Compass Point Beach Resort Beach Nassau Bahamas - Her Bags Were Packed

I am excited to introduce a new monthly Travel Log series. Once a month I am going to be sharing a brief overview of a trip I took around that same time the previous year. The posts will include where I stayed, how I got around, and the top experiences of my trip. My hope is that it will serve as a little travel log meets planning resource for anyone interested in visiting that same place. Today we’re kicking off the series with a recap of my time in the Bahamas.

Last January I had the opportunity to visit Nassau as a guest of the Islands of the Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism. Understandably many people visiting the Caribbean choose to spend the majority of their time at resorts. While admittedly the idea of taking a vacation centered around nothing but lounging on the beach sounds like it could be really great, I have never been able to bring myself to embrace the idea of spending all that time and money to travel to another country and not explore or immerse myself in the local culture.

Instead of centering my trip around the traditional resort experience, the Ministry of Tourism helped to design a trip for my time on the island of Nassau that provided me with an authentic Bahamian experience.

Where I Stayed:

Compass Point Beach Resort is a small boutique resort located on the northwest side of the island, about 12 miles from downtown Nassau. They have 18 brightly colored huts (that sleep 2-5 people) all with incredible views of the ocean. The huts offer a really fun beach glamping vibe. When I saw the photo on their website I actually cried while imagining waking up to those views.

What makes Compass Point most unique is their history. The highly successful recording label Island Records (most well known for introducing us to U2 and Bob Marley as well as Ariana Grande, Amy Winehouse, Drake, and Mumford & Sons) opened Compass Point recording studio nearby in 1977. Island Records founder Chris Blackwell opened Compass Point Beach Resort in 1995, and it quickly became the place to stay for artists recording at the studio.

How I Got Around:

Romeo Farrington is by far the island’s top driver. This beautiful man has such an incredible spirit. He truly loves his home and genuinely enjoys sharing it with visitors. Over the course of the weekend, as we drove around the island, I was honored to chat with Romeo and learn about his life, how he became a driver, the many different people he’s met over the years, his family, and how a random taxi fare led to a cameo in one of the Jaws movies.

Top 5 Experiences:

Tru Bahamian Food Tours

On this three hour walking tour, our guide William Godot took us to at least 6 different eateries where we sampled all sorts of traditional Bahamian treats and delicacies ranging from conch sliders to rum cake. But more than simply stuffing us to the brink, Will did a fantastic job of also educating us all on the cultural and historical significance of everything we were eating and seeing.

Buggy Tours with Bowcar Rentals

These little buggy tour rides are so much fun! You ride, in an open-air Jeep buggy, around the island with a headset on while your guide tells you fascinating stories making stops at historical sites like Fort Fincastle, the Queen’s Staircase, the Government House, caves, and much more.

Heritage Museum of the Bahamas

Graycliff Hotel opened the Heritage Museum of the Bahamas in 2014 in the historically preserved Mountbatten House. The museum is full of historical artifacts, relics, fossils, and treasures that help to tell the story of the islands, which includes natural history, the days of Columbus, pirates, slavery, maritime, Junkanoo, and more.

Graycliff Chocolate Factory Tour

The Chocolate Factory Tour at Graycliff is like a dream come true for any chocolate lover. During the tour visitors discover (with multiple senses) the chocolate making process and uncover the fascinating history of chocolate in the Bahamas. The Factory offers samples of chocolates at various stages of creation. You can even sign up for a chocolate making class or try a chocolate and spirits pairing class.

People To People

People-To-People matches visitors with a volunteer Bahamian ambassador who will show them around and suggest things to do based on the visitors’ interests. If you’re on a cruise and have a few hours to explore Nassau, you could request your ambassador take you around the island and show you the sights (as opposed to spending all your time at the shops by the port). Or if you’re traveling with children, you can request to be matched with a Bahamian family with children of similar ages. I even heard of an American judge being matched with a Bahamian judge. He requested to spend the day observing at the local courtroom.

In my case, Ms. Willamae Salkey had a small group of us over for dinner with a handful of her friends. They served up a ton of food, explaining the cultural significance behind each choice, and sharing stories of life in the Bahamas.