Water taxi to Atlantis?

[Jenbirds]

Can someone explain the best way to get to Atlantis from the ship? Are the water taxi vendors easily identifiable? Is there a "mad rush" of folks boarding the water taxis to get to Atlantis? I'm trying to figure out the best, organized way to get over to Atlantis to buy a day-pass for DH and myself.

 

Thanks!

 

RC Adventure of the Seas '04

RC Adventure of the Seas '10

Carnival Fascination '11

[scubagirrl]

Can someone explain the best way to get to Atlantis from the ship? Are the water taxi vendors easily identifiable? Is there a "mad rush" of folks boarding the water taxis to get to Atlantis? I'm trying to figure out the best, organized way to get over to Atlantis to buy a day-pass for DH and myself.

 

Thanks!

 

RC Adventure of the Seas '04

RC Adventure of the Seas '10

Carnival Fascination '11

 

The fastest and easiest way to get to Atlantis is by cab. It's cheap, uneventful and quick.

 

For a more fun way, and to get a little bit of a feel for the island you are visiting, take the Water Taxi... they run every 30 minutes from the nearby wharf.. they are easy to find, capt's and crew will be hawking "'ferryboat to paradise".. etc. It's $3 pp and drops you off 2 short blocks from the marina village and coral tower entrance.

 

They also give you a little "historical tour" and ask for a tip (a dollar or 2 will suffice). It's a fun way to experience the real bahamas, before heading off into the cold commerical world of Atlantis.

 

Some people love the ferry, some hate it. I'm a fan. Always an experience.

[Jenbirds]

The fastest and easiest way to get to Atlantis is by cab. It's cheap, uneventful and quick.

 

For a more fun way, and to get a little bit of a feel for the island you are visiting, take the Water Taxi... they run every 30 minutes from the nearby wharf.. they are easy to find, capt's and crew will be hawking "'ferryboat to paradise".. etc. It's $3 pp and drops you off 2 short blocks from the marina village and coral tower entrance.

 

They also give you a little "historical tour" and ask for a tip (a dollar or 2 will suffice). It's a fun way to experience the real bahamas, before heading off into the cold commerical world of Atlantis.

 

Some people love the ferry, some hate it. I'm a fan. Always an experience.

 

Thanks Capt Jay - I've been following your responses, and they're all very helpful! :)

[smithar84]

They bus system isn't bad either... they run every 15 min (pretty prompt) and very cheap! Same for coming back to the dock. I would just ask a local where to pick it up at. If I'm correct it's infront of the straw market just down from Subway.

[scubagirrl]

They bus system isn't bad either... they run every 15 min (pretty prompt) and very cheap! Same for coming back to the dock. I would just ask a local where to pick it up at. If I'm correct it's infront of the straw market just down from Subway.

 

The bus goes back and forth to Cable Beach for just $1.25, but there is no bus (jitney) that is allowed on Paradise Island / Atlantis. You'll need either a cab or the ferry boat.

 

there are jitney's that will drop you at the foot or the bridge, but then you have the long walk over the steep bridge in the heat, and then on to Atlantis.

[Mobeer]

They bus system isn't bad either... they run every 15 min (pretty prompt) and very cheap! Same for coming back to the dock. I would just ask a local where to pick it up at. If I'm correct it's infront of the straw market just down from Subway.

 

 

 

Then why wouldn't you just take the subway or is it to much$ :)

[scubagirrl]

Then why wouldn't you just take the subway or is it to much$ :)

 

There is no subway or train system in the bahamas. Public transportation is jitney or cab.

[gregorykicks]

Then why wouldn't you just take the subway or is it to much$ :)

I believe it's a Subway sandwich shop.

[05mak05]

Years ago, we decided to play it safe and take the ship's excursion to Atlantis. I thought I had done my homework and also read threads that said the water taxi was fun and a sightseeing trip. Well, that's true ... once you finally get started. We were in a mob scene with the guide to the taxi holding the sign sideways rather than straight up and down. We walked and walked and walked in hot temperatures. We were so happy to see the taxi, climbed onboard and then ... sat and sat and sat. It's a very large vessel and they wait until it's completely full before getting underway. I believe at least an hour passed from the time we exited the ship to the time the water taxi finally got started. And, then we were told to follow the guide (with the sideways sign) to Atlantis. People stopped to shop the souvenirs stands, people went to the bathroom and I could see that we weren't going to make it before midnight. Plus there were a ton of tour groups and the entire process was totally confusing. We broke away, followed the path up the hill to the entrance on our own. Hello!!! I'd take a cab, avoid the Straw Market, and enjoy a warm sunny days in those glorious waters at Atlantis.

[scubagirrl]

Years ago, we decided to play it safe and take the ship's excursion to Atlantis. I thought I had done my homework and also read threads that said the water taxi was fun and a sightseeing trip. Well, that's true ... once you finally get started. We were in a mob scene with the guide to the taxi holding the sign sideways rather than straight up and down. We walked and walked and walked in hot temperatures. We were so happy to see the taxi, climbed onboard and then ... sat and sat and sat. It's a very large vessel and they wait until it's completely full before getting underway. I believe at least an hour passed from the time we exited the ship to the time the water taxi finally got started. And, then we were told to follow the guide (with the sideways sign) to Atlantis. People stopped to shop the souvenirs stands, people went to the bathroom and I could see that we weren't going to make it before midnight. Plus there were a ton of tour groups and the entire process was totally confusing. We broke away, followed the path up the hill to the entrance on our own. Hello!!! I'd take a cab, avoid the Straw Market, and enjoy a warm sunny days in those glorious waters at Atlantis.

 

 

The water taxi you describe was part of your tour.. NOT the ferry service back and forth from downtown to Paradise Island.

Your tour included this service, and certain boats are set up to wait for ALL tour participants, regardless of what ship they are on. So if your ship and 4 other ships guests are going on the same "discover atlantis" tour.. you will wait until all are onboard... it's a big hassle and can take hours.

 

The water taxi service from the wharf to Paradise Island leaves every 30 minutes.. although it seems like they are waiting to fill up.. they actually have 30 minutes to board as many people as they can up to their legal limit before they leave. So the most you can wait is 30 minutes if you just missed the last boat.

Some people don't like to wait even 5 minutes.. and some people don't like crowds.. Personally I love travel via water taxi.. i do it nearly every day.

[05mak05]

Well, no wonder we were confused. We've only been to Nassau that one time and I didn't know there was a difference in the water taxi and the ferry. Next dumb question ... is Atlantis located on Paradise Island. I could look up this information and not appear so dumb but it's easier to just ask. Please I get the "straight scoop" from folks on this board ...

[spacepotatoes]

Well, no wonder we were confused. We've only been to Nassau that one time and I didn't know there was a difference in the water taxi and the ferry. Next dumb question ... is Atlantis located on Paradise Island. I could look up this information and not appear so dumb but it's easier to just ask. Please I get the "straight scoop" from folks on this board ...

 

Yes, it is on Paradise Island. Hence the need for a ferry/water taxi/bridge ;):) No one ever refers to it by its full name but it is actually called the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Casino.

[mominwestlake]

Scubagirll, we will be at Atlantis on March 29th. What has the weather been like? Is the ocean warm enough to swim in this time of year? We've only ever been to the Bahamas in the summer. This is our first spring break trip.

[bonsai3s]

How many people can the taxi's in Nassau accomodate? In Mexico..mostly 4 passengers. In Jamaica and most of the Caribbean...they have vans that accomodate up to 12 people. Nassau???? (We have a group of 10.) Thanks! :p

[tanten99]

Unless the water taxi has changed it's not worth it. The water taxi tried to cram as many people as they could onto the boat, and even when the boat seemed full (ie everyone seated with no extra sitting space) they waited and waited, and waited some more for more people to come. (It was longer than 30 minutes that we waited). Sardine style, they packed us in until it was standing room only. We took a mildly enjoyable ride/tour over to Paradise Island - one of the employees acted as Tour Guide and gave a running commentary on what we saw, so it was almost enjoyable. Until we got to the end. They refused to let any of us off the boat until they received a tip that they considered worthy from each person onboard. We'd already paid the fare. And I normally tip, but if it's been an hour now and I'm still sitting on a boat, I don't feel like giving an extra $5pp tip to the "tour guide" and crew for all their hard work. But, I was made, along with everyone else on the boat, to give $5. People who did not, where called out, and harrassed until they gave more.

 

Finally, after an hour, we were off the d*mn water taxi! Yay! But wait - where's the Atlantis??? It's another 15 minute walk to the hotel! The dock is not made for Tourists, it's made for work, and for loading and unloading supplies, fueling up, etc. So our boatload of people is now wondering through this mess, asking people directions to the hotel. Ridiculous!

 

When we left we decided to take a taxi. It was the standard rate for a taxi (I believe $20 and we had to pay the bridge toll, which was stated in the taxi). It was also only a 15 minute ride.

 

Lesson learned

water taxi - 1.5 hours and totaling $75 (for 3ppl)

vs.

regular taxi - 15 minutes and $25 (for 3ppl)

 

water taxi = NEVER AGAIN