I was hosted by Atlantis for this trip. I was not financially compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.
In case you missed it, the #FabFam just spent an incredible long weekend at Atlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas (click here to get our Atlantis Bucket List of the essential things to do at Atlantis Bahamas). While Atlantis is very family-friendly, we especially wanted to seek out what to do at Atlantis for teens. Now that we’re traveling with a teen and tween, we are looking for destinations that are engaging for everyone in the family, and a family trip to Atlantis is perfect for kids of all ages. There’s no shortage of things to do at Atlantis for kids, but between the Atlantis teen club (CRUSH Nightclub), the teen movie theatre, the Gamer’s Reef arcade, the epic water park, age-appropriate beach and sea life activities for teens, and more, Atlantis is a dream destination if you’re thinking of visiting The Bahamas with teenagers. I’m sharing a list of family fun at Atlantis specifically geared towards 13-17 year-olds.
Where to stay at Atlantis with teens
The Atlantis resort has five different accommodation options. We stayed in The Coral tower on our visit, and spent most of our time between our tower and The Royal tower. The Coral is perfect for families; in fact, it was designed with families in mind. Connected to The Royal tower via the Casino and located steps away from the shopping and dining options at the Marina Village, The Coral has one of the best locations at Atlantis in proximity to everything you could want to experience. The teen-only nightclub, CRUSH, and the Sun & Ice ice cream parlour are also located at The Coral (making it the ideal spot for a family trip to Atlantis Bahamas with teenagers), and The Coral Pool is one of the most lovely on the property.
What to do at Atlantis Bahamas with teenagers
It’s not just the water park and Atlantis teen night club… those are just the beginning of the family fun at Atlantis for teens. Here are some highlights on what Atlantis has to offer for teenagers. Note that many of the activities at Atlantis for kids have specific age limits (for example, under 12, 12+, 13-17, etc.) and will require a proof of age (such as a passport). Be sure to check on any requirements before sending your kids to any activities.
Kid’s Concierge. When you arrive to Atlantis, visit the Kid’s Concierge desk (located in the lobbies of The Coral and The Royal) to get a calendar of events and activities for the week. There are events in the morning, afternoon, and evening most days, including activities like family game nights, karaoke, and teen party nights. Also grab the week’s Atlantean for even more activities, including free arts and crafts (for all ages), kid and teen fitness classes, yoga (ages 16+), and kids golf (17 and under).
Swimming pools. With 14 unique pools, teens can try a new pool each day and still have more to discover for the next trip!
Beaches. Atlantis has 6 beaches, and once you experience the warm, crystal clear blue waters of Paradise Island, you may not need much else on a visit to The Bahamas with teenagers. But when a break from the sand is needed, there are plenty of other ways to keep teens occupied and having fun during a family trip to Atlantis.
Aquaventure Water Park. If you’re considering a trip for some family fun at Atlantis, you’ve no doubt already taken note of the water park. The resort includes a 141-acre water park with several thrilling waterslides (including the 60-foot, near-vertical Leap of Faith slide where riders plunge down the side of Atlantis’ iconic Mayan Temple and through a tube in a tank of live sharks), the mile-long Rapids River (the longest river in The Bahamas), and several distinct swimming pools. Aquaventure is free for Atlantis guests, but day passes are also available for those visiting without an overnight stay.
Marine exhibits. Atlantis is home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, representing over 250 marine species and over 50,000 marine animals! This includes The Dig, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis. The Dig is the perfect place to explore for a break from the water, and is, in our opinion, an absolute must do at Atlantis Bahamas. Oh, and did I mention that it’s free?
Ultimate Trainer for a Day experience. Marine life enthusiasts who want a more immersive experience can sign-up for Atlantis’ Ultimate Trainer for a Day experience. Through this experience, kids ages 10+ will work closely alongside an animal behaviorist to care for the animals in an authentic, day-in-the-life experience they’ll remember forever. If you’ve got younger kids with you, check out the Jr. Ultimate Trainer for a Day experience, which is open to kids ages 6+.
CRUSH Nightclub. My teen was so excited to learn that there is an Atlantis teen club. CRUSH Nightclub, located in The Coral, is a teen-only club open to kids ages 13-17 (no parents allowed). In addition to a DJ spinning tunes for dancing, CRUSH also includes a Gaming Lounge with table games, a Gaming Stadium with gaming consoles, and a concession stand serving snacks and refreshments. Pre-teen feeling FOMO? There are special tween (ages 9-13) hours earlier in the evening.
Teen Movie Theatre. Your teen won’t have to miss the latest blockbusters while they’re in paradise, as there’s an on-site movie theatre where young guests can watch movies for free. Located in the Convention Center Rotunda at The Coral, be sure to check out The Atlantean for what’s playing and when.
Gamer’s Reef arcade. Gaming in paradise? Why not! The all-ages Gamer’s Reef arcade in The Royal has a variety of video and arcade games. The cost varies per game, and can be charged to the room for ease (and to avoid worrying about the kids carrying cash).
Swim, paddleboard, or kayak with dolphins. There are many experiences for family fun at Atlantis that are perfect for teens. While many activities are open to kids of all ages, teens have access to a few more advanced experiences than younger guests. For example, instead of just swimming with dolphins (which is epic in itself), guests ages 12+ can take it to the next level by paddleboarding or kayaking in the 14-acre Dolphin Cay.
Walk with sharks. If your teen wants even more of a thrill, guests ages 10+ can try a Walking with the Sharks experience- an underwater sea safari where they can come face-to-face with these majestic creatures safely wearing a special helmet.
Snorkel, SCUBA, or SNUBA. Depending on their level of skill and certification, teens can also take part in snorkeling (both on-site and as part of a separate sea excursion), SCUBA excursions (The Bahamas are an internationally recognized SCUBA destination), and SNUBA excursions (no SCUBA-certification required). Learn more about all the options here.
Whatever the ages of the kids you are traveling with, we recommend a family trip to Atlantis. There is so much family fun at Atlantis, making a trip to The Bahamas with teenagers a great travel idea that your teen will never forget.
Lisa Springer says
Thanks so much for this. I have a couple of questions if you might indulge me? Do they check proof of age for CRUSH? Also, I’ve been searching, but it seems difficult or impossible to find price listings for the experiences with dolphins, etc. Would you happen to know if this is available anywhere?
Ramona Cruz-Peters says
Hi Lisa! I can’t remember for sure about the age check, but since the kids will need passports to visit the Bahamas, I’d bring it when checking them into CRUSH. I do remember they took the ages pretty seriously for any kids/youth activities (my teen could not participate in things they were too old for with their younger sibling). As for the price listings, I think it varies based on season, so that’s probably why it’s not published. I was advised to contact guest services (1-800-ATLANTIS) to ask specifics, or download the Atlantis app, because you can actually make booking directly on the app. I hope this helps!