Most people step off the ship in Nassau and want to be in turquoise water as fast as possible. There are three common ways to do it. Walk to Junkanoo Beach, buy an Atlantis day pass on Paradise Island, or book a boat out to the reefs. They differ less in price than in time, and on a port day time is the thing you can't buy more of.
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The beach day in 4 numbers
from the cruise port to Junkanoo Beach, about ten minutes on foot
the hours the ferry to Paradise Island leaves the port, every 30 minutes
pools included in the Atlantis day pass, plus the water park
before your visit, the last chance to cancel the day pass for a refund
The short answer
Short stop? Walk to Junkanoo Beach.
It's free to walk to, it's ten minutes from the ship, and nothing about it depends on a timetable. On a four-hour stop it's the only one of the three that leaves room for anything else.
The Atlantis day pass is a full day out, and it works best when your ship is in from morning to evening. A snorkel trip is the middle ground, if you'd rather see a reef than a pool.
The three side by side
| Junkanoo Beach | Atlantis day pass | Snorkel trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Getting there | About 10 minutes on foot along Bay Street | Ferry from the port, 9 to 12 only, or a 10–20 minute taxi | Check the pickup point on each trip |
| Book ahead | No | Yes, it's required | Yes |
| What you get | Beach bars, music, chairs for rent | Water park, 14 pools, about five miles of beach | Reefs and clear water by boat |
| Time it takes | As long as you like | Most of the day | Often 3 to 4 hours |
| The catch | Chairs and drinks cost extra | Return ferries vary by season, and no refund within 3 days | Fixed return time |
Walk to Junkanoo Beach if
- Your stop is four hours or less
- You want the beach and the Straw Market in the same morning
- You'd rather not depend on a ferry or a taxi
Buy the Atlantis day pass if
- Your ship is in from morning to evening
- You're travelling with children who'd rather have a water park than a reef
- You've checked the ferry or taxi back against all aboard
Book a snorkel trip if
- You want to see what's under the water, not just swim in it
- You have six hours or more
- You'd like the boat, the gear and the timing handled
Things to book in Nassau
Snorkelling trips from Nassau
Pick one that starts at the cruise port and is back with an hour to spare before all aboard.
Find a snorkel tripTrips to Atlantis and Paradise Island
A trip with the transfer included takes the ferry timetable out of the day. The day pass on its own is sold by Atlantis.
See Atlantis and Paradise Island tripsBoat trips from Nassau
Beach islands and harbour cruises, if you want the sea without the snorkel.
Find a boat tripMore shore excursions in Nassau
A long list of trips from the port. Check the duration and the pickup point on each.
Compare more shore tripsGoing to Atlantis on your own
Buy the day pass before you sail, from Atlantis's own site. Check-in is at the Atlantis Adventures Tour Center, and you need the confirmation email, photo ID, a signed waiver and the card you paid with. The ferry leaves from the port's Ferry Terminal every 30 minutes between 9 am and noon. Ask about the last boat back before you go, because it changes with the season.
The whole port day
Walking times, the Queen's Staircase, the Straw Market and plans for four, six and eight hours ashore.
Read the Nassau port guideLocal know-how
- Bring cash. Many taxi drivers only take cash, and so do the Straw Market vendors.
- Traffic drives on the left. Look right before you cross Bay Street.
- The ferry stops leaving the port at noon. If your ship arrives later, it's a taxi or a booked trip.
Where to next?
Last checked November 2026. Sources: Nassau Cruise Port, transportation and parking, Nassau Paradise Island, Junkanoo Beach, Atlantis, day passes.