Remote Rose Island is a sliver of land poking out of the sea just northeast of Nassau's Prince George waterfront. Shelling is one of the lures of this little islet. If you want to escape the crowds of Nassau for an island retreat, you can take a boat here, relax in a hammock, snorkel among the coral reefs, and enjoy the white-sand beach before and after a sizzling barbecue lunch with white wine. Excursions to Rose Island are offered by Barefoot Sailing Cruises, Bay Shore Marina, East Bay Street (tel. 242/393-0820; www.barefootsailingcruises.com), and Majestic Tours, Hillside Manor, Cumberland Street (tel. 242/322-2606; www.majesticholidays.com). With Majestic Tours, expect to pay US$55 per adult for a trip lasting from 10am to 4:30pm.
If you want to see the Exuma island chain on a daylong excursion, try Powerboat Adventures, East Bay Street (tel. 242/363-1466; www.powerboatadventures.com), which provides an excellent overview of the area. The boat departs Nassau Harbour at 9am and arrives in the Exuma Cays about an hour later. There are several stops, including snorkeling at a private cay (Ship Channel), visiting the iguanas on Allan's Cay, feeding stingrays along the shore, and enjoying a barbecue lunch. A full bar is available all day and drinks are included in the cost, which is US$190 for adults and US$120 for children 2 to 12. Transportation from your hotel to the port of embarkation is included. The experience finishes around 5pm.
