Paradise Is., The Bahamas

Atlantis Resort is a very famous resort on Paradise Island. This tip should probably be under accomodations, but since we only looked at it from the outside, I will just put it under "things to do".
The cruise ship offers an excursion to spend the day at this resort and use their facilities and water park, but it was very expensive, so we just walked to the beach right next to it ( free).
The resort certainly looks impressive.

Twice in my life I saw a clear frontier between the people and the investment made in tropical paradises for dollar hunting - in Cancun, and Bahamas. In Cancun I saw watching towers and the end of the touristy stripe where no Mexican lives (I think!), but circulation was free.

Here is different.

A bridge, with toll, separates the city for locals from the bunch of hotels, casinos and restaurants that compose the touristy world.

With a so heavy and careful investment to artificially create a paradise in a natural paradise could the island have another name?

There are few places that you can get away to for a few days that just simply allow you to relax. Atlantis at Paradise Island is one of those places. Just an hours flight out of Miami, this was a great get away. Turquoise oceans surround the property and pools with watersides encompass the grounds. Plenty to do from viewing the aquariums to floating down man made rivers soaking in the rays.

This was very impressive and I would highly recommend a visit - make sure you increase your credit limit on your cards though - expensive but worth every penny.

I was in the Bahamas after doing my research at http://www.Bahamas.com. The resort was Atlantis and during my stay I visited the aquarium there, which was just plain spectacular . There were sharks, rays, and various types of fish. Also the casino was quite fun as well they had many games to choose from and of course poker! But of course my reason for the trip there was the beautiful beach that was there and the snorkeling!

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The Atlantis resort is very strict on security, so if you're not a hotel guest but would like to visit, then you'd need to purchase a tour ticket (available inside the hotel). The tour will take you to visit the world's largest man-made marine habitat (through the aquariums and open lagoons) but does not give you access to the pools and water slides (these are strictly reserved for hotel guests, who are identifiable by coloured wristbands).

There's a casino there, designer shopping stores, (they have a cinema for their guests!?), lots of restaurants, spa, outdoor dining facilities.

If you are there for only one day you must have a look at the Atlantis hotel......... Especially the the aquarium. It did seem a little expensive to see this when you bought the tickets however one of the best displays that I have ever seen. The size and luxury of the hotel is breath taking.

The water is amazing - you can see all the way to the ocean floor. As the water splashes up, you feel like you are in a large bathtub. (perhaps slightly saltier than at home!)

The only thing I would reccommend is that you REALLY pay attention to the time you leave with the Jet Ski, make sure the person you rent it from is aware of this time as well.

remember...prices ARE negotiable!

When you return, the person on the beach who rented it to you may try to charge you for more time than you used - so be ready for this ahead of time.

Atlantis hotel - visit the aquariums, wander through the grounds. The best FREE show around. Or you can shop till you drop, if you can afford it.
Walk through glass tunnels and see the sharks and rays really close up, as they swim above you. The pools are full of unusual fish,turtles and sharks.

Shuttle ferry to Paradise Island Stops near this Bridge. First trip it went to the Casino. Now it stops before the Casino. The first trip when I rode the Ferry the Driver was driving with one hand and a beer in the other. The second trip we sideswiped the dock. Tires on the side of the boat that protect it when comming up to dock flew in the windows. People could have been hurt. They were not to happy. They will try to jam more people on the boat than it should have.

If you have the time, make sure you take in Atlantis. It is something to see.
The casino is amazing! The water park is awesome - if you can score a tour... not an easy thing to do but well worth the effort. There is a salt water aquarium with sharks and other sea life amidst the swimming pool. Careful that you don't drink too many Bahama Breezes!