Nassau

Is Nassau safe?

For a cruise stop or a resort stay, mostly yes. Bay Street, the cruise port, Cable Beach and Paradise Island are patrolled, and most visitors have no trouble. But Nassau is where nearly all of the Bahamas' violence happens. Police counted 83 murders in 2025, and 76 were on New Providence, the island Nassau covers. On the 2022 census population of about 297,000, that is roughly 26 per 100,000 people.

The Bahamas as a whole scores 59, but its quieter islands pull the average up. We score Nassau 50, below Cancún and above Kingston.

Where crime happens

Murders fell sharply in 2025, from 119 nationally the year before. In 2026 the pace has held roughly steady: The Tribune counted 48 nationally by 4 August. Police say firearms are used in most killings, and much of the violence is between gangs in the Over the Hill neighbourhoods south of Shirley Street. The US advisoryUS travel advisoryThe US State Department's rating of each country from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).More in the glossary names that area, and Canada says most murders happen in non-tourist parts of downtown Nassau after dark.

Tourists are more likely to meet robbery than gang violence. Canada says robberies happen at the cruise ship terminals and around popular resort areas, even in daylight. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary reports armed robberies, sometimes fatal, in residential and tourist areas of New Providence, and a rise in break-ins, especially at vacation rentals without security guards. Theft and drink spiking go up during Junkanoo, regattas and other festivals.

What the FCDO advises:

• Stay in downtown Nassau and the main tourist areas, and do not walk outside them, especially alone.
• Avoid unlit streets and travel in groups after dusk.
• If someone tries to rob you, hand things over. Robbers may have hidden weapons.
• In a rental, lock doors and windows and use the safe.

Beaches, boats and sharks

Some of the worst incidents involving visitors happen on the water. The US and UK both say Bahamian water sports are poorly regulated, many operators are unlicensed or uninsured, and people have been killed or badly hurt. There have been reports of sexual assaults by jet ski operators in Nassau, and the US reports sexual assaults on and near downtown beaches. US government staff are banned from renting jet skis from independent operators on New Providence and Paradise Island, and visitors should follow the same rule.

The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says the Bahamian authorities warn of a particular shark threat around New Providence and nearby cays. Swimming at dusk or at night raises the risk, even in shallow water near resorts, as does any excursion that uses bait. Jet skis do not always respect the buoys that mark swimming areas, so swim where lifeguards and buoys are.

Roads and getting around

Traffic drives on the left, but most cars are left-hand drive imports from the US, which makes overtaking awkward. WHO estimatesWHO road-death estimateThe World Health Organization's estimate of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people in a country, adjusted for deaths that police statistics miss.More in the glossary 18.3 road deaths per 100,000 people in the Bahamas for 2023, and police declined to publish 2025 figures. Canada says fatal accidents involving pedestrians are common on New Providence, and that congestion slows ambulances. Of the five road deaths The Tribune counted in early January 2026, two were in New Providence, including a pedestrian on Bahamas Games Boulevard.

Licensed taxis wait at the port and hotels; agree the fare first. Jitney buses are fine on main routes by day, but the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary advises care on buses at night away from tourist areas. If you rent a scooter, wear a helmet.

Hurricanes and health care

New Providence is flat and close to sea level. Hurricane Dorian, tied for the strongest Atlantic landfall on record, devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama in 2019, and Melissa crossed Long Island and San Salvador in 2025 (NHC). Nassau was spared the worst both times, but storm surge and flooding remain a real threat from June to November. Flights fill fast before a storm, so leave early if one is forecast.

Medical care in Nassau is the best in the country, but it is expensive and hospitals expect payment or proof of insurance. Dengue is present, so use repellent.

How to stay safe in Nassau

• Stay on Bay Street, Cable Beach or Paradise Island after dark, and take a taxi between them.
• Book boats, jet skis and snorkel trips through your hotel or a registered operator.
• Never swim at dusk, at night or near fish cleaning.
• Check every bag for stray ammunition before you fly home: even one round can lead to arrest.
• Emergency numbers: 911 or 919.

How we scored it

Health and environment (70) is Nassau's strongest factor: good if costly care and clean air. Violent crime (37) is the weakest, because a rate of about 26 murders per 100,000 puts New Providence in our lowest band, even if few victims are tourists. Night safety (48) and road safety (46) reflect official advice to stay in patrolled areas after dark and frequent deaths of pedestrians. The weighted average of 50 is far below the cap of 123 set by the Bahamas' conflict score of 88.