Beaches & Watersports

Beaches For All

By Dale Leatherman

Beaches are like people; each one has its own unique character and assets. There are 17 inviting stretches of beach on Nassau / Paradise Island. So go ahead, follow a footpath to the water’s edge, kick off your shoes and give the sand a toe-wiggle test. If you like what you feel, see and hear, stake your claim.

Wherever you settle down, the water temperature will be 80 degrees, the sand generally fine-grained and the water such a spectacular aqua color that astronauts have remarked on it from space. Here are some tips to guide you to the beach that’s just right for you.

Beach Strolls

If you need room to stretch your legs, explore Cable Beach. So named because the first Bahamas-U.S. telegraph cable was installed here in 1892, this four-mile stretch of off-white sand is the longest on the island. Resort hotels line the beachfront, their restaurants and bars offering refreshment and lively music. Jog west to Rock Point Beach, where the James Bond classic, Thunderball, was filmed. The north coast of Paradise Island is an enticing three-mile ribbon of white sand beaches running almost the entire length of the island.

Snorkeling

Just off Love Beach, a 15-minute taxi ride west of downtown Nassau, is the Sea Gardens, a large shallow area of coral reefs and sea fans. On Paradise Island, walk east from Cabbage Beach to Snorkeler’s Cove. The best reefs and marine life are to be found farther offshore, where visibility can reach 100 feet. Join a boat excursion to a nearby reef or cay such as Blue Lagoon Island (Salt Cay), with its seven beaches, or Athol Island National Marine Park.

Beach Bars

Resorts on Nassau/Paradise Island have many vibrant bars overlooking the water. Bahamians favor Kalik Beer or Goombay Smashes – a concoction of four rums, fruit juices, a splash of Grenadine for color and a dash of bitters.

People Watching

For an eclectic mix of people engaged in all sorts of beach and water activities, Cable Beach and Cabbage Beach are both prime locations. The posh One & Only Ocean Club and the Atlantis resort complex both front on Cabbage Beach – you might spot a celebrity there.

Beachfront Dining

Dune, at the One&Only Ocean Club, is the province of acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose dishes blend French-Asian cuisine with Bahamian influences. The Dolphin Grill at the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort is popular for fresh fare, and its great views.

Secluded Shores

Orange Hill Beach, just beyond Caves Point, is a pretty spot that is usually deserted during the week. Further west is Love Beach, a 15-minute taxi ride, but well worth it if you’re looking for solitude or a romantic place to take your sweetheart. On Paradise Island, there is access to Paradise Beach and Honeymoon Cove off Paradise Island Drive. Snorkeler’s Cove is also a relatively quiet spot.

Any day of the year is a good beach day on Nassau/Paradise Island. The air temperature is balmy year-round and more than 300 days a year are blessed with sunshine. Even the warmest days are cooled by trade winds off the ocean, so that the kiss of the sun feels ever so pleasant on the skin. A word of caution: Don’t forget the sunscreen.