Pools Gone Wild at Paradise Island

Nassau's Atlantis resort/casino already had the best pool area -- by far -- in the Caribbean, but the Paradise Island resort has outdone itself with the addition of Aquaventure, a 63-acre "waterscape" that opened in March.

Building on its Mayan-themed, Disneyesque water attractions -- which already included water slides through shark tanks -- Aquaventure adds new water slides, a mile-long "not so lazy" river ride with rapids and water surges, and more. One great aspect of the attraction is that guests rising inner tubes are propelled up water "escalators" from one experience to the next, meaning you never have to leave the water and climb up a tower to start again -- certainly the bane of any water-park visit.

Highlights of Aquaventure include the "Power Tower," which offers guests the choice of four water slides from a 120-foot peak (including one that plunges 50 feet in total darkness); The Current and The Rapids, two parts of the attraction's river ride. The whole thing is complemented by fire, smoke, fog, and other special effects.