We are going to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas next month for spring break. I searched the archives on this site and couldn't find any recent postings about Atlantis or activities in particular. Has anyone done the deep water swim with the dolphins there or the snorkeling amongst the "ruins" in the manmade lagoon? Would you recommend them? The snorkeling is an activity that was added within the last year or so. Thanks!
My boys (12 and 15) wanted a "big waterpark" and an aquarium in a warm climate (most places are warmer than here) so hopefully it will work out for us. Before we booked it I had heard nothing but rave reviews. Of course, after we had paid for our reservation I started hearing some mixed reviews. I've done some resarch into eating off site and we don't plan to eat at any of the sit down restaurants at Atlantis. We will probably have lunch at one of the casual grill or deli type places in Atlantis and go off site for a casual dinner. I'm still interested in reviews of the activities if anyone has any. Thanks.
The swim with the dolphins was amazing, but I think it was an extra charge? I can't remember. We went in December of 2007. That really is the only thing it has going for it.
IN MY OPINION, Atlantis is just a big water park. Several different pools, water slide, lazy river and an aquarium. Oh, and a casino if you gamble.
Sorry to be a downer, but I wasn't overly impressed.
Hate to say this, but I agree with the poster before me, wasn't really impressed. I hope you've made reservations for restaurants because they aren't very big and I've heard (we went during the down time, Oct) that during high season (spring break through summer) that if you don't have reservations the waits are as long as 2-3 hrs.
Go to (I think) tripadvisor.com or google atlantis reviews and it will take you there. You will get all kinds of different reviews on what to do or not to do. Make sure you have your cab stop by a grocery store on the way for water, drinks, snacks to have in your room because it is very expensive for stuff like that at the resort. All the extra things to do are very expensive so be prepared. We saw a family doing the snorkeling in the lagoon and it looked really cool, it was actually kind of cold when we were there so I had no desire to go in that cold water, but it is really neat.
I could go on and on about this stuff, so just google reviews and you'll get it all there.
Don't worry, you will LOVE Atlantis. We visited a few years back. Your boys will love the torrid river, which is a million times more fun than any lazy river around this area, Wisconsin Dells included. My family was on that every day! Awesome fun!!
We did a dolphin encounter excursion that was not through the Atlantis resort because this was much cheaper, and it was lovely. Sorry I can't remember the name of the outfit, but it was an easy walk out of the resort the little boat cruise area.
Be sure to get to the pools/waterpark early each day to get a chair. And also know they close at 5 or 6, so you can't do evening waterpark activities.
I will warn you it is very difficult to go off-site to eat when you are at Altantis without taking a taxi or a significant hike. We could not do it at all, though our girls were much younger than your kids. The bridge to Paradise Island isn't exactly pedestrian friendly. The food at the resort is heinously expensive at ALL the restaurants, I'm sorry to say. BUT it is so GOOD. Loved the sea bass at the restaurant in the main lobby that has such wonderful views of "The Dig" aquarium. So I would advise you just to accept the fact that you will pay a lot more for food than a typical vacation, but just decide in advance to be OK with it and enjoy.
We stayed at the Royal Towers. If you take a little walk through the casino, you can find a little boardwalk area that has some less expensive places, Johnny Rockets, a pizza place, ice cream, etc. It's a beautiful stroll with shops and great views of incredible yachts too.
Have fun, I'm envious!
My husband and I went in Oct of '06, so I'm sure things have changed since we've been. Yes it is pricey, but I would go back in a heartbeat! We both had a such a great time and I was 5 months pregnant at the time. I agree with the other poster about getting water, cokes, and snacks and stuff off the resort and keep them in your room. The prices there are crazy! Being pregnant I had to drink bottled water and my husband drank cheaper than I could drink bottled water there. ($9 for a liter of Fiji water vs $2.50 for a beer) There is a great family style restaurant across the street from the resort that is still part of the resort. Great food, but like I said pricey. The upside is is that it's served family style.
The casino is pretty neat. They do gambling classes where they will teach you different types of casino games. That was fun. We learned craps and roulette. The beaches are clean and the water is beautiful.
There is also a movie theater on site that is actually pretty cheap. We could go to that theater cheaper than we could go to one here in town. If memory serves me correct, the movie is actually free, but the concessions cost, but again, not a bad price at all!
My only caution to you is that you use your room key to pay for EVERYTHING on the resort; if you aren't diligent about watching your receipts, your bill when you check might really surprise you!
We've been to a Sandal's resort in Jamaica and to the Atlantis and I would go back to the Atlantis in a heartbeat before returning to Sandals. I hope you have a great time.
