Fort Charlotte

Fort Charlotte is a historic military fort located in Nassau. It is an important historical landmark that allows visitors to step back in time and explore a piece of the Bahamas’ colonial history.

If you’re a fan of history but only have time to visit one of the Bahamas forts, make it Fort Charlotte Nassau. Home to towering walls, powerful cannons, and stunning views of the surrounding area, the fort is one of the best places on the island to learn more about the Bahamas of the past.

Fort Charlotte Nassau: Explore the Bahamas Forts

Fort Charlotte Nassau features a moat, battlements, and more.

Nassau Old Fort: How to Visit

You don’t have to travel far to reach Fort Charlotte Nassau. With a central location near Downtown, it’s easy to access.

If you’re looking to get your steps in while on vacation, it’ll take you around 30 minutes to reach the fort from the cruise port or a nearby location. If you’re not looking to walk, taking a taxi will be the most straightforward way to get there. After hailing a cab from Downtown, you’ll arrive at the fort in around 10 minutes, depending on traffic.

The fort is open from 8 am to 4 pm, but on certain days of the week, special events take place. At 11:30 am on Wednesdays and Fridays, for example, visitors can look forward to seeing reenactments. From day-to-day life to cannon firings, these events provide insight into what 18th-century Nassau life was like.

Fort Charlotte Nassau: Where Is It?

As mentioned, Fort Charlotte Nassau is west of Downtown Nassau, 1.8 miles away from the city center. Located right next to Clifford Park, head down West Bay Street, turn on M. Bethel Way, and finally onto Fort Charlotte Circle to arrive at the attraction.

Fort Charlotte is the largest of the Nassau forts.

What to See at Fort Charlotte

Spanning an area of 100 acres, Fort Charlotte Nassau is one of the most interesting Bahamas forts to visit. While it won’t take you more than 1-2 hours to explore the fort, there’s still plenty to see.

Pirate History Galore

Like many Caribbean nations, pirates played an important role in the early history of the Bahamas. During the Golden Age of Piracy, pirates frequently raided the region, forcing European colonial powers to react. Constructed in the late 18th century, Fort Charlotte Nassau was one of the Nassau forts that sought to dissuade pirates from pillaging.

As you explore the fort, you can learn a lot about pirate history. Nearby attractions like the Pirates of Nassau Museum can expand upon what you learn at the fort!

The nearby Pirates of Nassau Museum is another great stop.

Battlements, Cannons, and More

Even if you’re not a history buff, it’s hard to not be impressed with the fortifications you see around you. In fact, the fort complex is so large, it contains three smaller forts: Fort Stanley in the center, Fort D’Arcy in the west, and Fort Charlotte in the east.

From the cannons that could fire shots far out into the sea to the tunnels, walls, and moats, constructors wanted the fort to be able to withstand anything.

You can usually find tour guides waiting around the wooden bridge.

Views of the Surrounding Area

One of the great things about touring Fort Charlotte Nassau is the views. As you make your way around it, you’ll get to see vistas that feature Arawak Cay, Paradise Island, boats bopping around the Nassau Harbour, and more.

Nassau Forts: Walk Through the Halls of History

While there are several Nassau Forts scattered around the island, Fort Charlotte is the most impressive. Covering an area of 100 acres and composed of three small forts, the site is the perfect place to enjoy views of the Bahamas while learning about the country’s past history with pirates.

Nassau is home to many cultural and historic sites like Fort Charlotte Nassau. If you want to learn more about the top Nassau attractions, make sure to check out our other travel guides and browse our interactive map of Nassau.

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