How safe is Nassau?

[roac8362]

I am taking my girls (13, 11 and 5) on a mother/daughter 7/night Bahamian cruise in the Fall and have been checking out different excursions. We went to Cozumel in January and booked a private jeep excursion through a different company, saved money and had an awesome time. I just don't know enough about Nassau to know if it is safe or not. I know a lot of people like to stay on the ship here but what if we want to get off? I've read that people take taxis to the beaches and I have looked at a couple companies that do excursions. That leads me to my question...Is it safe for a woman and three young girls to be exploring on their own? This is our first trip without my husband tagging along and I'm finding myself nervous about us being on our own or booking an excursion that's not Disney. Disney excursions are usually so high I just feel like you can usually find the same excursion or something even better cheaper. Having said that, I care about our safety more. I just don't know if I have made the safety issue up in my head or is it real? lol Any thoughts would be so much appreciated!

 

[diznymom]

I would not go exploring on my own. However, I would go on some of the DCL sponsored excursions.

 

[BrokeMack]

I wouldn't feel uncomfortable near the pier. There are a couple of streets with tourist traps and whatnot, plus the walk over to Atlantis that are fine (or were six years ago).

 

[mevelandry]

It's not "safe". You have to take a lot of precautions but if you stick to excursions, you'll be fine. Remain with the group, leave all jewels, valuables and "brand" stuff on the ship.

 

[disneycruise100]

Like it's been posted.. I wouldn't leave the ship alone.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

I am taking my girls (13, 11 and 5) on a mother/daughter 7/night Bahamian cruise in the Fall and have been checking out different excursions. We went to Cozumel in January and booked a private jeep excursion through a different company, saved money and had an awesome time. I just don't know enough about Nassau to know if it is safe or not. I know a lot of people like to stay on the ship here but what if we want to get off? I've read that people take taxis to the beaches and I have looked at a couple companies that do excursions. That leads me to my question...Is it safe for a woman and three young girls to be exploring on their own? This is our first trip without my husband tagging along and I'm finding myself nervous about us being on our own or booking an excursion that's not Disney. Disney excursions are usually so high I just feel like you can usually find the same excursion or something even better cheaper. Having said that, I care about our safety more. I just don't know if I have made the safety issue up in my head or is it real? lol Any thoughts would be so much appreciated!

Take the greycliff chocolate making excursion. We did it with our 7 year old and she loved it. As did i.

 

[tlprice]

I am a single mother and have taken my DD10 into Nassau on two cruises. The most recent was Dec. 2017. We did DCL excursions both times, but in December when we were dropped back off at the port, we walked into town by ourselves to do some shopping. Neither one of us felt unsafe at all (other than crossing the street--they are crazy drivers!) Not one single person approached us, bothered us, asked us anything, tried to sell us something, etc. I would have done non DCL excursions, no problem, except what we wanted to do was not offered by non DCL excursions so I was stuck doing the DCL ones.

 

[Norma Cook]

We felt the same way about taking our kids off in Nassau. Definitely book through DCL only so that everyone is safe! Your safety is not worth the money you might save.

 

[Marc D]

You will probably have personnal answers saying everything was fine for them. But the fact is that crime stats are so bad in Nassau, especially for tourists, that both the U.S. and Canada have issued very specific travel advisories. DCL replaces the normal tourist info in its app with safety info for Nassau. I wouldn’t go out on my own, only with a DCL tour that does not involve being on our own in a public place, like a beach.

 

[apathetic]

I wouldn't get in a taxi and have them take me to any random beach. But well established tours should be fine because you'll be there with a lot of people and likely a tour guide. There is going to be police presence in the main tourist areas. It's when you venture off the beaten path that you can find trouble.

 

[MnkyGirl]

I don't know how safe I would feel getting a cab (like previous posters said, the driving there is crazy to say the least) but, I've been comfortable enough to get off the boat and shop from the port down to Starbucks and the straw market and back without an excursion. I use the same reasonable precautions that I use anytime that I am travelling internationally and would make me stick out as an obvious tourist. Stay in the established tourist areas and take precautions against pick pockets and such and you should be fine.
There are several really good excursions that I've been on there, but honestly, we stay on the ship now and only venture off if I'm really needing a Starbucks fix.

 

[ADowling]

I went to a different store with my 10 year old daughter while my husband was with friends an our other daughter at a different store. We quickly met back up with them. Stay away from the inside of the straw market. If you buy anything make sure it’s from around the edge. It can get very sketchy the farther in you go. If you stay on the main streets it isn’t terrible but the crime rates have went up recently. Just be aware of your surroundings and be smart.

 

[MUN]

I am taking my girls (13, 11 and 5) on a mother/daughter 7/night Bahamian cruise in the Fall and have been checking out different excursions. We went to Cozumel in January and booked a private jeep excursion through a different company, saved money and had an awesome time. I just don't know enough about Nassau to know if it is safe or not. I know a lot of people like to stay on the ship here but what if we want to get off? I've read that people take taxis to the beaches and I have looked at a couple companies that do excursions. That leads me to my question...Is it safe for a woman and three young girls to be exploring on their own? This is our first trip without my husband tagging along and I'm finding myself nervous about us being on our own or booking an excursion that's not Disney. Disney excursions are usually so high I just feel like you can usually find the same excursion or something even better cheaper. Having said that, I care about our safety more. I just don't know if I have made the safety issue up in my head or is it real? lol Any thoughts would be so much appreciated!

Nassau is very safe depending on where you go. We have walked up to Queens Staircase, Fort Fincastle, Junkanoo Beach, John Watling's Distillery, East Bay Street (for shopping), and we have felt very safe. I have always found the people of Nassau to be warm and friendly. However, I can't vouch for the entire island. I understand there are some rough spots.

 

[dcassetta]

I am taking my girls (13, 11 and 5) on a mother/daughter 7/night Bahamian cruise in the Fall and have been checking out different excursions. We went to Cozumel in January and booked a private jeep excursion through a different company, saved money and had an awesome time. I just don't know enough about Nassau to know if it is safe or not. I know a lot of people like to stay on the ship here but what if we want to get off? I've read that people take taxis to the beaches and I have looked at a couple companies that do excursions. That leads me to my question...Is it safe for a woman and three young girls to be exploring on their own? This is our first trip without my husband tagging along and I'm finding myself nervous about us being on our own or booking an excursion that's not Disney. Disney excursions are usually so high I just feel like you can usually find the same excursion or something even better cheaper. Having said that, I care about our safety more. I just don't know if I have made the safety issue up in my head or is it real? lol Any thoughts would be so much appreciated!

Like any tourist area, keep your wits about you and stick to public areas.

A Disney excursion will be fine, as will excursions organized by reputable companies - check Trip Advisor for reviews.

 

[Pooh2]

Nassau is very safe depending on where you go. We have walked up to Queens Staircase, Fort Fincastle, Junkanoo Beach, John Watling's Distillery, East Bay Street (for shopping), and we have felt very safe.

How far was the walk to Junkanoo Beach? I have neuropathy and tend to walk slow, especially in the heat. But was hoping for a quick ocean swim without paying for an excursion.

 

[Canesfan3234]

if safety is a real issue, pay the money to go to atlantis. its a nice insulated environment that your kids will love.

 

[mousefan73]

I will be going on my own with my DS and DD ages 13 and 12.. We will walk to starbucks, straw market and Junkanoo beach. I figure this is no more safe or unsafe then taking my kids to any major US city. You have neighnborhoods you avoid in the US too.

If nassau was that scary and unsafe where you are getting shot or mugged at once you get off, then cruise ships simply would not stop there. Sure there are isolated cases but EVERYWHERE is so. In Chicago they just caught a team of muggers who were attacking people in a pedway in the Loop.

 

[dcassetta]

How far was the walk to Junkanoo Beach? I have neuropathy and tend to walk slow, especially in the heat. But was hoping for a quick ocean swim without paying for an excursion.

From the cruise terminal to the beach is about 1/2 mile. It is all flat, but the sidewalks are not all smooth or complete.

 

[mousefan73]

How far was the walk to Junkanoo Beach? I have neuropathy and tend to walk slow, especially in the heat. But was hoping for a quick ocean swim without paying for an excursion.

I have not done it but have checked out numerous youtube and google maps.. and it's I believe less than a mile.. with things to look at and stop in between..

 

[mevelandry]

I will be going on my own with my DS and DD ages 13 and 12.. We will walk to starbucks, straw market and Junkanoo beach. I figure this is no more safe or unsafe then taking my kids to any major US city. You have neighnborhoods you avoid in the US too.

If nassau was that scary and unsafe where you are getting shot or mugged at once you get off, then cruise ships simply would not stop there. Sure there are isolated cases but EVERYWHERE is so. In Chicago they just caught a team of muggers who were attacking people in a pedway in the Loop.

Here's what the Government of Canada says:

"
Crime
Crime, including violent crime, occurs mainly on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama. There has been an increase in muggings, armed robberies, home invasions and sexual assault targeting tourists in the cities of Nassau and Freeport. Incidents of robbery take place in cruise ship terminals and in and around popular resort areas, even in daylight hours. If you are threatened by robbers, stay calm and do not resist. Avoid non-tourist neighbourhoods in downtown Nassau, especially at night, where the crime accounts for much of Bahamas’ high murder rate.

Sexual assault occurs frequently, particularly near hotels, in hotel rooms, in casinos, on cruise ships and on the beach. Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, do not consume any drugs and don't accept rides from strangers or from unlicensed taxi drivers. Due to incidents of sexual assault, it is recommended to be wary when embarking on jet-ski rides with licensed or unlicensed operators."

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/bahamas


Nothing very reassuring.