Beaches near the Nassau cruise port

The closest public beach to the cruise port, on the harbour just west of downtown, lined with colourful beach shacks selling drinks, food and wares. Lively and loud on ship days; it suits passengers who want sand and a drink without a taxi rather than a quiet swim.

A mile of white sand and turquoise water on the north-west of Paradise Island, good for snorkelling and water sports. Mostly a resort beach; reaching it as a day visitor is less straightforward than Cabbage Beach.

A locals' beach on West Bay Street east of Goodman's Bay, with white sand and a harbour-mouth view. Quieter than Junkanoo on a weekday; busier with Bahamian families on weekends and holidays.

About two miles of white sand and turquoise water on Paradise Island's north shore, backed by Atlantis, the Riu and The Ocean Club. The best-looking free beach within reach of the port, but it has open-ocean waves, no lifeguards and many vendors.

A small beach at historic Fort Montagu (1741), east of downtown, popular with locals on a lunch break or a weekend cookout. Free, local and calm; a short taxi ride from the port.

A public beach park just east of Cable Beach, popular with locals, with a grassy park, parking and easy access to the sand. A good free alternative to the resort-lined stretches of Cable Beach.

A long strand of white sand west of downtown lined with large resorts, including Baha Mar. Good for a resort-style beach day; the free public option is to come in through a public access such as Goodman's Bay Park.

A small white-sand beach west of Cable Beach, named for the limestone caves along its edge. Few tourists and no facilities; it suits people with a taxi or rental car who want a quiet swim.

A quiet beach on the north coast about 20 minutes' drive west of downtown, close to roughly 40 acres of protected coral reef. It suits snorkellers and anyone who wants a laid-back beach-bar day away from the cruise crowds.

A small beach by Clifton Heritage Park on the island's south-west tip, named after the film shot here, reached by a short trail from a parking area. Far from the port (taxi or car needed) and basic, it suits snorkellers who want reef fish off the beach.

A palm-lined, sheltered beach by The Cove at Atlantis, calm and good for a quiet resort day or sunrise. Only worth it as part of a paid Atlantis day.