Things to do at the beach and in the water.
Snorkeling
The Bahamas offers some of the world's best snorkeling with vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, rays, and nurse sharks accessible from shore or short boat trips. Thunderball Grotto near Staniel Cay is world-famous, while Love Beach and Clifton Heritage Marine Preserve offer excellent Nassau-based snorkeling.
Best at: Love Beach, Clifton Heritage Marine Preserve, Rose Island, Thunderball Grotto (Exuma)
Scuba Diving
The Bahamas is one of the world's top scuba destinations with hundreds of dive sites including wall dives, blue holes, shark dives, and wreck dives. Stuart Cove's and Bahama Divers are Nassau's top operators offering reef, shark, and wreck dives for all levels.
Best at: Love Beach, Rose Island, New Providence wall dives, Andros reef, Exuma Cays
Swimming with Pigs
The Bahamas' most iconic beach experience at Big Major Cay in the Exumas, where friendly wild pigs swim out to greet visitor boats in pristine turquoise water. A uniquely Bahamian and unforgettable activity accessible via day tour from Nassau.
Best at: Pig Beach (Big Major Cay), Exuma Cays
Dolphin Encounters
Multiple operators offer supervised encounters with dolphins in natural or managed settings. Blue Lagoon Island near Nassau offers dolphin swim and interaction programs in a protected lagoon environment.
Best at: Blue Lagoon Island (Salt Cay), Dolphin Cay at Atlantis
Jet Skiing & Water Sports
Jet ski rentals, banana boat rides, parasailing, and kayaking are widely available at Nassau's main beaches. Vendors operate from Cable Beach, Junkanoo Beach, and Paradise Island charging $60-100 per 30 minutes for jet skis.
Best at: Cable Beach, Junkanoo Beach, Paradise Island Beach