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Paradise Island
Resorts, beaches and the Atlantis complex
Resorts, beaches and the Atlantis complex
The island’s landmark — a sprawling resort of water slides, a huge open-air aquarium, lagoons, a marina and casino. Day passes let non-guests into parts of the water park and aquarium.
💡 Non-guests can buy day passes — check what’s included before you go.
The island’s glorious main beach — a long sweep of soft white sand and turquoise water on the north shore, lively near the resorts and calmer at its quieter western end.
💡 Head to the western end for a quieter patch of the same beautiful sand.
The yacht-lined marina and the resort lagoons form the glossy heart of the island, ringed by restaurants, shops and clear water full of marine life.
💡 The marina village is the spot for an evening stroll and dinner.
Beyond Atlantis, the island’s resorts line the beaches with watersports, snorkelling and boat trips — jet skis, parasailing and reef tours all on tap.
💡 Book watersports through your hotel or a beach operator for the best rates.
Paradise Island dining is resort dining — polished, varied and priced accordingly. The Atlantis complex and the Marina Village hold dozens of restaurants, from celebrity-chef fine dining and sushi to casual beach grills and bars, alongside every big resort’s own kitchens. For Bahamian flavour, you will still find conch fritters, cracked conch, fresh fish and rum cocktails, though the local, cheaper version is a short hop across the bridge at Nassau’s Arawak Cay Fish Fry. On the island itself, expect quality and convenience rather than bargains — a beach bar Bahama Mama at sunset is part of the experience.
Paradise Island is joined to Nassau by two bridges and is tiny — most of it is walkable, and the resorts run shuttles. To cross to Nassau, take a taxi over the bridge (there is a small toll) or the fun water taxi that runs from the Atlantis marina to downtown. Taxis are unmetered, so agree the fare first. The airport is on the far side of Nassau, about 30–40 minutes away by taxi across both bridges. You do not need a car for a Paradise Island stay — everything is close, and Nassau’s old town is a short ride away.
Start on Cabbage Beach while it is cool and quiet — a swim and a walk along the white sand.
A day pass for the water park and aquarium, or lunch and a wander around the Marina Village.
A water taxi to Nassau’s old town for dinner, or sunset drinks and dining at the marina.
The island’s best beach is public — you don’t need to be a resort guest to enjoy it.
Non-guests can access parts of the water park and aquarium — check current pass options and availability.
The little ferry to Nassau’s old town is cheap, scenic and more fun than a taxi over the bridge.
Island dining is pricey — hop to Arawak Cay for authentic, affordable conch and fish.
Quick answers to the questions travellers most often ask before visiting Paradise Island.
Its resorts and beaches, above all the vast Atlantis complex with its water park, aquarium, marina and casino, plus the beautiful Cabbage Beach. It is the Bahamas’ premier resort destination, just across the bridge from Nassau.
Yes — non-guests can buy day passes that give access to parts of the water park and aquarium, subject to availability. Check current pass options in advance, as access and prices vary by season.
By taxi over one of the two bridges (there is a small toll), or by the water taxi that runs between downtown Nassau and the Atlantis marina. The island is tiny and walkable once you are there.
If you want beaches, turquoise water, resort comforts and family attractions with Nassau’s old town nearby, yes — it delivers exactly that. It is polished and busy rather than wild, so those seeking remote, untouched islands should head to the Exumas or Out Islands instead.
The pastel colonial capital, the turquoise cays and swimming pigs of the Exumas, and the resort beaches of Paradise Island — the essential Bahamas.