all day trip but am really looking forward to it. We are also going to visit Atlantis and Baha mar. If you download the sandals app you can see the excursions and the prices

summerisontheway · 25/04/2023 22:18

I went to that hotel for a second honeymoon but in the late 1990s so I could be very out of date but it was a massive disappointment from mangey dogs wandering around Nassau (lord only knows why Sean Connery liked it) to the Sandals being not as luxurious as billed. They had pigeons flying around in the breakfast room. I would suggest you try a Carribbean cruise instead. Check current reviews for Sandals maybe. I would not return.

Original poster
coolnice · 25/04/2023 22:18

misty64 · 25/04/2023 22:00

We are going there later this year , have planned a few trips including swimming with pigs its a all day trip but am really looking forward to it. We are also going to visit Atlantis and Baha mar. If you download the sandals app you can see the excursions and the prices

Yes there's an add on for the swimming with pigs which I've always wanted to do

But a lot of prev posters are putting me off

I also did not know about the wealth divide which is probably naive of me 😞

A day there would be good - how are you doing that ?

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misty64 · 25/04/2023 22:25

The pig excursion we have booked through sandals and atlantis and baha mar are local so we will just take a taxi.They do several different pig excursions , we are doing the one that also takes you to swim with nurse sharks and iguana island as well