Arawak Cay Nassau is a tiny island off the northern coast of New Providence. Also called Fish Fry, the island is an area that all visitors to the city and country should take the time to explore.
In this guide, we’re going to highlight the main reasons why no Bahamas vacation is complete without a visit to Arawak Cay. We’ll highlight the history of the island, as well as what you can expect when you visit there today.
Read on to learn why Arawak Cay is one of the best things to see in Nassau.
Arawak Cay Nassau: Enjoy a Bahamian Fish Fry
Understanding Nassau Geography
When you’re looking at a map of the capital, Nassau’s geography can seem quite simple. However, there’s a lot more to see and explore in the area besides just New Providence (the island that houses Nassau).
Arawak Cay is a tiny island connected by a bridge to the northern part of New Providence. Located right downtown near Junkanoo Beach and other city highlights, it’s easy to walk to while on your Bahamas vacation. Just walk down West Bay Street until you get to Fish Fry Way!
Downtown Nassau is full of exciting things to see and do.
In addition to Arawak Cay Nassau, you can also find a plethora of other small islands in the area. Paradise Island is the resort island of the Bahamas, and it’s home to some of the biggest and most luxurious hotels, such as Atlantis and the Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort.
Likewise, Rose Island is another exciting site in the Nassau area as it lets you go swimming with pigs. However, if you’re looking for the authentic Pig Island experience, you’ll need to sign up for a day trip to the Exuma Cays.
History of the Island
Arawak Cay Nassau has a history that’s quite different from the other islands in the area. While its name pays homage to the Arawak people, the original residents of the Bahamas, it didn’t come into existence until 1969.
In that year, construction teams dredged Nassau Harbour. They then used the sand that was there to construct Arawak Cay. Over the past several decades, the island has become a focal point of the community, serving traditional foods to millions of visitors.
Today, the artificial island offers some of the top stuff to do in Nassau. From enjoying authentic Bahamian cuisine and shopping to enjoying incredible Junkanoo performances around the holidays, Arawak Cay is a must-visit site in the Nassau area.
Arawak Cay Nassau has a convenient downtown location.
Fish Fry: What Is It?
As mentioned, many locals refer to Arawak Cay as “Fish Fry.” But what is a Bahamas fish fry, and why does the island have that nickname?
Fish Fry has many great Bahamian restaurants, like Twin Brothers.
In other countries, a fish fry is just that: a meal featuring fried fish. In the Bahamas, Fish Fry is much more. It’s a type of culinary gathering place – one that is uniquely and proudly Bahamian. In most cases, these areas feature beach shacks and street vendors where you can find some of the freshest and most authentic Bahamian food around.
Although you can enjoy Fish Fry in several different parts of the country, the biggest and best experience is at Arawak Cay, hence its nickname. There you find a strip of restaurants that range from traditional sit-down venues to barbeque shacks on the beach. You can find a menagerie of dishes and vibes at all of these sites, but you can expect the food to be delicious regardless of which establishment you choose to dine at.
That variety means that the island offers some of the top activities in Nassau.
Foods You Can Try
You’ll find many delicious you can try on the tiny island and Nassau, in general.
As mentioned, besides offering different exciting things to see in Nassau, Arawak Cay also lets you sample many delicious dishes.
If you’re exploring Nassau, you can stop by Fish Fry to enjoy some of the following foods:
Conch
After seeing all of the stuff to do in Nassau, try some conch fritters!
If you’re unfamiliar with it, conch (pronounced “konk”) is a sea snail found in the waters around the Bahamas. Over the past centuries, residents of the Bahamas have used conch for everything from food and bait to jewelry and musical instruments. Given the important role it has had in the country’s history, conch is the national food of the Bahamas.
Besides using it for a variety of purposes, Bahamians have also cooked it in a variety of ways. Throughout the Bahamas, you can eat conch raw, steamed, fried, stewed, or on a salad with fresh fruit.
When you visit Arawak Cay Nassau today, make sure to sample conch in at least one of its many varieties!
Cracked Lobster
After trying conch, you’ll want to save room for another local delicacy: cracked lobster. Served in a delicious seasoned batter, trying this dish is another one of the best activities in Nassau and the Bahamas, in general.
While locals may refer to it as a crawfish, the crustacean served is actually a spiny lobster. You can see these creatures in the waters throughout the Bahamas, including on a day trip to the Exumas. Most of the time, they prefer to reside in reefs or in other dark corners where they can hide out.
Cracked Lobster is one of the best dishes you can get in the Bahamas.
Regardless of what you choose to call it, you can count on cracked lobster to be one of the best meals you eat in the Bahamas and perhaps the Caribbean, in general.
Shopping Through Markets
In the area around Arawak Cay Nassau, you’ll also find some fun shopping opportunities. The straw market, in particular, is one area you’ll want to visit.
From bags and dolls to hats, jewelry, and more, the straw market gives you the chance to buy all sorts of exciting souvenirs for yourself or friends and family back home. You can also find wood carvings and other artisanal gifts.
Spend time shopping for straw products while exploring the area.
If you do plan on buying something, make sure to negotiate a bit first. Just try not to offer too low a price, as that can offend the seller!
Exploring Nearby Potter’s Cay
After enjoying the food at Arawak Cay, you might be wondering if there’s another spot in the area where you can enjoy local delicacies. The good news is that there is such a place, and it’s the local’s Fish Fry: Potter’s Cay.
Found under the overpass that connects Paradise Island and Nassau, Potter’s Cay is home to fruit markets, fishing docks, and all types of conch shacks. Throughout the day, you’ll see divers surface with conch from the shallow waters behind the shacks – chefs store their conch there to keep it fresh.
At Potter’s Cay, you can enjoy conch prepared in more than 40 different ways. It’s hard to predict which variety will be your favorite!
Potter’s Cay also offers a local Fish Fry experience.
Activities in Nassau: Don’t Miss Out on the Top Sites
If you’re planning on visiting Nassau anytime soon, give yourself time to explore Arawak Cay. From sampling local foods to learning more about the rich Bahamian culture, the tiny island is the perfect place to visit on a Bahamas trip.
While the capital offers travelers plenty to see and do, you’ll also want to give yourself time to explore other parts of the country besides Nassau. The Exuma Cays are home to the Swimming Pigs and function as a great day trip. When you fly by plane on a Nassau to Staniel Cay day tour, you can spend time with them and see other top attractions in the area.
Book a day trip with Bahamas Air Tours today!
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