Never A Dull Moment At Junkanoo Beach (Plus 8 More Amazing Beaches In Nassau!)

The Bahamas and beach vacations are almost synonymous. In this stunning tropical archipelago, there are simply too many beautiful beaches to count!

If you’re planning a vacation in The Bahamas, you’ll be happy to know that many of the beaches in this territory are highly regarded must-visit locations. This means that during your sunny island vacation, you won’t have to search hard at all to find the best beaches for relaxing.

Whether you’re looking for a beach where you can just chill on a rugged and scenic coast reflecting on the beauty of life, or you’d prefer a more structured and exciting beach zone where you can socialize and have fun while finding your peace, we’ve got some of the best beach options in Nassau that you’re sure to love!

Love to sip on unlimited free cocktails? Book an all-inclusive resort in The Bahamas, and enjoy unlimited food, (alcoholic) drinks and more. This way you don’t have to carry your wallet around and there’s no need to worry about the bill at the end of your trip!

What to expect at Junkanoo Beach

Life’s a party at Junkanoo Beach. This beach is located just opposite Arawak Cay in Nassau on the island of New Providence in The Bahamas. Junkanoo Beach has a bit of a party reputation and is often referred to as ‘Spring Break Beach’.

Junkanoo Beach is a public beach and tends to pull a crowd. There’s always something happening on these shores, from exciting beach games to beach parties. Much like the Western Esplanade beach, Junkanoo Beach is quite close to the cruise port in Nassau (a 15 minutes walk). You’ll be drawn to Junkanoo Beach because of the available entertainment, the colorful beach shacks, and the beautiful natural scenery.

Expert tip: Heading to Nassau in The Bahamas? Here’s a list of the best beaches in Nassau and another list with some of the best things to do in Nassau.

Lunch and entertainment-wise, Señor Frog’s bar and restaurant and the Tiki Bikini Hut are popular options on and near Junkanoo Beach. The latter is a small tiki bar with amazing bartenders where you can get a taste of traditional Bahamian Junkanoo. As the real Junkanoo celebrations happen annually between December and January in The Bahamas, entertainment on this beach tends to heat up around this time, and more activities are hosted.

Junkanoo Beach is probably not the best option for couples and families wanting a secluded and peaceful beach experience, but it is perfect for travelers wanting to be at the center of the action!

How to get there: Junkanoo Beach is about 10-15 minutes walk from the downtown cruise ship port, so you’ll be able to walk there or you can take a cab. When walking, the easiest way to get to Junkanoo Beach is to head west along Woods Rogers Walk or Bay Street. Look out for the signs that can serve as a guide as well.

Good to know: Beach chair and umbrella rentals are available on Junkanoo Beach for about USD$10.

Eight beaches in Nassau that are better for relaxing and snorkeling

Junkanoo Beach is one of the most visited beaches in Nassau for a very specific reason: to see and to be seen, and to drink a couple of cocktails too many while the beach shacks in the back blast their party music.

If you’re looking for a more laid back and authentic Bahamian beach experience, with beautiful scenery and excellent snorkeling… these eight beaches might be better for you!

1. Cable Beach

Best beach in Nassau overall.

Distance from Cruise Port: 20 minute drive.
Distance from Sandals Royal Bahamian: Sandals is located on this beach.

Picture: Luxury resort Sandals Royal Bahamian on Cable Beach.

Cable Beach in Nassau is one of the most gorgeous stretches of sand and sea in The Bahamas and it is not an experience you want to miss out on while in this stunning island territory. With strikingly white sand and calm turquoise seas, at Cable Beach, you’ll find plenty of room to roam and lots of beachside activities.

Out on the water, there’s no short supply of water sports to get into at Cable Beach such as kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, or even jet skiing. While snorkeling at Cable Beach, you might just spot marine life like sea turtles which can swim closer to shore.

Sandals Cay, which is just off the coast of Cable Beach, is an excellent location for snorkeling with turtles right off the coast, but it is only accessible to guests of Sandals Royal Bahamian.

Cable Beach is located along West Bay Street, less than a 15-minute drive from Junkanoo Beach. Since this beach is a bit further away from the cruise port (about 6 miles west), it usually isn’t as crowded as Junkanoo Beach. You can easily get to Cable Beach by taking a public bus from George Street in downtown Nassau for about $1.50 USD.

Picture: In addition to having access to a beautiful bonus beach on Sandals Cay, guests at Sandals Royal Bahamian can enjoy tons of watersports (with equipment and instruction included!) on the idyllic Cable Beach.

2. Love Beach

Best beach in Nassau for offshore snorkeling.

Distance from Cruise Port: 30 minute drive.
Distance from Sandals Royal Bahamian: 15 minute drive.

Love Beach stands out for its rock pools and other unique natural features. It is one of few beaches in Nassau that isn’t surrounded by a lot of infrastructure. Love Beach, in many ways, feels untouched and unspoiled, but still offers amenities like bathrooms, a beach bar, and free wifi.

From downtown Nassau, it’ll only take about 25 minutes to get to Love Beach. This beach is not usually crowded and it has an amazing offshore reef that is great for snorkeling, especially early in the morning. In fact, the 40-acre reef at Love Beach is one of the best places to snorkel in Nassau. During a dive here, you’re likely to spot barracuda, lobster, and lots of beautiful tropical fish.

3. Jaws Beach

Favorite beach of locals living in the west.

Distance from Cruise Port: 35 minute drive.
Distance from Sandals Royal Bahamian: 25 minute drive.

If you feel like you’re on the set of a movie on this most breathtaking beach, that’s because you are! Jaws Beach was used to film scenes for the final installment of the “Jaws” movie franchise, hence the name.

Though the movie was quite a thrill, the relaxed reality of Jaws Beach is quite different. This is an off-the-beaten-track beach where you are able to live in the moment and enjoy the best nature has to offer in a peaceful frame of mind.

Jaws Beach is never crowded, and it is great for snorkeling. It is located next to the Clifton Heritage Park along the west coast of New Providence. From downtown Nassau, it’ll take about a half-hour drive to get to Jaws Beach.

Good to know: Jaws beach is more low-key than most of the beaches in this list. There are no bathrooms, restaurants, or bars near the beach. Make sure to pack your own food and cool drinks.

4. Cabbage Beach

Distance from Cruise Port: 10 minute drive.
Distance from Sandals Royal Bahamian: 30 minute drive.

Paradise Island is just off the coast of New Providence, and the two islands are connected by a bridge. Cabbage Beach is along the northern coast of Paradise Island. This gorgeous strand is perfect for anyone who loves a good beach getaway with water sports available and restaurants within walking distance.

Cabbage Beach is loved for its simplicity, beauty, and spaciousness. It is the most visited beach on Paradise Island. At Cabbage Beach, once the flags on the beach indicate the safety of the sea (which can sometimes be a bit rough), you’ll be able to enjoy a day of swimming, jet skiing, and even snorkeling. Snorkeling gear is available for rent on Cabbage Beach as well.

5. Paradise Beach

Distance from Cruise Port: 10 minute drive.
Distance from Sandals Royal Bahamian: 30 minute drive.

Embodying paradise in true form, this beachy gem is located on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. If you’re on a beach-hopping adventure, a 10-minute drive will take you here from Cabbage Beach, and there are several hotels in this area on the northern coast of Paradise Island from which you can access Paradise Beach.

Paradise Beach is relatively secluded, so it isn’t at all hard to find a breezy spot to settle into. This beach isn’t very developed either, which gives you the opportunity to experience nature at its finest while still having modern options like beach chairs and umbrellas for added comfort. Bring your own food, snacks, and drinks if you’re planning to spend the day at Paradise Beach.

Good to know: The waves tend to be strong at Paradise Beach, so it is not a recommended option for children or people who aren’t strong swimmers.

6. Caves Beach

Distance from Cruise Port: 25 minute drive.
Distance from Sandals Royal Bahamian: 10 minute drive.

There’s a level of tranquility you’ll find nowhere else but the ocean and Caves Beaches is one of those places to go when you’re seeking just that. You will rarely find this beach overcrowded, even though it is just a short drive from the cruise port.

Caves Beach (west of Cable Beach) is on the smaller side and the water tends to be clear and calm here. The name of this beach is taken from the limestone caves that can be found across the street from the beach. During a beach day at Caves, you’ll also be able to explore the nearby caves that are said to have once provided shelter to native Indians. Sometimes there are local guides here, but this isn’t always a guarantee.

7. Saunders Beach

Distance from Cruise Port: 10 minute drive.
Distance from Sandals Royal Bahamian: 10 minute drive.

On a half hour walk from Junkanoo Beach, you’ll find Saunders Beach. This beach spot on the northern coast of New Providence includes lots of trees for shade, man-made rock caves, and other natural attractions.

Saunders Beach is along West Bay Street between Junkanoo Beach and Cable Beach, so if you’re really up for an adventure, you can spend time at each of these beach locations during your Nassau vacation. It’ll take about 45 minutes to walk from the cruise port to Saunders Beach, so we’d recommend you grab a cab to get there more quickly. Once you arrive, you won’t be able to get enough of the calm, clear water, and tranquil environment.

8. Adelaide Beach

Distance from Cruise Port: 35 minute drive.
Distance from Sandals Royal Bahamian: 30 minute drive.

Adelaide Beach is perfect for a leisurely swim, a romantic stroll, or even some seashell hunting. It is one of the most secluded beaches on New Providence.

This beach is usually quiet with the exception of local holidays and you’re likely to find a spot where you can be all by yourself. The sunset from Adelaide Beach is great, so you might want to grab some local Kalik beers (extra cold!) and stick around for that.

An amazing beach experience to suit any taste

Visiting the beautiful beaches is one of the top things to do in The Bahamas. At some of these beaches, you’ll be able to enjoy tasty cocktails made by friendly and entertaining bartenders. At others, you can try water sports, including riding around in kayaks, and on more still, you’ll be able to check-in at some of the most exclusive beachside resorts in the Caribbean.

As beach vacations are all about relaxation, you might find the all-inclusive experience truly beneficial in eliminating the stressful aspects of travel. These can effortlessly be replaced with easy check-ins, endless options for dining, private beaches, private islands, and excursions — all available at Sandals' all-inclusive resorts. So… the perfect resort and a chance to spend time on some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world? Your vacation in Nassau awaits!