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Nassau vs Key West

Two cruise ports, side by side, from our port guides' data. Data last checked: Oct 2026

The short answer

Both are rated Easy for exploring on your own.
Walk to town or the main sights: Nassau about 5 minutes on foot; Key West right by the pier (from at least one pier).
Getting ashore: ships dock at both.

Nassau

📍 The Bahamas

Easy

Key West

📍 Florida, USA

Easy

Side by side

	Nassau	Key West
Explore-on-your-own rating	Easy	Easy
Country	The Bahamas	Florida, USA
Dock or tender	Dock	Dock
Where ships dock	Prince George Wharf (Nassau Cruise Port, redeveloped and reopened in 2023)	Mallory Square Pier B (next to the Margaritaville resort area) Navy Mole (Outer Mole), which needs a shuttle
Getting to town	Bay Street is right outside the terminal, about a 5-minute walk through Festival Place.	From Mallory Square or Pier B you walk straight into Old Town and onto Duval Street. Navy Mole passengers take a shuttle.
Getting around	Walk to downtown. Licensed taxis (yellow plates) from the dispatch area. A water taxi to Paradise Island runs from near the port; reported fares are about $4–$7 per person. Jitney (local bus) #10 to Cable Beach, reported fare $1.25.	Mostly walking; Duval Street runs about 1.25 miles to the Southernmost Point. Bikes, trolleys and taxis are also available.
Beaches	Junkanoo Beach: about 0.5–0.7 miles west, a 10–15 minute walk; free entry, chair rentals extra Cable Beach: taxi or jitney Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island: taxi or water taxi; public access sections	Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park: about 1 mile from the piers (20–30 minute walk); state park entry fee; rocky beach, so bring water shoes
Top sights	Bay Street and the Straw Market Parliament Square Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle (about a 12–18 minute walk, partly uphill) Pirates of Nassau museum	Duval Street Mallory Square Southernmost Point buoy (end of Duval) Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum (admission charged)
Back on time	Downtown is close, but security lines at the terminal can be long when several ships are in port. Be back 30–45 minutes before all-aboard.	Lines for the Navy Mole shuttle back to the ship can be long. Be back 30–45 minutes before all-aboard.

Fares and times are as reported by the sources on each port page and change often. Always confirm with your cruise line.

Why the ratings differ

Nassau: You walk straight from the ship into downtown, and the closest public beach is about a 10–15 minute walk.

Key West: It's a U.S. port with a compact, walkable Old Town.

Quick answers

Is Nassau or Key West easier to explore on your own?

Both are rated Easy for exploring on your own. You walk straight from the ship into downtown, and the closest public beach is about a 10–15 minute walk. It's a U.S.

Do you tender or dock in Nassau and Key West?

Nassau: Dock. Key West: Dock.

How far is town from the ship in Nassau and Key West?

Nassau: Bay Street is right outside the terminal, about a 5-minute walk through Festival Place. Key West: From Mallory Square or Pier B you walk straight into Old Town and onto Duval Street.

When should I head back to the ship?

Nassau: Downtown is close, but security lines at the terminal can be long when several ships are in port. Key West: Lines for the Navy Mole shuttle back to the ship can be long.

Nassau port guide → Key West port guide → More comparisons