Recently, my family was searching for an exhilarating destination that would work for our Easter break. After some research, we all agreed that Nassau, Bahamas would be the perfect place.
Based on the mythical lost city, the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort is a family-friendly vacation spot that should be tried at least once. It was just too much fun! Situated on Paradise Island connected by a bridge in Nassau, the gargantuan property spreads (it seems like) for miles and there are a multitude of activities for every age group. We landed on the island for some fun in the sun, but what we experienced was unimaginable!
In the Dolphin Cay, we became marine trainers for the day through an educational and spirited 7-hour experience. What that entailed was food for the brain. We learned that dolphins never sleep and rest by turning off half of their brain throughout the day. They are one of the happiest of mammals as they have perpetual smiles on their faces. We snorkeled with the dolphins, swam with them by holding on to their fins and even body surfed by having them push our extended legs. But the wildest activity of all was feeding the stingrays.
First, we had to cut up the raw fish and then we shuffled our way into the water with hands extended so that the stingray could eat right from the palm of our hands. It was an eerie feeling having their bodies swish and sway around our legs and thighs, and to be honest, I don't need to feed another stingray again! All the high fiving with the sea animals was epic, however, I won't kiss and tell anymore – you’ll just have to try this all day activity to fully achieve the magical experience! Or just ask! I’d be happy to give you great tips for your trip to Nassau.
After our enthusiastic and exhausting day at the Dolphin Cay, we dined at The Dune. The Dune is a beachfront restaurant located on the One and Only Ocean Club Resort. Sea blue lounge chairs are sprinkled along the beach and hammocks are hanging from palm trees on the lawn. At the restaurant, we were encouraged to try the conch salad, a Bahamian specialty – but the steamed mussels whistled to us first.
For kids’ activities, The Atlantis is where you need to be! Try the rapids river ride in brightly colored plastic inner tubes that float you along and go tipsy-turvy in the wave section. A lot of hooting and hollering was going on from my gang! Then it was competition time with the Challenger slide, straight down in less than 5 seconds into a splash of blue! The Aquaventure Park is fun and fabulous for all ages, but watch out for the Leap of Faith joy ride slide!!! Yikes times 10!
Should you want to stay at a more exclusive tower, but still have access to all the Atlantis amenities, I suggest staying at The Cove. They have a pool for only Cove guests and their food menu is tops. I'm a lover of seafood so I chose the tuna poke, which was fresh and tasty. They also have a DJ playing all day to make it a cool pool experience and the lounge beds are a fun addition, too.
Lastly, I cannot forget to say a little about the Bahamian people and their big personalities. They are a sweet, jovial, and lovable group of people. Not just once or twice, but several times, the staff would welcome us with big grinned smiles and often something cheery to say.
We had some lovely and relaxing times on those Bahama isles! And that's my tropical family-friendly vacation reco!
"It matters not what road we take but rather what we become on the journey." (Found in a fortune cookie)
