Another fun-filled trip around the sun is done and we’re taking a look back at all of the things that happened in Nassau Paradise Island this year. Events, awards, and even flamingo yoga! There's always something happening in Nassau Paradise Island which is why it's so exciting to return to paradise and experience it anew. Here are some of 2019's highlights.

As per tradition, we kicked off 2019 in style—with a Junkanoo parade through the streets of downtown Nassau! Costumes were colorful and bright, and the music and dancing were electric. Congratulations to this year’s winning Junkanoo team, the Valley Boys!

The Bahamas Marathon celebrated its 20^th Anniversary. Bryan Morseman and Vatalin Nagy, both from the United States, were the top overall male and female. As is always the case, the event also held a half marathon, relay, and a 5K. Register for this year’s race, which takes place January 18-19, 2020.

An exciting new development. Earlier this year Margaritaville unveiled its plans for Jimmy Buffett’s first-ever residential resort in The Bahamas, slated to open in 2020 in the heart of downtown Nassau. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful place to stay and we can’t wait to experience it next summer.

The two largest casinos in the Caribbean make Nassau Paradise Island a hot spot for poker players, so it’s no wonder that the PokerStars tournament at Atlantis, Paradise Island gets bigger and bigger each year. This year’s tournament had $9M in contributed prizes so the stakes were high and the tables were hot.

With 3,000 square feet of beachfront and six pools, a swimsuit collaboration just makes sense for Baha Mar! In January, the resort released a capsule collection in partnership with luxury resort brand Vilebrequin, featuring tropical prints in Bahamas blues and a fun pattern featuring The Bahamas’ national bird—the flamingo.

New ways to get to Paradise! This year made it easier to travel to Nassau Paradise Island than ever before with increased nonstop flights from Chicago, Charlotte, Boston, and more as well as a brand new cruise route that’ll take you to Nassau by sea in style—and, with their unique cruise and stay option, provide the perfect Bahamas weekend getaway. 

Travel + Leisure listed Rosewood Baha Mar as one of the world’s best new hotels as part of its 2019 It List. With its sophisticated luxury, beautiful art collection, attention to detail, and unparalleled service, we can see why.

Celebrated butcher and culinary legend Dario Cecchini opened Carna, his new Bahamas steakhouse at Baha Mar. It’s his first restaurant outside of Italy but he chose Nassau Paradise Island because “it’s paradise.”

More exciting changes are coming to the Nassau harbourfront. In March, a $250 million transformation of Nassau’s bustling port was announced. This exciting redevelopment will introduce entertainment pavilions, striking architectural features, and amenities that’ll make your disembarkment as easy and delightful as a Bahamas breeze.

The magic of a roaring carnival came to Paradise when Atlantis, Paradise Island launched its Twilight Electric Show this past spring. Not only was there a fairway of rides but their Showtime at the Pink Flamingo show offered a stunning variety show. The pop-up event was a one-of-a-kind experience for guests.

Atlantis, Paradise Island wasn’t the only hotel to offer a pop-up experience for its guests. In March, The Ocean Club, A Four Season’s Resort launched a pop-up restaurant helmed by the Michelin-starred chef of its onsite restaurant, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Spice by JG featured a free-form menu highlighting the flavors of Southeast Asian street food with dishes like charred rib eye skewers with Thai basil dipping sauce, black pepper shrimp with sun-dried pineapple and red snapper with wok-fried napa cabbage, jicama, and cucumber.

The crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life of The Bahamas make Nassau Paradise Island a hot spot for diving enthusiasts. Nassau’s premiere diving company, Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas added another exciting dive sight to Nassau Paradise Island’s impressive underwater displays this past March when it sunk a wreck off the coast of New Providence Island. The Atlantic Breeze is a 250ft fuel tanker that now, thanks to meticulous removal of any fuels and oils, will become an artificial reef for divers—and marine life—to explore.

In June, the Baha Mar Showdown drew some of sport’s biggest names, including Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, and Chris Paul, to the Royal Blue Golf Course for a weekend of competitive golf in Nassau Paradise Island.

Speaking of golf, Atlantis, Paradise Island was named the Caribbean’s Best Golf Hotel at the World Golf Awards.

Nassau welcomed new wellness experiences this year, too! Now not only can you visit one of our incredible spas on vacation but you can participate in flamingo yoga!

For the first time, Nassau Paradise Island welcomed the exiting world jet ski racing to our shores. The P1 AquaX Bahamas World Championship—the sport’s premiere event—took place over an adrenaline-filled weekend as fans watched competitor Eric Francis beat former champion Brian Baldwin to win.

What’s your favorite Nassau Paradise Island memory from 2019? No matter whether you love to golf, eat, hit the water, or just sit back and relax, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Now that we’ve spent another year having fun in the Bahamian sun, we’re ready to welcome 2020—and to welcome you to Paradise.