Jaws Beach, New Providence
The verdict
- Best for: Locals and visitors who want a calm, shady, low key swim away from the cruise crowds and resort strips of Nassau and Paradise Island.
- Best spot: The sheltered corner under the casuarina trees, where shade and shallow water make an easy base for a slow afternoon.
- Know this: This is a local beach with few facilities, so bring your own water, food and shade and take everything away with you.
Published 12 March 2026. Last reviewed 20 May 2026
Jaws Beach sits at the far western end of New Providence, past Lyford Cay and out toward Clifton, a long way in feel from the cruise port and the resort strip of Cable Beach and Paradise Island. It is a local beach in the truest sense, a soft curve of pale sand backed by casuarina pines, with shallow, sheltered water that rarely kicks up much swell. The name comes from filming for a Jaws sequel that used this stretch in the 1980s, which is the story everyone repeats and the only Hollywood thing about an otherwise sleepy spot.
The appeal is calm and quiet rather than amenities or scene. On a weekday you may share the sand with a handful of locals and very little else, and the shade from the trees makes it comfortable to sit out the middle of the day. The rocky margins hold small fish, so it is a gentle place to put on a mask, though it is not a marquee snorkel site and you should not arrive expecting reef walls. Weekends and holidays draw Bahamian families with coolers and music, which is the beach at its friendly best.
Be honest with yourself about what it is not. There are no sunbeds to rent, no beach club, and facilities are minimal and to be confirmed, so this is not the place if you want service and a cocktail list. It suits anyone who likes a free, shady, easygoing swim and is happy to be self sufficient. Nearby Clifton Heritage Park adds a walk and some history if you want more than sand, and pairing the two makes an easy half day away from the busy core of Nassau.
Clubs on this beach
Jaws Beach is a free local beach with no club on the sand. For sunbeds and service, see our Bahamas beach clubs directory.
No club on the sand
Jaws Beach has no beach club, bar or sunbed hire on it; the draw is free, shady, quiet sand. For loungers and food and drink service, look to the resort beaches around Cable Beach and Paradise Island instead. Details are to be confirmed.
Service is elsewhere on the island
The clubs and day passes that come up for New Providence sit on the busier north coast, not here. Use our directory to find the current options, opening status and any minimum spend, all of which can change and are to be confirmed.
Jaws Beach lies at the western tip of New Providence, roughly forty minutes by car from downtown Nassau depending on traffic, out past Lyford Cay toward Clifton. There is no public transport that drops you at the sand, so a hire car or a taxi arranged for a round trip is the practical way in. The road in passes the entrance to Clifton Heritage National Park.
There is rough parking near the beach and no gate to pass through. Bring everything you need for the day, including water, food, sun cover and a bag for waste, as services are minimal and to be confirmed. Swim within your depth, as there is no lifeguard cover, and check the forecast, since the western end is most pleasant on calm, settled days.
Reserve a day at Jaws Beach
Jaws Beach itself has no club, but Nassau has loungers, day passes and full service beaches nearby. Tell us your date and party and we will point you to the right spot. No charge to enquire.
Common questions
Why is it called Jaws Beach?
The beach took its name from filming for a Jaws sequel that used this western stretch of New Providence in the 1980s. The film connection is the local legend, though there is nothing on the sand to mark it and the beach today is simply a quiet community spot.
Is Jaws Beach good for swimming?
On settled days the water is shallow, sheltered and usually calm, which makes for an easy swim near the shore. There is no lifeguard, and rocky patches sit near the edges, so swim within your depth, watch your footing and treat conditions as typical and never guaranteed.
Are there facilities at Jaws Beach?
Facilities are minimal and to be confirmed, so plan to be self sufficient. There is no beach club or sunbed hire, so bring your own water, food and shade, and carry out everything you bring in, since this is a local beach rather than a serviced resort strip.
How do I get to Jaws Beach?
It sits at the far western end of New Providence near Clifton, about forty minutes by car from downtown Nassau. There is no direct public transport, so most visitors drive or take a taxi arranged for a round trip, passing Clifton Heritage National Park on the way in.
Is Jaws Beach worth visiting?
If you want a free, shady, peaceful swim away from the cruise crowds, yes. If you want loungers, bars and a scene, no, and you would do better on the resort beaches of Cable Beach or Paradise Island. Pair it with Clifton Heritage Park for an easy half day.
