Ardastra Gardens is Nassau’s gentle, old-fashioned antidote to the big resorts, and children adore it. Set in lush tropical gardens on Chippingham Road, a few minutes’ drive west of downtown, it is a compact zoo and conservation centre with more than 200 species of birds as well as native mammals and reptiles. The star turn is The Flamingo Experience, when a flock of Caribbean flamingos, the national bird of The Bahamas, struts and wheels in formation to the commands of their keepers, a tradition that has delighted visitors for generations. Elsewhere you can hand-feed South Pacific lory parrots, which land on your arms and shoulders in a blur of colour, and wander shaded paths past freshwater turtles, ducks, swans and Bahamian wildlife. The admission ticket we link is sold on Viator by Ardastra itself, and covers grounds and exhibit access and the flamingo show. It is an easy, inexpensive half day that combines well with the Fish Fry at nearby Arawak Cay.
How it works: Ardastra is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00, and the ticket is valid any time during opening hours. The listing includes grounds and exhibit access, entrance fees and The Flamingo Experience, with snacks, drinks and souvenirs sold on site. The flamingo show runs three times a day, at 10:30, 14:00 and 16:00, so plan your arrival around one of them. Cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.
What to expect: the gardens are small enough to see in a couple of hours, with shaded paths, aviaries and enclosures. Lory feeding is a highlight for children, with cups of nectar that bring the birds swooping in; be ready for sticky hands and a few scratches from little claws. The flamingo show lasts a short while and draws a crowd, so arrive a few minutes early for a good view. This is a modest, older attraction rather than a big modern zoo, and some reviewers note that parts of it show their age.
Making the most of it: come in the morning when it is cooler and the birds are lively, bring insect repellent and water, and wear shoes you can walk in. Afterwards, Arawak Cay and its fish shacks are a short drive or a long walk away.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to tropical gardens and a small zoo, with a marching-flamingo show and hand-feeding of lory parrots.
Best time
Mid-morning, arriving in time for the 10:30 Flamingo Experience while the air is still cool.
How long
About two to three hours to see the gardens, the show and the lory feeding.
Tips
Time your visit around a flamingo show and bring insect repellent for the shaded garden paths.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with young children and anyone who wants to see the national bird up close.
- Families
- Perfect, with flamingos, parrots on your shoulders and short, shaded walks.
- Couples
- A pleasant short visit, best paired with lunch at the Fish Fry.
- Pair with
- The Arawak Cay Fish Fry for conch salad and fried snapper close by.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
When are the flamingo shows?+
The Flamingo Experience runs at 10:30, 14:00 and 16:00 daily. Arrive a few minutes early for a good spot.
What are the opening hours?+
Ardastra Gardens is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00. Your admission ticket is valid at any time during those hours.
Can you feed the birds?+
Yes, you can hand-feed the South Pacific lory parrots with cups of nectar. Expect them to land on your arms and shoulders.
Where is Ardastra Gardens?+
It is on Chippingham Road, a few minutes’ drive west of downtown Nassau. A taxi is the easiest way to get there.
Is it a large zoo?+
No, it is a compact, older garden zoo you can see in two or three hours. Its charm is the flamingos and birds rather than big animals.