If you’re looking for a beach bar near Nassau where you can arrive by boat, have lunch and cocktails, and spend some time on a beautiful Bahamian beach, Goodie’s Rose Island is one of the places worth knowing about.
Officially called Goodies Beach Bar & Lounge, Goodie’s is located on First Beach at the western end of Rose Island, just offshore from Nassau and Paradise Island.
You can visit using Goodie’s ferry service or arrive by private boat. For travelers who want to experience more of Rose Island instead of spending the entire day at one beach club, Goodie’s also makes an excellent lunch or afternoon stop during a private boat tour from Nassau.
This guide covers where Goodie’s is located, how to get there, what it costs, what you’ll find there, and how to incorporate Goodie’s into a day exploring Rose Island by boat.
Where Is Goodie’s Rose Island?
Goodie’s is located on First Beach at the western end of Rose Island in The Bahamas.
Rose Island sits just east of Nassau and Paradise Island and is one of the easiest islands to reach by boat from Nassau.
Its location on the western end of Rose Island makes Goodie’s particularly convenient for boats coming from Nassau and Paradise Island.
Unlike Nassau or Paradise Island, there are no roads connecting Rose Island to New Providence. You have to arrive by boat.
That isolation is part of what makes Rose Island such a popular escape from Nassau.
What Is Goodies Beach Bar & Lounge?
Goodies Beach Bar & Lounge is a beachfront restaurant, bar and lounge on Rose Island.
It’s a little different from the rustic beach bars you’ll find scattered around The Bahamas.
Goodie’s has more of a boutique beach-club atmosphere, with an open-air bar, restaurant, lounge areas, beach seating and VIP cabanas overlooking the water.
You can come for lunch and drinks, spend time on the beach or reserve one of the property’s lounge experiences.
And because Goodie’s is located directly on Rose Island, arriving by boat is part of the experience.
How Do You Get to Goodie’s Rose Island From Nassau?
There are two main ways to get to Goodie’s from Nassau.
Goodie’s operates its Rosy II ferry from Paradise Yacht Club on Paradise Island, or you can arrive aboard your own or a chartered boat.
Private boats typically anchor off First Beach, with guests entering through the shallow water to reach the beach.
For travelers staying at Atlantis or elsewhere on Paradise Island who simply want to spend the day at Goodie’s, the ferry can make sense.
But there’s another option if you want to experience more of the islands.
A private Nassau boat charter allows Goodie’s to become one stop during a larger Rose Island adventure.
Instead of going directly to Goodie’s and staying there, you can spend the day exploring the waters around Nassau before stopping for lunch or cocktails.
How Long Is the Boat Ride From Nassau to Rose Island?
Rose Island is relatively close to Nassau and Paradise Island, but the exact boat ride depends on where you depart, which part of Rose Island you’re visiting and sea conditions that day.
Goodie’s location on the western end of Rose Island makes it one of the more accessible Rose Island destinations from Nassau.
The ride itself can also be part of the experience.
Leaving Nassau by private boat gives you views of Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island before heading into the clear waters surrounding Rose Island.
Rather than treating transportation as something you simply have to endure to reach the destination, we think the boat ride should be part of your day.
Can You Take a Private Boat to Goodie’s?
Yes. Goodie’s welcomes guests arriving by private boat.
Boats can anchor offshore at First Beach and guests can come ashore through the shallow water.
That’s also what makes Goodie’s such a useful stop during a private Rose Island boat trip.
With J.Co Charters, we don’t have to make Goodie’s the entire excursion.
Depending on weather, sea conditions and what your group wants to do, a day could include:
Nassau Harbour → Green Cay → snorkeling → Rose Island → Goodie’s for lunch and cocktails → Nassau
Or we can skip some stops, spend longer at others or simply find a beach when everyone wants to get off the boat.
That’s the advantage of keeping the trip private.
Book Your Half-Day Nassau Getaway
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Goodie’s Rose Island?
The beach itself is free to access, but Goodie’s offers paid lounge experiences and transportation.
At the time of writing, Goodie’s lists Lounge access at $50++ per person for guests arriving by private boat.
A package including round-trip transportation aboard the Rosy II is listed at $100++ per person.
Lounge access includes a towel and welcome cocktail.
These prices and policies can change, so always check directly with Goodie’s before your visit, particularly if you want reserved seating, lounge access or a cabana.
Is Goodie’s Beach Free?
Yes. First Beach itself is a public beach.
This is an important distinction because you’ll sometimes see beaches around Rose Island described as “private beaches.”
Goodie’s confirms that the beach itself is open to everyone.
The restaurant’s Lounge, cabanas and certain amenities are separate from public beach access and may require payment or reservations.
There are certainly secluded beaches around Rose Island, but the beach in front of Goodie’s isn’t privately owned by the restaurant.
Goodie’s Rose Island Menu: What Food and Drinks Are Available?
Goodie’s serves the type of food you’d expect from an upscale island beach bar, along with cocktails, beer and other drinks.
Current menu examples advertised by Goodie’s include dishes such as coconut prawns, burgers and watermelon-and-feta salad.
Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.
For us, the restaurant is what makes Goodie’s particularly useful during a boat charter.
You can spend the first part of the day snorkeling, swimming and exploring and then stop somewhere with an actual restaurant when everyone starts getting hungry.
Menus, prices and availability can change, so check the current Goodie’s Rose Island menu before visiting if there’s something specific you want.
Do You Need Reservations at Goodies Beach Bar & Lounge?
Not necessarily.
According to Goodie’s, reservations aren’t required to access the beach and bar, and walk-ins can be accepted for the Lounge.
However, Lounge seating is limited.
If having a particular seating area, cabana or lounge experience is important to your group, making arrangements ahead of time is the safer option.
If Goodie’s is simply a lunch stop during your boat trip, the experience can be much more casual.
Is Goodie’s Rose Island Good for Families?
Yes. Goodie’s can work very well for families visiting Rose Island during the daytime.
Guests under 18 are welcome during the day, although minors aren’t permitted in the bar area.
Parents should also be aware that there are no lifeguards, so children need to be supervised around the water.
For families, one of the benefits of visiting Goodie’s by private boat is that children don’t have to spend the entire excursion sitting at a restaurant or beach club.
You can make the day about the things they’re usually much more excited to see.
Turtles.
Fish.
Snorkeling.
Beaches.
And then lunch.
Best Nassau Boat Tours for Families With Kids
Is Goodie’s Rose Island Worth Visiting?
If you’re looking for a polished beach bar and lounge that you can reach by boat from Nassau, yes, Goodie’s is worth considering.
It’s particularly well suited to couples, families, groups of friends, birthdays and celebrations where you want somewhere nice to stop for lunch or cocktails.
But here’s the important part:
We wouldn’t necessarily spend an entire private charter there.
There is simply too much to experience around Nassau and Rose Island.
Our preference is to spend part of the day actually exploring the islands — snorkeling, looking for turtles and finding a beach — and then pull into Goodie’s when everyone is ready for lunch and a cold drink.
That gives you both experiences.
Goodie’s vs Footprints: Which Rose Island Beach Bar Should You Visit?
Goodie’s and Footprints are both on Rose Island, but they offer two very different experiences.
Goodie’s is the more polished option.
Think cocktails, lounge seating, cabanas and a boutique beach-club atmosphere.
Footprints Beach Bar & Grill has more of the relaxed, traditional island beach-bar feel.
Think pulling up by boat, getting something to eat and spending some time on Rose Island without necessarily looking for a full beach-club experience.
Neither one is inherently better.
It depends on the day you want.
For a couple celebrating an anniversary, a birthday group or someone looking for a more polished lunch-and-cocktails experience, Goodie’s may be the better fit.
For travelers looking for something casual during an island-hopping day, Footprints may make more sense.
And when you’re traveling by private boat, you have considerably more flexibility than you would with a fixed group excursion.
Can You Combine Goodie’s With Swimming With the Pigs?
Yes, but the swimming pigs aren’t located at Goodie’s itself.
Rose Island has several attractions and beach areas, and it’s easy for first-time visitors to assume they’re all in the same place.
They aren’t.
If swimming with the pigs is one of the main things you want to experience in Nassau, a private boat itinerary can combine a pig experience with other stops around Rose Island and, when timing permits, stop at Goodie’s for food or drinks.
Swimming With Pigs Nassau Tour
This is one of the biggest differences between booking transportation to a beach club and chartering your own boat.
The destination doesn’t have to dictate your entire day.
What Else Can You Do Near Goodie’s Rose Island?
Goodie’s is surrounded by some of our favorite boating areas close to Nassau.
Depending on weather and sea conditions, a day around Rose Island can include snorkeling reefs, looking for sea turtles around Green Cay, swimming off secluded beaches and exploring some of the smaller cays surrounding Nassau.
You can also combine Rose Island with a swimming-pigs experience if that’s something your group wants to do.
That’s why we think of Goodie’s as one possible stop on a Nassau island-hopping day rather than the only destination.
Best Places to Snorkel Nassau Bahamas
A Local Take on Goodie’s Rose Island
We spend a lot of time boating around Rose Island, and Goodie’s is one of those places that’s easy to work into a day on the water. You can pull up, grab a drink or something to eat, swim off the beach and relax for a while before heading to your next stop.
For locals, the Goodie’s ferry can also make the island accessible without the expense of chartering an entire boat especially when resident specials are being offered.
If you’re visiting Nassau and want to see more than just Goodie’s, that’s where a private charter makes more sense. We can incorporate Goodie’s into a larger Rose Island day alongside snorkeling, beaches and other nearby stops.
Is Rose Island Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
Rose Island is one of the easiest ways to experience a completely different side of The Bahamas without traveling all the way to Exuma or another island chain.
You’re close to Nassau, but once you’re out on the water, it doesn’t feel like you’re sitting beside a major resort destination.
There are beaches, reefs, shallow turquoise water, beach bars and plenty of places to explore by boat.
Goodie’s is simply one part of that experience.
View our Rose Island Nassau Guide
Can You Take an Excursion From Nassau to Rose Island?
Yes. Rose Island is one of the most popular boating destinations from Nassau.
There are group excursions available, but travelers who want more control over the experience can also visit aboard a private boat charter.
The major difference is flexibility.
A fixed excursion has a schedule and predetermined destination.
On a private charter, the itinerary can be adjusted around your group, the weather and what the water looks like that day.
Want more snorkeling? We can spend more time snorkeling.
The kids are having a blast on a beach? Stay longer.
Everyone is hungry?
That’s when a stop like Goodie’s starts looking pretty good.
Visit Goodie’s Rose Island on a Private Nassau Boat Tour
If you want to visit Goodie’s but don’t want your entire day to revolve around one beach club, J.Co Charters can incorporate Goodie’s into a private boat trip around Nassau and Rose Island.
Our trips are private, so it’s just your group aboard the boat.
Depending on weather, conditions and the amount of time you have available, we can build the day around snorkeling, turtles, beaches, swimming pigs or simply exploring the islands before stopping somewhere like Goodie’s for lunch.
You get to experience Rose Island.
Not just one part of it.
EXPLORE PRIVATE NASSAU BOAT TOURS
FAQ
Goodies Beach Bar & Lounge is located on First Beach at the western end of Rose Island in The Bahamas. Rose Island is east of Nassau and Paradise Island and is accessible by boat.
You can reach Goodie’s using its ferry service from Paradise Island or by private boat. Visitors arriving aboard private boats can anchor offshore at First Beach and come ashore through the shallow water.
Yes. Goodie’s welcomes private-boat arrivals, which makes it possible to include the beach bar as a stop during a larger Rose Island boat trip from Nassau.
Rose Island is located just offshore from Nassau and Paradise Island. Travel time varies according to your departure point, destination on Rose Island, boat and sea conditions.
Yes. First Beach is a public beach and beach access itself is free. Goodie’s Lounge, cabanas and certain amenities are separate paid experiences.
Reservations aren’t necessarily required for the beach and bar, but reservations are recommended for guests who specifically want Lounge seating or other reserved experiences.
Yes. Children can visit during the daytime, although guests under 18 aren’t permitted in the bar area. There are no lifeguards, so children should be supervised around the water.
No. Goodie’s itself isn’t a swimming-pigs attraction. However, a Rose Island private boat trip can potentially combine a swimming-pigs experience with a stop at Goodie’s, depending on your itinerary and conditions.
Goodie’s is worth considering if you’re looking for a polished beach bar, restaurant and lounge accessible by boat from Nassau. It’s particularly useful as a lunch or cocktail stop during a larger Rose Island boat trip.
They’re different experiences. Goodie’s has more of an upscale beach-club and lounge atmosphere, while Footprints offers a more casual island beach-bar experience. Which is better depends on the type of day you’re looking for.