Paradise Island

Paradise Island is a small island just off of Nassau, Bahamas. It is dominated by the Las Vegas-style Atlantis resort, which is responsible for an amazing 11% of the Bahamas' GNP.

Travel to Paradise Island - Visa Requirements

Paradise Island is connected to New Providence Island (Nassau) by two bridges (one incoming, one outgoing). There's an entrance fee of $1 per vehicle.

There is also a ferry from Paradise Island to the main land. The schedule for the ferry is somewhat regular, but they try to wait until it is filled before departure.

If you're sailing your own yacht, you can dock at Hurricane Hole Marina [1], which has 90 slips for yachts that can be over 200 ft in length.

Tours and Getting around Paradise Island

Most people get around the island by taxi, plenty of which can always be found hanging around outside the resort entrances. Since this island is small, many choose to walk.

Paradise Island tourist attractions and sightseeing

Sights within Paradise Island are concentrated almost exclusively in the Atlantis resort, and are accessible only to resort guests or to those who rent a day room for $220 and up (usable by a maximum of 4 people). While it's not too hard to sneak in even without a pass, the guards keep an eye out for visitors without pass bracelets and the odds of getting busted are high.

• The Dig, Atlantis. A tour around Atlantis' enormous aquaria, with a cheesy backstory about how you're actually exploring the ruins of Atlantis. Well worth a visit for the marine life alone, including giant manta rays and much more.

• Predator Lagoon, Atlantis. Underwater tunnel through a vast tank full of sharks.

Paradise Island city tours

• Gamble at Atlantis. An age limit of 18 is enforced.
• Watch a Junkanoo Rush on Friday and Saturday evenings at Marina Village.

Paradise Island souvenirs and shopping

• Marina Village, next to Atlantis. A shopping street built according to plans originally made for rebuilding Bay Street, the main shopping street in Nassau. A confection of pretty pastel houses, it's very pretty indeed and well worth a stroll, but the shops within are exceedingly pricey — you can find most of what they sell in Nassau at much lower prices.

Paradise Island Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

• Dune, Ocean Club. Good food, good service, great views and an incredible price tag: a fruit platter costs $22 and a bottle of water $10. But if you want to eat where James Bond did... Open to non-guests, just tell the gate that you're eating there.

Paradise Island nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

• Dune Bar, Ocean Club. If you want to check out the Ocean Club without paying through the nose for a room or dinner, this is your cheapest option. Open through the day and great sea views onto the beach. Drinks from $10, or go for the Royale Martini at $15.

• Hurricane Hole, just east of the bridge (in the marina). Officially the Waterfront Bar and Grill, this is an un-touristy outdoor drinking joint frequented by a motley mix of locals and yachties from the marina. Very generously poured rum-based drinks from $3.50.

Paradise Island cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

• Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Casino, ☎ 1-800-ATLANTIS in the U.S, +1 (242) 363-3000, [2]. The largest, most tourist-oriented hotel in Nassau. Located on Paradise Island, just across the causeway from downtown Nassau. A tourist attraction in itself, with a giant aquarium, a casino, shopping center, marina, water park, not to mention the beach. $300 and up.  

• Comfort Suites, ☎ +1 242-363-3680(hotelhelp@choicehotels.com, fax: 242-363-2588), [3]. checkin: 3PM; checkout: 11AM. Located on Paradise Island, this hotel is the only other hotel that gives free access to Atlantis's facilities which includes a water park and largest open water marine life. Comfort Suites also offers a free continental breakfast. This motel is best for those looking for a great time in the Bahamas on a budget. 

• One & Only Ocean Club, ☎ +1 242 363 2501, [4]. Running since 1963, this is where Casino Royale was filmed and Hollywood stars hang out when they need a little peace and quiet. Gorgeous private beach and private golf course, and rooms have numerous perks like butler service and complimentary champagne, but the price tag is correspondingly steep.From $750.  

• Sunrise Beach Club and Villas, ☎ (242) 363-2234, [5]. These privately-owned villas are less than three blocks from the Atlantis Casino, and usually much cheaper. Units vary in size, but each has its own kitchen. Indeed, the biggest difference in staying here is that there is no room service; you'll have to run to the market for food. Viola's Jungle Bar is on site, however, and serves meals and drinks.  

• Riu Paradise Island, Bahamas* [6], Standing on a spectacular 3-mile stretch of white sandy beach, the Hotel Riu Paradise Island has a prime location next to Atlantis. Riu Paradise Island offers the ultimate all inclusive Bahamas vacation coupled with Riu’s outstanding services and features. At the Riu we’re all about you—anything you need, at any time.

Stay safe

Signs around the Ocean Club warn of the danger of getting bonked on the head by an errant golf ball, which is indeed probably the main security risk on this heavily policed patch of prime property. By Bahamian law, all beaches are public property, but you can expect to get hassled if you go as much as one step on to private manicured lawns.

Get out

• Nassau, just across the bridge
• Exuma, accessible on day trips from the ferry terminal

This page was last edited by Ryan Holliday. Based on work by Jani Patokallio, Peter Fitzgerald, Felicity T and SUSAN, Wikitravel user(s) Jonboy and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license