Atlantis Paradise Island is a resort like no other. With thrilling outdoor action and adventure, decadent indoor comfort and luxury, and loads of daily activities and attractions, the best of all worlds is here.
Atlantis, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024, is a sprawling property on one of the best beaches in The Bahamas. Given that it’s situated on a peninsula, it allows for breathtaking views on three sides of turquoise waters and whites sands. It’s an ideal destination for group travel, with something suitable for everyone, and every budget.
Options for all travelers
Accordingly, the economic traveler who wants the most affordable option will find casual tropical décor in the Beach Tower. Mid-range spenders can check into Coral Towers with its contemporary guest rooms or suites. And the iconic Royal Towers, central to all of Atlantis’ premiere attractions, offer deluxe accommodations. They’re also the most photographed structures onsite.
They are just as grandiose on the inside, too, with massive pillars, statues and murals depicting the lost city of Atlantis. Also, a great big Poseidon’s Chair to pose for pictures on. The Royal Towers connects directly to the Casino, with slot machines, card and roulette tables, sports betting, and a special high rollers section. I hoped my $21 spent on slots might qualify me. But alas, it did not.
For the most Atlantis Paradise Island luxury, The Cove is for you. This gorgeous all-suite tower is closest to the beach, and is the island’s most sophisticated and chic escape, with special amenities available only to Cove guests. The Ocean suites have open floor plan with step-down living rooms, walk-in closets, big-screen televisions, and spacious marble bathrooms. With remarkable acoustics for shower singing.
The best thing about The Cove is that you’re guaranteed an ocean view from every room. The balconies are large enough to dine on and each one is shielded from the next, providing a true sense of privacy and solitude.
Outside, you have access to Cain at The Cove. This adults-only pool and beach club sports chaise lounges, daybeds and cabanas, poolside gaming, and an all-day DJ spinning pulsating techno music. Not to mention some of the best people-watching around.
Amazing waterpark at Atlantis Paradise Island
Aquaventure Waterpark is 141 acres of aquatic fun, free for guests. It’s the largest water park in the Caribbean, consisting of 20 million gallons of water, 11 swimming pools, eight high-speed waterslides, and a kids’ water fort, all connected by a lush tropical landscape.
In addition, it has two floating rides. First, the Lazy River is a gentle ¼ mile stretch. It offers tranquil drifting in an innertube. The second is The Current. Many unsuspecting guests get on this one, believing it will be nice and meandering. However, most are shocked and sometimes traumatized to discover it’s a mile-long thrill ride.
As a result, it propels you through extreme rapids, rolling waves, water surges, and darkened tunnels. As much as I actually enjoyed it, I, too, got on the wrong ride.
Super sliding into thrills
As for the waterslides, they are all pretty nerve-wracking. But the Leap of Faith is the most visually intimidating. It features a 60-foot almost-vertical open-air drop from the top of a picturesque Mayan Temple. As well, it’s the most iconic and photographed slide in the park. Fortunately, it’s over so fast, you don’t even know what happened.
The scariest is The Abyss. It’s like Leap of Faith on steroids, and in the dark. It goes on and on, with two vertical drops, countless twists and turns, surges of water, you name it. Terrifying is the best way to describe it. I vaguely remember shouting four-letter words on the way down. Before being spit out into the candle-lit underground cavern.
The most fun is the Serpent Slide, to be ridden on innertubes. The five-story corkscrew hurtles you every which way through darkness, before ending up leisurely floating through a clear tunnel in a shark-filled lagoon.
If you like watching sharks, you get a fantastic view of them at Atlantis Paradise Island. In addition to barracudas, sawfish, giant groupers, and other predators, safely seen from inside the 100-foot-long underwater tunnel.
Up close to underwater creatures
For a hands-on aquatic experience, mingle with sea lions and dolphins at Dolphin Cay. The shallow water interaction lets you wade in waist-deep while adorable bottlenose dolphins come over and play with you. You can touch them, high-five their fins, even give them a kiss.
In any event, one creature you don’t want to get close to, but might enjoy snorkeling with, is the stingray. The ruins lagoon features replica artifacts from the lost city of Atlantis. Guests can snorkel alongside brilliantly coloured tropical fish, spiny lobsters, zebra sharks, and spotted stingrays. Since they tend to stay along the bottom, and snorkelers float up top, we got along just fine.
Overall, Atlantis Paradise Island has much to do beyond the aquatic. Relax on, or stroll along, one of The Bahamas’ most beautiful beaches. Pamper yourself at Mandara Spa, train at the fitness centre, or track distance in the 25-meter lap pool. Play tennis, rock climb, or go shopping. Make pottery, take in a movie, dine in one of 21 restaurants, or imbibe at one of the many lounges and bars.
Then, at the end of your day, stroll along the marina and glimpse of the massive yachts moored there. It’s fun to witness the luxurious world of yachting. And imagine for a just a moment what life would be like to live the lifestyle of the rich and famous who own those kinds of vessels.
Because a girl can dream, can’t she?
