Bahamas Cruises: Islands, Activities, and Practical Tips for Today

Bahamas cruises offer short (3-4 night) and longer itineraries calling on islands such as New Providence (Nassau), Grand Bahama, Great Inagua, the Exumas, Eleuthera and the Abacos. Popular activities include snorkeling, diving, paddle sports, sportfishing and wildlife excursions. High season runs late fall through spring; hurricane season is June 1-November 30. Confirm passport and entry requirements and check excursion providers for conservation-minded practices.

Why choose a Bahamas cruise?

A Bahamas cruise remains one of the easiest ways to combine beach time, water sports and short island hops. The archipelago lies southeast of Florida and north of Cuba and Hispaniola. Cruise itineraries commonly call on islands such as New Providence (Nassau), Grand Bahama (Freeport), Great Inagua, the Exumas, Eleuthera and the Abacos.

What you can do ashore and afloat

Shore excursions range from lounging on powder-white beaches to active adventures. Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, sportfishing and parasailing are widely available. The Exumas are famous for clear water and popular experiences like swimming with the Exuma pigs and snorkeling around sandbars.

Many ports offer wildlife and nature-focused options: bird-watching in national parks, guided mangrove and reef excursions, and boat trips to see shipwrecks or coral gardens. Glass-bottom-boat tours are common; some destinations also offer commercial submarine-style tours to view reefs and wrecks .

Cruise ships often provide live entertainment, on-deck pools, casinos and duty-free shopping. In Nassau, the Straw Market and the colonial-era forts satisfy shoppers and history buffs alike.

Typical cruise lengths and departure ports

Short Bahamas sailings commonly run 3 to 4 nights and depart from South Florida ports such as Miami, Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) and Port Canaveral. Longer itineraries that include overnight sea days or additional Caribbean stops can start from northeastern U.S. ports including New York, Boston and Baltimore.

Timing and practical notes

The high season runs from late fall through spring when temperatures are milder and rain is less frequent. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1-November 30; travelers should monitor forecasts and consider travel insurance for summer travel.

U.S. and many international visitors need a valid passport for cruise travel to the Bahamas. Entry rules, health requirements and excursion availability can change, so confirm documentation and provider policies before you go ¹.

A few final points

Whether you want a relaxed beach-focused escape or a sport-filled escape, Bahamas cruises still deliver a compact, accessible island experience. Choose excursions and operators that follow local conservation guidelines, especially for wildlife interactions, and you'll help preserve the islands' marine and coastal environments for future visitors.

1. Confirm current operation status and providers of commercial submarine-style reef/wreck tours in the Bahamas.
2. Verify the latest Bahamas entry, passport and health requirements for cruise passengers (including any outstanding COVID-19 rules) before publication.