Paradise Beach Travel Guide
About Paradise Beach
Located on the north-western tip of Paradise Island, Paradise Beach promises 1.5km (1 mile) of pristine powder-white sands and warm, crystal-clear waters. The secluded beach area, among the most beautiful in the Bahamas, was recently revamped with the construction of the new Cove Atlantis hotel (Paradise Drive), a sister property of Atlantis Paradise Island Resort & Casino (Casino Drive), but the public still enjoys access to large parts. Besides lounging in the sun, you can enjoy snorkelling, diving, jet skiing and parasailing here.
Beach:
This secluded stretch of sand is known as one of Paradise Island's most stunning. In addition to topping off your suntan, you can enjoy a range of motorized and non-motorized watersports here. Take a dive or snorkel tour to explore the underwater wonders such as wrecks, caves and sea gardens around Paradise Beach and the island. Guest of the Cove Atlantis Hotel (Paradise Drive) have unlimited access to the beach, but portions are always open to locals and visitors. Unless you stay at one of the hotels along the shoreline, you can pay for privileges to use their facilities.
Beyond the beach:
Sitting 200 feet above sea level, Fort Fincastle offers the best view of the island. Enjoy the Versailles Gardens at the One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise Drive, 10 minutes away by car. On the premises, you'll find the Cloister, a reassembled 12th-century French monastery that once belonged to Californian William Randolph Hearst.
Family fun:
Kids (and many adults) love Atlantis Paradise Island Resort & Casino (Casino Drive) (www.atlantis.com) and its world-renowned, 34-acre playground, Waterscape, which features a massive marine habitat, an underwater snorkelling trail called Paradise Lagoon, a five-storey replica of a Mayan temple and a Lazy River Ride for tubing. Visitors can observe sharks, stingrays, lobsters and piranhas from glassed-in underwater viewing tunnels.
Exploring further:
Create your own desert island fantasy during a trip to the Blue Lagoon on uninhabited Salt Cay. Here, a 30-minute ferry ride from Nassau, you can snorkel, parasail, play volleyball and swim with dolphins (in captivity). You'll also find nature trails, restrooms, changing rooms and 200-plus hammocks slung between palms.
