Paradise Island Lighthouse
Paradise Island Lighthouse
Paradise Island Lighthouse
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4.5
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snailkite
Northern Virginia, VA671 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
The white lighthouse with the red lantern at the western edge of Paradise Island is a true functioning lighthouse. It was built in 1817, the first that the Imperial Lighthouse Service built in the Bahamas (followed by Hole-in-the-Wall at Abaco)--this is a rare gem of a lighthouse from the early nineteenth century! Back then it was called the "Hog Island" Lighthouse; while the lighthouse is still standing and is in good shape, though barely maintained, the light is now electric (but did not work when we visited).
There are at least three ways to reach the light. Boats can take you (there was a dive boat with snorkeling tourists when we visited); you can get a ride from the Bahamians on jet skis plying their trade next to the Paradise Island beaches (we watched a tourist haggle them down to $50); or hike the northern beach. We chose the last.
Starting from the beach at The Cove it's about an hour's walk along the northern shore of Paradise Island. There's no walkway; most of the time you can walk on sand, but twice you'll have to scramble up some limestone boulders that have been dredged up as a breakwater, and some areas (especially at the lighthouse) you'll walk over sharp-edged eroded limestone ("alveolization"), so wear closed toed sandles or shoes. With that being said, it was not a hard hike and, with so few tourists taking the trouble to leave the resort, the views are pristine and terrific, and the shells (including conchs) are a beachcomber's paradise. We only met one other person who was going to the lighthouse. (He was a jogger, which makes the lighthouse a good goal for the physically fit.)
The Hog Island lighthouse is much taller than expected, and appears to be all of it's 70 plus feet. The location makes for outstanding photos; we were there in the morning but a late afternoon shot with the sunset would have been ideal. The entryway was open and the interior staircase was in good shape and very safe with access to the lantern at the top. Great views of the island and ocean from the lantern; great views from the lighthouse windows on the way to the top; there is no access outside of the lighthouse lantern. Our experience is that very few old lighthouses, such as this one, allow you to get close nevermind actually entering them. This was a unique and ideal opportunity to experience a part of Colonial British Bahamas.
There are at least three ways to reach the light. Boats can take you (there was a dive boat with snorkeling tourists when we visited); you can get a ride from the Bahamians on jet skis plying their trade next to the Paradise Island beaches (we watched a tourist haggle them down to $50); or hike the northern beach. We chose the last.
Starting from the beach at The Cove it's about an hour's walk along the northern shore of Paradise Island. There's no walkway; most of the time you can walk on sand, but twice you'll have to scramble up some limestone boulders that have been dredged up as a breakwater, and some areas (especially at the lighthouse) you'll walk over sharp-edged eroded limestone ("alveolization"), so wear closed toed sandles or shoes. With that being said, it was not a hard hike and, with so few tourists taking the trouble to leave the resort, the views are pristine and terrific, and the shells (including conchs) are a beachcomber's paradise. We only met one other person who was going to the lighthouse. (He was a jogger, which makes the lighthouse a good goal for the physically fit.)
The Hog Island lighthouse is much taller than expected, and appears to be all of it's 70 plus feet. The location makes for outstanding photos; we were there in the morning but a late afternoon shot with the sunset would have been ideal. The entryway was open and the interior staircase was in good shape and very safe with access to the lantern at the top. Great views of the island and ocean from the lantern; great views from the lighthouse windows on the way to the top; there is no access outside of the lighthouse lantern. Our experience is that very few old lighthouses, such as this one, allow you to get close nevermind actually entering them. This was a unique and ideal opportunity to experience a part of Colonial British Bahamas.
Written May 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lighthousekeeper80
Pensacola, FL12 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
We recently came back from a trip through Key West and Nassau. That was my 4th visit to Nassau and I had always gotten the typical "cruise ship" picture. Thanks to these guys and google earth, we took a cab to Atlantis, snaked our way through their maze, and made our way to this lighthouse. It's in pretty rough shape following Hurricane Sandy (according to the cab driver). The door is laying inside the base of the tower and none of the tower windows have glass in them. The lantern room still has it's original pedestal that would have supported the original lighting mechanism. There is also a strange frame surrounding it that seems to be the remnants of an old fresnel lens frame. Very worth ANYONE out there who is a lighthouse enthusiast. Prior to this trip I had visited 75 lighthouses in the US, Mexico, Cuba, and Belize. THIS was the oldest one that I had climbed to the top of and the first foreign non-US light that I had climbed.
Written February 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark H
Andover, NJ80 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
The Nassau Harbor Lighthouse is currently unmanned. It's open and no longer maintained. The lighthouse is at the western tip of Paradise Island and is only legally accessible from the beach. It is exactly 2 and 3/4 miles from the Atlantis Cove Beach. If you are staying at Atlantis, that's your start point. If you are not, you'll need to start another mike down the beach at the cabbage beach public access next to Riu. After you cross paradise beach you will hit a puke of boulders and corals. Sure shoes with good soles are highly recommended as the coral is sharp. Shortly after traversing the coral you will come to a sturdy stone wall. The wall goes all
The way to the water line and is about 6' high. The property owners land ends at the high tide line. So the wall is to long and not legal. The wall is shorter where it meets the sand above the coral but still outside the gate. That's a good spot to climb over. We used drift wood to use as a step up. It's sand in both sides so there's no real
Risk to injury. After that wall, the coral field continues for some way until you hit a second wall. But the second wall Was partially removed so you can walk around it at slack or low tides. Just passed this second wall the coral fades back into a top Class beach with loads of shells. Stay on the water line though as the first house after the second wall keeps pit bulls. And if you venture close to the property line, the dogs bark and chase. The coral resumes just before the Lighthouse. The lighthouse is open and you can go in. The keepers quarters are on the coral Field on the Harbor side. But are now a ruin. It's a beautiful view from the lighthouse and well Worth the hike. As I said it's a 5&3/4 mile round trip Hike. Took us about 3 hours including some shell hunting on the way back.
The way to the water line and is about 6' high. The property owners land ends at the high tide line. So the wall is to long and not legal. The wall is shorter where it meets the sand above the coral but still outside the gate. That's a good spot to climb over. We used drift wood to use as a step up. It's sand in both sides so there's no real
Risk to injury. After that wall, the coral field continues for some way until you hit a second wall. But the second wall Was partially removed so you can walk around it at slack or low tides. Just passed this second wall the coral fades back into a top Class beach with loads of shells. Stay on the water line though as the first house after the second wall keeps pit bulls. And if you venture close to the property line, the dogs bark and chase. The coral resumes just before the Lighthouse. The lighthouse is open and you can go in. The keepers quarters are on the coral Field on the Harbor side. But are now a ruin. It's a beautiful view from the lighthouse and well Worth the hike. As I said it's a 5&3/4 mile round trip Hike. Took us about 3 hours including some shell hunting on the way back.
Written January 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MasterP007
Sevierville, TN1,429 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
We were staying at the Cove and were on the beach. I decided to try to make it to the lighthouse. It’s much farther than it appears. There is a way to avoid the water to get there, but it involves trespassing. I did do the fairly difficult swim on the way down and trespassed my way back. Too exhausted to do the return swim. It’s a several hour adventure from Atlantis to the lighthouse. Some great photo ops, if you decide to make the trek. This part of the island is not maintained so lots of trash and hurricane remnants.
Written August 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
guitarist0202
Dearborn, MI27 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
This trip is not for the faint hearted. The lighthouse is about 35 min walk from Atlantis property. Most of the first part of the walk is soft sand that takes a lot of effort. After most of the beach you will approach coral breakers and 2 walls. The coral is very jagged so make sure you wear SHOES, flip flops would be a mistake. Then you have 2 walls to go around. The first you can go around, but the second you either have to go over or trespass about 5 feet onto someone's property where there is a gate. Then more sand and coral.
As mentioned in someone else's post there are dogs, but these are a resident's that are on the beach. They seem intimidating, one mouthed my hand but didn't bite. I'd suggest bringing a treat of some sort. There are plenty of conch shells and dead sea fans if you are looking to collect them.
The lighthouse itself is open and in need of repair so enter at your own risk.
**make sure you bring shoes, a light backpack, sunscreen, and WATER. There are no places to stop and get any.**
There is also no road that goes there, all beach. Total time is about 2 hours from Atlantis and back. This is really for adults. The rocks and coral are sharp and take some skills to get over.I thought it was cool, but it was hike. I went early in the morning, which is your best bet to avoid the heat.
Good luck !
As mentioned in someone else's post there are dogs, but these are a resident's that are on the beach. They seem intimidating, one mouthed my hand but didn't bite. I'd suggest bringing a treat of some sort. There are plenty of conch shells and dead sea fans if you are looking to collect them.
The lighthouse itself is open and in need of repair so enter at your own risk.
**make sure you bring shoes, a light backpack, sunscreen, and WATER. There are no places to stop and get any.**
There is also no road that goes there, all beach. Total time is about 2 hours from Atlantis and back. This is really for adults. The rocks and coral are sharp and take some skills to get over.I thought it was cool, but it was hike. I went early in the morning, which is your best bet to avoid the heat.
Good luck !
Written November 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
billpyles
Phoenix, AZ10 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Don't let the hard-times stories stop you....The beach IS public and is open to all. The walk does take about 45 min there from Atlantis. My son and I did it one am BUT take sandals or shoes (I always take my TEVA's).
Written January 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MihirMeghani
Fremont, CA1,369 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
The prior reviewer gave a good history & also spoke about the walk here. From The Reef Atlantis (the western edge of the Atlantis complex), it is about a 30 minute walk here. Here are impressive waves & mansions, & the beach is nice. It is an adventurous walk over sharp rock but not dangerous when it is not high tide. Once at the abandoned lighthouse, the views of the area are very good. Consider this a half a day trip from the hotel area of New Providence Island.
Written November 18, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel D
1 contribution
Nov 2018 • Couples
It is all the latest reviews stated except we saw or heard no dogs. We slitherered through a small opening in a gate and walked through a wide open gate 30-40 feet away at the first wall. We did trespass. It’s not necessary to start at Atlantis though. We walked through the tunnel, through the Atlantis employee parking lot, there are guards but they didn’t seem to mind, passed a oil storage area and an Indian Ashram retreat. The man watching the oil tanks actually asked if we were looking for the Ashram, we said yes, and pointed us in the right direction. From there it is all beach and coral. My wife and I were careful and are in pretty good shape but we both had sandals and are both 65 years old. You can do it.
Written November 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EstervK
Fort Lauderdale, FL61 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
I did the walk this morning. First you have to climb over the rocks at the first property, next to the no trespassing signs. You climb along the property's wall. Then it gets easier, then there's an actual wall you somehow have to manage to climb over. There's no house at the next property, so not sure why this wall goes all the way to the waters edge so you cannot go around. The next wall you can walk past. Then there's s rocky part with mean dogs. Pick up a stick (I found a rusty iron rod) to scare m away. Then just keep going. There's plenty of seaglass to be found as well on the stretch close to the wreck (of???). I went to the top but was so scared I was gonna plunge through the old wooden floors. A tourist boat also yelled at me through their megaphone, couldn't understand him. I just wanted to get out of there by then. Would go back for better pictures, but not alone!
Written May 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
langreckd5
Wisconsin260 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Tried walking here from the Atlantis. Walked along Paradise beach until it ended, then we came to some ironshore rocks which we were able walk on only to come to a 6'+ rock wall. We decided not to try and climb over because there was just another one at the next place. There's also no trespassing signs at the properties so maybe taking a boat/jet ski is a better idea.
Written September 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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