Cruise and Beach Destinations
in the Caribbean, Mexico & Beyond

Caribeez.com
Bahamas

Atlantis Shore Excursion Tips

Atlantis Paradise Island
Atlantis on Paradise Island. Credit: Georgy Trofimov, Unsplash

Cruise visitors to Nassau Bahamas may want to go on an Atlantis shore excursion as part of a short list of things to do.

Atlantis and Paradise Island sit right next to one of the most—if not the most—popular cruise ports in the Caribbean region.

Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas and located on New Providence Island. Major hotels and resorts are mostly concentrated at Cable Beach and the more expensive Paradise Island, a second small island of 685 acres that is connected to New Providence by two bridges.

Paradise Island is at the northeast coast of New Providence. It is the well-developed complex of hotel and resort properties including Atlantis Paradise Island Resort & Casino, which has a water park, the world’s largest open air marina, a massive hotel property and, of course, a large casino to go with it.

Cruise Port Visitors

Atlantis Map

Cruise visitors will arrive at the Prince George Wharf right by downtown Nassau and with a full view of Paradise Island, the location of some of the top resorts in Nassau.

The wharf can accommodate up to seven ships, which means some days Nassau will be packed with visitors and other days it may be quiet.

The wharf also has water taxis and ferries that can take visitors across the water to Paradise Island if they want to explore the island on their own.

Otherwise, visitors will take a short walk on the docks, through the terminal and right into the downtown area. The terminal, known as Festival Place, has 45 artisans and shops along with tour information, a post office, communications center, phone cards, Internet access and information on taxis and ferry boats.

Once through the terminal, look for a taxi or excursion bus as other ways to get to Atlantis and Paradise Island. Although it is possible to walk there, the distance is a hefty two miles.

Various sources say the cost of both a water taxi and land taxi is $4 going one way. The land taxi is faster.

Shopping and Dining

Paradise Island has shops concentrated at Marina Village, Crystal Court (inside Atlantis Royal Towers) and The Craft Centre, which features local artisans.

Numerous restaurants are heavily concentrated at Paradise Island.

Attractions and Shore Excursions

Paradise Island is among the most popular attractions because of Aquaventure, the Atlantis resort marine habitat, Dolphin Cay and the Predator Lagoon.

Aquaventure is a 141-acre water park. It has more than 20 million gallons of water, high-speed water slides, a mile-long river ride with rapids and surges, 20 swimming areas, a childrens water-play fort and 11 swimming pools.

Day passes are available at the Atlantis Adventures desk at the clock tower in front of The Coral. Prices start at $150 for teens adults and $50 for children ages 4 to 12.

Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera.
March 14, 2022

All Cruise Ports in the Bahamas

Abaco golf
Explore Bahamas cruise ports including attractions, excursions and shopping tips.

Freeport Bahamas Cruise Port Guide

Freeport cruise ship
Freeport is the second most popular cruise port in the Bahamas after Nassau.

Nassau Bahamas Cruise Port Tips

Nassau cruise port
Nassau is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean region for good reasons.

8 Best Nassau Tourist Attractions

Nassau Travel Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather

Nassau Bahamas Beaches Near the Cruise Port

Best and Worst Times to Visit the Bahamas

Freeport Grand Bahama Vacation Tips