You’re standing at the top of a Mayan Temple. It’s hot. The sun is beating down on Paradise Island, and you can hear the distant screams of people plummeting 60 feet down a near-vertical drop. Honestly, the Leap of Faith—that famous slide at Atlantis with sharks—is the kind of thing that looks terrifying on YouTube but feels even weirder when you're actually crossing your ankles and preparing to drop.
It’s iconic. It’s basically the face of Bahamian tourism. But there is a massive amount of misinformation floating around about how it works, whether the sharks can "get you," and if it's actually the best slide at the park.
Most people think you’re just swimming with predators. You aren't. You’re hauling through a clear acrylic tube at speeds that make it almost impossible to actually see the sharks. If you want to actually see the marine life, you’re on the wrong slide.
The Physics of the Drop
The Leap of Faith is the crown jewel of the 141-acre Aquaventure water park. It’s a 60-foot almost-vertical drop. You start at the top of a life-sized replica of a Mayan Temple.
When you push off, gravity takes over instantly. You don't slide; you fall. For about three seconds, your back barely touches the fiberglass. You’re hitting speeds of roughly 35 miles per hour. This is the part people forget: the "shark" part of the slide at Atlantis with sharks happens at the very end, and it happens fast.
The transition from the open air into the submerged acrylic tunnel is jarring. One second you're looking at the horizon, the next you're in a blue-tinted tube surrounded by water. Then, splash. You’re in the recovery pool.
If you blinked, you missed the sharks entirely.
Why the Shark Tunnel Matters
The lagoon you pass through isn't just a tank. It’s a highly regulated marine habitat. Atlantis Paradise Island is home to one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world. The specific lagoon used for the slide contains Caribbean Reef Sharks and Nurse Sharks.
Reef sharks are the "classic" looking sharks. They’re sleek, gray, and active. Nurse sharks are the ones you’ll see hanging out on the bottom. They look lazier, but they’re massive.
The acrylic used for the tube is incredibly thick. It has to be. It’s supporting the weight of the water in the lagoon plus the pressure of the slide's water flow. It’s also designed to be crystal clear, though years of salt water and sliding bodies mean it sometimes has a bit of a haze.
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The Challenger Slide: The One You Actually Want
Here is the "pro tip" most travel bloggers miss. If you actually want to see the sharks while sliding, you should skip the Leap of Faith and head to the Serpent Slide.
It’s in the same Mayan Temple. It uses the same shark lagoon.
But instead of a vertical drop, the Serpent Slide is a tube slide that you ride on a double or single inner tube. It starts with some high-speed twists in total darkness—which is fun—but then it slows down significantly.
The slide spits you out into the same shark tunnel, but instead of flying through at 30 mph, you’re floating at a snail’s pace. You can literally reach out and "touch" the glass while a 10-foot shark swims inches away from your face.
It’s way more immersive. It’s actually kind of peaceful, which is a weird thing to say about being surrounded by apex predators.
What Kind of Sharks Are They?
Atlantis doesn't just toss any fish in there. The Caribbean Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) are the stars. They can grow up to 10 feet long. In the wild, they’re crucial for the reef ecosystem in the Bahamas.
Then you have the Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum). They’re much more docile. You’ll see them resting on the floor of the lagoon near the acrylic tube. They don't need to swim to breathe like some other species, so they just chill.
Is it dangerous? No. The sharks have been in that lagoon for years. They are well-fed by the marine team—usually a diet of herring, mackerel, and squid. They have zero interest in the humans passing through a plastic tube.
The Logistics: Cost, Timing, and Survival
Let’s talk about the "ouch" factor.
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Atlantis is expensive. If you aren't staying at the resort (which includes the Royal, the Coral, or the ultra-luxe Cove), you have to buy a day pass. In 2024 and 2025, those prices have hovered anywhere from $150 to $250 per person depending on the season.
Is it worth $200 to go down a slide at Atlantis with sharks?
If you’re a water park junkie, yes. If you’re just going for the photo, maybe not.
- Wait times: During spring break or Christmas, the line for the Leap of Faith can be 90 minutes. For a three-second ride.
- The "Wedgie" Factor: It’s a body slide. You’re wearing a swimsuit. Friction happens. Be prepared.
- Height Requirements: You must be at least 48 inches tall. They are strict about this. Don't try to argue with the lifeguards; they’ve heard it all.
The History of the Slide
The Mayan Temple was built in the late 90s during the massive expansion of the resort under Sol Kerzner. It was a feat of engineering at the time. Merging a high-speed water slide with a live animal habitat required a specialized filtration system to ensure the slide water (which is chlorinated) never mixes with the lagoon water (which is natural sea water).
If chlorine leaked into the lagoon, it would be a disaster for the sharks. If lagoon water leaked into the slide, you’d be sliding in fish poop. The seals on that acrylic tube are checked constantly by dive teams.
Misconceptions and Safety
Some people think the sharks are "trained" to stay near the tube. They aren't. They go where they want. Sometimes they are right against the glass; sometimes they are on the far side of the lagoon.
There’s also a rumor that the slide is "scary" because of the sharks. Honestly, the sharks are the least scary part. The scary part is the 60-foot drop where you feel like you’re falling off a building.
Safety Check:
- Cross your arms over your chest.
- Cross your ankles.
- Do NOT try to sit up.
- Hold your breath at the bottom to avoid a sinus flush of pool water.
What Nobody Tells You
The stairs. Oh, the stairs. To get to the slide at Atlantis with sharks, you have to climb several flights of concrete stairs inside the Mayan Temple. In the Bahamas heat, this is a workout. Your calves will be burning by the time you reach the top.
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Also, the water in the recovery pool is surprisingly shallow. You’ll hit the water and skim across the surface before standing up in about three feet of water.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're planning to tackle the Leap of Faith, don't just wing it.
First, go early. The park usually opens at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM. Be at the Mayan Temple the minute the ropes drop. You can get three or four rides in before the cruise ship crowds arrive at 11:30 AM.
Second, wear a rash guard. It protects your back from the seams in the fiberglass slide. Some of those joints can be a little rough after a few thousand people have slid over them.
Third, stash your gear. You cannot wear glasses, GoPros (unless on a chest mount), or loose jewelry on the Leap of Faith. They will make you leave them at the bottom or in a locker.
Finally, do the Serpent Slide immediately after. It’s the same "view" but at a pace where you can actually appreciate the fact that you’re under the belly of a shark.
The slide at Atlantis with sharks remains a bucket-list item for a reason. It’s a weird, fast, thrilling mix of architecture and marine biology. Just remember to keep your eyes open—even if your brain is telling you to scream.
To make the most of your trip, check the cruise ship schedule for Nassau before you book your day pass. If there are five ships in port, the lines will be unbearable. Aim for a day with only one or two ships to ensure you actually get to spend more time sliding than standing on those concrete stairs.
Next Steps for Your Atlantis Trip:
- Check the "Shipmate" app or a cruise port tracker to see how many tourists will be in Nassau on your preferred date.
- Book your Aquaventure day pass at least two weeks in advance, as they do sell out during peak periods.
- If you're staying off-property, look into a stay at Comfort Suites Paradise Island; it's often cheaper than Atlantis but includes full access to the water park and the shark slides.