Things to Do in Atlantis Bahamas in a Day
Have you ever had access to a theme-park, luxury resort, casino, marine habitats and 50,000 aquatic animals all in one place? If your answer is yes then you must have visited Atlantis Bahamas before! Whether you’re spending the day or staying a week, you won’t run out of things to do in Atlantis. BUT if you’re only spending the day, as a cruiser or by day pass, we’re here to help you narrow down the epic adventures you can pull off in 24 hours.
Where is Atlantis Bahamas?
Located 180 miles south of the Florida coast, this luxury hideaway is only a 3-hour plane ride from Toronto, Canada. With access to year-round daily flights from our hometown of Toronto to Nassau with Air Canada Vacations, it’s almost too easy to take an impromptu holiday to Atlantis Bahamas.
This stunning property can be found on Paradise Island which is a short 35-minute drive from the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. Atlantis is a popular spot for cruisers using a day pass to squeeze in as much fun as they possibly can before returning to their ship. Vacationers staying at participating hotels nearby can also purchase a day pass and get in on the fun.
Participating Paradise Island Hotels
- Bay View Suites Paradise Island
- One & Only Ocean Club
- Comfort Suites
- Paradise Harbour Club & Marina
- Paradise Island Beach Club
- Sunrise Beach Club & Marina
- Warwick Paradise Island
- Riu
- Club Landor Resort
Participating Nassau Hotels
- Albany
- Lyford Cay
- British Colonial Hilton Nassau
- Melia Nassau Beach
- Sandals Royal Bahamian
- Breezes Bahamas
- Courtyard by Marriott
Participating Cruise Lines
- Carnival Cruise Lines
- Celebrity Cruise Line
- Disney Cruise Line
- MSC Cruises
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean International
Now that we know who can enjoy a day at Atlantis, it’s time to get into the good stuff. Here are our picks for the Best Things to Do in Atlantis in a Day!
Take a Stroll Through “The Dig”
Atlantis, Paradise Island is actually home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world. The property has 14 lagoons, eight million gallons of ocean water and more than 50,000 aquatic animals representing over 250 marine species! Its sheer size is incredible and we didn’t come close to exploring it all in 24 hours. Which is why we recommend staying longer. You can also stop by during scheduled fish feedings here and at other marine habitats, lagoons, caves, and tanks.
Conquer the Aquaventure Water Park
If it were up to us, we’d have stayed at the Aquaventure Water Park ALL DAY. With a 141-acre span, it’s hard to imagine that 11 pools, 20 swimming areas (yes there’s a difference!), a mile long river ride, kids water-play fort, and over 18 adrenaline-inducing waterslides all fit!
They have 11 pools ranging from ‘mid-sized’ to ‘where does this thing actually end’?! Although these were great to cool off in, we’d recommend getting real refreshment with one of the Atlantean-themes waterslides and (an intense) mile-long river ride.
Our favorite waterslides included the Serpent slide which takes you on a wild 5-story corkscrew ride before spitting you out into tubes surrounded by a shark-filled lagoon. The Challenger slide allowed us to get a competition going as it has two side by side slides that you race each other down to the bottom on. It records your times on a scoreboard so you can get immediate results and bragging rights.
You MUST make time for the over 1-mile long river ride, The Current, that takes you up conveyor belts, down waterslides, and through hidden rapids. It was honestly the most incredible water ride we’ve ever been on as it keeps you thoroughly entertained and anticipating what’s around the next corner.
Shop, Eat, & Stroll Through Marina Village
The Marina Village is a beautiful open-air marketplace tucked beside the Marina that hosts bright Bahamian surroundings. It holds 5 restaurants, 21 retail outlets and a collection of carts that showcase the artistry of The Bahamas.
We’d recommend strolling through at any time of the day to enjoy the lush surroundings, luxury yacht sightings, trendy shopping, and a treat or two along the way. You can also find live entertainment and Junkanoo parades filling the streets of the village that exude the energy of the islands.
Watch a Sunrise (or Sunset) from the Beach
No visit to paradise is complete without witnessing the beginning (or end) of the day with the sun. We got up bright and early to find only a handful of other people with us on the beach at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. With the soft sound of the waves lapping on the shore and the bright shine of the sun in the distance, we couldn’t have imagined a more relaxing morning.
There are over 5 miles of white sand beaches at Atlantis Paradise Island, including Cove Beach, Paradise Lagoon, and Atlantis Beach. We enjoyed our morning on Atlantis Beach which was an easy walk from our Deluxe Room at The Coral Tower.
Try Your Luck at The Casino
First of all, we’ll state the facts. The Casino at Atlantis is the largest in the Caribbean at over 60,000 square feet, and spanning a 7-acre lagoon. If that wasn’t enough, it’s also the only casino in the world that has windows and skylights! Bring on the natural light! The Atlantis casino connects The Coral and The Royal Towers and allows guests of all ages to pass through.
What makes it even more unique is the four stunning pieces of blown glass artwork in and around the casino, created exclusively for Atlantis by Dale Chihuly in 1998. We especially enjoyed the sharp colors and glow of ‘Crystal Gate’ and we stopped to admire it each time it entered our gaze.
To top it all off, guests are offered daily lessons on classic casino games, for free! Or you can try your luck at one of the 700 slot machines. Whatever you choose, we think a visit to the casino should be added to your list of things to do in Atlantis.
Which Atlantis is For You?
Atlantis has many beautiful accommodations to choose from, each with different styles, locations, and privileges. No matter where you stay, you receive complimentary access to Aquaventure, beaches, pools, and all of the marine habitats at Atlantis.
Our key card from The Coral
Tile floor in the lobby at The Coral
We stayed in The Coral, which is newly renovated and one of the more affordable options. The Coral is focused on family fun and is also close to some of our favorite food spots like the Sun & Ice ice cream shop, Virgil’s Real BBQ, and the Marina Village restaurants.
The Coral has additional privileges including access to Wi-fi, casino lessons, movie theatre, the fitness center, shuttles between towers, and 2 bottled water per day, per room.
In addition to The Coral, you can also stay at The Beach, The Cove, The Reef, The Royal, Harborside Resort, or Atlantis Marina. Air Canada Vacations offers various options for Meal & Beverage Plans and Inclusions. Visit their website for full details of what’s included in your Air Canada Vacations package. Additionally, when you book your trip with Air Canada Vacations, you’ll be receiving 1 checked bag per person plus all transfers from the airport to your hotel in your package price.
Why you should stay at Atlantis
There are many more things to do in Atlantis Bamahas in a day, but these are our absolute favorites. It’s truly an experience like no other and spending only one day here will only make you want to return. With so many different options for food, activities, and accommodations, you can craft the perfect combination for you.
Have you visited Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas before? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!
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Fantastic and very detailed post! Sounds like a 1-day visit would only allow you to scratch the surface of what Atlantis has to offer, so definitely a longer stay should be in order 😀