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.

Safety first. Official advice on Nassau centres on crime and on the sea. Washington gives The Bahamas Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, and the British FCDO describes serious robberies and assaults on New Providence. Both also warn about jet skis, loosely regulated water sports and sharks where bait is used. The wording changes, so open the US State Department advisory and the FCDO safety page before you finalise plans.

Plan for daylight. Washington rates The Bahamas Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, because of crime, and the FCDO says not to walk outside the main tourist areas and beaches, especially alone. The old town near Bay Street is patrolled by police. See it between morning and mid-afternoon and use a licensed taxi when it is dark. Current wording is on the US advisory page and the FCDO safety page .

On foot, stay in the core. The FCDO advises against walking outside the main tourist areas and beaches, especially alone, and Washington rates The Bahamas Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, for crime. Police patrol the downtown streets around Bay Street, Parliament Square and Prince George Wharf, so keep your route inside them and walk in daylight. Read the FCDO safety page and the US advisory before you set out.

Couples, take note. Washington rates The Bahamas Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, and London’s FCDO reports violent crime in residential and tourist areas of New Providence, along with sexual assaults on and near downtown beaches and by some jet ski operators. Keep evenings to licensed taxis and lit tourist areas, stay together, and decline jet skis or unlicensed boat rides. Current guidance is on the US advisory page and the FCDO safety page .

Before you commit to nights away. The US State Department lists The Bahamas at Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, mainly for crime. The FCDO adds that water sports are poorly regulated and that sharks can strike without warning. That matters most if your plan includes small boats or remote cays. Read both sets of advice first: the US advisory and the FCDO safety page . Nassau does not run overland multi-day tours.

Sea and weather warning. The FCDO calls the water sports industry in The Bahamas poorly regulated and says fatal shark attacks can happen without warning, so never enter water where an operator has put out bait. The US State Department keeps The Bahamas at Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, and its embassy urges Americans to avoid jet ski rentals. Read the US advisory and the FCDO safety page , and watch the marine forecast on the day.

Worth knowing. Washington places The Bahamas at Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution”, for crime, and the FCDO tells visitors not to go on foot outside the main tourist areas and beaches, particularly alone. A tour with a set meeting point and a driver removes some of that risk. Compare the current text on the US advisory page and the FCDO page . Nassau has a short list of organised attraction experiences.