The 9 Best Bahamas Excursions in 2025

Bahamas Excursions

If you are planning a trip to the Bahamas then you are looking forward to many relaxing days on some of the world’s most inviting beaches. With more than 700 tropical islands, the Bahamas is an ideal place to enjoy soft white sand and crystal clear blue waters.

But the beaches are just one of the many jewels of this Caribbean archipelago. After a few days on the beach, you should embark on one of the many unique and exciting Bahamas excursions these beautiful islands have to offer.

There are bountiful natural and wildlife excursions you can choose from that are both in and out of the water. You can also taste the local cuisine and spirits, learn about the rich history of the islands, and island hop to some deserted and even private islands.

With so many islands and tourist attractions, choosing the best excursion can be daunting, which is why we combed through all the top and most reputable excursions in the Bahamas and have created a list that represents the absolute best. Keep reading to find the perfect Bahamas excursions to ensure you have an altogether epic vacation.

The Top Bahamas Excursions in 2025

The Best Bahamas Excursions:

Most Popular Bahamas Excursion

What’s Special About This Tour?

Swimming with pigs has become the quintessential Bahamas excursion. It offers you an opportunity to get up close and personal with the famous swimming pigs and get some great photos you can have for a lifetime.

There are multiple places where you can encounter the swimming pigs of the Bahamas now, including on Rose Island, Abaco, and Eleuthera, but the pigs of Big Major Cay in the Exumas Islands are considered the “original” swimming pigs. The tours vary in scope and price. The price can fluctuate based on where you are staying (some areas are further from the pigs than others) but expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $400 depending on the exact excursion you choose.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

This is a great activity for the entire family. Children must be at least two or three years old to embark on most of the tour boats. It is great for those who enjoy unique water activities and have an affinity for animals – especially pigs. It is also a great Bahamas cruise excursion for those who are using a cruise line to explore the islands.

What You’ll Do

The tour will include a boat ride to the beach where the pigs are located. You will learn about the pigs and have the chance to get in the water with them, and even feed them.

For safety reasons, you are not allowed to swim freely with the pigs or snorkel around them. Many tours include a separate snorkeling excursion as part of the day excursion, as well as optional turtle and even shark encounters. Most tours also include lunch.

What’s Special About This Tour?

Aquaventure Park and Dolphin Cay combine to make the ultimate Atlantis Bahamas Resort excursion in the Bahamas. For those with children, this is an activity you can enjoy by purchasing a day pass even without being an Atlantis guest.

Aquaventure Water Park is a vast 141-acre water park with 14 different pools, tons of epic water slides, and attractions for all ages. It is a great way to beat the heat with family.

Dolphin Cay is a vast open-air marine habitat and not a dolphin entertainment facility. It is a safe and authentic way to have a close personal connection with well-cared-for dolphins in a natural habitat.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

This Atlantis Bahamas excursion is perfect for families with children. The waterpark is top-notch, and the dolphin encounter is suitable for all who love water and dolphins. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

What You’ll Do

Aquaventure is a create-your-own adventure that you can enjoy at your own pace.

Those who opt for the dolphin encounter at Dolphin Cay will have a 30-minute encounter with dolphins while wearing protective gear. Professionally-trained staff will help guide the experience, and you have the option to purchase photos of the encounter.

Make sure you book the dolphin encounter in advance to ensure you get the date and time you want.

Top Private Island Excursion

What’s Special About This Tour?

For those looking for the perfect private island excursion in the Bahamas, look no further than a boat ride to Pearl Island. This picturesque island is a short 20-minute ferry or private boat ride from Nassau, Bahamas, which is the most-visited area in the Bahamas.

Therefore, an excursion to Pearl Island offers a remote island experience less than 30 minutes away from your resort.

Pearl Island is known for its powdery white beaches, exclusive and luxurious cabanas and amenities, and its top-notch snorkeling. You can cater your Peal Island excursion to suit your interests and desires.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

A trip to Pearl Island is perfect for beach lovers and snorkeling enthusiasts. It is also ideal for those looking for a luxury cabana and deserted island experience but are unable to make a trip to the far reaches of the Bahamas.

What You’ll Do

This excursion begins with a relaxing cruise ride from Nassau where you can enjoy the sights of the water and far away islands. Once you reach Pearl Island, you can SUP board, kayak, or simply enjoy the white sand beaches.

There is a lighthouse you can walk to or admire from the water. Most excursions include lunch. You can add a snorkeling excursion or private cabana to this experience for an added fee.

Best Excursion For Scuba Lovers

What’s Special About This Tour?

For those who are flying to the Bahamas to experience its incredible diving, there is no excursion better than a multi-day liveaboard scuba trip. The Bahamas has many incredible dive sites, but unless you are on a boat for several days, it can be logistically challenging to see all the best dive spots in the Bahamas.

Many of the best dive sights are located close to New Providence Island, which is the most populated island in the Bahamas. This makes it possible to easily get to your selected live aboard a vessel and scuba dive at many of the island nation’s top locations in just a few days.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

This is an ideal excursion for scuba lovers who are PADI-certified divers. For those who are not certified, other excursions provide you with the opportunity to get PADI certified while exploring the Bahamas coral reef system.

What You’ll Do

You can choose the length of your excursion and enjoy upwards of five dives each day of diving. Each vessel has experienced and qualified crew members. You can opt for luxury private cabins or more budget-friendly options. Most liveaboards will offer complete meal packages with tasty island flavors as well.

Learn more about Liveaboards in the Bahamas

What’s Special About This Tour?

While the Bahamas has many amazing places to watch the sunset, there is no substitute for watching the sun disappear on the horizon while you sip a cocktail on a boat. This two-hour tour takes you from Nassau into the tranquil Caribbean waters and offers you an unparalleled view of the sunset while enjoying cocktails and local cuisine.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

This Bahamas excursion is perfect for those looking to add some romance to their vacation. The two-hour duration and proximity to Nassau make this a great short Bahamas cruise excursion for those visiting the island chain on a cruise ship.

What You’ll Do

You will set sail on the catamaran from a dock in Nassau. From there, you will head out to a peaceful location that offers panoramic views of the horizon so you can enjoy an incredible sunset. There is a bar to order beverages, and the cruise typically includes a Caribbean-style buffet dinner, though each boat offers different meal options.

Ideal Bahamas Land Excursion

What’s Special About This Tour?

While many excursions in the Bahamas feature water, there are also some great Bahamas land excursions to consider. An ATV trip is an incredible way to have fun covering lots of ground on the Bahamas island of your choice. You can travel roads cars can’t take, and see many significant sites in this culturally rich region.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

This is a great excursion for those who love a thrill ride, and off-roading. You must be 21 years or older to rent and ride most ATV vehicles, and you must have a valid driver’s license. It is a great excursion for cruise ship visitors who have a limited amount of time to see the island.

What You’ll Do

Tours typically leave from Nassau and last about four hours. You can usually choose a morning or afternoon option, which allows you to cater this activity to your schedule. From Nassau, you will hit major historical points of interest, including Fort Montagu, Queen’s Staircase, and Fort Fincastle.

The ATV excursion includes a knowledgeable guide who will discuss the historical significance of the locations, and also point out important flora and fauna in the wild areas. There is usually a stop at a rum distillery, an included lunch, and a stop at a stunning and secluded beach.

The Best Bahamas Cultural Excursion

What’s Special About This Tour?

Taking a guided tour through historical Nassau is perhaps the best way to experience all the top sights, sounds, and flavors that are emblematic of this unique island nation.

A guided walking tour gives you the chance to safely explore historical Nassau with a knowledgeable guide who can point out important locations and provide you with insider insight.

You can also choose a tour that works best for you. Some tours are all walking, while others are both walking and driving. Some focus on food and culture, others on rum, and still others on history.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

Anyone visiting Nassau for at least one day who is interested in learning more about the history and culture of the island will enjoy this Bahamas land excursion.

What You’ll Do

You will follow your guide through historical Nassau and visit important government and cultural buildings. Many tours include food and rum tastings. Walking tours typically last about three hours.

You will get a great view from Fort Fincastle and visit several important cultural buildings like the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. The local guide will also explain all about the history of the Bahamas, from pirates to colonial times, all the way to present day life.

Ideal Bahamas Excursion For Island-Hopping

What’s Special About This Tour?

Renting Jet Skis is a great activity for those who want to explore the breathtaking water near Paradise Island.

While some jet ski companies allow you to rent jet skis for a short period, you can take a longer excursion that will take you to swim with pigs at Rose Island, and even visit Pearl Island. This allows you to visit multiple islands by jet ski, and enjoy several top Bahamas excursions on this list in a single day.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

Taking an island-hopping jet ski tour is a great excursion for anyone with limited time who wants to experience several top excursions in one day. Each jet ski can fit two people, making this a great Bahamas excursion for couples.

This excursion is not suitable for children under 14, women who are pregnant, or those over 70 years old.

What You’ll Do

Your jet ski tour will begin at Paradise Island, where you will meet your guide and learn how to use the jet ski. The tour itself lasts several hours, and you will explore several islands and cays that boats can’t reach.

This offers the ultimate desert island experience. You can also opt for the jet ski tour that visits Pearl Island and Rose Island, where you can see the swimming pigs.

Best Bahamas Fishing Excursion

What’s Special About This Tour?

The Bahamas doesn’t just attract beach and underwater lovers. It is also one of the most sought-after fishing destinations in the world. The best way to catch some of the Bahamas’ most prized fish like Mahi Mahi, grouper, and snapper is to take a fishing excursion on a fishing charter.

Who’ll Enjoy It?

This is a perfect excursion in the Bahamas for those who love fishing, especially those who are interested in catching exotic deep-sea fish.

What You’ll Do

When selecting a fishing charter, you can choose from various options – from a private charter to a family-friendly fishing trip, or a deep-sea fishing trip. Nassau and Freeport are popular hubs for charter boats, with Grand Bahama Island being most renowned for its fishing.

Still, you can charter a boat from nearly any island. Based on the boat and package you select, you will then venture out for an allotted number of hours with a captain and professional skippers who will do their best to help you catch exactly what you are looking for. Food, refreshments, and other inclusions vary significantly based on the type of charter you book.

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Do-It-Yourself Day Trips In The Bahamas

Guided tours and group excursions are fun, but planning your own excursion allows you to personalize your itinerary, and it’s something you can do without a bunch of strangers.

The Bahamas has some great activities and excursions that are easy and convenient to do on your own. Some top DIY excursions and activities are listed below, but make sure you read our Things To Do In Bahamas article for a full list of top activities.

  • Find The Perfect Beach Near You: The Bahamas has some of the best beaches in the world. Spend time finding the best beaches on your island, and spend the day relaxing in tropical bliss.
  • Drink A Bahama Mama At A Great Sunset Bar: The Bahamas has amazing sunsets, and you don’t need to fork over tons of money to enjoy a great sunset. Find a great sunset bar like Nirvana Beach Bar or the Sunset Beach Club in Nassau, and drink a Bahama Mama as you watch the sky turn pink.
  • Snorkel From The Shore: There are many beaches, including popular Cabbage Beach and Cable Beach, where you can enjoy amazing snorkeling by swimming from shore. You don’t need to book a snorkel trip to see lots of aquatic wildlife.
  • Visit A National Park: The Bahamas has national parks, and all are worth exploring. Consider visiting Lucayan National Park on Grand Bahama Island. It is known for its many caves, multiple ecosystems, and beautiful Gold Rock Beach.
  • Gaze At The Natural Wonder of Dean’s Blue Hole: The third deepest blue hole in the world, this is a great place to visit if you rent a car for the day on Long Island.
  • Rent A Clear Kayak: Instead of spending lots of money to sit on a crowded glass bottom boat, opt to rent a clear kayak. This is a great DIY Bahamas excursion that will also provide a workout.
Bahamas Excursions Featured

How To Get Around The Bahamas On Your Own

If you plan to venture out of your resort on your own and create personalized excursions, there are several ways you can opt to get around the Bahamas. On larger and more populated islands like New Providence and Grand Bahama Island, you will find reliable bus and shuttle services. This transportation will get you to many places you want to go.

You can also opt to rent a car if you want to see several sights over multiple days. This is often more convenient and cost-efficient than taxis. There are no ride-share apps in the Bahamas, and taxi fares can add up quickly. Depending on the popularity of your excursion, there may be a shared shuttle service.

Bahamas Excursions Travel

Why Trust Our Bahamas Excursion Guide

Tom Gaffey, the writer of this Bahamas excursions guide, is a seasoned travel journalist who has explored more than 50 countries on 6 of 7 continents. He is an avid paddler and snorkeler. He writes extensively about various exotic destinations throughout the Caribbean and the entire globe.

He is an authority to trust in the Bahamas and the Caribbean region as he spends several months each year sailing from Florida to various islands in the Caribbean, including the Bahamas, where he uncovers the latest top excursions in the region and uncovers all the noteworthy hidden gems.

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