How to Get to Atlantis Resort From Cruise Port

The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island is one of top tourist attractions in the Bahamas, with its huge water park, dolphin habitat, incredible aquariums and day-pass policy. Cruise passengers docking at Nassau can fit a visit to Atlantis into their day’s schedule with no difficulty, as the resort is only 2 miles by road from the cruise port at Prince George Wharf. A bridge connecting Paradise Island to Nassau is open to cars and pedestrians, and water taxis run between the two locales. Taxis, water taxis, walking and booking a shore excursion to Atlantis are all viable options. Renting a car for the day is possible too, but it’s probably not worth the hassle or cost.

Atlantis Resort and its sprawling facilities are open only to paying guests. Cruise passengers who are only in Nassau for the day must purchase a day pass or book a shore excursion to Atlantis through their cruise line. You can book a day pass in advance online or on the day-of at the resort or a kiosk at Prince George Wharf. You’ll need a cruise line ID to redeem the pass. Availability is limited, so book in advance to avoid disappointment. Without a day pass, you can still explore Paradise Island’s public beaches, along with the Atlantis casino and marina, where you’ll find numerous shops and restaurants.

Taxis are readily available directly outside Prince George Wharf, and you can also ask staff at the tour desks inside Festival Place (the cruise port’s welcome area) for assistance. If your group doesn’t fill all the taxi’s seats, you will be expected to wait until other passengers, whether they’re tourists or locals, take the remaining seats before you leave. Bahamian taxis typically don’t have meters, so you should establish the fare before getting in. Expect to pay a gratuity of around 15 percent and, possibly, the bridge toll. With no traffic, the journey should take about 10 minutes, but it can be longer at busy times of day. Returning to the cruise port by taxi is also easy – you can hail one in front of any Atlantis entrance at any time of day.

Water taxis, private services offered by individual operators, run from the docks immediately behind Festival Place to Paradise Island every 30 minutes between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. One-way and return tickets are available; during the boat ride, you’ll get a short narrated tour, and the guide will expect a gratuity. From the dock on Paradise Island, it’s a fairly short walk to the resort.

If you’re happy to walk 2 miles (or 4 miles for the round trip), you can get to Atlantis from the cruise port on foot. Head east on Bay Street toward the bridge; then go left across the bridge and walk to Paradise Island. You’ll arrive at Atlantis almost immediately; in fact, you can see the distinctive pink castle-like landmark throughout your walk. Pedestrians do not have to pay the bridge toll. If you’re purchasing a day pass, the time spent walking could cut into your time at the resort.

Cruise lines that call at Nassau invariably offer trips to Atlantis among their shore excursion options. Some include admission to the water park; whereas, others feature a tour of the property and aquariums only, so read the excursion description carefully. All these excursions include round-trip transportation between Atlantis and the cruise port. It’s advisable to read reviews of these excursions and consider the value and convenience factors involved.

Tip

The Bahamian dollar is equal in value to the U.S. dollar, and both currencies are accepted universally in the Bahamas. Be prepared with cash, including singles, to make payment of taxi or water taxi fares, plus tips, easy.