The cost will depend on your wants and needs.
You can take a water taxi or regular taxi from the port to Paradise Island and go to the public beach called Cabbage Beach.
Taxi rates are regulated. See this for current rates
http://www.bahamas-treasures.com/bahamas/Nassau_Taxi_Fares_2004.html or walk past the port then its $4/person. I heard people talking about a bus option for $1.25 but I don’t know how that works.
- Most of the cab drivers tell you $4, but you will be waiting in a van for others to ride over with you. Its not so bad at the port, but on your return trip, the wait could be 15 minutes or more.
- It is the same with the ferry boat ride over to Atlantis. It cost $3 per peson, but you will wait until the boat is full before it leaves.
Atlantis has several different passes.
- The Dig's Tour lets you see the aquarium and lagoons. $39/person $29/child earlier this year.
- The Beach Day pass lets you use the beaches, $60/person. Includes a lunch at the grill, burgers, fried chicken, fries, drink.
- Public Cabbage beach option is $0 if you stay on the other side of the rope. Same beach. The sand is the same. There are vendors selling beverages, jet ski / waverunner rentals, parasailing, other water sports, trinkets, lounge chair rentals, etc. If you just want to be left alone, walk a bit further down the beach. Some vendors are pushy, just keep your communication clear and know what you want before you go. No public rest rooms if you do the $0 option. Jet ski's are run by private vendors, so you can negotiate a price. They ask for $80 for 1/2 hour, but sometimes come down as low as $60 but not during peak times. Again, you could go to Paradise Island and spend a couple of hours at Cabbage Beach for free (taxi extra) Tell the taxi cab you are looking for the free public portion of Cabbage Beach.
- The Aquaventure pass which lets you use the pools and water park. $110/person earlier this year.
Quoting a local that goes by Scuba Girl “Depending on how many are in your party, and the rate at that time, it is sometimes cost effective to either book a room at Atlantis or the Comfort Suites (which has an agreement with Atlantis) to get full access to Atlantis for the day. Each room allows up to 4 ppl (2 in the base price and 2 for add'l charges, surcharges etc.) Sometimes it comes out cheaper, sometimes not. Check in and out at the front desk at the same time, get your room card and bring it to the towel hut.. you'll get up to 4 bracelets for use of the property. $152 is alot to pay for a $110 pass. You can purchase same day passes at Atlantis front desk as well.”
I have read many reports of extra fees that you find out about as you check in for your day pass at the Comfort Suites. These um….. “fees” are inconsistent.
All passes can be ‘sold out.’ If you are going during peak times keep this in mind.
The cruise critic message board has a active section just for the Bahamas and this topic is covered over and over and they discuss every option and the most economical way to do that option.
