9 Best Sights in Greater Grand Bahama, Grand Bahama Island

Located just off the Grand Bahama Highway, 26 miles outside town, this secluded beach, extending for yards into the sea when the tide is low, is accessible via a lovely 10-minute walk through Lucayan National Park. The turquoise water is exceptionally clear, calm, and shallow. Occasional cruise-ship tours visit for a couple of hours around midday, but there is enough space that you will never feel crowded. The beach is almost nonexistent when the tide is high, and shade is sparse, but when the tide rolls out, it's one of the most spectacular beaches around, so time your visit accordingly. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Considered the crown jewel of the four national parks on Grand Bahama, Lucayan National Park is the only place to find all six Bahamian ecosystems in a single, 40-acre expanse of land: pine forest, blackland coppice (ferns, bromeliads, orchids), rocky coppice (hardwoods), mangrove swamp, whiteland coppice (rich plant life, poisonwood), and beach/shoreline. Because it is 25 miles east of Lucaya, booking a tour or renting a car is necessary in order to experience all the park has to offer. Explore two caves, hike along the nature trails, bird-watch across the raised boardwalks through the mangroves, or stroll along spectacular Gold Rock Beach during low tide as the shoreline sets out its "welcome mat"—sand ripples created by tidal pools as the water recedes.

A 20-minute drive from Freeport, this beach's spectacular swim-to reef (called Deadman's Reef) is its best asset. Close to shore, you'll also find the longest man-made reef (composed of a long line of concrete reef balls) in The Bahamas, with spectacular marine life that includes various rays, sea turtles, and barracudas. Paradise Cove is a small native-owned resort with many different adventure packages, which all include return transportation from Freeport and Lucaya. The beach is short but wide, with scrubby vegetation and swaying palm trees. Snorkel equipment and kayaks are available to rent, and refreshments flow at The Red Bar. Beaches are public access up to the high-water mark in The Bahamas, so you can go and explore, but if you want to use any amenities, you must pay a small fee at the bar. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling.

You have to get off the main road to get to what was once a real example of the heart and soul of Grand Bahama Island. This settlement is only 10 miles from Freeport Harbour but now offers little to the tourist except for a few churches and the occasional conch stand. Much of its former glory has been destroyed by hurricanes over the past decade. Driving north through Eight Mile Rock will lead you to West End, home to the Paradise Cove and Old Bahama Bay resorts.

About 45 miles east of Lucaya and 8 miles from Lucayan National Park, it's worth the extra drive to visit an authentic, old-time island settlement affected only lightly by tourism. Its beach spreads a lovely white blanket of plump sand, with stunning views in either direction. Time spent at the bar at Bishop's Beach Club on the waterfront with Bishop himself (aka Ruban "Bishop" Roberts) and his dog will make you feel like a local. Take a walk along the beach and its parallel road (rock outcroppings interrupt the sand in places) past the cemetery to the remains of a concrete lighthouse that shows the intensity of Hurricane Dorian, which completely changed the landscape of this and other settlements in 2019.

This beach on the island's west side is relatively unknown and rarely visited by tourists, with sand that's far less fine and powdery than what's found along the southern shores. However, it's the only spot on Grand Bahama to find sea glass. Adding to its uniqueness are its view of the large tanker and container ships anchored at sea for the island's industrial businesses and the pastel-painted heavy-equipment tires planted in the sand for seating. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: walking.

This lightly visited beach will take you far from the tourist crowds and resorts. Considered one of the prettiest beaches on the island, with a wide scattering of sea biscuits, blinding white sand, and shallow turquoise water, you will most likely have the whole stretch of sand to yourself. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Named for the mama owl who nests here every year, this vertical freshwater cave (a limestone sinkhole formed by the collapse of a section of a cavern’s roof) is a popular local swimming hole. It's rimmed by a 24-foot cliff if you're up for taking a plunge. The less adventuresome can climb down a ladder into the cool but refreshing water. Take snorkel gear down with you to experience the beauty at its full potential, and if you're a certified cavern diver, you can join local scuba-diving excursions to explore even deeper. If your timing is right, you will see a nest full of fuzzy owlets (April and May) tucked under the ledge as you descend the ladder. The drive here feels a bit like a ride on a Bahamian bush roller coaster, but it's worth it—finding the hole is half the adventure.

Once a rowdy, good-time resort area, West End was nearly leveled by Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and is still rebuilding. It still attracts small crowds on Sunday evening for friendly, casual street gatherings and on weekend afternoons for small fish-fry shacks offering up some of the island's best traditional Bahamian fare. Today's visitors stop at Paradise Cove for snorkeling and farther west at the bay-front conch shacks for conch salad straight from the shell (try Tanya's) or at other tiny eateries along the way, like Chicken's Nest, known for having the best conch fritters on island. Overnighters stay at Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour, an upscale gated resort. Nonguests are welcome at the hotel's beachside Teaser's Tiki Bar for breakfast and lunch, or at the Dockside Bar & Grill for dinner.