Cabbage Beach - Snorkeler's Cove

[jensen]

For our Nassau day I'd really like to simply hit the beach and maybe do some snorkeling... I've been reading that Cabbage Beach is the best place to go and that you can walk to Snorkeler's Cove in front of Atlantis on your own. Has anyone done this? I'd appreciate feedback on your experiences.

Thanks!

 

[jensen]

No one has been here?

 

[camarks1234]

I'm interested in cabbage beach too, off to do some research. If I find out anything I'll bring it back here for ya.

 

[KSandbergFL]

For our Nassau day I'd really like to simply hit the beach and maybe do some snorkeling... I've been reading that Cabbage Beach is the best place to go and that you can walk to Snorkeler's Cove in front of Atlantis on your own. Has anyone done this? I'd appreciate feedback on your experiences.

Thanks!

Hi! We were on the Sept 17th-20th 3-night cruise. On Nassau day, we went to Cabbage Beach. We LOVED it!

It was easy and painless. When you arrive in the Nassau terminal, look for the taxi stand. You'll see a guy (or two) holding a sign that reads "Atlantis - Paradise Island - Cable Beach". Just get in the Atlantis line for the next taxi load (they try to fill the minivans to capacity, so you'll have to wait until they have about 12 people queued up). It's $4 per person.

When you get into the taxi, just tell the driver you want to go to Cabbage Beach, not Atlantis. The guy will drop off everyone at Atlantis first, and you will be the only ones left on the van - hahaha! The public access to Cabbage Beach is perhaps 1/2 mile down the road from Atlantis... you'll get dropped off at a dirt/pebble road going down to the beach. Atlantis and the other hotels are close by, you could easily walk to them if you wanted.

Coming down the hill onto the beach, you'll be greeted by the local vendors -- selling boat rides, jet ski rides, coconut drinks, necklaces, etc. Just tell them "no thanks" and they will leave you alone... for awhile, anyway.

There is practically no shade on the beach, so if it's hot you will definitely want to rent an umbrella (we did not, and my wife got sun-burned, despite all the sunscreen lotion and time in the water).

If you want to be "alone", just walk down the beach (away from Atlantis) about 200-300 yards, and you'll have the beach to yourselves... the vendors don't go down that far. We stayed by the vendors, closer to the hotels, just in case we had a bathroom or medical emergency (which we did not).

The water was GORGEOUS and crystal clear - is there a bad beach in the Bahamas? There is a swimming area, roped off and clearly marked so no jet-skis will zip thru. The vendors were a bit noisy (they talk to each other in Bahama-speak all day long) but we considered that part of the "fun" of being in another country. We bought a coconut drink for $10 (got 3 refills, one for each of us) and two necklaces for $5 each. I did not see any food for sale on the beach, but we had packed some snacks from the cruise ship and were able to stave off hunger.... :wink:

Around 2pm or so, the vendors were having a slow day, and started combing the beach, negotiating lower prices. We had only $28 left and needed to save $12 for the cab ride back.... so when the banana-boat guy came around again, we asked how long we could ride for $16. He ignored us for about 20 minutes, then came back and said my wife and son could take a ride for $16 (his asking price was $10 each). We had to wait another 15 minutes, while he tried once more to get any riders... but he met with no luck. My wife and son got a great ride, the driver didn't skimp on anything. After the ride, he offered to give us a boat ride back to the cruise ship for our remaining $12, but we decided to take the taxi instead.

Regarding snorkeling -- the boat vendors will take you out to the reef for $10, I believe. Next time, I think we will try it.

The taxi drivers wait up on the hill, in the shade. When someone starts walking off the beach, they will ask if you need a taxi... just say "yep" and one of them will take care of you. I even heard one tourist ask a driver if he would go bring him a 6-pack of beer -- 20 minutes later, the taxi driver returned with a plastic shopping bag filled with ice and a 6-pack... I thought that was pretty good service! I suppose we could've asked someone to go get us some food too... but we had "just enough" snacks to keep us from going too hungry.

We felt very safe and comfortable, and were there from 10:30am until 4pm. We had to drag our 7-yr old boy out of the water at 4, he just did NOT want to leave! We will definitely go there again, on our next cruise.

Next time, we will bring more money... the jet-ski rentals were "only" $70/hour, and "kids ride free" (compared to $195 for two riders at Disney's Castaway Cay). We will also bring more food from the ship -- we didn't know we would stay so long, and had to ration out the snacks we brought.

The day at Cabbage Beach cost $60 -- $24 for cab fare, $10 for 4 drinks, $10 for two necklaces, and $16 for a banana boat ride.

 

[wildflower]

Thanks for the great info! This sounds like a good option for our family.

I'm assuming that since it is a "free beach" there aren't chairs. Are there chairs for rent? Did you just bring towels and sit on the sand or did you have chairs?

 

[KSandbergFL]

Thanks for the great info! This sounds like a good option for our family.

I'm assuming that since it is a "free beach" there aren't chairs. Are there chairs for rent? Did you just bring towels and sit on the sand or did you have chairs?

Yes, there are chairs and umbrellas to rent. Not sure how much... we got there early and were able to snag a spot on the sand, close to the hill and some shade trees. We brought towels from the ship to sit on. It was very hot that day, so we spent most of our time in the water.

The beach vendors had "everything" you need for a day at the beach, except for food.... I did not see anyone selling food, only drinks... not sure why (maybe they aren't allowed)? I highly recommend bringing sandwiches/wraps/fruit from the ship.

Also, if you still have the urge to see Atlantis -- you can walk down the beach about 3/4 mile to it. Another tourist, at Cabbage Beach, told us that you can walk thru the lobby for free, and check it out. We were thinking of doing it, but our son was having too much fun on Cabbage Beach, so we just "went with the flow" and will save a tour of Atlantis for next time.

Our Disney table mates, a family of 5 from North Carolina, spent the $165/person for the Atlantis Aquaventure (over $800!) -- and after a couple hours at the water park, they ended up going to the beach instead... virtually the same beach we were using for "free"!

 

[bunny]

Is there a bathroom to use anywhere? Do you have to pay cash for everything? My husband would love to jetski.

 

[withrow13]

Great info! We love to jet sky and were looking for a budget option like this!
We are still thinking about meeting the sea lions.

 

[KSandbergFL]

Is there a bathroom to use anywhere? Do you have to pay cash for everything? My husband would love to jetski.

Bathrooms... not sure... there are the tourist-trap hotels nearby, and a small condo complex right there... but I wouldn't expect to be allowed to use a bathroom unless you buy a drink or something. If you're really concerned, I Google'd the small condo at Cabbage Beach, called Sunrise Beach Club. You could call ahead and check their policy. The condo is right there, at Cabbage Beach, next to where the taxi's drop you off. The web site is here: http://www.sunrisebeachclub.com/index.html Suffice to say, we did not have any bathroom incidents.... we "let nature take its course", so to speak. As I said before, the water was very warm

Cash for everything - yes. Before we left the ship, we went to Guest Services and changed some $20's into $5's and $1's. We only brought $60, which we later regretted. I didn't know that Cabbage Beach would have jetski's and snorkeling, etc. I thought $70/hour (and your kid can ride with, for "free") for a jetski was "expensive", until we got to Castaway Cay the next day and Disney wanted something like $125 for one rider, $195 for two. Next time we go, I will bring enough cash for a snorkel trip and a jetski ride.

Swimming with the dolphins -- I don't know about that either, but I see on the Sunrise Beach Club web site, that you can book those excursions thru them.... I bet you could save some $$$ compared to booking thru Disney.

Finally... I also see that Sunrise Beach Club has a bar and grill...DOH! There was my food, right there, 100 feet away from me, up the stairs. Maybe I'll give it a try, next time (we already booked our next Disney cruise, for Jan 2010).


oh, I think I should add:
It was me, my wife, and my 7-yr old son. My dear wife was a little nervous about leaving the "safety" of a Disney-sponsored excursion and going out on our own in a "foreign country".... but now that we went, she can't wait to go back. She says that Nassau/Cabbage Beach day was her favorite day of the trip (better than Castaway Cay). I think my son would agree...

Also.. the beach is public.... Other cruisers from other cruise lines will probably show up throughout the day.... We had no problems, but there is a chance that you could witness some un-Disney-like behavior or hear some un-Disney-like language (just like at any public beach in the USA). I can't guarantee, of course, that you will have as much fun as we did.

However, like I said before -- if the beach gets too crowded, just walk down a little further and you'll have a quiet spot all to yourself.

 

[bunny]

Awesome. I am cruising next week and haven't been able to decide what to do in Nassau. Did it look safe where you could jetski? I have heard there are alot of accidents on jetskis and the jetski rental is unregulated. Also what kind of snacks did you bring from the ship? Did you order room service? Maybe I will bring a collapsible cooler and throw a few things in there.

 

[KSandbergFL]

Awesome. I am cruising next week and haven't been able to decide what to do in Nassau. Did it look safe where you could jetski? I have heard there are alot of accidents on jetskis and the jetski rental is unregulated. Also what kind of snacks did you bring from the ship? Did you order room service? Maybe I will bring a collapsible cooler and throw a few things in there.

The jetski area looked quite safe -- you'll be jet-skiing in the same cove as the people from Atlantis and the other hotels, which are only 3/4 mile down the beach.

The rentals are very probably un-regulated and un-licensed... and almost certainly un-insured... however, I have ridden jetski/waverunners many times -- and I don't see how there could be any accidents if you are being careful. The vendors will tell you where it's safe, and where to stay away from, before they let you on the machine.

Another thing to consider -- the day we were there, the rental business was practically dead. Nobody was renting ANYTHING, anywhere. In the 5 hours we were there, we might've seen 2 people jet-ski, 3 groups of people (including us) do a "banana boat" ride, and one para-sailing excursion (out of Atlantis, I think). Even the coconut drink guys, I might've seen them sell 6 drinks all day long. A lady was there, who lives part-time in the Bahamas, and she told us that business has dried up everywhere.. even vaunted Atlantis has its restaurants on a rotation, so that every day some of them are closed. My point being -- if you jetski next week, you probably will be the only ones in the entire cove doing so....

For food -- we only intended to stay until lunch time, then head back to the ship... so all we brought was some muffins from breakfast, some bananas, and 3 bags of Lays potato chips. We managed to stretch those out until 4pm. Next time -- we will get some sandwiches made, either from Goofy's Galley or room service, and bring those in a cooler. We are big fans of the panini's at Goofy's Galley (the cream cheese/smoked salmon panini is delightful!), and I think those would travel well. I wouldn't bring drinks -- you can get coconut drinks (freshly opened coconuts filled with rum and your choice of fruit-flavors or pina-colada mix) or cans of Coke from the vendors on the beach... and they would appreciate a little business.

 

[NMMickeymom]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been wanting to do something like this but it is a bit out of my "comfort zone" (Disney is great for encouraging you try new experiences in very controlled environments ) We just might give this a try. DH would be thrilled. Thanks for the info.

 

[KSandbergFL]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been wanting to do something like this but it is a bit out of my "comfort zone" (Disney is great for encouraging you try new experiences in very controlled environments ) We just might give this a try. DH would be thrilled. Thanks for the info.

While the Bahamas is a "foreign country", Paradise Island (where Cabbage Beach is) seems more like any beachfront tourist area in the southern US. You will think you're driving around Miami or something. No worries.

 

[KSandbergFL]

I got inspired, and edited a home video we shot at Cabbage Beach on Sept 18, 2009. It is just a quick panarama of the beach, soon after we arrived, at about 10:30am. As you can see, the beach was pretty much deserted. There are two banana boat vendors, and the multi-colored umbrella is where you can rent chairs and umbrellas. You will hear a guy laughing - that's one of the taxi drivers, waiting up on the hill behind the beach. The beach did get a little busier throughout the day..... but even at its peak, there were not more than 100 people there.

The yellow buildings you see close to the beach - that's the Sunrise Beach Club. http://www.sunrisebeachclub.com

I'm trying Flickr's new video service.... Video is here, let me know if you can't play it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572362@N07/4030762264/

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Corwin]

In light of the recent attacks on tourists, how safe do you think a day on Cabbage Beach is?

Also, we were planning to spend a day at the beach at Castaway Cay, of course. How does Cabbage Beach compare to the beach at Castaway Cay?

Thanks!

 

[KSandbergFL]

In light of the recent attacks on tourists, how safe do you think a day on Cabbage Beach is?

Also, we were planning to spend a day at the beach at Castaway Cay, of course. How does Cabbage Beach compare to the beach at Castaway Cay?

Thanks!

good question... I can say that for our next cruise (Jan 21, 2010), we still are planning to go to Cabbage Beach, we are not worried. It is within sight/view of several major hotels (3/4 mile away from Atlantis), so I don't expect any trouble... Like I have said - you're taking the exact same taxi that is bringing people to Atlantis too, and the beach is only 3/4 mile down the road... so, in effect, you're at the same "risk" as anyone going to Atlantis.

I am no psychologist nor an expert on the Bahamas, but i believe the local vendors themselves will ensure (as best they can) that this particular beach is free from troublemakers (the local people surely know who the troublemakers are, and how to keep them away). On our last visit, we were not given any cause for concern.

Comparing Cabbage Beach to Castaway Cay.... My wife says that she enjoyed Cabbage Beach more! The water was cleaner and the waves were bigger.

* Cabbage Beach is right on the ocean, while the beach at CC is more like a lagoon... Cabbage Beach has nicer surf and cleaner water. Cabbage Beach has more (and cheaper) rental options (like jetskis and power boat rides), and the prices are negotiable. You can meet real local Bahamians! Cabbage Beach is a FAR more authentic Bahamas experience.

* Castaway Cay has Disney charm, Disney service, restrooms, and all the food/sodas you want to eat. Castaway Cay is more like being "shipwrecked" on a fantasy island in dream world. It's a super experience.

 

[Corwin]

Thanks very much for the information, KSandbergFL.

My wife was kind of balking at the expense and time commitment associated with a day at Atlantis (one of the other alternatives we considered), and most of the feedback here on the DISBoard was rather negative anyway.

We originally were just looking for a place to go to the beach for a couple of hours.

Does anyone know how Cabbage Beach compares to the pay beaches (such as Cable Beach)? I've heard reports that the surf at Cabbage Beach can be pretty rough.

 

[KSandbergFL]

Thanks very much for the information, KSandbergFL.

My wife was kind of balking at the expense and time commitment associated with a day at Atlantis (one of the other alternatives we considered), and most of the feedback here on the DISBoard was rather negative anyway.

We originally were just looking for a place to go to the beach for a couple of hours.

Does anyone know how Cabbage Beach compares to the pay beaches (such as Cable Beach)? I've heard reports that the surf at Cabbage Beach can be pretty rough.

If you haven't found it already, there is a review of Cable Beach here, with some pics:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2312796

Post #7 in the thread says the Wyndham charges $15 for beach access, but doesn't specify if that's "per person" or "per family". It looks very nice, more "touristy" than Cabbage Beach, but a lot of people (probably the majority) prefer being closer to the hotels/restaurants and stuff. One of the posts in this thread says there is a casino nearby too, which might be an additional "draw" for some.

 

[shanesgirl]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Thanks for the reviews.