Fort Montagu

Fort Montagu stands at the eastern end of Nassau Harbour, beside the beach on East Bay Street. Built by the British in 1741 from local limestone, it is the oldest surviving fort in the Bahamas. Its compact grounds include cannon positions and barracks, with views across the harbour and bay. In 1776, American forces captured the fort during the Revolutionary War, in an action associated with the first military operation by the US Marine Corps. It is a brief stop for military history and waterfront scenery; the small interior may not suit visitors seeking a larger fort to explore.

Built to defend Nassau Harbour

The British built Fort Montagu in 1741, using local limestone, to defend Nassau against Spanish attacks. At the eastern end of Nassau Harbour, its position looked out toward the sea approaches. The fort is small, with barracks, cannon positions and ammunition storage rather than a large complex of rooms.

Its history includes an episode in the American Revolutionary War. In 1776, American forces came to Nassau seeking British gunpowder. Fort Montagu was captured, though the gunpowder was not stored there. The action is remembered as the first military operation by the United States Marine Corps.

A short visit by the water

The fort sits close to the beach, and the harbour views are part of the appeal. You can look around the historic structure and then spend time by the water, watching boats pass. The nearby area has food stalls and a restroom building; a beach and park area are also noted nearby.

Fort Montagu makes a compact stop rather than a long exploration. Its scale is modest compared with Fort Charlotte and Fort Fincastle, so visitors looking for extensive interiors may prefer to include one of those larger sites. Check whether tours are running before you set out, since access to the inside has sometimes been unavailable.