Nassau is the third major location you will visit in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, following Havana.
Eventually, Edward reunites with his old-friends in Nassau, after he meets Adewale and after he gets his hands on Jackdaw.
When you first enter Nassau, most collectibles will be hidden but if you synchronize all seven viewpoints you will be able to reveal their locations.
Nassau serves as a gathering point for pirates, and it is a small island on which a fishermen village was built. On the western side of the island you will find a swamp where you can hunt crocodiles as well as a hunting region for rabbits and boars.
The village features a Tavern and later in the game you will return here to complete a Templar Hunt; however, during your first visit you should focus on collecting all items of interest and on completing the Assassin Contracts.
The following guide includes tips that will help you gather all collectibles faster, and it should be used along with the customized map.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Nassau Collectibles Guide
Total number of collectibles: 45
Animus Fragments: 13
Secrets: 5
Song Sheets: 5
Chests: 22
Other activities: Assassin Contracts (2), Templar Hunts (1), Taverns (1)
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Nassau Animus Fragments Locations
Animus Fragment 1
The first Animus Fragment in Nassau is in the northern area, on a ship. Look for it on top of the central mast. You will have to climb all the way to the top.
Animus Fragment 2
The second AC4 Animus Fragment is south from the previous one and close to a song sheet. To get it, you have to reach the branch of a tree.
Near the said song sheet is another tree but it was downed by the storms. Use it as a ramp to reach the location of the collectible.
Animus Fragment 3
Even further to the south is the third fragment, in the swampy area. Cross the swamp moving from north to south and look for a tree hanging above the water. The tree allows you to reach the collectible, but be advised that crocodiles roam in this area.
If you are attacked, repel the animal, and then use the pistols to kill it.
Animus Fragment 4
Animus Fragment 4 marked on the map is on top of the warehouse in Nassau. It is a restricted area and you have to get on the roof and then climb on the chimney to collect it.
Animus Fragment 5
The fifth Animus Fragment is close to the southern viewpoint. When you get to the marked location, jump from the tree trunk to the tree branch on the other side of the gap.
Animus Fragment 6
Animus Fragment #6 marked on the map is on top of the eastern viewpoint. The viewpoint is in fact another mast; therefore, climb all the way to the top to retrieve the collectable.
Animus Fragment 7
The seventh Nassau Animus Fragment is located on the eastern side of the largest fort. To reach its location, make sure you descend the mountain’s wall, just above the platform where the collectible is sitting.
Animus Fragment 8
Following the previous fragment, move to the northern side of the same fort and look for the eighth Animus Fragment on a wooden ledge, below the waypoint.
If you already visited Nassau and completed the main missions in the area, the fort might not be a restricted area, but there are several enemies you have to take care of. Regardless, don’t leave the fort after you collect the fragment.
Animus Fragment 9
Assuming that you are still inside the fort mentioned above, head towards the main entrance and look for a wooden crane. Get on top of it and perform a Leap of Faith in the haystack below. During your fall you will also collect the 9th Fragment.
Animus Fragment 10
Animus Fragment #10 is easier to collect, being located on top of a wooden crane in the middle of the village. You can get to it by jumping from the nearby roof.
Animus Fragment 11
For the 11th Animus fragment in Nassau you will have reach the highest point of the church. If you already synchronized the viewpoint, fast travel to it and then climb all the way to the top, to get on the cross.
Animus Fragment 12
The 12th Animus Fragment is on the roof of the Tavern in Nassau. As you climb the roof look for a wooden pole and on it you will see the collectible.
Animus Fragment 13
The last Animus Fragment sits in a tree which must be climbed. To do so, use the roof of the closest building, and get on the highest branch.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Nassau Secrets Locations
Secret 1: Manuscript – Columbus Map
The first secret in Nassau is a manuscript. The “Columbus Map” is inside a chest located on the porch of a small house.
The area is protected by three guards, one of them patrolling in front of the chest. Climb the roof and perform a double assassination on the two guards below you, then kill the third.
Secret 2: Manuscript – Tabulae Rudolphinae
The second secret in Nassau and the second manuscript is the “Tabulae Rudolphinae” by Johannes Kepler. The secret is in another chest, on the beach and it is protected by two pirates.
The best method to kill the guards is to use the palm tree above them to perform a double air-assassination.
Secret 3: Manuscript – Solaris from Mundus Subterraneus
The third manuscript in Nassau, “Solaris” from “Mundus Subterraneus” is located on the eastern side of the island, on the beach, and two pirates protect it.
Again, you can use the cliffs above the area for a double air-assassination, or if you acquired the darts you can put the enemies to sleep while standing in the bush outside their camp.
Secret 4: Manuscript – World Map (1570)
North from the previous collectible, in a small camp is the “World Map” (1570) manuscript. The restricted area is protected by 2 pirates but offers multiple hiding spots. You can opt to stay behind the tents and whistle to draw their attention, and then perform a corner assassination, or you can engage them directly.
Secret 5: Manuscript – Mayan “Dresden” Codex
The final secret in Nassau is the Mayan “Dresden” Codex manuscript located inside a cavern below the large fort. It is also protected by two pirates, and one of them patrols around.
Next to the cave’s entrance is a bush that provides cover, and you should use it to take out the guard that patrols, then wait for the other one to see the corpse. When close enough, take him out.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Nassau Song Sheets Locations
Shanty 1: Stormalong John
The”Stormalong John” Song Sheet in Nassau is located on the eastern side of the island, inside a camp. It is a tricky collectible because there are multiple civilians that will block your sprint.
If you chase the shanty coming from the viewpoint in the same camp, it will make a left turn through a tent, and then it will turn right. Make sure you catch it the moment it makes the right turn.
Shanty 2: Drunken Sailor
The second Song Sheet contains the lyrics of the pirate song named“Drunken Sailor”. The song sheet is in the middle of the village, on a roof, and it will fly away as all shanties. To get it, you have to keep in mind that you are not allowed to fall from the rooftops, or from the catwalks.
Shanty 3: Randy Dandy-O
“Randy Dandy-O” lyrics are included in the third shanty you can collect in Nassau. The song sheet is also located in the center of the village, but on the ground.
Make sure you start your chase while facing the ocean, and the moment you get close, prepare to turn right and climb the wall of the next building. The song sheet will remain above the roofs for the rest of the chase.
Shanty 4: Paddy Doyle’s Boots
West from the previous shanty is the song sheet containing the lyrics of the pirate song named “Paddy Doyle’s Boots”. The shanty is on the roof of a building which has a crane near the wall facing the main street.
Use the crane to get to the roof faster, and you will be able to catch the Song Sheet the moment it starts to fly.
Shanty 5: Leave Her, Johnny T
he final AC4 shanty in Nassau is also the trickiest. The song sheet is located in the swampy area, and when you approach it, it will fly up, across the swamp, or if you face the opposite side, across the hunting grounds.
To catch it faster, you should avoid the first path, and choose the hunting grounds, but don’t climb the trees trying to catch it, because eventually it will return to the ground. Keep an eye on the collectible and try to remain below it. This strategy allows you to reach its landing point faster, and even wait for it there.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Nassau Chests Locations
Nassau also includes 22 chests that can be collected while exploring the island. Similar to all chests in AC4, they don’t have special requirements and they don’t require special items or tools. All of them are revealed after you sync the waypoints in Nassau, and for looting all 22 chests you will earn around 7.000 Reales.
If you continue to follow the story, the next major location you will visit is Great Inagua.
