Vacationers will find a wide variety of things to do in Nassau, Bahamas. Those who are wondering what to do in Nassau and Paradise Island for the day are sure to find activities and adventures to match their interests. Popular activities and excursions include playing at resort waterparks, food tours, visits to action-packed island, walking tours of historic sites, water sports, shopping and much more.

Here are some of the best things to do in Nassau and on Paradise Island:

1. Head To The Beach. Vacationers can choose from a wide variety of white sand beaches in Nassau and on Paradise Island. The free public beaches in Nassau and on Paradise Island are perfect spots for relaxing and having fun in the sun. Cable Beach is often considered to be one of the nicest beaches in the Bahamas and is one of the closest beaches to the cruise pier. Cabbage Beach, Cable Beach and Junkanoo Beach are home to a number of hotels and major resort complexes as well. Nassau’s Saunders Beach can be a good choice for families, as the water is generally quite calm and the beach is less crowded.

2. Play At Atlantis Paradise Island. Guests staying at Atlantis Paradise Island and Comfort Suites Paradise Island have access to the 141-acre Atlantis Aquaventure waterpark and other Atlantis attractions. Vacationers staying elsewhere may want to purchase an Atlantis Day Pass to experience all that Atlantis has to offer. Aquaventure is the major draw here, although Atlantis Paradise Island has one of the world’s largest marine habitats as well. Day passes can be purchased on the Atlantis Paradise Island website or through third-party vendors like DayPasses.com. Additional Atlantis experiences such as marine animal interactions are available for a fee as well. Make reservations as far in advance as possible for best availability.

3. See The Wildlife At Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre. Established in 1937, this Nassau center is best known for its gorgeous pink flamingos and daily flamingo parade. Visitors can also see more than 130 wildlife species and stroll through four acres of lush tropical gardens. Families will enjoy Ardastra Gardens’ petting zoo, opportunities to hand-feed the lorikeets, and other attractions.

4. Take A Food Tour. Travelers can learn about the history, culture and cuisine of the Bahamian islands on a multi-hour food and drink tour in Nassau with Tru Bahamian Food Tours and other companies. Several tour options, cooking classes, walking tours of Nassau Bahamas eateries, and private group tours are available. It's also fun to visit The Fish Fry on Arawak Cay. Located within walking distance of the cruise port, Arawak Cay has a number of small stands and restaurants serving authentic local Bahamian cuisine including conch fritters, fried chicken, snapper, shrimp, conch salad and more.

5. Explore Nassau’s Historic Sites. History buffs have plenty to see while visiting Nassau, which was once a pirate sanctuary until the early 1700’s. The Queen’s Staircase, also known as “66 Steps” is one of the most popular sites. The steep staircase leads to Fort Fincastle, offering panoramic views of the harbor, cruise port area and downtown Nassau. Fort Charlotte, Parliament Square, Christ Church Cathedral, and Government House are other interesting historic spots. Those interested in historic sites can take a walking tour of Nassau, Bahamas on their trip.

6. Relax On Blue Lagoon Island. Salt Cay, otherwise known as Blue Lagoon Island, is a lovely private island located just three miles from Nassau, Bahamas. The tropical island offers beautiful white sand beaches, a calm lagoon and a wide variety of watersports, marine animal encounters at the island’s marine mammal facility, Segway and walking tours, and other activities. Transportation to Blue Lagoon Island is included and lunch and drinks are served.

7. Go Shopping. Nassau has been known for its local handicrafts, particularly those made from woven fibers. The Nassau Straw Market is home to stalls selling woven items such as hats and straw baskets, as well as wood carvings, textiles, t-shirts and jewelry of all types. Nassau’s downtown area and stores along Bay Street offer duty-free shopping and a wide variety of goods including jewelry, apparel, cosmetics, fragrances and more. The shops at Sandyport, the Bahama Craft Centre, and the Marina Village at Atlantis are also good places to check out as well.

8. Discover Clifton Heritage National Park. This 108-acre national park is located at the western end of New Providence Island and highlights the cultural and historic legacy of three key groups in The Bahamas – the Lucayans, the Loyalists, and the Africans. The park contains beautiful landscapes, hiking and walking trails, and historic buildings and structures. There’s also an underwater snorkel trail and coral reef sculpture garden perfect for exploring. Generally deserted Jaws Beach, a filming site used for scenes in the “Jaws: The Revenge” movie, is also located here.

9. Visit The Bahamas’ Swimming Pigs. Taking an excursion to see The Bahamas’ famous wild swimming pigs is often a sought-after tour choice for vacationers visiting Nassau and Paradise Island. Full-day excursions to the Exumas, the home of The Bahamas’ wild swimming pigs, are available from tour operators such as Harbour Safaris, Exuma Escapes, and Powerboat Adventures.

10. Get A Resort Day Pass. Cruise guests coming to Nassau for the day often enjoy spending time relaxing at a full-service beach property and having access to resort-style amenities. Day passes to select resorts including Breezes Resort & Spa, British Colonial Hilton, and Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas can be obtained directly through sites like DayPasses.com or directly from resorts in Nassau and on Paradise Island. Availability is often limited, so make arrangement in advance.

11. Check Out Nassau's Museums. Nassau offers an appealing array of museums including the popular Pirates of Nassau Museum, which contains a replica of the pirate ship Revenge, historic displays and interactive exhibits. The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas is set in the beautifully restored Villa Doyle and features a collection of paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and other art from Bahamian artists. Other excellent museums include The Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation and The Bahamas Historical Society Museum.

12. Enjoy Water Sports Excursions. Nassau and Paradise Island offer a wealth of water sports for vacationers to enjoy including snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, SNUBA, deep sea fishing and glass bottom boat excursions. Some excursions take guests to the Bahamas Out Islands and private boat charters are available, too.