Major city · The Bahamas
Paradise Island
Stay 2–3 nights only if you are sleeping at Atlantis or Riu; otherwise day-trip from Nassau and keep your bed on New Providence.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BSD
- Best months
- Dec–May
- avoid Jun–Nov (hurricane season; Sep–Oct wettest)
- Airport
- NAS
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- The Bahamas ↗Check entry rules for your passport on the official Bahamas government sources before you fly; requirements differ by nationality.
- The Bahamas ↗Respect marine protected areas: fishing, collecting shells or coral and anchoring rules are enforced in national parks such as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.
- The Bahamas ↗Do not bring firearms or ammunition; even a single forgotten round in a bag can lead to arrest.
- The Bahamas ↗Water-sports operators on Nassau and Paradise Island beaches are poorly regulated: use tour companies booked through your hotel and wear a life jacket.
Paradise Island is a small island joined to Nassau by two bridges, and almost everything on it sits inside the Atlantis resort: the water park, the aquarium, the casino, the marina and the golf course. Cabbage Beach is the one big public draw. If you are not a resort guest, the island is a half-day, not a base.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Paradise Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Bahamian dollar (BSD), held at par with the US dollar; US dollars are accepted everywhere and change often comes back mixed.The Bahamas-wide
- SIM or eSIMBTC and Aliv sell prepaid SIMs and eSIMs at Nassau airport and in town.The Bahamas-wide
- Tap waterNassau tap water is treated but many buy bottled; on the Out Islands drink bottled or filtered.The Bahamas-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 15% often added; check the bill.The Bahamas-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.The Bahamas-wide
- SafetyHeavily policed resort island; the real risks are sun and sea, not crime.
- RestroomsIn hotels, restaurants and marinas; few public toilets.The Bahamas-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 242-322-1181 US Consulate, Nassau
- Sundays & holidaysSunday closures common; Out Island shops close by 17:00.Sunday closures common; Out Island shops close by 5:00 PM.The Bahamas-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNAS Lynden Pindling International, Nassau (About 30–40 min by taxi over the bridge; shared vans and taxis at the rank outside arrivals.).
- Getting aroundThe island is small enough to walk end to end in about 30–40 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or a bottle of water at a resort outletBSD 5–10
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across the bridge to downtown NassauBSD 15–25
- Budget bedBudget room in Nassau (across the bridge), a night, per roomBSD 120
- Mid-range bedBudget room in Nassau (across the bridge), a night, per roomBSD 180
- High-end bedBudget room in Nassau (across the bridge), a night, per roomBSD 260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BSD 150 · Mid BSD 350 · High BSD 800
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NAS Lynden Pindling International, Nassau (About 30–40 min by taxi over the bridge; shared vans and taxis at the rank outside arrivals.)
Weather and climate
Paradise Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
26°C79°F
18°C64°F
7 rd
Feb
26°C79°F
18°C64°F
6 rd
Mar
27°C81°F
19°C66°F
6 rd
Apr
28°C82°F
20°C68°F
6 rd
May
30°C86°F
22°C72°F
10 rd
Jun
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
14 rd
Jul
32°C90°F
25°C77°F
14 rd
Aug
32°C90°F
25°C77°F
15 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
25°C77°F
16 rd
Oct
30°C86°F
23°C73°F
14 rd
Nov
28°C82°F
21°C70°F
9 rd
Dec
27°C81°F
19°C66°F
8 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The island is small enough to walk end to end in about 30–40 min. Taxis wait outside the resort entrances; a bridge crossing to downtown Nassau is a short ride. Two bridges link the island to New Providence, one inbound and one outbound, with a small per-vehicle toll. A ferry also runs between the island and the Nassau waterfront, leaving when full.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20–30 min
Taxi or jitney over the bridge, or the ferry to the waterfront
Cheaper food, straw market and colonial sights; the natural half of a Paradise Island day.
Door to door: 30–50 min
Taxi or rental car from the bridge
Cable Beach and the western beaches are quieter than Cabbage Beach on cruise-ship days.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Atlantis complex
Water park, aquarium and casino on site; the only reason to base here. Rates from about $300 a night in 2026.
Riu / Cabbage Beach strip
All-inclusive next door to Atlantis; public beach access runs north from Casino Drive on the east side of the Riu.
Marina Village and Hurricane Hole
Marina-side rooms and villas; quieter, a short walk from the bridge.
Nassau side (downtown or Cable Beach)
Cheaper beds, more food choice; 10–20 min by taxi or jitney over the bridge.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget (sleeping in Nassau, eating off-resort)
- BSD 120–200 excl. bed
- Mid (resort-adjacent, one paid activity)
- BSD 250–450 excl. bed
- High (Atlantis or Ocean Club guest)
- BSD 500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| All-inclusive double at the Riu1 × 3 nights × BSD 500 | BSD 1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × BSD 350 | BSD 2,100 |
| Taxi NAS airport → Paradise Island1 × BSD 40 · Shared van or taxi; price is approximate for a standard sedan. | BSD 40 |
| Bridge toll, per vehicle1 × BSD 2 · Small fee collected at the bridge plaza. | BSD 2 |
| Atlantis day room (up to 4 people)1 × BSD 220 · Grants access to water park and marine habitats; subject to availability. | BSD 220 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × BSD 25 · Varies by provider; local carriers offer competitive rates. | BSD 50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BSD 391 |
| Trip total≈ BSD 717 per person per day, bed included | BSD 4,303 |
Check all-inclusive package details; rates fluctuate heavily.
2026 estimate in Bahamian dollars, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or a bottle of water at a resort outlet | BSD 5–10 |
| Rum drink at Hurricane Hole | BSD 4–8 |
| Cocktail at a resort bar | BSD 12–20 |
| Casual lunch off-resort | BSD 15–30 |
| Fine-dining main at Atlantis or the Ocean Club | BSD 40–70 |
| Taxi across the bridge to downtown Nassau | BSD 15–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Resort facilities — water park, The Dig aquarium, pools — are for guests or day-room holders only; bracelets are checked.
- Day rooms at Atlantis start around $220 and up and cover up to 4 people.
- All Bahamian beaches are public by law, but do not cut across private lawns or resort grounds.
- Golf balls stray off the Ocean Club course near the gardens and beach path.
- Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov; buy travel insurance that covers weather and check your airline's change policy.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- US Consulate, Nassau
- +1 242-322-1181
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Paradise IslandParadise Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- US Consulate, Nassau+1 242-322-1181
Embassy
US Consulate in Nassau (+1 242-322-1181); UK, Canada and most other countries: high commissions or consulates in Nassau.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- NAS airport → Paradise Island, taxi: about BSD 40, 30–40 min
- Paradise Island → downtown Nassau, taxi: BSD 15–25
- Ferry, Paradise Island ↔ Nassau waterfront: leaves when full; fare varies
- Bridge toll, per vehicle: about BSD 2
Say or show
- Good morning — Good morning (Bahamian English; no separate greeting needed)
- Thank you — Thank you (or "tanks" in casual Creole)
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the beach access? — Where is the beach access?
- No thank you — No thank you (useful for beach vendors)
Tipping: 15% is often added to resort and restaurant bills; add 15–20% if it is not. USD is accepted everywhere at 1:1.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Paradise Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–May · avoid Jun–Nov (hurricane season; Sep–Oct wettest) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for NAS: taxi and jitney fares field-checked, bridge toll, late-arrival fallback.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Atlantis and Marina Village, Cabbage Beach, Versailles Gardens and the Ocean Club, Hurricane Hole.
- Place pages with verified access rules (The Dig, water park, Dolphin Cay, golf) and eat pages with last orders.
- Cruise-ship-day and storm fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Meanwhile