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The Bahamas🇧🇸 | beachesJaws BeachMint-to-blue water, casuarina shade, Bond film location, weekend cookouts | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Jaws Beach
👀 For curious travelersbeach ranked #9
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

Your flip-flops sink into powder-soft sand, the engine hum of the last car fades, and the water ahead goes from pale mint to deep turquoise within a few strides. That’s Jaws Beach, on the southwest coast of New Providence in the Bahamas, west of Nassau and well away from the cruise-ship crush. Weekends bring local families, music from car speakers and a few grills, so go on a weekday morning for near-empty sand. Swimming is calm on most days, snorkeling is modest, and there is no real surf despite the name. Facilities are minimal, so bring water and snacks. The scenery is the draw: casuarina shade and a wide, quiet curve of shoreline. Unlike busy Cable Beach, it feels like a neighborhood secret.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 The Bahamas Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #9 beach in The BahamasWhat sets this place apart

Jaws Beach earns its stop because it is the quiet answer to resort sand. The shoreline sits on the rural western end of New Providence, where the road runs past casuarina trees and the only soundtrack is wind and the occasional passing car. Backpackers come for the shade under the casuarinas, which means you can spend a full afternoon here without burning, something many Nassau beaches can’t offer. The water is clear and shallow enough to wade out far, ideal for a slow swim after days of city walking.

The other pull is the name. This is the beach where scenes from the 1965 Bond film Thunderball and later the 1980s thriller Jaws: The Revenge were shot, so film fans arrive with a mission. Add a weekend crowd of Bahamian families, and you get a local weekend cookout scene that feels far from the cruise terminals.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. The Jaws Beach shoreline: A long, gently curving strip of pale sand with water that shifts from mint to deep blue. Walk the full length at low tide for firm footing and space to yourself.
  2. Swimming in the shallows: The seabed slopes gradually, so you can wade out a long way in calm conditions. Mornings are glassiest, and there are no real breakers.
  3. Casuarina shade: The trees behind the beach drop needle-covered shade, perfect for a picnic or a nap when the midday sun gets heavy.
  4. Film-location spotting: The beach appeared in the Bond movie Thunderball and in Jaws: The Revenge, so film fans can match the coves and water to the screen. It makes a fun photo stop.
  5. Weekend beach cookouts: On weekends, Bahamian families set up grills and speakers, and the beach turns into a casual neighborhood party.
… read more 👉
  1. The Jaws Beach shoreline: A long, gently curving strip of pale sand with water that shifts from mint to deep blue. Walk the full length at low tide for firm footing and space to yourself.
  2. Swimming in the shallows: The seabed slopes gradually, so you can wade out a long way in calm conditions. Mornings are glassiest, and there are no real breakers.
  3. Casuarina shade: The trees behind the beach drop needle-covered shade, perfect for a picnic or a nap when the midday sun gets heavy.
  4. Film-location spotting: The beach appeared in the Bond movie Thunderball and in Jaws: The Revenge, so film fans can match the coves and water to the screen. It makes a fun photo stop.
  5. Weekend beach cookouts: On weekends, Bahamian families set up grills and speakers, and the beach turns into a casual neighborhood party. Join the atmosphere at a respectful distance, and bring your own food and drinks.
Pair the shoreline walk with the casuarina shade for a slow day: stroll in the cool morning, then settle under the trees through the afternoon heat.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Jaws Beach

4hr Private Tour Island Hop Snorkel w/ Turtles & Sip Bahama Mamas

4hr Private Tour Island Hop Snorkel w/ Turtles & Sip Bahama Mamas

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Clear Kayak Photoshoot With Transportation Nassau, Bahamas

Clear Kayak Photoshoot With Transportation Nassau, Bahamas

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3-Hour ATV Tour of New Providence (Inclusive of water & local deserts)

3-Hour ATV Tour of New Providence (Inclusive of water & local deserts)

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Honor Roll Private Bahamas Boat Charter

Honor Roll Private Bahamas Boat Charter

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Exotic half day private charters to Rose Island, Pigs and Turtles

Exotic half day private charters to Rose Island, Pigs and Turtles

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Rose Island 3 Island Luxury Private Tour(8hrs)

Rose Island 3 Island Luxury Private Tour(8hrs)

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#1 Rated 4 Hour Private Rose Island Tour Beach Snorkeling Turtles

#1 Rated 4 Hour Private Rose Island Tour Beach Snorkeling Turtles

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Nassau, Rose Island Swimming Pigs, Turtles, Beach, Snorkeling

Nassau, Rose Island Swimming Pigs, Turtles, Beach, Snorkeling

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Nassau: Half Day Reef Snorkeling, Turtles & Swimming Pigs

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Dry Season (December to April): Days run 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), humidity stays low, and the sea is clear and calm enough for snorkeling. Daylight lasts roughly 11 to 12 hours. Nassau hotel rates and flights climb, though Jaws Beach on the southwest coast of New Providence stays quiet.
  • Summer (May to August): Expect 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F), strong sun, and warm water. Rooms are cheaper, and daylight stretches to about 13 hours.
  • Hurricane Season (June to November): Peak risk falls from August to October. Storms can churn the water and close the road for days. Rain showers are short but frequent, and fares drop.
  • Winter Cold Fronts: Between December and February, northerly winds can bring 17 to 21°C (63 to 70°F) mornings and rough surf.
Go on a weekday in February or March for the best conditions, since weekend afternoons draw Nassau locals.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
bahamas-beach-jaws-beach v1
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Stay in Nassau's Cable Beach area, about 25 to 30 minutes from Jaws Beach by car, because the southwest coast has almost no lodging. Cable Beach has the best mix of guesthouses, small budget hotels, and apartment rentals at roughly US$90 to 160 a night, plus a walkable strip of cafes, grocery stores, and a long sandy beach. Jitney (public bus) routes start nearby, so you can reach other parts of the island cheaply.

Downtown Nassau and the streets near Bay Street suit solo travelers who want to meet people, with the cruise-port energy, Arawak Cay fish fry, and the busiest bus connections. Budget … read more 👉
Stay in Nassau's Cable Beach area, about 25 to 30 minutes from Jaws Beach by car, because the southwest coast has almost no lodging. Cable Beach has the best mix of guesthouses, small budget hotels, and apartment rentals at roughly US$90 to 160 a night, plus a walkable strip of cafes, grocery stores, and a long sandy beach. Jitney (public bus) routes start nearby, so you can reach other parts of the island cheaply.

Downtown Nassau and the streets near Bay Street suit solo travelers who want to meet people, with the cruise-port energy, Arawak Cay fish fry, and the busiest bus connections. Budget rooms there run about US$70 to 130. Evenings are fine on main streets, but taxi back after dark.

Western New Providence communities such as Lyford Cay or Gambier have villas and a few rentals, and they sit closer to Jaws Beach, but they are quiet, pricey, and you will want a car. For most backpackers, Cable Beach is the practical base.
Best hostels in The Bahamas


Best quality hotels in The Bahamas

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Jaws Beach is a calm, low-key stretch where the main hazards are sun and the occasional rough day. The water is shallow and clear with a gently sloping sandy bottom, and in the dry season it is usually flat enough for easy wading. Winter cold fronts and passing storms raise surf and can create stronger pull near the shoreline, so stay close in when whitecaps appear. There are no lifeguards or flag system, so you judge conditions yourself. Shade is limited to a few trees, and midday sun is fierce, so bring water, reef-safe sunscreen, and a hat. Rays and small fish are common in the shallows, so shuffle your feet when walking in. Do not leave bags or valuables in a parked car, because the area is remote and break-ins can happen. Weekdays are quiet.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Jaws Beach lies on the southwest coast of New Providence, about 25 to 30 minutes by car from Cable Beach and roughly 40 minutes from downtown Nassau. Rental cars cost around US$60 to 100 a day, and a taxi from Nassau typically runs US$50 to 80 each way, so ask the driver to wait or arrange a pickup. Public jitney buses do not run all the way to the beach, so most backpackers split a taxi or rent a car.
Jaws Beach is good for swimming and relaxed snorkeling, especially from December to April when the water is calm and clear. Expect shallow, sandy entry with small fish and the odd ray, but no serious reef, and the surf is too small and inconsistent for surfing. Bring your own mask and fins, because there are no rental shops on site. Winter fronts can stir up waves and reduce visibility.
Yes, Jaws Beach is free to visit, with no entry fee and open access at any hour. There are few facilities, so bring water, snacks, and sun protection, and expect to spend about US$5 to 15 on supplies in Nassau beforehand. Parking is informal and costs nothing. Budget mainly for transport, which is the real expense of the trip.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Bahamian beaches near Jaws Beach

Explore more nearby:

  • Cable Beach—West-facing sunsets, calm shallows, resort strip, water sports rentals| 15 km away
  • Cabbage Beach—Two-mile pale sand, bodysurfing shore break, quiet east end, Atlantis marina views| 24 km away
  • Pink Sands Beach—Pink sand, three-mile stretch, sunrise shore, beach horseback rides| 107 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Jaws Beach works best as a slow stop on a west-end loop of New Providence, after a morning in Nassau and before sunset drinks. I’d bring food and water, since services are thin, and pick a weekday for the emptiest sand.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in The Bahamas. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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