OVERVIEW
Escape to a nearby private island and enjoy the amenities on land and just off shore by snorkeling. The ferry will bring you to Pearl Island, where you can relax however you see fit. For starters, you might climb the lighthouse, as the views from the observation deck are superb. If you prefer to simply relax in the sun, there are two beaches, so you will have plenty of room to stretch out on a blanket or on a lounge chair in the shade of a towering palm. The water surrounding Pearl Island is so beautiful that you can’t help but take a refreshing swim in the sea. The water is also crystal-clear, making it ideal for snorkeling. All sorts of marine life, ranging from colorful fish to graceful sea turtles have been spotted along the coral reef that lies just 50 feet off shore. Having worked up an appetite, you can then indulge in a traditional Bahamian lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Ride the ferry the Pearl Island, the closest private island to Nassau.
• While away the hours doing whatever you please.
• Climb the lighthouse, bask in the sun and snorkel the coral reef just 50 feet off shore.
• Savor a hearty Bahamian BBQ lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring sunscreen and a towel.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snap selfies at the most picture-perfect spots in and around Nassau, many of them local favorites. For a glimpse into daily life, you will stop at Arawak Cay, a popular gathering place known as the Fish Fry for the many vendors selling seafood such as fried fish. Similarly, Dino’s Gourmet Conch Salad is renowned for its namesake dish and lively atmosphere. You will also see Commonwealth Brewery, where Kalik, “The Beer of the Bahamas,” is brewed. Kalik refers to the sound of the cowbell instrument used in the cultural event Junkanoo. Of course, there’s more to Nassau than outstanding food and drink, as you will discover at Jaws Beach, where parts of the movie “Jaws” were shot, and at gorgeous Goodman’s Bay Beach, where you will enjoy sweeping views of the sea. Nearby, you will find the extraordinary waterfront resort Baha Mar and exclusive Albany, an oceanside resort whose investors include Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Stop at some of Nassau’s signature attractions to take selfies or simply enjoy the views.
• See iconic dining spots such as the Fish Fry and Dino’s Gourmet Conch Salad restaurant.
• Take in the spectacular views at Jaws Beach and at several exclusive beachfront resorts.

Cruise to Blue Lagoon Island on a sleek double-decker ferry for an up-close encounter with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins at an American Humane-certified facility. Upon arriving at the island, which is also known as Salt Cay, you will first learn about the characteristics and behavior of dolphins, such as how they communicate and use echolocation to hunt prey. Once in the water, you will stand on a waist-deep submerged platform that allows easy access to these highly intelligent marine mammals. A trainer will be on hand to recommend the best ways to interact with and touch the dolphins. You can expect an unforgettable experience as dolphins are naturally curious and social. During the two hours or so of beach time that follows, you might settle into a lounge chair and bask in the sun, take a refreshing swim, and snorkel in the turquoise sea. There are also shops in the Bahamian village nearby.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely and enlightening walk through downtown Nassau that takes in the capital’s most historical attractions. Both Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase were constructed in 1793. The former perches on the island’s highest point and offers spectacular views, while the latter is a 66-step entryway to the fort that was hand-cut out of solid limestone. Nearby, you will see Parliament Square, which is surrounded by pink-hued government buildings that include the House of Assembly and the Supreme Court, where the judges and lawyers still dress in traditional British wigs and robes. The serene Garden of Remembrance lies at the back of the court building; it commemorates the Bahamians that lost their lives in World Wars I and II. The Arawaks, also known as the Lucayans, were among the first people to inhabit the Bahamas, and the guide will likely describe their exploits and how they lost control of the islands once Christopher Columbus arrived.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through the most historical district of Nassau at a comfortable pace.
• See Fort Fincastle and the Queen’s Staircase, two landmarks built in 1793.
• Admire the pink-hued government buildings that flank Parliament Square.
• Learn about the Arawaks, the earliest settlers of the Bahamas.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Cruise to subtropical Rose Island to relax on the beach and interact with its most well-known residents—a passel of cute, friendly pigs that will swim out into the ocean to greet you. On the way there, you will see many of the attractions around Nassau’s harbor and hear tales of the domesticated pigs that inhabit Rose Island. The pigs have been pampered since they were babies and love attention, so be ready for a fun, up-close and personal experience. Once you wade into the shallow waters, you can expect the pigs to approach, knowing that food awaits. The guide will show you how to feed the pigs and the best ways to interact with them while swimming. The pigs couldn’t be cuter or more enthusiastic about the attention. You will also have time to enjoy activities such as beach volleyball, a refreshing swim in the sea and lounging about while Caribbean music plays in the background.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Admire the gorgeous scenery on a leisurely cruise to Rose Island.
• Swim with the friendly pigs that live on the island and feed them if you wish.
• Relax on the island’s idyllic beach and take a refreshing swim in the sea.

OVERVIEW

Meet your guide at the cruise terminal and be escorted to your private and luxuriously appointed yacht along with your professionally trained crew. Enjoy an up-close encounter with a thriving population of sea turtles, a fun and enriching experience that will lend great insight into the local marine life. While cruising to the nearby islands, you will pause to snorkel a coral reef that supports an abundance of brightly colored fish. It will be an enlightening introduction to many of the species that inhabit these crystal-clear waters. Still, nothing quite compares to swimming with the green sea turtles that come in great numbers to Green Cay. You will observe them gracefully paddling by and grazing on beds of sea grass and algae. Unlike other sea turtles, green sea turtles are strict herbivores, and their jaws are finely serrated to help tear vegetation. For a clearer underwater look, snorkeling gear is available. The remaining time will be spent relaxing on a spectacular beach on Rose Island, the long slender oasis that lies due south.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take in the magnificent tropical scenery while cruising to Rose Island and Green Cay.
• Observe an endless parade of marine life while snorkeling a coral reef.
• Swim with the green sea turtles that come to Green Cay to feed on sea grass.
• Relax on a somewhat secluded beach on Rose Island and swim in the sea if you like.
• Floating extra-large lily pads provided where guest can lounge on the calm waters near shore.
• Light snacks, fruits and vegetables, and sandwiches provided for lunch.
• Meet your guide at the cruise terminal and be escorted to your private and luxuriously appointed yacht along with your professionally trained crew.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Participants ages 3 or younger receive free admission if accompanied in the program by a participating paying parent or guardian at least 18 years of age. This tour is for observers whose family members are participating in any of the Dolphin Encounter, Swim or Sea Lion programs. Blue Lagoon Island is cashless and accepts only Visa, Master and Discover Cards. American Express Cards are not accepted.

Interact with the locals at some of their favorite spots for socializing, dining and simply enjoying life. What could be more relaxing and enlightening than meandering through a popular fish market, tasting an array of delectable samples and watching the local Bahamians play dominoes at historical Fort Montagu. Feel free to join them in a game of dominoes while savoring nutritious coconut water, which may be sipped right from the shell. Few places have fresher seafood than the dock at Potter’s Cay, where you might sample conch salad. The Fish Fry at Arawak Cay is also known for its conch, especially when deep-fried in a peppery fritter. The shrimp fritters are just as popular, and you can expect to be offered samples of both and a variety of dipping sauces to enhance the flavor. You will also get a chance to try the famed chicken wings at Nesbitt’s Delaporte Restaurant, an institution in Nassau for nearly 50 years.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Hang out with the local Bahamians at some of their favorite spot to dine and socialize.
• Savor samples of Bahamian specialties such as conch salad, fritters and chicken wings.
• Watch the local play dominoes at Fort Montagu and join in, if you’re game.

Learn about, meet and interact with the most beloved mammal in the ocean - the bottlenose dolphin. Upon arrival, you’ll meet the trainers for an educational briefing. This program takes place in approximately 20-foot-deep water, in small groups of no more than 10, so everyone has the opportunity to meet the dolphins while in the water and to ask questions. Highlights include a petting and feeding session with the dolphins, the popular high speed 'foot push' and optional professional photo and DVD/video opportunity. Upon completion of your dolphin swim, stay and enjoy the beautiful and always calm lagoon beach.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an up-close and personal encounter with a nurse shark on Blue Lagoon Island and then reflect on this once-in-a-lifetime experience while relaxing on the beach. A short but scenic cruise across Nassau Harbor will bring you to the private island, where you will ease into the shallow crystal-clear waters. Swimming with sharks may sound risky but these are nurse sharks, a slow-moving, mild-mannered species that typically rests on the bottom of the sea during the day. With the trainer standing nearby, you can feed a nurse shark, cradle it in your arms, rub its smooth dolphin-like skin and then snorkel alongside the shark. The experience will be exhilarating and make for an epic story that you will be telling for years to come. Free time follows, during which you can relax on the sugar-white beach, browse the waterfront shops and rent water sports equipment if you want another thrill.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wade into the shallow waters off a private island for an up-close nurse shark encounter.
• Take comfort in knowing that these nurse sharks are docile and used to human contact.
• Feed the nurse shark, rub its skin, cradle it in your arms and snorkel through its habitat.
• Spend hours relaxing on the pristine beach that rims Blue Lagoon Island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Learn what dolphins eat, how they exercise, and their unique ways of communicating with one another. Top it off by swimming and snorkeling with these magnificent marine mammals for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Swim freely in a natural, ocean-fed, deep-water lagoon as you snorkel alongside one of our rescued dolphins. After learning about what dolphins eat, how they exercise and their unique ways of communicating with one another, take a swim with these magnificent animals for a once-in-a-lifetime interactive experience that is enriching for both the guests and the dolphins. This excursion includes full day access to Atlantis resort amenities and the largest water park in the Caribbean. More than a water park, this Day Pass provides access to Aquaventure, a 141-acre waterscape packed with high-speed water slides, magnificent Atlantean-themed towers, the longest Rapids River in the Caribbean, 20 swimming areas including sparking resort pools and 5 miles of white sand beaches. Brave the Leap of Faith's 60-foot vertical drop and take the plunge into The Abyss at the Power Tower. Embark on a journey through the lost city of Atlantis in The Dig and explore the world’s largest open-air marine habitats and The Predator Tunnel. For little adventurers under 54 inches tall, Poseidon’s Playzone is a 30-foot-tall, 9,000-square foot water play fort featuring 40 water play elements and is bursting with color, excitement and Atlantean adventures waiting to begin.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Swim freely in a natural, ocean-fed, deep-water lagoon as you snorkel alongside one of our rescued dolphins.
• Enjoy a full day access to Atlantis resort amenities and the largest water park in the Caribbean
• Embark on a journey through the lost city of Atlantis in The Dig and explore the world’s largest open-air marine habitats and The Predator Tunnel.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.