How far is Rose Island from Nassau and Paradise Island?

Rose Island is approximately 3 miles east of Paradise Island and 4 miles northeast of downtown Nassau. By fast ferry, the journey takes roughly 15 minutes, making it one of the most accessible yet genuinely remote island properties in the Bahamas.

Rose Island Bahamas Real Estate | Beachfront Lots, Homes & Land for Sale

Q: How much does real estate on Rose Island cost?

Lots and land on Rose Island start from approximately $150,000, while existing homes start from $500,000 and up. Sea-to-sea properties and prime beachfront parcels command a premium. Contact BHHS Bahamas for current listings and pricing.

Q: Are there cars on Rose Island?

No. Rose Island is completely car-free. Transportation on the island is exclusively by golf cart, making it one of the most peaceful and unspoiled island communities in the Bahamas.

Q: What is Rose Island famous for?

Rose Island is famous for its swimming pigs, pristine white sand beaches, exceptional snorkeling with sea turtles and tropical fish, and its role as a James Bond filming location (Thunderball, 1965). It was historically a pineapple plantation and remains one of the least developed islands near Nassau.

Q: What types of property are available on Rose Island?

Rose Island offers beachfront lots, elevated ridge lots, sea-to-sea parcels, and existing homes within the Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club. The island's narrow width means many properties have water frontage on both sides. Lots start from $150,000 and homes from $500,000.

Q: Is Rose Island a good investment?

Rose Island represents one of the most compelling entry-level Bahamas island investments available. With a $60M development underway in Phase 2, strong tourism demand, proximity to Nassau, and limited supply of island properties, Rose Island offers significant upside for buyers who act before development raises values further.

Rose Island Bahamas aerial view and turquoise water near Nassau

The Island

Nassau's Best-Kept
Real Estate Secret

Rose Island sits just 3 miles east of Paradise Island — close enough to reach Nassau in 15 minutes by fast ferry, far enough that the world falls completely quiet. It is one of the few islands near Nassau that has remained largely undeveloped: no cars, no traffic, no crowds. Just seven miles of white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water teeming with sea turtles and tropical fish, and the kind of unspoiled natural beauty that draws visitors from across the world as a day trip destination.

What most visitors don't realize is that you can own a piece of it. The Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club offers beachfront lots, ridge lots, sea-to-sea parcels, and existing homes — all within a private development with its own safe harbour and ferry service. With a $60 million Phase 2 development now underway, buyers who act today are positioned ahead of the curve.

View Current Listings

Why Rose Island

An Island Unlike
Any Other Near Nassau

No Cars. No Roads. Just Boats.

Rose Island has no roads and no vehicles of any kind. The only way on or off the island is by boat — and that's entirely the point. The silence, the pace, and the complete absence of traffic and infrastructure are not marketing language. They are the lived reality of owning here, and they are increasingly rare in a world where true escapes are vanishing fast.

15 Minutes from Nassau

Rose Island, Bahamas is one of the most sought-after private island destinations near Nassau, offering secluded beaches, turquoise waters, and easy access to the city. Located just 4 miles east of Paradise Island, Rose Island is reachable by private boat or ferry in approximately 15 minutes. Despite its close proximity to Nassau, the island feels peaceful and remote while still providing convenient access to luxury resorts, marinas, restaurants, shopping, healthcare, and Lynden Pindling International Airport. Rose Island is highly desirable for luxury real estate, beachfront homes, boating, and private island living in The Bahamas.

Sea-to-Sea Properties

Because Rose Island is narrow — less than half a mile wide in places — many parcels extend from the northern beachfront all the way to the southern waterfront, giving owners water views and access on both sides of their property. This sea-to-sea configuration is extraordinarily rare and is the defining feature of the island's most prized lots.

World-Class Marine Life

Rose Island's surrounding waters are exceptional for snorkeling and diving. Colourful coral reefs sit just offshore, sea turtles are a regular sighting, and the clarity of the water is remarkable even by Bahamian standards. The island's relative lack of development has preserved its marine ecosystem in a way that more densely settled areas simply cannot replicate.

A $60M Development Wave

Phase 2 of the Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club has attracted $60 million in new development, signalling serious institutional confidence in the island's trajectory. Buyers who acquire now — before Phase 2 is complete and values adjust — are positioned at the most advantageous point in the island's development cycle. Early buyers in comparable Bahamian island communities have consistently seen strong appreciation.

Proven Tourist Destination

Rose Island draws visitors from Nassau, Paradise Island, and cruise ships daily — drawn by the famous swimming pigs, pristine beaches, snorkeling, Sandy Toes resort, Foot Prints, and Goodies Bar and Restaurant. experience. This established tourism profile means Rose Island is not a speculative unknown: it is an island with proven demand, a recognizable brand, and growing international awareness that supports both rental income potential and long-term value.

What's Available

Three Ways to Own
Rose Island

The Rose Island market offers genuine flexibility — from entry-level land investment to complete island homes — making it one of the few places in the Bahamas where buyers across a range of budgets can access true island living.

Beachfront Lots

From $150,000

Vacant land parcels within the Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club with deeded beach access. Sizes range from under an acre to 4+ acres. All lots have access to the club's infrastructure including the ferry service and harbour facilities. Build your custom island retreat on your own timeline.

Deeded Beach Access Ferry Included Safe Harbour

Sea-to-Sea Parcels

From $200,000+

The island's narrow width makes full sea-to-sea ownership possible — properties with water frontage on both the northern beach and the southern waterfront. These are among the most sought-after parcels on the island, offering unparalleled privacy, views, and access. Available in multiple sizes.

Dual Water Frontage Maximum Privacy Ocean Both Sides

Existing Homes

From $500,000

Completed island homes available for immediate occupation within the Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club. Properties range from 2-bedroom beach cottages to larger multi-bedroom waterfront estates. All have access to club amenities and the ferry service from Nassau.

Move-In Ready Club Access Rental Potential

Three Centuries of History

From Pineapple Farm
to Island Paradise

Rose Island's story stretches back centuries — from its origins as a working farm to a James Bond filming location to one of the Bahamas' most beloved island destinations. That layered history gives the island a character and authenticity that no planned resort community can manufacture.

Island Length

Approximately 7 miles long

Distance from Nassau

~4 miles, 15 min by ferry

Getting Around

No cars. No roads. Just boats.

Film History

James Bond: Thunderball (1965)

Pre-Colonial Era

Rose Island forms part of the northern Bahamian archipelago — a chain of low, sandy islands east of New Providence shaped by coral, wind, and the Gulf Stream. The island's white sand beaches and crystal waters made it a natural waypoint for seafarers navigating these waters for centuries.

1800s

Rose Island is developed as a pineapple farm — one of the Bahamas' most important agricultural industries before competition from Cuba and Florida diminished the trade. The island's fertile interior and tropical climate made it productive farmland, and evidence of this agricultural past is woven into the island's landscape.

1965

Rose Island is selected as one of several filming locations for the James Bond film Thunderball — the fourth entry in the original Bond series, starring Sean Connery. The film's extraordinary underwater sequences, shot in the crystal-clear Bahamian waters, introduced Rose Island's natural beauty to a global audience of millions.

2000s

The Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club is established as a private residential development, offering lots and homes within a secured community with its own ferry service, safe harbour, and deeded beach access. The island simultaneously grows as a day-trip destination from Nassau, building the brand recognition that underpins its investment appeal today.

Today

Rose Island is one of the most searched Bahamian island destinations in the world, driven by the international fame of its swimming pigs, the Sandy Toes experience, Foot Prints Ba, Goodies and its reputation for pristine beaches. Phase 2 of the Beach and Harbour Club brings $60 million in new development — the most significant investment in the island's future since the community was founded.

The Investment Case

Why Buyers Are Moving
on Rose Island Now

Entry Before Phase 2 Completion

A $60 million Phase 2 development is underway. Buyers who acquire land or homes now are purchasing ahead of the infrastructure improvements, amenity additions, and increased demand that major development consistently brings.

Bahamas Tax Advantage

No capital gains tax. No income tax. No inheritance tax. The Bahamas' tax-neutral environment makes Rose Island properties among the most tax-efficient real estate investments in the Western Hemisphere.

Rental Income Potential

Rose Island's established profile as a tourist destination — with proven daily demand from Nassau visitors — gives property owners a natural rental market. Vacation rental demand on the island is strong and growing.

Permanent Residency Pathway

Purchases above $1,000,000 qualify buyers for Permanent Residency consideration in the Bahamas. Rose Island homes and combined lot purchases can meet this threshold, opening a clear residency pathway for international buyers.

Limited Supply, Growing Demand

Rose Island cannot be expanded. Its land is finite, its development is controlled, and its appeal is only growing as international awareness of the island increases. Scarcity is the most reliable driver of long-term property value.

Own a Piece of
Rose Island

BHHS Bahamas represents buyers and sellers across Rose Island and the broader Bahamian market. Our team has deep knowledge of the Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club, current listings, and the island's development trajectory. Contact us for a private consultation on available properties.

Lots From $150,000

Homes From $500,000

Phase 2 Investment $60 Million

Ferry to Nassau ~15 Minutes

View Rose Island Listings

Feature	Rose Island	Old Fort Bay	Cable Beach Condos
Entry Price	$150K (lots)	$3M+	$300K–$800K
Actual Island	✓ Separate island	New Providence	New Providence
Car-Free	✓ No cars, no roads, just boats	✗	✗
Sea-to-Sea Lots	✓ Available	✗	✗
Ferry Service	✓ Air-conditioned, ~15 min	N/A	N/A
Tourism Profile	High — global recognition	Residential only	High
Development Upside	High — Phase 2 underway	Mature market	Limited
Foreign Ownership	✓ Unrestricted	✓ Unrestricted	✓ Unrestricted

Island Life

What Every Day
Looks Like

🐠

Snorkel Your Backyard

Coral reefs and sea turtles are accessible directly from shore. The clarity and richness of Rose Island's waters make world-class snorkeling a daily ritual rather than a planned excursion.

⛵

Island Hop by Boat

Rose Island's location east of Paradise Island puts you at the gateway to the northern Bahamian cays. Day trips to neighbouring islands by private boat are part of the rhythm of life here.

⚓

No Cars. No Roads. Just Boats.

There are no roads on Rose Island and no vehicles of any kind. Every arrival and departure is by boat. It is a fundamentally different relationship with the world — one where the sound of an engine means something exciting is arriving, not traffic passing by.

🏙️

Nassau When You Need It

15 minutes by boat or ferry connects you to Nassau's restaurants, hospitals, international airport, and everyday amenities. The distance is enough to feel a world away — and close enough that nothing is ever truly out of reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything Buyers Ask
About Rose Island

How much does real estate on Rose Island cost?

Homesites and land parcels within the Rose Island Beach community typically begin around $150,000, while existing island homes generally start near $500,000. Premium beachfront properties, deep-water harbour lots, and rare sea-to-sea parcels command significantly higher values due to their exclusivity, private beaches, and boating access. For the latest Rose Island property listings, pricing, and investment opportunities in The Bahamas, contact Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Bahamas Real Estate.

How do you get to Rose Island?

Rose Island is accessible only by boat. The Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club operates a fast ferry from Nassau that covers the 4-mile journey in approximately 15 minutes. Residents may also arrive by private boat, with the Club's safe harbour providing all-weather anchorage.

Are there cars on Rose Island?

No cars, no roads, just boats. Rose Island has absolutely no road infrastructure and no vehicles of any kind. The only way on or off the island is by boat — whether the community ferry from Nassau or your own private vessel. This is one of the defining qualities of life on Rose Island, and one of the things residents value most.

Can foreigners buy property on Rose Island?

Yes. The Bahamas places no restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate. Non-Bahamian citizens may purchase lots and homes on Rose Island freely. There is no capital gains tax, income tax, or inheritance tax in the Bahamas. Purchases above $1,000,000 qualify buyers for Permanent Residency consideration through the Bahamas Investment Authority.

What is the Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club?

The Rose Island Beach and Harbour Club is the island's primary private residential development, located approximately 4 miles east of downtown Nassau. It features beachfront and waterfront lots, existing homes, a safe all-weather harbour, deeded beach access for all lots, and golf cart transportation. A $60 million Phase 2 development is currently underway.

What is Rose Island famous for?

Rose Island is internationally known for its swimming pigs, world-class snorkeling with sea turtles, the Sandy Toes beach resort experience, Goodies, Foot Prints, and its role as a James Bond filming location (Thunderball, 1965). It was historically a pineapple Farm. Today it is one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Nassau, drawing visitors from resorts, cruise ships, and around the world.

What types of property are available on Rose Island?

The Rose Island market includes beachfront lots, elevated ridge lots with ocean views, sea-to-sea parcels spanning the full width of the island, and completed homes ready for occupancy. All properties within the Beach and Harbour Club have deeded beach access. BHHS Bahamas can provide a full current inventory on request.

Is Rose Island a good investment in 2026?

Rose Island represents one of the most compelling entry-point Bahamas island investments currently available. The combination of a $60M Phase 2 development, proven tourism demand, extremely limited supply of island property near Nassau, and the Bahamas' tax-neutral environment creates a strong fundamental case. Buyers entering now are ahead of the development cycle — the optimal moment in any island market.

Rose
Island

Nassau's Best-Kept
Real Estate Secret