Paradise in the Bahamas: Atlantis - an Overview, with Videos

Paradise Island is in the Bahamas, just across a short bridge from Nassau. The island is named appropriately – it truly is a tropical paradise! No written description does the natural beauty of this little isle justice. It’s one of those rare things you have to see to believe.

As you arrive from boat or plane, the first thing you’ll notice is the amazing water. It’s perfectly clear, in shades of light blue, aquamarine, royal blue, and almost purple, depending on the depth. The sea is flanked by white manicured beaches, dotted with graceful palms. The next thing you’ll probably notice are all the plants and shrubs, many with brightly colored flowers. Everything is just so lush and green and vibrant! It’s almost as if the sunlight is different here. Like I said, it’s hard to describe.

When planning a trip to the Bahamas and Paradise Island, you’ll find that you have lots of lodging choices. These include hotels ranging from budget to opulent, private vacation rental homes, luxurious villas, and inns. Some of the most popular accommodations are the resorts, and reigning supreme among these is Atlantis on Paradise Island.

If you’re dreaming of a Bahamas vacation, chances are that the beaches are an integral part of your agenda. Atlantis will not disappoint! Atlantis beach is perfect – there’s really no other way to describe it. The sand is soft and level, and the turquoise water is delightful. Guests at the resort have access to comfy lounge chairs, beach umbrellas, and oversized towels.

Paradise Lagoon is seven acres of protected water – the perfect place for families with kids. The lagoon boasts two beaches and offers all kinds of water sports, including paddle boats and great snorkeling.

Guests lodging at The Cove Atlantis are treated to The Cove Beach. This is a quieter, more secluded stretch of shore – the perfect spot for honeymooners and couples.

You’ll have a wide range of choices in lodging, including the beach Tower, The Cove, the Coral Towers, the Reef, the Royal Towers, and Harborside. These include guest rooms, studios, suites, penthouses, and villas.

The Coral Tower, the Beach Tower, and the Reef provide relaxing accommodations in a casual atmosphere with a tropical beach theme.

The 1,201 rooms of the Royal Towers reflect the story and culture of the lost continent of Atlantis, with murals, sculptures, and architecture.

The Cove is totally upscale and includes oceanfront suites, a presidential suite, and penthouse suites.  It’s all about luxury here. Some of the extras might include original works of art, marble floors, soaking tubs, large balconies, and maple paneling. The pool area, with its private cabanas and bar, is restricted to adults.

Atlantis is home to twenty-one restaurants. These include fine dining with world-class chefs preparing Asian, French, Italian, Southwestern, Mediterranean, and traditional Bahamian cuisines, along with fire-grilled steaks. Casual diners have the choice of chicken, burgers, sandwiches, deli items, salads, Caribbean foods, American breakfast buffets, and fresh seafood. There’s also a Johnny Rockets onsite, as well as a poolside and lagoon-side grills. If you prefer grabbing some quick refreshments, you have a choice of Ben and Jerry’s, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, or some smoky barbecue.

Atlantis offers several dining plans for their guests. You can choose among casual dining plans and gourmet dining plans.

If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming with friendly dolphins, Atlantis provides the opportunity. The fourteen-acre habitat is home to dolphins rescued from Hurricane Katrina. Guests can interact with dolphins in the shallows, or you can don a snorkel and a water scooter and frolic in the deep with your new flippered friends.

You can also spend time with a professional trainer and get hands-on knowledge about caring for dolphins and sea lions. And for a surreal adventure, Atlantis guests have the opportunity to snorkel with huge manta rays.

Ever heard of snuba? It’s like a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving. You wear a swim mask that’s fitted with an air hose that supplies oxygen while you’re under water. It’s as easy as snorkeling, but you get to stay under for longer periods of time, and you can explore deeper water. It requires no special skills – just a short tutorial, and you’re ready to go! This is a wonderful experience for anyone over the age of eight. Even non-swimmers will enjoy a snuba adventure!

Okay, I refer to these as aquariums, but that word doesn’t really fit. These incredible underwater worlds are so much more!

At Predator Lagoon, you can walk through a clear underwater tunnel as you watch sharks, sawfish, barracudas, rays, and enormous grouper swim around and above you.

The Dig reflects the tunnels and thoroughfares of the lost continent and features lobsters, lionfish, hogfish, angelfish, clownfish, seahorses, jellyfish, piranhas, Goliath grouper, moray eels, and colorful reef fish.

Ruins Lagoon is home to many ancient artifacts. It’s also home to zebra sharks, spotted eagle rays, grunts, jacks, and snapper. In all, there are more than 20,000 fish swimming among the ruins.

The Mayan Temple Shark Lagoon is perhaps the most amazing. Here, you hop on an inner tube and slide through a clear tunnel, where you’re surrounded by nurse sharks, reef sharks, and other fish species. These fish can also be viewed from the deck. For something a little more exciting, guests can actually walk with the sharks by wearing a special underwater helmet.

Reef Lagoon is home to fascinating nurse sharks, while at Cenote, visitors can view large alligator gars, cichlids, catfish, and pacu – the cousin to the piranha.

Hibiscus Lagoon is home to green sea turtles, hawksbill turtles, triggerfish, and Bermuda chubs.

Seagrapes Lagoon is housed in a large cave. Viewing windows provide close-up sightings of several species of vibrantly colorful fish. Inhabitants include angelfish, blue parrotfish, rainbow parrotfish, squirrelfish, butterfly fish, grunts, and rays.

Speaking of rays, step over to Stingray Lagoon. In this shallow pool, you’ll see Southern stingrays and cow nosed stingrays. When it’s feeding time at the lagoon, visitors are allowed to touch and feed these graceful creatures.

Pamper yourself with a luxurious experience at the Mandara Spa Atlantis. It features warm and cold plunge pools, saunas, a salon, steam rooms, private lounges, and an aromatherapy room. Guests can get their teeth whitened, enjoy a massage or have a facial or body treatment.

Mandara uses techniques from both Eastern and Western cultures and also uses stone therapy, reflexology, and traditional Caribbean methods to ensure clients excellent results and a rewarding, relaxing experience.

Atlantis guests have access to the gorgeous 18-hole course at Ocean Club. Designed by Tom Wesikopf, the championship course provides manicured greens and spectacular views of the Paradise Island coast. This course is home to the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational tournament and is considered to be one of the world’s finest courses. Didn’t bring your clubs? No problem – you can rent a set at the course.

The fitness center at Atlantis provides all the latest in exercise for the body, spirit, and mind. It includes a host of weight machines, elliptical, stationary bikes, free weights, and treadmills. There’s also a lap pool, along with a courtyard for yoga. Sign up for a personal trainer or for a class in Pilates, aerobics, or tennis. The fitness center is complete with showers, locker rooms, lounges, and pro shop.

Next to the fitness center is the rock-climbing area. The twelve surfaces range from easy to challenging, and all ages over six will find a wall just right for them. Individual lessons and group lessons are available. Kids under thirteen need to have an adult with them.

From my experience in the Bahamas, the islands experience frequent rain showers. That’s why everything is so green! The showers are usually short-lived, and after the sun reappears, everything looks clean and shiny. That’s great for all the foliage, but it’s no fun being stuck in a room with kids on a rainy vacation day, right? No worries at Atlantis. You’ll find plenty of indoor activities to keep everyone happy during a downpour.

One such activity is taking in a movie at Atlantis Theater. It’s free for guests. Just make a quick stop at the concession stand for some snacks, and you and the kids will be set for a couple of hours!

This is a great activity for kids. They choose an animal form and stuff it themselves, to their own requirements. Then they choose clothing and accessories for their furry friend. Available animals include pink flamingoes, dogs, cats, zebras, bears, and tigers. This is another great indoor activity.

Need some quiet time with a good book? Head to the Atlantis Library, where you’ll find more than 2,000 volumes on a variety of topics. There are also computers, board games, puzzles, and quizzes to keep you mentally sharp!

The marina at Atlantis is one of the finest in the world. Amble down and book passage on a luxurious yacht to explore one of the “out islands.” If you prefer something more exciting, board a fishing charter in search of some angling action in the fertile Bahamian waters. Cast for bonefish or hook up with a marlin, tuna, king mackerel, sailfish, dolphinfish, wahoo, cobia, barracuda, amberjack, grouper, permit, snapper, shark, or a huge tarpon. The great thing about fishing in the Bahamas is that something is always in season, and something’s always biting!

When the sun sinks into the sea, things really heat up at Atlantis! Attend a rollicking comedy show, take in a concert, watch the game on a big screen TV, or dance the night away. With numerous choices, you’re sure to find a lounge or club to your liking. The problem will be deciding which one to frequent! Visit one of the high tech nightclubs, one of the sophisticated lounges, or one of the casual open-air bars for some adult fun.

The first time I entered this casino, I was overwhelmed! It’s huge, and it’s beautiful. The staff are very helpful and friendly, too. You’ll find all kinds of tournaments, outdoor gaming, race and sports book, blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat, along with my favorite – the slots. Atlantis Casino has 850 slot machines! Any time you feel like trying your luck, the casino awaits. It’s open 24-7.

So, what can you do at Atlantis besides soak up the glorious Bahamian sun and swim in the warm tropical water? Plenty! You’ll never be bored here. Guests have free access to the 141-acree water park, with eleven pools, exciting water slides, a mile of river tubing, waterfalls, rapids, and rock climbing. There’s a special area for kids – Splasher’s Island – with rope bridges, water cannons, tube water slides, water wheels, and fountains. Getting wet has never been so much fun!

 Atlantis is for everyone who loves the beach, water activities, great food, casinos, exciting nightlife, and natural beauty. it's designed with all ages in mind. Kids will make the memory of a lifetime here, and so will honeymooners. The old, the young, and the young at heart will experience the ultimate tropical island vacation at Atlantis!

Atlantis is a lot more affordable than you're probably thinking. With special deals, vacation packages, and meal plans, you'll probably be able to fit a visit into your vacation budget!