Nassau With Children: Zoo, Waterpark, Beach

October 18, 2026

For parents. Both the US State Department (Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”) and the British FCDO report violent crime in Nassau, and both caution against jet skis and poorly supervised water sports. With children, stay together, keep outings to daylight and favour places with staff on site. Official wording is on the US advisory page and the FCDO safety page .

Families usually build a Nassau trip around three things: a small zoo, a very large waterpark and an easy beach hour. A pirate exhibit and a fort add shorter stops. Prices are in Bahamian dollars, equal to US dollars, and both currencies are accepted.

A morning with the flamingos

Ardastra Gardens, Zoo and Conservation Centre is on Chippingham Road and sits on the Route 10 jitney line. The grounds cover four-plus acres and hold more than 200 animals. Non-resident tickets cost $35 for adults and $25 for children aged 4 to 12, while younger children are free. Prices include VAT, tickets are sold at the gate only and a waiver is required.

Plan the visit around the schedule:

Keeper talks at 10:30 and 2:00.
Marching flamingo shows at 11:00, 1:30 and 3:00.
Rabbit and tortoise feeding at $5 each.
Gates open 9:30am to 4:00pm, with the last entry at 3:00pm.

The zoo is closed on 25 December, 26 December and 1 January. Paths are uneven, and the restrooms are not wheelchair-accessible, so a buggy or wheelchair needs planning. The official page is ardastra.com .

A full day at Atlantis Aquaventure

Visitors who do not stay at Atlantis need a day pass. It opens the 141-acre waterpark, with its Mayan Temple, the 60-foot Leap of Faith slide and a river ride about a mile long, and also the resort pools except The Cove Pool, the beaches and the marine habitats, The Dig and the Predator Tunnel. The price moves with the date and season and is not posted on the resort’s page. Passes can only be bought ahead, in limited daily numbers. Children from 4 to 12 have their own rate, children under 3 are free, and the rule for age 3 should be checked at booking. You will need ID, a signed waiver and the card that paid for the pass, as the resort takes no cash. Opening hours change by season, so confirm them for your dates on the official day pass page .

Short stops

Fort Charlotte on West Bay Street has a moat, dungeons and underground passages for children to explore. Entry is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for under-12s, daily from 8am to 4pm. A costumed living-history scene runs on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30am, closing with a cannon at noon. Guides expect tips.
Pirates of Nassau Museum at King and George Streets is a self-guided walk-through with a replica ship and real cutlasses. A visit lasts one to two hours. Fees are reported at about $13 to $14 for adults and about half that for children, though sources disagree.
Graycliff Chocolatier on West Hill Street offers chocolate workshops, reported at about $55 to $82 per person. Confirm the price when you book.

Sand and water

Blue Lagoon Island offers an Island Beach Day that includes the ferry, lunch, beach time and an inflatable aqua park, at about $120 per adult in reseller listings. It is the family option on that island, and the captive dolphin programmes are best left out.

Junkanoo Beach costs nothing and lies 10 to 15 minutes on foot from the cruise terminal. It is a working harbour beach with small-boat traffic, and some visitors raise water quality concerns, so treat it as a short daytime paddle with an adult at the water’s edge. Lifeguard cover is unconfirmed at the main public beaches. Jet skis are not a family activity, and the US Embassy advises Americans to avoid renting them.

Compare guided outings through a family tour search for Nassau .