Photo Credit: Sandals

Free Beaches In Nassau

If you’re looking for a cheap and convenient beach option, We've got you covered. Currently, there’s only one cruise ship terminal in Nassau, “Prince George Wharf” which is on the northern side of the island. You can access every beach on the Island from here and is very easy. Here are the best free beaches Nassau has to offer.

Junkanoo Beach

If your looking for a nice beach close to the cruise port, then look no further as Junkanoo Beach is just that. This beach is within walking distance of the cruise port. Once off the ship you will head West (right) and its roughly a 15 minute walk. Do to the proximity of the cruise port, you can often see the ships in dock in the background when on the beach. The size of Junkanoo is smaller when compared to other beaches but it also isn't very crowded either.

This beach is free. However, If you’re planning to use a beach chair, grab some food, or borrow some water-sports equipment, there will be an associated charge. You’ll find multiple convenient options to grab a bite or a cocktail right on Junkanoo Beach. The famous “Tiki Hut” is situated right on the beach and serves up local favorites like conch hot dogs, fried fish, and ceviche. Also, make sure to check out the drink specials.

Vendors walk the beach soliciting their wares, if your not interested just politely say no thanks and they want bother you. They won’t hound you as found in other areas. If you are interested, you can get your hair braided (Bahamanian style) or get a massage on the beach. A sunrise rub-down will only cost you roughly $25 for twenty minutes. Please keep in mind if you on buying anything you will need cash.

You will find showers you can use to wash the sand off which will cost you roughly $10.00 and their are also restaurants available. However, the attendants who keep the showers and bathrooms cleaned will expect a tip. This is not required but may look awkward if you don't.

While Junkanoo Beach is convenient most people don't find it of quality. The water is very pretty almost crystal clear with the pretty turquoise color you see in most of the Caribbean/ Bahamas waters, the sand is not very ideal. The sand here has more of a rockier mixture than most beaches fount near the cruise port. But, don't let that discourage you it's a beautiful, nice free beach to enjoy and one of our favorites. Check out our review and experience : Junkanoo Beach Review. Check the beach out and decide for yourself.

Cabbage Beach (Paradise Island)

Cabbage beach is located on Paradise Island which is right over the bridge for the cruise port. It is possible to walk there, However it would take about an hour to get there on foot. Instead you can take a cab for roughly $4 a person and be there within 10-15 minutes. The entrance to Cabbage Beach is easily missed as their is no signage. The entrance is a dirt path east of RIU hotel on Casino Drive and you will need to walk up a hill. However, if you take a taxi ride they should drop you off right where you need to be. Don't waste that valuable beach time and take a taxi to Cabbage Beach.

The beach is completely free to access. However amenities such as a beach chair, food, water-sports equipment, etc. there is an associated fee. A beach chair and umbrella will cost you roughly $15- $25. The access road to Cabbage Beach is home to a lot vendors trying to get you to buy things so be aware. You will also find several along the beach selling various services, drinks and food. Take advantage of the all you can drink offering for $20.00. With this you can have your pineapple or coconut refilled with a pre-mixed specialty. Other services offered include foot massages which will cost you roughly $30 for 30 minutes, hair braids, bracelets, and more. Water-sporting equipment is available as well on and you’ll find jet-skis, parasailing, banana-boating and more all for a fee.

There are not restrooms or showers at this beach and the closet would be at either RIU or Atlantis and you will need to be a guest to use them.

Cabbage beach faces north towards the Caribbean with Atlantis Resort located to your west. The beach has beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Be cautious as there can be big waves and strong currents making swimming conditions not ideal for younger swimmers. Visitors seem to flock to the main area of the beach so if you are looking for a more secluded are head one way or the other. Some say that you can find some amazing hidden gems by just walking a mile or two east.

Cable Beach

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Cable Beach is another popular beach option close to the port, you will often find cruise ship employees enjoying their day off here. This beach has two public beach areas to enjoy both of which are very nice. Cable Beach is located on Providence Island and is roughly 6 miles west of the cruise port and about 20 minutes away via taxi . This trip will cost you about $6 per person. If your a bit short on money, you can take public transportation from Downtown Nassau to Cable Beach for roughly $1.25. Make sure to board the #10 bus which will drop you off right at the access road. Make sure you tell the bus driver where you are headed for assurance.

There are only two access points for public access to Cable Beach. The first is easy to miss since there aren’t any signs and is located right by Maharaja Restaurant next to the Melia Resort. The second access point is just off the roundabout by Starbucks, when coming from the port you will be headed west and Starbucks will be located on the left hand side. You will need to exit here on the right and the beach is a couple hundred yards up the road.

While access to Cable beach is free, you can expect to pay to use a beach chair, grab some food, or borrow some water-sports equipment. You will experience vendors as you relax on the beach. A beach chair and umbrella will cost you $10- $20. Water-sporting equipment is readily available on Cable Beach as well. You’ll find jet-skis, parasailing, banana-boating and more all for a fee.

If you are looking for food or drinks at the beach there are not many options. Most visitors to this beach are staying at the resort so they can eat and drink there as it is included in their stay. However, to use the facilities at these resorts, you must be a guest. You can visit W Bay Street for restaurants, markets, and even a Starbucks but this in not a convenient walk.

Cable Beach has beautiful, white-sand beaches and clear crystal waters. Since it is so far west you want have obstructed views from Paradise Island or the Cruise port. Of the shore of Cable Island, you will find a reef that runs parallel to the island which makes it a great spot for snorkeling, swimming, and other water-sports. The protection of the reef makes this a great location for viewing marine life. It is not uncommon here to see sea turtles, stingrays, or even lobsters. You can bring your own snorkel equipment or rent some gear to experience the excitement. The water here is much calmer and safer due to the waves being broken up before reaching the shore. The water here is shallow so water-activities are more manageable.

Jaws Beach

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Jaws Beach is definitely the most interesting and many will recognize it from Jaws III. It is referred to as the Island’s best-kept secret. Further down the beach is the backdrop used in the movie, flipper. Sunken underwater you'll fine a submerged plane used in the James Bond film. You will also find "Ocean Atlas", which is the largest underwater sculpture in the world. The sculpture measures 60 tons and stands over 5 meters off the ocean floor. Not only is a great beach for movie buffs but it is also great for snorkeling and scuba diving.

This beach is great for adventurous and active people and is a great beach to escape the crowd. It is one of the most secluded beaches mentioned here near the cruise port. However, getting to the beach is not very convenient and not so great an option for families.

Jaws Beach is the furthest beach from the cruise port and is situated on the west coast of New Providence Island. To get there you will need to take a 30 minute taxi ride, sometimes longer with traffic, and pay about $35 each way. You may want to ask the cab driver to come back and pick you up so you can save a bit by paying a set round trip price. Since it is a bit away make sure you save enough time and plan properly in order to make it back to port in time before the ship leaves. If your short on cash you can take the bus which will cost you about $1.25. You will need the bus #12b "Jitney" bus. Make sure to ask the driver to ensure they are going to Jaws Beach. If you walk a little west you will find the Clifton Heritage Park. Sometimes this beach is free and sometimes there is a $10.00 fee to explore according to other travelers. However, if you enter from Jaws Beach it is free.

Access to Jaws Beach is free. You will find very few, if any, vendors renting equipment, selling services, food, or drinks. It is also good to note that if it is a weekday or a slow cruise time you will find very few, if any, people there. You may be the only person there. Some people love Jaw Beach and some people hate it for its lack of amenities. You will not find any restrooms, showers, or lifeguards so it can be a pain for families or those looking for more convenience. You can not rent any chairs or umbrellas but, you will find picnic tables with shaded areas so make sure you bring a towel or blanket if you want to get some sun. Be sure to bring your own snorkeling equipment so that you can enjoy the underwater sculpture. Since Clifton Heritage Park is next to Jaws Beach you will have access to public restrooms and a small gift shop.

The waters at Jaws Beach are amazing and perfect for snorkeling. Due to it being in a protected cove, you can expect calmer waters, There is even a tide pool you can explore. You will find the sand here a bit gritty with shells and sea glass. Close by about 1/2 mile walk you will find Flipper Beach and right next to Jaws Beach is Johnston Beach which is within Clifton Heritage Park

For those who enjoy Scuba diving or snorkeling you can experience an abundance of marine life such as turtles, lobsters, and stingrays in addition to the underwater sculptures.

Flipper Beach

Photo Credit: 1001 Beach

Flipper Beach is located in western New Providence and less than a mile from Clifton National Park. This beach is named in honor of the movie Flipper in 1996. This beach is not hard to get to if you just follow the signs leading to Clifton and Lyford Cay park. This beach is a lot like Jaws Beach in amenities, etc. and shares the same reef.

Flipper beach is home to light turquoise waters and yellow and brown colored virgin sands. This beach is perfect for snorkeling, diving, exploring the coral reef, boating, and sun bathing. This beach is great for people who want to enjoy nature and experience a magnificent tropical view. The beach is not very popular despite it name so you will find it mostly deserted. Like Jaws beach mentioned above you will not find vendors, drinks, foods, restrooms, or showers but it is in close proximity to Clifton Heritage Park.

To see more of Flipper Beach & Jaws Beach check out: Flipper Beach To Jaws Beach On Jet Ski (Bahamas)

Johnston Beach (Clifton Heritage Park)

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Clifton Heritage Park is home to Johnston Beach and is close to both Flipper Beach & Jaws Beach, all of which combine to be part of Clifton Heritage Park. Here you can find remnants of the historical and cultural legacy of three important groups that had an impact on the country: the Lucayans, the Loyalists and Africans. If you walk along the winding trails throughout the park will reveal a variety of ecosystems, such as native coppice, cliffs, coastal wetlands, dunes, rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and offshore coral reefs. If you enjoy history & snorkeling then, you will enjoy these beaches.

Love Beach

Photo Credit: Trip Advisor

Love Beach is the most secluded beach close to the cruise port, and one many travelers consider secret Nassau beach. This beach includes all the conveniences and amenities you'll need for the perfect beach day. This beach is the second farthest beach from the cruise port. It is located along the northern stretch of New Providence and will take you about 20 minutes, or more depending on traffic, to reach. You can expect to pay a taxi roughly $30 each way. You might can even negotiate a round trio fare for roughly $45 in total. You can also take the local bus for roughly $2.50. You will need bus #12 or the #12b "Jitney" bus located at the corner of Bay St and George. Make sure you let the bus driver know where you are headed and get a business card so you can call them to pick you back up.

Access to Love Beach is free and you can find cheap rental rates for umbrellas, chairs, and snorkel equipment for the Nirvana Beach Bar on site. You want find vendors harassing you here and everything you need can be obtained at the beach bar making it convenient. You will also find delicious food & drinks at the Beach bar. Nirvana Beach bar serves great food and amazing drinks so be sure to try them. Please be advised though that drink and food have been reported to be a little on the high side. Rentals and other amenities on the other hand are much less than expected. You can find chairs for $3 for the day, snorkeling gear for $5 an hour, and beach mats for $2 an hour. By the beach bar you will find clean restrooms and shower facilities. You will even find a cute little shop to bring home souvenirs.

You will find that planes fly overhead on a regular basis with some days being more frequent than others. This may be a problem or nuisance for some while other love it so keep it in mind when deciding to visit. On Love Beach, you will an abundance of conch shells. There is even an entire conch shell wall lining the beach.

Love Beach has calmer waters making it a great choice for snorkeling and swimming. Of shore, you will find a reef wall that protects the beach from waves and makes a small haven for turtles, small fish, and other marine life. The main entrance into the water can be a bit rocky so you may want to go a little further down the beach for smoother access if this bothers you. Along the coat you will also find tide pools which can be great kiddie pools as well as a trap for fish for our underwater viewing pleasures.

Saunders Beach

Saunders Beach is the beach for families with young children as it was developed for just that reason. This beach has everything you'll need: showers, restrooms, good lighting, swings, parking, and even safe areas to swim.

Saunders Beach is located west of the Nassau Fish Fry and east of Cable Beach. It will take you about 15 minutes via taxi to reach it and cost you about $15 each way. It is still relatively close to the cruise port.

Food options are not as plentiful as with the other beaches mentioned above and may want to bring your own snacks. There are also not vendors here to buy water sports or lounge chairs from. It is also good to note to bring water shoes when visiting as their is rough coral here.

Conclusion

You have several free options for beaches when visiting Nassau and you don't have to visit a huge Resort or go to an all inclusive resort to enjoy the beautiful beaches Nassau has to offer. These beaches are also great for people who may be short on cash or working with a tight budget because you can get by with no drinks or food and even bring your own snacks and drinks to enjoy thus saving you even more money. I hope this article helps you decide which beach is best for you. Happy beaching!!

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