With the Caribbean being known for its rum, you can get a glimpse of that rum-making during your Bahamas cruise to Nassau with a visit to a rum distillery!
If you want to make a rum tour a part of your trip to Nassau, the John Watling’s Distillery is located near the cruise port.
When you go on a “Top 10 Nassau” shore excursion arranged by your cruise line, there’s a good chance that the John Watling’s rum tour is on the itinerary, along with the Queen’s Staircase and Fort Fincastle.
But even if you don’t go on a Nassau shore excursion, it won’t be too complicated to make a visit to the distillery on your own by walking there.
Here is more about how rum is made in the Bahamas.
Here is more about the different types of rum at John Watling’s Distillery.
Find a tour that includes a visit to a rum distillery in Nassau!
Now, if you want to get a little bit of Nassau rum without a tour…
So, how to get to the rum distillery from Nassau cruise port?
Here’s what’s on this page for planning a rum tour during your Bahamas cruise:
- How far is the rum distillery from the cruise port?
- Map of Nassau cruise port to John Watling’s Distillery
- Are the directions easy to get to the rum distillery from the cruise port?
- Is it safe to walk around Nassau?
- Is it safe to walk to the rum distillery?
And so…
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
How far is it from the Nassau cruise port to the rum distillery?
The shortest path to get there is a little under a mile, and it will likely take you around 20 minutes to reach from the cruise port by foot.
Map of Nassau cruise port to John Watling’s distillery
Explore the interactive map of Nassau cruise port to John Watling’s rum distillery below for directions.
If you’re coming to this page from Pinterest mobile, first open up this page in your web browser, then click on the map!
Are the directions easy to get to the rum distillery from the cruise port?
They aren’t extremely difficult, but you might want to print off a screenshot of a zoomed in area of a Nassau map. Either that or it could be a good idea to make sure you can access Google Maps offline.
You might find it helpful to use the “offline maps” feature within Google Maps. You can download a map of Nassau through the Google Maps app before you go on your cruise so that you can use your phone to navigate without international data.
You may also consider getting this laminated map of Nassau.
Unlike getting to Junkanoo Beach, it’s not just a single path that will take you to the rum distillery. There are a number of streets to turn on, and not all of the streets are in easy city blocks. That’s why a map could be helpful.
There are also a number of different routes to get there.
You may consider zooming into the map to see if there are any places of interest you want to pass by, to check out what the buildings look like.
This could include:
- Balcony House
- Government House
- U.S. Embassy
- National Art Museum
Is it safe to walk around Nassau?
It’s important to mind your surroundings and bearings no matter where in the world you go.
It’s also important to note that the U.S. State Department has issued safety warnings for New Providence Island and Paradise Island in the Bahamas. These islands include the locations of Nassau and Atlantis. These safety and security warnings are due to an increase in violent crimes and robberies against tourists.
This isn’t meant to scare you, but just make you aware! Don’t completely let your guard down just because you’re on vacation.
Is it safe to walk to the rum distillery?
Once again, it’s a little different than getting to Junkanoo Beach near Nassau cruise port. With a trip to Junkanoo Beach, you’ll likely see people pretty much the whole way. With a trip to John Watling’s Distillery, it’s likely that you won’t encounter too many people once you get outside of the downtown area.
The streets will probably be mostly empty as you walk to the rum tour.
If you take comfort in having others around you when you’re in an unknown area, this may not be the ideal situation for you.
But otherwise, there’s likely not going to be anything that will make you feel uncomfortable on your walk to the rum distillery.
Things you may want to pack for beach days during your Bahamas cruise!
Now, here are some things that you just may want to add to your cruise packing list for the rest of your cruise!
- This case so you can take pristine underwater pictures or pool pictures! (It’s cheap!)
- This pouch so you don’t have to worry about leaving valuables on the beach
- These tag holders so you don’t end up with lost luggage on the cruise ship!
- These packing cubes so you can find your stuff once on the cruise
- These types of beach shoes so you don’t have to worry about hidden rocks under the sand at any of the cruise ports
- This type of beach bag that’ll help you dry things out so you can be ready for the next beach day!
- For your beach outfits, take a look at…
- These swimsuits and cover-ups for women
- This swimwear for plus-size women
- These swimsuits for men
- Cruise formal: And here are ideas for your cruise outfits for formal night!
- Seasickness: And here are ideas for snacks and wearables to prevent seasickness
- Snorkeling: And here are tips on what to wear snorkeling
HAPPY NASSAU RUM DISTILLERY PLANNING!
More things to do in Nassau near cruise port
More cruise ports:
aruba | curacao | turks and caicos | cozumel | san juan | grand cayman | st maarten
More cruise tips:
– Do you need cruise travel insurance?
– Cruises with kids: Things to do on embarkation day
– How to prevent cruise luggage from getting lost on the cruise ship
– What NOT to bring on a cruise
– CRUISE PACKING LIST!
There are affiliate links on this page. Among other partners, as an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission.
🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling