Day Trip to Nassau – Paradise Island
April 13 – From 8:00 AM to 11:30 PM we dock with the Majesty of the Seas in Nassau Harbor.
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Sailing trip with rum punch €27
At 9:00 AM we head out with Seahorse Sailing along the north coast for snorkeling at Rainbow Reef and a rum punch party. We spot a sea turtle, stingrays, octopuses, and countless fish at the reef. Unfortunately, after a windy day before, the visibility isn't great.
Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island – Nassau – Bahamas
Around noon we reach the harbor again and take a water taxi to Paradise Island ($3/ride) to visit the Atlantis Hotel with its massive pool complexes, the "Bridge Suite" between the towers for a cool $25,000 for 4 nights – unfortunately booked solid for the next 5 years.
The enormous aquarium is also impressive and open to all visitors. You can see eagle rays, stingrays, sharks, and many other large fish. If you fancy, you can even book a snorkeling trip or try a discovery dive inside. The hotel's famous casino is also a must-see – it's the largest casino in the Caribbean, with over 1,000 slot machines and 80 gaming tables.
To access the swimming area of the Atlantis Hotel, you can purchase a Beach Pass, which does not include entry to the dolphin lagoon. Tickets for that are available at the Dolphin Cay Reservations Center.
Swimming at Paradise Beach
Afterwards we stock up on water and snacks at the Paradise Shopping Village right next to the Atlantis Resort before heading to the beach. There's a fairly strong wind from the northeast, creating heavy surf and plenty of fun in the water. The name "Paradise Beach" says it all – simply breathtaking. Great for swimming and open to everyone.
Water Taxi Back to Nassau
At the water taxi dock there's a bar that mixes great drinks. A double shot really means a double shot here – the Pina Colada was dark brown – cheers!
Paradise Island is home to some famous residents. Nicolas Cage now lives in the former villa of Charlie Chaplin, after Charlie's daughter sold the estate. Other island residents include Tiger Woods, Sean Connery, Mick Jagger, and formerly Tom Cruise – to name just a few. The cheapest villa currently goes for $4 million.
Nassau – Capital City and Island of the Bahamas (New Providence)
For anyone traveling by scooter or car: there is a bridge to Paradise Island.
The water taxi departs right at the cruise pier.
Nassau, with its approximately 211,000 residents, is a bustling city. Numerous shops and high-end boutiques invite you to spend. Many Americans arrive by ferry or mini cruise from nearby Florida for duty-free shopping.
Bacardi calls Nassau home, as does Eddie Murphy.
Continue with the Bahamas Cruise Travel Report
We enjoy the evening in Nassau before setting sail into the night sky toward our next port of call: the cruise line's private island CocoCay – Bahamas.
