Operating Time: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Activities:

 

Kayaking

Celebrate Earth Day with a free self-guided kayaking experience at Bonefish Pond National Park! Explore the beauty of this healthy mangrove ecosystem from the water! Learn how to kayak from our on-site guides and enjoy a 30-minute self-guided kayaking experience as you get up close to the mangroves and species that call Bonefish Pond home. Kayaking will be offered from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors wanting to participate in kayaking should wear clothing that can get wet. Participants must sign a waiver before participating in this activity, and they must be seven years or older to participate. You can preview the required waiver here. Participants under 18 will require an additional signature from a parent or guardian.

Are you interested in bringing your own kayak or paddleboard? Please contact us at communications@bnt.bs to let us know in advance.

 

Snorkeling

Seeking a unique Earth Day adventure? Come and snorkel at Bonefish Pond National Park! From 12:00 pm until water conditions allow, we will offer guided snorkeling experiences led by an expert guide. Bonefish Pond is a coastal mangrove ecosystem directly connected to the ocean, and the mangroves in this area act as a nursery for many juvenile fish and marine organisms. By getting in the water and snorkeling, you can see these animals in their natural habitat. Snorkeling will only occur as water conditions (tide and current) allow. Water depth will range from 2 feet to 5 ½, and snorkel participants must be ten years or older to participate. Participants must sign a waiver before participating in the snorkel activity. You can preview the required waiver here. Participants under 18 will require an additional signature from a parent or guardian.

Snorkel gear will be available on-site, but participants can also bring their own if they prefer. 

 

Mangrove Planting

During National Parks Day, help the earth by helping us restore the ecosystem by planting red mangroves at Bonefish Pond National Park! Plantings will happen every hour, on the hour, from 12:00 pm to 4:00pm. If you plan to participate in a planting wear appropriate clothes and shoes that can get dirty and come ready to dig in!

 

Food and Beverage

Lil Laura’s Hut will be at Bonefish Pond National Park, selling food, soft beverages, and blended treats for you to enjoy after your park activities.
Jimmy’s Wines and Spirits and Sands Beer will be offering complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for visitors 18+.
Water will be on sale by the BNT.

Alcohol Disclaimer: Consumption of alcoholic beverages may impair your ability to operate machinery and vehicles or perform other potentially hazardous activities. It may also cause health problems if consumed in excess. We encourage our visitors to drink responsibly and in moderation. We reserve the right to refuse service and participation to anyone who appears to be visibly intoxicated and do not recommend consuming alcohol before participating in kayaking or snorkeling. Minors under the legal drinking age of 18 are not permitted to request or consume alcohol on our premises.

 

Directions to Bonefish Pond National Park

Click here for the location pin on Google Maps.

Driving west along Cowpen Road, pass Spikenard cemetery, and continue west; Bonefish Pond will be the first and only corner on your left (National Park Signage will be visible from the main road).

Operating time: 10 am – 4 pm

Activities

Celebrate Earth Day at The Retreat with our National Parks Day mini-festival! Start your morning off with an 8:00 am bird walk with the New Providence Bird Club, and then stick around to enjoy a variety of other activities and also purchase products from many local vendors, including unique art, crafts, plants, baked goods, jewelry, books and so much more. Enjoy environmental games and activities with a chance to win special prizes.

You will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a Bahamian Boa, participate in tree plantings with the Department of Forestry, and learn about endemic birds. At 2:00 p.m., The BNT will give a Retreat tour and discuss this exotic garden’s history, significance, and unique plants and animals.

Food and drinks will be on sale by vendors like Vell Monkey Foot, Island Yogurt, and Blue Flamingo. Sip a relaxing cocktail under the shade of an exotic palm courtesy of Bristol Wines and Spirits.

Aluminum Can Recycling Competition

Bring your aluminum cans to The Retreat this National Parks Day for a chance to win! Collect as many cans as possible and bring your clean, dry cans in a garbage bag to The Retreat from 10 am – 4 pm to be weighed. Students, teachers, and families are eligible. Our goal is to collect 2,000 pounds of aluminum cans. Help us reach this goal and have the chance to win amazing prizes, including a travel voucher, a staycation, electronics, and more!

Directions To The Retreat Garden

Click here for location pin on Google Maps

Driving along Village Road, The Retreat is directly opposite Queen’s College.

This National Parks Day, you can look forward to experiencing the following at Primeval Forest in New Providence:

 

Guided and self-guided tours

Bush tea demonstrations

Beverages by Caribbean Wines and Spirits