One trip my family has LOVED to do was to visit the Aquaventure Water Park Atlantis on Paradise Island In Nassau. It is a mix of thrill seeker excitement and resort-style relaxation. This resort has a sprawling 141 acre water park that features over 20 million gallons of water, with more than 20 separate swimming areas. It is integrated into the resort's tropical setting by merging thrill rides, relaxed swimming zones, white sand beaches and marine exhibits.
My boys love the thrill ride slides. One of them is a shark fanatic so he especially loves one of the slides called the Leap of Faith. It is a near vertical drop of 60 feet which ends by going through a clear tunnel which is submerged in a shark filled lagoon. The other boys like The Abyss. This is also a body slide which begins with a near vertical drop and a 200 foot slide through the dark and you end by splashing into a cenote. As far as the water slides go, I prefer the Serpent Slide which is in the Mayan Temple. It is a 5 story corkscrew slide which you do on a tube. It ends with a slow pass through a clear acrylic tunnel that is also submerged in the shark infested lagoon. But, my favorite is the tubing river which is called The Current. It has rapids, waves and a stronger flow in parts - so it's not lazy tube ride you float lazily through. There is a more gentle lazy river section, but most of the river has a stronger flow. There are 9 stops where you can exit. Stop #1 seems to be one of the better spots to grab a tube because empty tubes seem to collect there. This near the lockers just past the Grotto Pool.
Staying at the Atlantis Resort can cost a hefty amount. There are 5 distinct hotels to choose from at the resort. The Cove is immaculately designed to provide guests with premium service and is the most upscale hotel within the Atlantis resort. It's rooms can book for up $2000.00 per night during a high weekend with a four night minimum stay. The Coral is the most affordable of the hotels at the resort. The rooms have been newly updated and have wonderful views of the beautiful yachts in the marina.
One year when the economy had been horrible and funds were tight, but we still wanted to get away, I asked my boys where they wanted to go and they immediately suggested the Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis. Mom's will go to great lengths sometimes to make family trips happen. I did some research and found a hotel that was near the Atlantis Resort that will give you full access to the Aquaventure Water Park, but it was $1500 less than a stay at The Coral Hotel AND it came with a free buffet breakfast. Food is very expensive at the Atlantis Resort, so this was even more appealing! If you don't mind a little bit of a walk, stay at the Comfort Suites Paradise Hotel. The room quality is comfort but basic. It has been refurbished and is great for the cost. There are some days that The Coral rates drop lower than the Comfort Suites rooms, but the majority of the time, the Comfort Suites rooms are lower than staying at the Atlantis Resort and you get a free breakfast.
For families who want to stay together, the Harborside Resort is a great option. It has two and three bedrooms with a full kitchen. It is located near the Marina, so it is a walk to get to the Aquaventure Water Park, but you can walk past the beautiful yachts in the Marina or go through the shops and restaurants at the Marina Village, so the walk doesn't seem as long. With a full kitchen, you can cook some meals in the room which will off set the higher cost of the room.
With all of those pools to choose from, it is hard to choose a favorite, but the over the last few trips, I kept going to back to my favorite. The Grotto Pool has two beautiful cascading waterfalls and out of the way of the main walk way.
I love the beautiful white, sand beaches at Atlantis. The warm clear, blue water is where my youngest learned to snorkel. Beware of sand fleas at the beaches here though. It was my first experience with them and it was a painful souvenir to bring home!
Every adventure tells a story - thanks for being part of mine.
Always exploring,
