My day in Nassau and (free) Cable Beach!

[BethCarp]

We just got back today from the Majesty of the Seas! Great cruise!! We were in Nassau yesterday from 8am-5pm. We probably deboarded the ship around noon and tried to find the #10 bus when we got outside the terminal. A taxi "pimp" (as I like to call him) approached us and said he would take us to Cable Beach for $5pp (there were 3 of us). I wanted to just find the bus, but my friend started bartering with him. We finally got him to agree to $3pp, which he was reluctant about. So we decided to take one of his cabs since they were right there. Cab driver was very nice, taxi/van was nice and air conditioned. He dropped us off at the Wyndham Casino entrance (his choice) and told us $15. We told him that the "pimp" agreed to $9 and he said "no". My friend told him to take it up with "pimp" and he relectantly agreed, but was aggravated. Probably would not take a cab next time. The whole thing was just uncomfortable for me.

 

We walked inside the Wyndham and the casino was right there. We walked through the casino (there was a map showing how to get to the beach) and right out into the pool area. Beyond the pool area was the beach, but it wasn't a very nice beach. There was sand, but it was up on a sea wall, so you couldn't walk right into the ocean. Off to the left was another small part of the beach that was at ocean level. They had very nice chairs with cushions and it was very quiet. There was a little noise from the wave runner rental that was right there.

 

After a few minutes laying there, the sun went behind the hotel, so we went over to the Radisson. Thank god we did that. The Radisson was so much better, IMO. They had nice caribbean music playing from the bar. It wasn't too loud, but just enough to make it a nice atmosphere. I didn't think the chairs were as nice here, but there were PLENTY of them. The beach was also a lot bigger and nicer here too. The buildings were not blocking the sun at all. There were quite a few people there, but it didn't seem crowded and nobody was loud or obnoxious. The waitress came around to us a few times and we had a few drinks. There was a beach grill restaurant there, but we didn't eat there--kind of expensive. The pools looked beautiful, but we didn't try to use them. We brought our own beach towels (instead of RCI's) so that it wouldn't stick out that we were cruise passengers. No one once ever approached us about not being guests.

 

As far as activities, I didn't really see a whole lot. I saw a couple on a kayak, but I don't know where they got that. There were waverunners at the Wyndham (didn't get the price on those, sorry). There was also beach volleyball, but not much of anything else. Maybe people weren't just using any of the activities. We weren't there for activities, we just wanted to lay on the beach, so that was fine with us. If you're looking for activities, you may want to go somewhere else.

 

When we were ready to leave, we walked into the hotel and right through the lobby. We asked the porters outside where to catch the jitney and they told us to just walk down to the street and they would stop for us. I think we waited for about 2 minutes. I thought the jitney was a lot better (not to mention cheaper) than the taxi, and would take it again in a heart beat.

 

We're planning on going back next year. If we do, we'll definitely take the Jitney rather than a cab. We'll probably also enter through the Wyndham since that entrance took us through the casino rather than through the lobby. Then we'd just walk over to the Radisson.

 

I would really suggest this to people who are looking for a great relaxing beach day, without wanting to spend a lot of money.

 

ETA: the water at both coco cay and cable beach was cold upon first entering. Once you jumped in it was fine. It actually felt really good. We had cloudy days too, both days. Temperatures were in the lower 80s.

[happy1]

Thanks for the wealth of information. We dedcided to use the jitney, and you just confirmed it. Glad it was a good experience.

[jenny368]

Beth: Thanks for the info. We will definately take the jitney and hit the Radisson.

[hallsm5]

Does the Radison charge to use the beach by their hotel? I hear alot of them do?

[CruisinCrow]

Does the Radison charge to use the beach by their hotel? I hear alot of them do?

 

Not sure how you found this thread because it's 10 years old! :)

 

The Radisson became Sheraton, which is now Melia. Melia charges $30 for a day pass.