Updated in September 2026, this Ardastra Gardens guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Ardastra Gardens is a wildlife conservation centre and zoo in Nassau, The Bahamas, best known for its marching flamingos. As of September 2026, the park opens at 9:30am, takes its last entry at 3pm and closes at 4pm. Its daily flamingo shows run at 11am, 1:30pm and 3pm. These times differ from the 10:30am, 2:15pm and 4pm slots quoted in many older guides. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website in September 2026, when this guide was last updated.
For cruise passengers, Ardastra Gardens is most easily reached on a cultural heritage-themed shore excursion.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily 9:30am–4pm; last entry 3pm; closed 25 and 26 December and 1 January |
| Ticket prices | Non-resident adult $35; non-resident child (4–12) $25; resident adult $18; resident child $10; age 3 and under free |
| Address | Chippingham Road, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas |
| Nearest transport/parking | Taxi about 10 minutes from the cruise port; jitney bus to Bay Street, then a short walk |
| Typical time needed | 2–3 hours |
Ardastra Gardens opening hours
Ardastra Gardens is open seven days a week. The park opens at 9:30am, allows last entry at 3pm and closes at 4pm.
The gardens close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The official site publishes no other seasonal changes. The daily schedule runs as follows:
- 10:30am — keeper talk
- 11am, 1:30pm and 3pm — flamingo show
- 11:30am — interactive tortoise experience
- 2pm — keeper talk
- 2:30pm — rabbit feeding experience
Ardastra Gardens ticket prices
Non-resident adults pay $35 and non-resident children aged 4 to 12 pay $25. Resident adults pay $18 and resident children pay $10. Children aged 3 and under and members enter free. All prices include VAT.
The interactive tortoise experience and the rabbit feeding experience each cost $5 extra. Tickets are sold at the gate, and no advance booking is needed. Every visitor must sign a waiver form before entering.
No bundled tourist pass is confirmed on the official site.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026.
How to get to Ardastra Gardens
The gardens stand on Chippingham Road, just off West Bay Street, about 1.5 miles west of the Nassau cruise port.
A taxi from the cruise terminal takes about 10 minutes, and fares vary, so agree the price first. The jitney (public minibus) runs along Bay Street. Ask to stop at Chippingham Road, then walk about 5 minutes inland. Walking from the port takes roughly 30 minutes on flat ground.
Alternatively, head there on a cultural heritage-focused tour.
Parking at Ardastra Gardens
The official website does not list parking details or a parking fee.
Visitors driving should ask the gardens before arrival on 242-323-5806. Most cruise visitors arrive by taxi or on foot.
How long to spend at Ardastra Gardens
Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours at Ardastra Gardens.
Timing the visit around the 11am flamingo show and the 11:30am tortoise experience fills a morning. Arriving by 1:30pm allows time for the afternoon show and the rabbit feeding.
Accessibility at Ardastra Gardens
The property is wheelchair accessible, but the terrain can be uneven, so care is needed.
Wheelchairs can be rented for $10 per day. The restrooms are not wheelchair accessible.
Inside Ardastra Gardens
The site covers more than four acres of tropical gardens and holds over 135 animals. It is the only wildlife conservation centre in The Bahamas.
The Jamaican horticulturalist Hedley Edwards designed the gardens in 1937. He named them from the Latin ardua ad astra, meaning “striving towards the stars”. Caribbean flamingos arrived from Inagua in the 1950s and became the centrepiece of a breeding programme.
Norman Solomon bought the gardens in 1980 and added more animals to create a small zoo. Visitors can walk among the flamingos after each show.
Guidebooks and visitor accounts also mention lemurs, macaws, iguanas, Bahamian boa constrictors, capybara and peacocks. Details of the animal collection can change.
The interactive tortoise experience lets visitors feed, pet and groom tortoises with a keeper. The rabbit feeding experience teaches basic rabbit care.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive at 9:30am to see the gardens before the 11am flamingo show. |
| Crowds | Days with cruise ships in port are busiest, particularly around the shows. |
| Layout | Shows and talks run on a fixed timetable, so plan the route around the times listed. |
| Entry process | Print and complete the waiver form in advance to save time at the gate. |
| On-site logistics | Wear flat, closed shoes, as some paths are uneven. Book add-on experiences at the front gate. |
Frequently asked questions about Ardastra Gardens
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Ardastra Gardens suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 3 and under are free, and ages 4 to 12 pay a reduced fare. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Ardastra Gardens? | No. Tickets are sold at the gate, and no reservation is needed. |
| Is Ardastra Gardens open on Sundays? | Yes. It is open seven days a week from 9:30am to 4pm. |
| What time is the flamingo show at Ardastra Gardens? | Shows run at 11am, 1:30pm and 3pm daily. |
| Is Ardastra Gardens wheelchair accessible? | Partly. The grounds are accessible but uneven, and the restrooms are not accessible. |
Things to do near Ardastra Gardens
- Arawak Cay Fish Fry — a row of Bahamian seafood stalls, a short walk from Chippingham Road.
- Fort Charlotte — a 1790s fort with harbour views, about a 5–10 minute drive away.
- Junkanoo Beach — a public beach close to downtown, about 10 minutes away by taxi.
- Cable Beach — a long resort beach, about 15 minutes away by taxi.
- Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase — historic sites in central Nassau, about 15 minutes away.
Alternative attractions
- Retreat Garden — about 15 minutes away, a Bahamas National Trust garden known for its palm collection.
- Primeval Forest National Park — about 20 minutes away, a short trail through native woodland.
- Clifton Heritage National Park — about 30 minutes away, with coastal trails and historic ruins.
- The Dig at Atlantis, Paradise Island — about 15 minutes away, a marine life aquarium walk-through.
- Blue Lagoon Island — about 30 minutes away by boat transfer, with animal encounters and beaches.
