I was hosted by Atlantis for this trip. I was not financially compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. This post is updated on December 2024.
The #FabFam just spent an epic long weekend in Atlantis on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. The resort is nothing short of fabulous… everything was absolute perfection, and a stay here is a great way for anyone (families, kids, couples, groups of friends alike), to have an idyllic Caribbean vacation, regardless of your interests. From indulging in the resort’s world-class amenities to exploring the waters aboard luxury yachts in Caribbean, there is so much to do at Atlantis that to experience it all, you’d need to come back again and again. But if you’re trying to get the most out of your time there, you’re probably wondering what to do at Atlantis Bahamas – the things you just can’t miss. To help you out, I’m sharing the Atlantis Bucket List plus a few additional Fab Everyday-approved recommendations based on our experience. If you’re looking for things to do at Atlantis Bahamas, this is your guide for the essential “must do” at Atlantis! Be sure to pin this article, and stay tuned for more Atlantis recommendations (including visiting Atlantis with teens) here on Fab Everyday.
Where to stay when visiting Atlantis
Before I get into the Atlantis Bahamas bucket list and the other things to do in Atlantis, you may also be wondering where to stay within the resort. 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.
Atlantis Bahamas Coral 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 our tower a hit with our teen and tween), and The Coral Pool is one of the most lovely on the property. Our room and beds were very comfortable, but our favorite feature was our balcony with a sweeping view of the resort (including the large stingray enclosure just below our tower) and the Paradise Island beaches. If you want a view like ours (which you can see in the photo at the top of this post), search rooms in the Premium Double Queen Water View Room category (or similar depending on your bed and occupancy needs).
Things to do at Atlantis Bahamas: Where to eat
As food is one of the most important aspects of travel, some of the best things to do at Atlantis Bahamas are at restaurants! Being the only resort in the region to boast three Michelin star-rated chefs, Atlantis has so many top-notch dining options… truly something for every taste and in a wide range when it comes to cost and the spectrum of casual to elegant dining experiences. It would take multiple trips to experience all the culinary offerings at Atlantis, but if you’re looking for a quick guide based on our top recommendations, here’s what I recommend for breakfast, lunch, and dinners.
For breakfast: Poseidon’s Table. This breakfast buffet is the place to be in the mornings at Atlantis. They have a huge variety of hot and cold breakfast options (including continental favorites and traditional Caribbean), pastries, juices, meats, fruits, and cheeses. The Smoked Salmon Benedict, Shrimp and Grits, and Corned Beef Hash were a few of my personal favorites.
For beach lunch: Pisces. Recommended to us, and we are proud to recommend it to others, is the beach stand Pisces. Perfect for take away lunch or drinks for the beach, Pisces features fresh seafood (I recommend the Conch Fritters and Coconut Shrimp), Bahamian favorites, sandwiches, wraps, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.
For upscale dinner: Olives. Our favorite meal at Atlantis is the Mediterranean restaurant Olives located in the Atlantis Casino. It was one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time, with stand-out dishes being the Calamari Fritti appetizer (one of the best I’ve ever had), the Beef Carpaccio appetizer, the Snapper, the Pasta Bolognese, and the Pepperoni Flatbread (a big hit with our teen). The service at Olives was also impeccable. 5 stars.
For family-style dinner: Carmine’s. If the kids need a break from seafood for a meal, Carmine’s in the Marina Village is sure to please. With large family-style portions (they say each main serves 2-3, but I felt that it was more like 3-4), you won’t need much to fill everyone’s bellies. The Chicken Parmesan was my favorite, and the kids loved the Spaghetti Bolognese.
For traditional Bahamian: Bimini Road. One of the highlights of travel for us is to experience local cuisine. Bimini Road in the Marina Village had a large variety of Bahamian fare to experience, including lots of the island favorite conch (the Conch Salad and Conch Chowder were both delicious) and spicy Caribbean classics (try the rice with peas side!).
When it comes down to it, you can’t go wrong with the food at Atlantis. Everything we ate (including the quick grab-and-go options) was delicious, which sets Atlantis apart from other resorts we’ve visited.
Atlantis bucket list (Your Must-Do at Atlantis Bahamas)
I first learned about the Atlantis Bucket List when I met them at a weekend getaway with The Travel Mom. They gave me this beach towel with the Atlantis Bahamas bucket list, and I told myself that weekend that I would do my best to check off as many of these must-do Atlantis Bahamas activities as I could if I had the chance to visit. It was a great way to get a highlight of some of the best things to do in Atlantis, so I’m sharing it here to help your own planning for an epic Atlantis adventure (plus a few of my own additional recommendations). To find the locations of each of these items, check out the Atlantis interactive map, or download the Atlantis mobile app.
The Beach Bar. Located between The Coral and The Beach, this is the perfect spot for a Bahama Mama or one of their signature Paradise Pineapple cocktails.
The Rope Bridge. This Instagram-worthy spot is a fun way to get from The Coral to the beach while also admiring the sharks in the Predator Lagoon.
Manta Rays. Atlantis is home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, representing over 250 marine species. Among them are lots of rays (or “sea pancakes” as Sawyer fondly refers to them), including a few giant manta rays that Atlantis cares for and studies before releasing back into their natural Bahamian habitat.
The Coral Pool Swim-Up Popsicle Bar. Have a swim, then a drink or popsicle at this fun swim-up bar near The Coral tower.
Sun & Ice. In the lobby of The Coral you can find the Sun & Ice ice cream parlour, which serves up delectable ice cream and gelato.
McKenzie’s Conch Stand. If you ask any locals the must-try food in The Bahamas, you’ll likely be recommended conch prepared one of a number of ways (our driver told us he’s tried conch “every way but wrong”). Arguably the best place to try some Conch Salad on Paradise Island is McKenzie’s Conch Stand at the Marina Village.
The Dig. I already mentioned that Atlantis Bahamas is home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world (with 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.
Dolphin Cay. Speaking of marine animals, lovers of sea life mustn’t miss this state-of-the-art conservation and rehabilitation habitat for rescued dolphins.
Sacred Space. Located on The Cove peninsula, this sculpture by Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts represents “the connection of Bahamian past to the future, the ocean to the land and the 700 islands of The Bahamas to Paradise Island.”
Leap of Faith. One of the exciting waterslides on Atlantis’ life-size Mayan Temple replica, the Leap of Faith slide is a 60-foot near-vertical drop that plunges riders through an underwater tunnel in a shark-filled lagoon. I wasn’t brave enough for this thrill, but my husband and oldest kiddo rode several times.
Predator Tunnel. Not to be missed if you’re looking for what to do at Atlantis Bahamas is the Predator Tunnel and Predator Lagoon, where you can safely admire hammerhead sharks, smalltooth sawfish, and Caribbean reef sharks.
Smalltooth Sawfish. This critically endangered species can be found in both the Predator Lagoon and reef habitat in The Royal, where Atlantis has successfully been able to reproduce smalltooth sawfish to aid in the fight for their survival.
Poseidon’s Throne. Between The Royal tower and the Atlantis Casino is where you’ll find this Instagram-worthy spot for a photo. Did you even go to Atlantis if you didn’t snap a pic at Poseidon’s Throne for your Atlantis Bucket List?
Cypselurus Fountain. This bronze fountain located near The Royal consists of 28 bronze fish and weighs 22,000 pounds!
Pegasus Fountain. Another stunning sculpture near The Royal, this one by acclaimed sculptor Danie de Jager.
Heart Swing. Another art piece by Antonius Roberts, the Heart Swing near The Royal is perfectly framed by the Royal Tower in the background and a great spot for an Instagram boomerang, a romantic swing with your love (there’s room to seat two), or some playtime with your kiddos.
Pirate Republic Taproom. When you’re in the Marina Village, pay a visit to this Bahamian craft brewery for some of the local ale (and Kolsch and stout).
Sip Sip. This Caribbean/Mediterranean fusion restaurant is located near The Cove Pool. “Sip sip” is Bahamian slang for “gossip,” but the word on the beach is that this is the best place for fresh local seafood (and I hear the Lobster Quesadilla is a must-try).
Hibiscus Lagoon and Sea Turtle Program. Atlantis is also home to a number of turtle species, and these cuties are not to be missed! If you come at the right time of year, you might even be able to see turtles hatch at Atlantis’ nesting beaches before they are released into the ocean.
“Secret” Cenote (at The Abyss). Another epic waterslide at Atlantis is The Abyss, which is accessed from the Aquaventure’s Power Tower. A 50-foot drop through complete darkness ends with a splash into a hidden cove to see endangered prehistoric sea life.
Atlantis Casino. One of our personal additions to the Atlantis Bucket List is to play in the Atlantis Casino. Known worldwide for its loose slots, I had a ton of fun with penny slots at Atlantis while my husband had great luck at the blackjack tables and sportsbook. Atlantis Casino is open 24/7 and is located between The Coral and The Royal. Slots range from 1 cent to high-stakes, and table games range from $15-$300 minimums.
Marina Village. You can shop, dine, take photos for the ‘Gram in front of the colorful buildings, and marvel at some of the world’s most luxurious yachts while in the Marina Village. Located just steps from The Coral, Marina Village is a fun place to get out and explore.
The Beach. With some of the clearest, bluest waters in the world, one doesn’t simply visit The Bahamas and not go to the beach! Atlantis has several private beaches adjacent to the resort on Paradise Island.
Even with all these recommendations in the Atlantis Bucket List, there’s still so much more to do, see, and eat at Atlantis. Stay tuned for more recommendations for what to do at Atlantis Bahamas!
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