While the main focus of the WSOP Paradise series in December will be on chasing gold bracelets, there are plenty of activities and sights worth checking out in the Bahamas after busting out of a tournament.
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is hosting its first bracelet series ever in the Bahamas from Dec. 3-14, and it includes 15 tournaments and $50 million in guaranteed prize pools, including the $15 million guaranteed Main Event (Dec. 9).
All the poker action will take place at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort, site of the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) poker series in the past. But poker won’t be the only action that takes place at or near the popular resort.
View the Full WSOP Paradise Schedule
Wine and Dine
As is the case with any major casino resort, Atlantis has plenty of viable options to drink and dine. The hotel has plenty of fine dining and casual dining options, along with a buffet. Hotel guests can even purchase an all-inclusive package for what is mostly unlimited drinks and grub throughout their stay.
Atlantis has a little something for everyone when it comes to food. There’s a sushi bar, sports bar, ice cream shop, buffet, cafe, steakhouse, deli, snack bar, Starbuck’s, seafood restaurant, burger joint, and multiple other fine dining establishments. The numerous food choices make it convenient on dinner breaks during tournaments or on non-poker days.
Hit Up the Beach
The most obvious, and best, entertainment option in the Bahamas is to relax on the beach. Doing so is a great way to relieve some of that anger from your aces getting cracked by seven-deuce.
One of the top benefits to staying at or near Atlantis is the close proximity to the beach. You’ll be steps away from water, so you could literally dive into the ocean within a minute or so after busting from a tournament. And if you’re taking the day off from poker, there simply isn’t a better way to spend the afternoon, especially considering the December weather in the Bahamas is typically low 70’s to low 80’s.
Hit Up the Casino
Who says you can’t gamble when you aren’t playing poker in the Bahamas? After you’ve had enough relaxation on the beach and filled your belly up with one of the many food options on-site, why not do a little gambling?
Atlantis has a full-scale casino that spans far beyond the poker room. That includes over 700 slot machines, 85+ table games, and a race and sportsbook, which is a solid place to watch and wager on a game.
Visit a Local Distillery
If you’re looking for something to do that’s a bit outside the box and a tad off the beaten path, take a tour of the John Watling’s Distillery, located about a 10-minute drive from the Atlantis resort in Downtown Nassau. At the Estate, John Watling’s features a free production and museum-like tour, shopping and signature Bahamian cocktails at its tavern.
The distillery is only open during the day time and closes at 6 p.m. But it’s worth the visit and for the rum. You can even purchase personalized liquor bottles and host group outings.
Beach Activities
There’s so much more to beach life in the Bahamas than just lounging on a beach towel in the sand while sipping on a Mojito. Activities such as snorkeling, boating (boat tours are great), swimming, and swimming with pigs (yes, that’s a real thing).
At the appropriately named Pig Beach in Nassau, you can swim with and feed the pigs that call the beach home. It’s a unique experience to the area, and fun you won’t have elsewhere. There are also plenty of boat tours around, some great fishing spots, and snorkeling in the Atlantic Ocean is pretty much a must-do activity for anyone visiting the Bahamas.