Water ferry to Atlantis?

[ESMBDS]

Me again!

 

We're planning on spending some time at the Atlantis next Saturday. I'm wondering, how far does the water ferry dock from the Atlantis? A few blocks? Also,how much is the ferry and how long does it take to get across? And the cab fare? Is it approx $12 each way or $4? I think I'm reading too much today and am getting brain overload!

 

Thanks.

 

Stacey

[scubagirrl]

Me again!

 

We're planning on spending some time at the Atlantis next Saturday. I'm wondering, how far does the water ferry dock from the Atlantis? A few blocks? Also,how much is the ferry and how long does it take to get across? And the cab fare? Is it approx $12 each way or $4? I think I'm reading too much today and am getting brain overload!

 

Thanks.

 

Stacey

The watertaxis leave from the nearby dock every 30 minutes for 9am-6pm daily. The cost is $3 pp. There is sometimes a independent tour guide abourd who ask for tips. So you can add a dollar or two if you enjoy his commentary. The Ferry drop you at the Dock just off of Harbourside, it's a 2 block walk to the marina Village .. 2.5 blocks to the Coral Towers entrance.

Some people get upset because they may have to wait the whole 30minutes for the next ferry to take off. They are timed.. and they have to wait 30 minutes.. so if you are ansy.. don't take the ferry.

The trip takes about 10 minutes.. and the guide will point out sites of interest along the way.

http://www.bahamasgo.com/watertaxi.htm

 

 

If you grab a cab from the port as you disembark, and several others take the van with you. The cost is $4 pp.. with $1 toll for the car. If you get a cab from downtown.. and you are the only party in the car.. The cost is $8 for the first 2 ppl, and $3 for each additional person. (plus $1 Toll for the car)

[ESMBDS]

Thanks so much for the information!

 

Stacey

[okletmein]

Do not take the ferry

It's packed like a sardine can and you have to wait a long time.

Take the taxi for $4pp instead and they drop you off at the door too

That will save you a 15min walk

[scubagirrl]

Do not take the ferry

It's packed like a sardine can and you have to wait a long time.

Take the taxi for $4pp instead and they drop you off at the door too

That will save you a 15min walk

 

But the ferry is much more interesting than a cab. And Yes.. they pack plenty of people onboard and wait their 30 minutes to leave. (they leave every 30 minutes.. not "at will").

 

You get a tour guide pointing out the sites, and and interesting view of both Nassau and Paradise Island along the way. The "walk" talks all of 3 minutes to get to the Marina Village.. and 2 more minutes to get to the Coral Towers entrance.

 

You can take a cab at home.. not everyone can experience a ferryboat back home.

 

It's all part of experiencing the culture of the bahamas.. not speeding to your destination like you were carpooling back home.

[freebsmom]

Thanks for the posts on the Ferry. We'll be sailing the Glory in 38 days and are traveling with family including my 76 year old mother-in-law who has difficulty walking for any length of time. If we take the ferry (which I know we would enjoy) do you think the walk to the Atlantis will be too far for her?

[scubagirrl]

Thanks for the posts on the Ferry. We'll be sailing the Glory in 38 days and are traveling with family including my 76 year old mother-in-law who has difficulty walking for any length of time. If we take the ferry (which I know we would enjoy) do you think the walk to the Atlantis will be too far for her?

 

The extra few minutes walk to Atlantis is nothing compared to the tons of walking you do when on the Atlantis property. Take your time and enjoy the walk. Don't miss the Marina Village... it's on the way to the Atlantis entrance. You can sit and relax, grab a Coffee or ice cream and enjoy the courtyard, shopping and entertainment.

[zydecocruiser]

I wasn't too interested in the watertaxi:

 

 

 

The regular taxis started looking better and better...

 

 

[caribsun]

zydecocruiser-A picture says a thousand words. I have also warned others on this board about what appears to be unsafe practices of the watertaxi's. Overloaded, underage operators, excess fumes, etc. Please be aware of your surroundings.

 

I found my earlier post.

 

OK here were my observations on three trips on the water taxi.

 

#1 Walked up to a water taxi on PI and asked if he was returning to the pier. The person said yes and to come onboard. Within seconds the driver of another taxi gets into a argument with the fellow from the 1st taxi about who was there first. We get off and enter his taxi and we wait and wait until the taxi fills up. As we are waiting the engine is running filling the seating area with fumes.

 

#2 Caught the last water taxi from pier to PI. The drop off area was very busy so the driver of this water taxi drops us off at another spot were we had to walk to the front of the boat, cross over two more boats and squeeze between two fences to get on shore.

 

#3 One last time. The driver of another water taxi was no more then 12 years young. I asked if he was qualified to operate the taxi. He said that his father has been letting him drive for years.

 

3 strikes in my book and your out. Remember folks, your not in Kansas anymore !!

[scubagirrl]

It takes all kinds.. I look at that picture and think of the adventure. Others look at it as a disaster.

From one who knows (I admit, I know most of these guys).. these boats are safe, inspected, insured, given strict capacity rules, have dock masters, security and union presidents to make sure they adhere to certain rules.

In the 20 plus years that I've been in Nassau.. there's never been a boat that tipped over, sank, or had any other major incident.

 

If you want to cab it to the commerical land of Atlantis.. go for it. If you want to experience the bahamas .. enjoy the ferry.

 

As for young drivers.. yep.. you are right.. most captains raised their kids on these boats and they can steer the boat in a straight line with the captain 4 feet away. I bought my own boat when I was just 12 years old. These boats are generally on auto pilot.. not a lot can happen in the middle of this part of the harbour with a boat moving this slow. I'm sure the captain or first mate was nearby.

[runner15km]

When we go on vacation sometimes we leave our common sense behind. Accidents happen and they happen everywhere in this world. Just be safe is all I am asking. This link tells about a boating accident close to my home. http://www.americanboating.org/ethan_allen.asp

[zydecocruiser]

I just don't like crowds that much or sitting (or standing) in direct sun for up to 1/2 hour for the boat to take off.

 

The waterway is sheltered and I wasn't really concerned about safety. I could also probably swim to Paradise Island if I needed to.

[beaming90]

My mom will be 76 when we cruise in December and I know she can't do the walking from the water taxi. If we get a regular taxi, do they really drop you off at the front door of Atlantis? I know there will be lots of walking in there, but we can sit down and rest whenever she gets tired too. Thanks!! :cool:

[scubagirrl]

My mom will be 76 when we cruise in December and I know she can't do the walking from the water taxi. If we get a regular taxi, do they really drop you off at the front door of Atlantis? I know there will be lots of walking in there, but we can sit down and rest whenever she gets tired too. Thanks!! :cool:

 

If you're mom has trouble walking.. then a regular taxi is certainly the way to go. They will drop you at the entrance.

[KOS]

Just a question please, and I ask because you live there. I notice you don't seem too big on the Atlantis. My family, my wife and two boys (3 & 7) are headed to the CS in two weeks to use the facilities at the Atlantis. My thinking on this is that with two small boys, they could use the water slides and beaches at the hotel and be well entertained. If we decide to cancel on the CS/Atlantis what other advice would you give as in where to go?

I agree that the Atlantis is not representive of the Bahamas (we were there about 4 years ago), but when we go to Grand Turk, we plan on checking out the town, and the local hangouts there and hopefully get to see a little of the real Caribbean (or as real as it can be now).

Thanks!!!!:)

Also, how close is the drop off point (dock) for the water taxi from the CS?

 

Thanks!

 

KOS

[ESMBDS]

We were there last weekend and took a taxi. You're dropped off right in front of the Atlantis. Keep in mind that these "taxis" are really minivans and they cram you in. I tried to take someone's advice, by asking the driver not to wait for anyone else, and he wouldn't.

 

Have fun!

 

Stacey

[zydecocruiser]

If you had paid for the empty seats, I suspect they would have left immediately, if not sooner. :)

[scubagirrl]

Just a question please, and I ask because you live there. I notice you don't seem too big on the Atlantis. My family, my wife and two boys (3 & 7) are headed to the CS in two weeks to use the facilities at the Atlantis. My thinking on this is that with two small boys, they could use the water slides and beaches at the hotel and be well entertained. If we decide to cancel on the CS/Atlantis what other advice would you give as in where to go?

I agree that the Atlantis is not representive of the Bahamas (we were there about 4 years ago), but when we go to Grand Turk, we plan on checking out the town, and the local hangouts there and hopefully get to see a little of the real Caribbean (or as real as it can be now).

Thanks!!!!:)

Also, how close is the drop off point (dock) for the water taxi from the CS?

 

Thanks!

 

KOS

 

First off, be aware that the kids must be 48 inches tall in order to use the slides. This sometimes causes a problem for those who are "almost" tall enough.

 

If you get a good deal at Comfort Suites, then it's probably worth it for you and the kids. You may want to pack some snacks or sandwiches from the ship.. food is very expensive and snaks are outrageously priced.

 

As for the Ferry Dock, they'll drop you about 2 blocks from the CS, it's an easy walk along Casino Drive. Plenty of people to point you in the right direction.

 

If it's just a beach you want, all beaches in the bahamas are public, and there's a public walkway to the beach next to the RIU. And you can rent a chair for $10.

 

You can also use the beach and facilites at Cable Beach (Wyndham and Nassau Beach Hotel) for free. They have a pool with a fun slide (not huge like atlantis). You can hop on the jitney for $1pp and be there in 10 minutes.

 

There's also a zoo and a pirates museum if you decide not to do the Atlantis route.