Atlantis - The Resort to Get Lost At

Our home will always be in Spanish Wells, but there are moments we crave a different kind of adventure. Luckily for us, just a quick ferry ride away from our tiny little island lies one of the largest tourist destinations in all of the Caribbean - Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas. But wait, isn't Atlantis located on the island of Nassau? Yes and no. Atlantis is located on Paradise island which is connected to the capital city of Nassau via two bridges. Nassau is not even considered an island, the island everything lies upon is New Providence Island. That said, the island is still universally known as Nassau.

It is hard to imagine Nassau without Atlantis. Outside of the Bahamas, most people may only know the Bahamas by Atlantis. While it is not truly representative of Bahamian culture, we do believe it brings a new sense of life and fun to people’s lives. Our family has been to Nassau, specifically Atlantis on multiple occasions. From our time there, (the nights and days we can remember), it is a colorful place filled with many activities and amenities. Basically anything you could ever need is right at your fingertips, but where did this full service, grandiose place start?

In 1994, entrepreneur Merv Griffin built Atlantis from the ground up...well, more so from his past endeavour the Sol Kerzner (another successful resort). His vision of Atlantis was his biggest project to date, costing over $800 million to build. The funds covered 11 million gallons of water to fill countless water parks and pools, as well as the purchase of 50,000 sea creatures. Over the course of (4) years, Griffin divulged in the ideas of what guests would need, and more importantly what they would want. Construction finished in 1998, with the ending tally of 6 swimming areas, the world’s largest open-air marine environment, (2) museums containing art from all over the world, a royal marina, golf course, movie theater, multiple hotels, and a casino. Every year since the grand opening, Atlantis has drawn in over millions of visitors each year.

The question still stands, what can someone staying at Atlantis expect? Besides being able to swim in a different water park every day for a week, whether you're traveling with the family or just a girls trip, the amount of activities to do is countless.

Snorkeling

There are several great spots for snorkeling including Paradise Lagoon and Cove Beach. More adventurous water lovers can arrange for a snorkel boat trip or a snorkel outing to the Ruins Lagoon.

As for the daring… they can find themselves a bit of a thrill by walking on the bottom of a shark’s tank. No swimming experience is necessary, all you have to do is pop on a helmet and dive in! (not really but we definitely recommend checking it out)!

Open Air Aquarium

Atlantis is home to the LARGEST open air aquarium in the world, hosting over 50,000 marine animals and plants, representing over 250 marine species. The aquarium contains over eight million gallons of ocean water, allowing larger species such as the bull shark to purvey the aquarium without any bounds. Wherever you are viewing the Aquarium you will not be disappointed, schools of fish, manta rays, etc are constantly swimming by.

Lazy River / Wild River

For a relaxing family-friendly float, the scenic Lazy River Ride will slowly transport you through a tropical landscape. For a more adventurous option, try out The Current which moves guests along via water escalators, rolling waves and extreme rapids.

Swim with Dolphins

Dolphin Cay at Atlantis is one of the largest and most sophisticated marine habitats in the world. For dolphin lovers, the Shallow Water Interaction and Deep Water Swim encounters are a must, if you’re looking to get down under the water with dolphins.

Atlantis Paradise Island’s 141-acre Water Park.

Aquaventure, the largest water park in the Caribbean, features high-speed water slides, river rides, kids splash areas and 11 pools. And even better, sit poolside while being served lunch and sipping the strongest rum cocktails around. Your whole family will be entertained here for hours and hours.

Atlantis Casino

Is the largest casino in the Caribbean, hosting over 75 gaming tables. Intertwined between the slots and games are brilliant glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly that infuse the casino with a vibrant, colorful energy.

Restaurants & Bars

Unlike other resorts that offer only a handful of options to dine out, Atlantis offers 21 restaurants and 19 bars for your choosing. Needing a quick bite, or indulging in a 5 course meal, the options are there! Check out the list of restaurants and bars here.

Beaches

There are four beaches stretching along the coast of Atlantis, each with their own unique twist. The Atlantis Beach for example is the life of the party, offering community games of volleyball, cabanas and more. Or if you're looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, Paradise Beach offers calm waters, white sand, and beautiful views.

Events

Atlantis is always offering fresh and entertaining events. When planning your trip down, make sure to check out what's happening around the resort.

Enders Family Tip

Atlantis can be expensive sometimes, but what a lot of people do not know is that there is the more affordable Comfort Suites Paradise Island on the same property as Atlantis. Not only is the Royal Marina steps away from the hotel, you only need to walk up the driveway to Atlantis to access the luxury shops, casino and water park! All Comfort Suites guests get to enjoy full access to Atlantis’ waterpark at no extra cost. The rooms are family-friendly with a spacious bathroom, a single king sized bed or two double beds, a seating area with a sleep-sofa, a mini fridge, microwave and TV. So even if it is raining, you can hang out in your room with plenty of space for everyone to relax.

And if you don’t feel like packing up to go to Atlantis, there is a beautiful pool on-site with a swim-up bar, a nice restaurant, and another bar in the lobby. Breakfast in the morning is even complimentary with the room, and you can enjoy everything from bacon and eggs to fresh made waffles and fruit!

If you are a family on a budget as we often are, this is our go to. Even better, if you are a Choice Hotels Privileges Rewards Member, you can use your points and score some free nights!

However you choose to spend your stay at the Atlantis Resort, we promise you, you’re time will be well worth it. It may seem intimidating at first, a 141-acre water park is insane to even fathom! But once you realize that the resort is meant to be at your convenience you can sit back, relax and take in the sunshine. Our family will continue to make our trips to the Atlantis Resort, as there is nothing more special than floating down a lazy river without a worry in the world, being splashed by children that pass by.

More information on all places and experiences mentioned above can be found directly on the Atlantis Bahamas website.