Clifton Heritage National Park

Clifton Heritage National Park is the anti-Atlantis — a wild, uncrowded, genuinely natural attraction on the western tip of New Providence Island that rewards families willing to venture beyond downtown Nassau. If your kids are old enough to snorkel and you want an experience that feels more "National Geographic" than "theme park," this is your spot.

The park's marquee attraction is the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden, an underwater art installation set in the shallow reef just offshore. The centerpiece is Ocean Atlas, a massive 18-foot underwater sculpture of a Bahamian girl appearing to carry the ocean on her shoulders. Snorkeling over these sculptures — surrounded by tropical fish, with sunlight filtering through the water onto the art — is one of the most unique experiences available in the Bahamas.

Kids who are comfortable snorkeling (generally ages 6+) find it absolutely magical.

On land, the park spans acres of coastal wilderness with hiking trails through native vegetation, past ruins of Lucayan indigenous settlements and later Loyalist-era buildings. The cultural heritage is real and significant — this was one of the last sites of Lucayan habitation before European contact, and later became a plantation worked by enslaved Africans. Interpretive signs along the trails explain the history in accessible language.

The beach in the park is pristine and usually empty, offering calm, clear water perfect for swimming after snorkeling. Birdwatchers will spot native species throughout the bush trails.

Logistically, Clifton Heritage requires more planning than downtown attractions. It's about 30 minutes west of Nassau by car, with no public transit. Hire a taxi ($40-50 round trip) and arrange a pickup time, or rent a car for the day.

Bring all your own food, water, and snorkel gear — there are no concessions or rental shops. At under $40 admission for a family of four, the park is great value for what you get.

This isn't the right choice for families with only toddlers or non-swimmers, as the main appeal is the underwater sculpture garden. But for families with kids ages 6 and up who are comfortable in the water, it's one of the most memorable outings available in Nassau.