Nassau beaches

[Bakerette]

I have a port day on dec 3rd, 2018 and I am considering going to the beach at Nassau but don’t know if I should go to one of the free beaches or pay for a beach excursion so I have some questions that I hope I can get other people’s opinions and advice about the free beaches and the beach excursions at nassau:

1) Are the free beaches safe and is there lifeguards?

2) is there jellyfish near the sand at any of the free beaches and beach excursions?

3) which free beach should I go to if I decide to go to one of the free beaches at Nassau? 

4) which beach excursion should I book if I want to go on a beach/swimming excursion at Nassau?

5) are the free beaches as safe as the beach excursions?

6) are beach excursions or free beaches cleaner then the other option of beaches?

7) is there warm or cold weather durning December in the Caribbean?

 

[Hutcherl]

I went to Junkanoo Beach(free) and found it littered with trash.  The reviews were mixed so I should’ve expected it but surprised how bad it was. We rented loungers and they were in bad shape.   We went prob 50 yards past the Tiki Bar.  I wonder if that was kept nicer.   All I know is that if I ever go back to Nassau,  I’ll pay to have a better experience.   It was a pretty depressing experience to see such a potentially beautiful place not cared for. 

[Steve L]

I also went to Junkanoo Beach but unlike Hutcherl's comment above, I found it clean the day I went. Different day different result I suppose. It's a very short walk from the ship. I think there was a lifeguard stand but the water is very safe as there are no waves because of the breakwall out in front. I'm taking my girls to this beach in three weeks....no worries with anything. No jellyfish in February when I went but the water temp was just a tad bit colder than say Oct. when we also hopped a ship. The people did not bother us and the water is safe....that's the wrap from here. Hope this helps.

[monctonguy]

I have been to Nassau about 10x.....and I always go to Junkanoo...its free and close.....and not as bad as some people say(at at least not the 10x I was there)......its not a large or luxurious beach but it works......

last time there they had upgraded the bar there and its now more expensive and doesn't have the same Caribbean feel it had before imho......there are a couple beaches within a 10 mins cab drive from the port that I may look into for Oct..but I cant comment on those yet.

 

No life guard at Junkanoo, no jellyfish,  temps would still be ok in Dec for me anyways!

[chelsea]

We were just in Nassau on Sunday and we were disappointed. We got off the ship fairly early and the streets were covered in trash and there was a lot of construction going on the route we walked to Junkanoo. The beach was so-so and there was some trash and locals that made us a little uncomfortable, we felt like we were being watched. I did not feel comfortable leaving my belongings unattended and there were no lifeguards. As far as the jellyfish... you never know where you'll see them it's best just to keep an eye out while you're in the water but we definitely saw more at Cococay if your cruise stops there. Jellyfish, fish, 2 stingrays, a small shark, and even a barracuda we saw. Looking back I wish I would have done an excursion to Blue Lagoon or Paradise Island while in Nassau. We ended up not staying at the beach long... we stopped in a few shops including the straw market and spent most of the day on our ship. PS. it seemed like a lot of more experienced cruisers didn't even go into Nassau when we got back on, they were all chilling by the pool and the casino!