Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
hemisphere - is centered on a five-story Mayan temple, with multiple waterslides shooting
guests into a variety of grottoes and caves. The most insane of them all, the Leap of Faith,
sends brave vacationers through a Plexiglas tube that plummets down through a lagoon full
of sharks. The nearby Power Tower has a 200ft drop through total darkness into an un-
derground cavern full of fish. Non-adrenaline junkie types can meander along the artificial
rapids of a mile-long river ride, swim in various grotto-style pools, and kayak or snorkel in
a peaceful artificial lagoon. For the littlest guests, there's a Mayan-themed minipark, with
small slides, rope bridges and water cannons. You can purchase tickets at Guest Services
inside Royal Towers. If you're not having fun, you're doing something wrong!
Discover Atlantis Tour
AQUARIUM
(
www.atlantis.com
;
adult/child/hotel guest $35/25/free; 9am-5pm; ) Strolling
through a clear glass tunnel while sharks glide overhead is, simply put, awesome. This un-
derwater thrill is found in the Predator's Lagoon, one of the exhibits on this popular walk-
ing tour of Atlantis' aquariums and faux archaeological sites. Look for manta rays, spiny
lobsters, striped Nemos, translucent jellyfish and thousands of other sea creatures in the un-
derground Great Hall of Waters, noting the fake hieroglyphics and ersatz artifacts along the
way. Buy tickets outside the Dig, an 'archaeological site' on the lower level of the Royal
Towers lobby. Some parts of the Dig are free - you're welcome to watch the fish swim past
the giant windows in the lobby, but you have to pay for the tour if you want to enter the
more elaborate aquarium areas and shark tanks.
BEST BEACHES
NEW PROVIDENCE
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Cable Beach
New Providence's biggest and most popular beach is three
curving miles of white sand and sparkling turquoise sea just west of downtown
Nassau. Named for the undersea telegraphic cable that came ashore here in 1892,
Cable Beach has for years been populated with nondescript beach resorts. Cur-
rently, these resorts and the casino are in the midst of a massive redevelopment
project overseen by Baha Mar Resorts. Construction is set to begin any minute,
though locals say they'll believe it when they see it. Currently the beach is vi-
brant with vacationing families, Spring Breakers, water-sports operators, hair
braiders and roving souvenir vendors. If you want a beach chair, pay a day-use
fee at one of the hotels for use of their facilities.
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Delaporte Beach
Adjoining Cable Beach on the west, this is a quiet spot with
soft sand, gin-clear water and few crowds.
