Atlantis, Paradise Island resort, which features the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, has introduced three new programs which give guests the opportunity to closely interact with giant manta rays and sea lions, along with the more than 50,000 marine animals.

The new 60-minute Snorkel with the Mantas interactive program allows up to eight guests at a time the chance to snorkel the Ruins Lagoon, the resort’s largest marine exhibit, alongside giant manta rays with three-metre wing spans, zebra sharks, jacks, snappers and hundreds of schools of tropical fish.

Atlantis, accredited by the renowned Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), offers one of only a few organized and guaranteed manta experiences in the world, and has successfully cared for giant manta rays since 2000, one of only five aquariums in the world to do so.

Rates for Snorkel with the Mantas start at US$79 per person. Participants must be at least eight years of age.

Dolphin Cay Atlantis has offered the opportunity to interact with the rescued Katrina Dolphins since 2007, and is now introducing a new program with the resident 10 California Sea Lions also displaced by the catastrophic hurricane.

The new Sea Lion Interaction program offers face-to-face moments with the playful and curious sea lions, and an in-water interactive experience in a private pool at their home in Dolphin Cay.

Guests of all ages learn the basics of animal care, including food preparation, and visit the on-site marine mammal animal hospital and rescue centre – the largest in The Caribbean. Prices start at US$79 per person.

The Aquarist for a Day program was designed for guests who want a hands-on experience under the guidance of Atlantis’ expert marine aquarists.

In addition to snorkelling with the mantas in the Ruins Lagoon, up to 12 participants daily learn first-hand the work required to maintain the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, including: preparing restaurant quality seafood for fish feedings; performing water quality tests for the 14 exhibit lagoons, home to 250 species of marine animals; hand-feeding a large collection of Cownose stingrays; visiting and working in the Bahamas’ only fish hospital, caring for newborns, as well as rescued sea life.

Prices for Aquarist for a Day start at US$179 per person.

Visit www.Atlantis.com for more.