Paradise Island
Paradise Island is a small island just off of Nassau, Bahamas. It is dominated by the Las Vegas-style Atlantis resort, which is responsible for an amazing 11% of the Bahamas' GNP.
Get in
Paradise Island is connected to New Providence Island (Nassau) by two bridges (one incoming, one outgoing). There's an entrance fee of $2 per vehicle.
There is also a ferry from Paradise Island to the main land. The schedule for the ferry is somewhat regular, but they try to wait until it is filled before departure.
If you're sailing your own yacht, you can dock at Hurricane Hole Marina, which has 90 slips for yachts that can be over 200 ft in length.
Get around
Map of Paradise Island
Most people get around the island by taxi, plenty of which can always be found hanging around outside the resort entrances. Since this island is small, many choose to walk. There are car companies available for those who have ether large parties, have trouble getting around, or like to make a grand entrance. There's Bahamas Experience and Majestic Tours Unlimited Hillside Manor.
See
Sights within Paradise Island are concentrated almost exclusively in the Atlantis resort, and are accessible only to resort guests or to those who rent a day room for $220 and up (usable by a maximum of 4 people). While it's not too hard to sneak in even without a pass, the guards keep an eye out for visitors without pass bracelets and the odds of getting busted are high.
- The Dig, Atlantis. As you may know, Atlantis was rumored to be a lavish island that existed many, many years ago that happened to submerge underwater. While no one can actually prove that it ever existed or where, people like to believe that maybe it was located in The Bahamas where this resort now resides. The dig is an underwater tour of the supposed ruins. There are several logoons that house sharks and manta rays including The Predator Lagoon as well as The Mayan Temple Shark Lagoon.
- Joker's Wild Comedy Club, Between Beach & Coral Towers. Comedians perform.
- Atlantis LIVE. A concert series that The Atlantis Resort puts together. They feature popular performers from all different genres.
Do
- Watch a Junkanoo Rush on Friday and Saturday evenings at Marina Village.
- Take a walk To the Versailles Gardens and French Cloister. About a 15 minute walk from the Atlantis resort. The beautifully manicured gardens are part of the One and Only Ocean Club of "Casino Royale" fame but they don't mind visitors. Its the perfect place to have a picnic or a photo shoot. If you have a few extra minutes walk north through the Ocean Club and find the beach access. Walking back to your hotel along the beach is a great way to spend an evening.
- Dolphin Cay. Home to a group of dolphins, sea lions, and manta rays. There are seveal different activities that you can partake in that will allow you to interact with the animals. From meeting the dolphins on the shallow end of the Cay to deep sea diving with them. You can see what it's like to train the sea lions or see what it's like to be an aquarist for a day. There is also a beach attached to the cay for those who would rather just sit back and spectate.
- Aura Night Club. 9,000 square foot club with a glass dance floor. Located above the casino, adults may go to mingle with other guest on the island. The dance floor is surrounded by banquette seating and VIP areas.
- Golf Course. Enjoy rounds of golf no matter what your skill level. There is the traditional 18 hole course with that poses a challenge to the experienced player. They also offer lessons at the Ocean Club Golf Academy for those who would like to sharpen their skill level.
- Spa. Offers Massages, Facials, Body Treatments, a Salon, and Teeth Whitening.
- Family Fun. There is plenty to do with everyone in the family no matter what the age range. There is a state of the art artificial rock for climbing, a library, a pottery house, and Gamers' Reef, an underwater arcade.
- Casino. Atlantis offers a gaming casino with lots of different ways to play including card tables, slots, tournaments, and horse racing.
- Walk with the sharks. Right where the infamous Leap of Faith Slide is located, you can swim with the sharks that are in the tank that you shoot through when you go down the Leap of Faith. For ten minutes you get to walk on the floor of the tank with the sharks surrounding you, along with all the other fishes. A ten minute walk with the sharks is something you will remember for a lifetime!
- Lazy River. The lazy river is for all ages where you travel around the whole outskirts of the water slides. You will enjoy the scenery of the resort along with waterfalls, rapids, and relaxation.
- Water Park. Two sets of water parks are located on the resort. You can race family members, go through shark tanks, take a leap of faith, or go to the power tower where you will enjoy four different sets of slide that takes you all the way down to the lazy river and back up again.
- Pool Games. Every day there are activities around the pool that the whole family can play and win Atlantis souvenirs. There are many games such as family feud, bingo, trivia challenge games and many more that the whole family can play against other families relaxing around the pool!
- Lagoon. At the lagoon, you can play around on many different boat toys or you can snorkel in the lagoon and look at all the colorful and exotic fishes that swim right up under your feet.
- Water Activities. On the beach of the Atlantis, you can do a variety of different things such as jet skiing, parasailing or banana boating.
Buy
- Marina Village, next to Atlantis. A shopping street built according to plans originally made for rebuilding Bay Street, the main shopping street in Nassau. A confection of pretty pastel houses, it's very pretty indeed and well worth a stroll, but the shops within are exceedingly pricey — you can find most of what they sell in Nassau at much lower prices.
- Crystal Court Shops. These shops offer some of the island's finest men and women's fashions.
- Atlantis Logo Stores. For those who like the more traditional souvenirs plus something extra.
- Pro Shop. Sports equipment and apparel available for rental and purchasing along with Tennis lessons.
Eat
- Dune, Ocean Club. Good food, good service, great views and an incredible price tag: a fruit platter costs $22 and a bottle of water $10. But if you want to eat where James Bond did... Open to non-guests, just tell the gate attendant that you're eating there.
- Asian Cuisine. NOBU. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s famed restaurant. The restaurant's theme is a tribute to the Chef putting his own spin on traditional Japanese fare. A large bar and entryway provide seating for dinner guests as well as those simply looking to relax with a glass of wine or cocktail.
CHOP STIX. The cuisine is a mix of Chinese and Pacific taste. Fine Dining. - French Cuisine. CAFE MARTINIQUE. Famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings his culinary expertise to the re-invention of the historic Cafe Martinique. Fine Dining.
- Grill. BAHAMIAN GRILL. Traditional caribbean cuisine. MESA. Another option for traditional foods mixed with Southwestern taste. Celebrity Chef, Bobby Flay. Fine Dining.
- Italian Cuisine. CASA D'ANGELO. Enjoy a mix of Italian Tuscanny flavors with the original cuisine of the island. Fine Dining.
- Mediterranean. COUTYARD. Contemporary cuisine under the stars. Fine Dining.
- Buffet. There are several buffets for those who would rather enjoy a more casual setting. Mosaic, The Market Place, and Water's Edge. Casual Dining..
- Italian Cuisine. CARMINES a family style restaurant with huge portions for the whole family to share and enjoy.
- Gril. ATLAS BAR AND GRILL- right in the heart of the casino, enjoy a delicious meal with all sports channels in the entire restaurant with a bar right in the middle to enjoy some drinks later on in your night.
Drink
- Dune Bar, Ocean Club. If you want to check out the Ocean Club without paying through the nose for a room or dinner, this is your cheapest option. Open through the day and great sea views onto the beach. Drinks from $10, or go for the Royale Martini at $15.
- Hurricane Hole, just east of the bridge (in the marina). Officially the Waterfront Bar and Grill, this is an un-touristy outdoor drinking joint frequented by a motley mix of locals and yachties from the marina. Very generously poured rum-based drinks from $3.50.
Sleep
- 1 Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Casino, ☏ +1 242 363-3000, toll-free: +1-800-ATLANTIS (28526847) (in the US). Check-in: 3pm, check-out: 11am. The largest, most tourist-oriented hotel in Nassau. Located on Paradise Island, just across the causeway from downtown Nassau. A tourist attraction in itself, with a giant aquarium, a casino, shopping center, marina, water park, not to mention the beach. $300 and up.
- Comfort Suites, ☏ +1 242-363-3680, fax: +1 242-363-2588, hotelhelp@choicehotels.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Located on Paradise Island, this hotel is the only other hotel that gives free access to Atlantis's facilities which includes a water park and largest open water marine life. Comfort Suites also offers a free continental breakfast. This motel is best for those looking for a great time in the Bahamas on a budget.
- One & Only Ocean Club, ☏ +1 242 363 2501. Running since 1963, this is where Casino Royale was filmed and Hollywood stars hang out when they need a little peace and quiet. Gorgeous private beach and private golf course, and rooms have numerous perks like butler service and complimentary champagne, but the price tag is correspondingly steep. From $750.
- Sunrise Beach Club and Villas, ☏ +1 242 363-2234. These privately-owned villas are less than three blocks from the Atlantis Casino, and usually much cheaper. Units vary in size, but each has its own kitchen. Indeed, the biggest difference in staying here is that there is no room service; you'll have to run to the market for food. Viola's Jungle Bar is on site, however, and serves meals and drinks.
- Riu Paradise Island, Bahamas. Standing on a spectacular 3-mile stretch of white sandy beach, the Hotel Riu Paradise Island is an all-inclusive resort next to Atlantis.
Stay safe
Signs around the Ocean Club warn of the danger of getting bonked on the head by an errant golf ball, which is indeed probably the main security risk on this heavily policed patch of prime property. By Bahamian law, all beaches are public property, but you can expect to get hassled if you go as much as one step on to private manicured lawns.
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