Cabbage Beach

Cabbage Beach is widely considered the most beautiful beach in Nassau, and when you see that two-mile stretch of powdery white sand meeting impossibly clear turquoise water, you'll understand why. Located along the northern shore of Paradise Island, it's the beach that appears in most Bahamas marketing photos — and it genuinely looks that good in person.

The beach is technically public, though access can be confusing. The easiest public entry point is the walkway between the RIU Palace Resort and Sunrise Beach Club off Casino Drive. Once on the sand, you can walk the entire two-mile stretch freely. The western end near Atlantis tends to be busier with resort guests, while the eastern sections are quieter.

For families, Cabbage Beach hits the sweet spot between beauty and activity. The water is warm, clear, and generally calm enough for kids to swim, though this is an ocean-facing beach so waves are bigger than at harbor beaches like Junkanoo. On calm days, the water is perfect for snorkeling near the rocky outcroppings at either end of the beach.

Water sport vendors set up around 9 AM offering parasailing ($100/person), jet ski rentals ($80-120), banana boat rides ($25/person), and more.

The sand itself is that fine, soft Caribbean sand that's perfect for building — kids will happily dig for hours. The gentle slope into the water means toddlers can wade safely in the shallows while older kids play in the waves further out.

Practical notes: the public section has no facilities — no bathrooms, no chair rentals, no food vendors. Bring everything you need including shade, food, and water. The nearby Comfort Suites lets non-guests use their facilities for a small fee. For a full beach day, pack a cooler and plan to be self-sufficient. The Atlantis Marina Village is a 10-minute walk for lunch if you need a break.