What you didn’t know about Nassau in The Bahamas.
Nassau sits on the northern edge of the Andros Barrier Reef, the third-largest reef system in the world, which is why its waters glow with such impossible clarity.
The island’s limestone foundation is porous and ancient, carved by thousands of years of tidal flow, which creates underground caves and blue holes that stretch deep beneath the island. Nassau’s pastel palette didn’t happen by accident either; it traces back to British colonial-era paint regulation meant to keep buildings bright and uniform in the Caribbean sun. Junkanoo, the famous street parade, isn’t just a festival but a centuries-old tradition rooted in resistance, celebration, and community storytelling through music, dance, and elaborate handmade costumes. Offshore, the waters around Nassau are feeding grounds for sea turtles, reef sharks, and countless fish species supported by warm currents flowing in from the Gulf Stream. Even Paradise Island itself was once Hog Island, a quiet stretch of land transformed into one of the most iconic resort destinations in the world. Beneath the sun-soaked surface, Nassau is layered with ecology, artistry, history, and a cultural energy shaped by generations who’ve lived at the crossroads of Caribbean, African, and European influence.
Five fascinations about Nassau.
5. Pirates once ran this city.
In the early 1700s, Nassau was declared a “pirate republic” and became a base for over 1,000 pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard. The city was lawless for years until British forces finally regained control.
4. The Queen’s Staircase was carved by hand, by slaves.
This iconic 66-step limestone staircase was carved in the late 18th century by enslaved Bahamians. It’s named after Queen Victoria, who abolished slavery, but the real story lies in the hands that built it.
3. Junkanoo is more than a festival, it’s a legacy.
The vibrant street parade of costumes, music, and dance isn’t just a New Year’s bash. Junkanoo dates back to the days of slavery, when enslaved people were given a few days off per year, and made joy defiant.
2. The Bahamas has one of the world’s largest barrier reefs.
Just off Nassau’s shores lies the third-largest barrier reef system on the planet. That means the crystal waters aren’t just pretty, they’re a global treasure for marine life, diving, and preservation.
1. You can still visit an actual pirate jail.
The Pirates of Nassau museum features a preserved section of the old pirate prison, complete with cells and stories that prove the truth was stranger than fiction. It’s history you can walk into.
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