 When
Christopher Columbus discovered the islands of the Bahamas in 1492
on his way to America, he named the largest island Gran Bajamar,
"Great Shallows," a name that evolved through the centuries into
Grand Bahama. The island is just 68 miles from West Palm Beach and
is easily reached by plane or boat, making it a popular vacation
spot for visitors looking for a taste of the tropics not far from
home. The Freeport International Airport has been recently
refurbished, opening the door even wider to visitors from all over
the world.Grand Bahama Island lies just 50 miles east of Florida
and is a major tourist destination. The fourth largest island in the
Bahamas group, Grand Bahama covers more than 530 square miles. The
island has four 18 hole golf courses, one 9 hole course, and more
than 30 tennis courts. Grand Bahama Island’s hotels and casinos are
of a caliber that has earned them the title of “New World Riviera.”
The momentum of today’s thriving industries on Grand Bahama Island
began in the 1950s when the cities of Freeport and Lucaya were
developed specifically as resort areas. Since that time, visitors
have been at the center of island life. They are welcomed and
entertained with genuine warmth and hospitality.
Grand Bahama is the fourth largest island in the Bahamian
archipelago and boasts over 660 miles of pristine beaches and pine
forests. The island of Grand Bahama stretches nearly one hundred
miles from east to west, but is only 17 miles across at its widest
point.
Downtown Freeport, with its wide boulevards, called "dual
carriageways," revolves around the Moorish dome of the Princess
Casino, right off the busy roundabout called Ranfurly Circus.
Nearby, the International Bazaar is an extensive collection of
boutiques with an international theme.
Freeport/Lucaya, the island’s capital city and the
second largest city in the islands, is one of the best-known
destinations in the Bahamas. The city was specifically designed for
the tourist trade, and as a result features terrific duty-free
shopping and many attractions to keep visitors entertained and
enthralled. The 10-acre International Bazaar in downtown Freeport is
divided into sections that represent different parts of the world,
each with its own collection of shops and restaurants. You can
easily spend a whole day exploring the Bazaar, and when you run out
of money, just pay a visit to the Bahamia Casino nearby!
Lucaya boasts its own shopping mecca, the picturesque Port Lucaya
Marketplace and Marina, located across from the beach in Lucaya.
This 6-acre complex is a great place to spend an afternoon or
evening exploring the duty-free shops or chowing down at one of the
many popular restaurants. Boaters won’t want to miss the impressive
array of luxurious yachts anchored at the huge marina, an official
port of entry into the Bahamas. The Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort
nearby features a medium-sized casino in addition to lovely beaches
and luxurious accommodations. And with the evening breeze come the
sounds of tropical rhythms from live entertainment in the Count
Basie Square.
After
the sun sets in Freeport/Lucaya, the night comes alive with
entertainment and spectacle. Sit back and enjoy a dazzling show at
the Casino Royale Theater, Joker’s Wild, or Club Tropicana, or visit
one of the many nightclubs where you can catch the sounds of local
bands. If you’re feeling lucky, the gaming action at the casinos
rolls on virtually non-stop, featuring craps, blackjack, roulette,
mini-baccarat, and all of the latest slot machines. There are also
lessons for novice gamblers as well as the Sports Book betting
facility, where you can place wagers on football, basketball, or
hockey games. Later, when you’ve had your fill of partying and
playing the odds, you can search out a cozy bar on the beach and
watch the moonlight skip across the ocean while you eat conch
fritters and toss back Bahama Mamas.
Grand Bahama Island is an ecological wonder with nature preserves
and trails to explore. Its endless beaches, charming fishing
villages and fascinating marine life are just some of the island's
attractions that make this a tropical paradise and a unique vacation
destination.
Nature lovers will want to leave the modern amenities behind to
explore the eco-structure of the Bahamas in Freeport’s Garden of the
Groves, an 11-acre botanical park filled with plants, flowers,
trees, and waterfalls. The Rand Nature Center offers 100 acres of
winding nature trails showcasing native Bahamian plants. You can
experience all the major habitats found on Grand Bahama in the
40-acre Lucayan National Park, famous for its limestone caves.
You
can even explore one of the two caves that are open to the public,
if you’re not afraid of bats! Water sports of all kinds abound on
Grand Bahama, from cruises and deep-sea fishing to swimming with
dolphins and sharks. Snorkelers and scuba divers will find
themselves right at home in the waters around the island exploring
some of the world’s loveliest coral reefs. Guided tours are
available everywhere, with the best spots located near Deadman’s
Reef on the island’s west end.
The Pirates of the Bahamas Theme Park, right on the beach in
Freeport, provides the perfect atmosphere for a day full of beach
activities. The Kidd’s Camp offers adult supervision for children of
all ages, with swings and seesaws, climbing and digging equipment,
and a professional miniature golf course. Ping-pong tables,
basketball courts, and all kinds of water sports are also available.
You can eat from the galley of a "sunken" pirate battleship while
you drink grog, and then at sunset compete in a line dancing or
Macarena dance contest around a beach bonfire. Depending on how good
a dancer you are, you might even win a prize!
Visitors to Grand Bahama may find it hard to decide where to stay,
because the choices seem endless. Whether you choose a charming
waterfront hotel or a deluxe modern resort, you can count on
gracious service and genuine hospitality. There are accommodations
for every taste, from the Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort’s luxurious
modern atmosphere to Paradise Cove’s apartment-type rooms with full
kitchens. The The Royal Oasis Golf Resort & Casino in Freeport, one
of the island’s largest hotels, is adjacent to two 18-hole golf
courses as well as the International Bazaar. The Grand Bahama Beach
Hotel was completely gutted and refurbished two years ago, and
several 4-star and 5-star hotels and resorts have opened in recent
years. But if all the modern glitz and glamour isn’t your cup of
tea, check out Pinder’s Point, Smith’s Point, or another of the
sleepy settlements off the beaten path, where you can relax in a
quieter atmosphere.
Come on down and enjoy your own tropical adventure in our capital
city! No matter what you’re looking for in the Bahamas, you can find
it in Freeport/Lucaya. The largest island in the Bahamas isn’t
called "grand" for nothing—there’s something here for everyone!
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