Grand Bahama Island

Fluffy white-sand-carpets in-your-dream beaches, where water sparkles like sapphires, lapis, tanzanite, emeralds, aquamarines … you get the picture. Grand Bahama Island has more than its share of beautiful beaches fringing the south coast of its 96-mile length, and even a few remote ones along the west coast, too. Some are bustling with water-sports activities, while others lie so far off the beaten path it takes a four-wheel-drive vehicle and local knowledge to find them.

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  • 1. Gold Rock Beach

    Located just off the Grand Bahama Highway 26 miles outside town, this secluded beach is accessible via a lovely 10-minute walk through the Lucayan National Park, spanning for yards into the sea when the tide is low. 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.

    Grand Bahama Hwy., Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
  • 2. Lucayan National Park

    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 around the nature trails, bird-watch across the raised boardwalks through the mangroves, or stroll along the 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.

    Grand Bahama Hwy., Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
    242-353–4149

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $5
  • 3. Paradise Cove Beach

    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 of their amenities, you must pay a small fee at the bar. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling.

    Warren J. Levarity Hwy., West End, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
    242-727–5339-Paradise Cove tour reservations number
  • 4. The Dolphin Experience

    Port Lucaya Marketplace | Zoo/Aquarium

    Encounter Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in Sanctuary Bay at one of the world's first and largest dolphin facilities, about 2 miles east of Port Lucaya. A ferry takes you from Port Lucaya to the bay to observe and photograph the animals. If you don't mind getting wet, you can sit on a partially submerged dock or stand waist deep in the water and one of these friendly creatures will swim up to you. You can also engage in one of two swim-with-the-dolphins programs, but participants must be 55 inches or taller. The Dolphin Experience began in 1987, when it trained five dolphins to interact with people. Later, the animals learned to head out to sea and swim with scuba divers on the open reef. A two-hour dive program is available. You can buy tickets for the Dolphin Experience at UNEXSO in Port Lucaya but be sure to make reservations as early as possible.

    Port Lucaya, next to Pelican Bay Hotel, Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
    242-373–1244

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Dolphin Encounter $85, Dolphin Swim $179, Dolphin Dive $219, Daily 8–6
  • 5. The Garden of the Groves

    This vibrant, 12-acre garden and certified wildlife habitat with a trademark chapel and waterfalls, is filled with native Bahamian flora, butterflies, birds, and turtles. Interpretative signage identifies plant and animal species. First opened in 1973, the park was renovated and reopened in 2008; additions include a labyrinth modeled after the one at France's Chartres Cathedral, colorful shops and galleries with local arts and crafts, a playground, and a multideck indoor and outdoor café and bar. Explore on your own or take a half-hour-long guided tour at 10 am (Monday–Saturday). Enjoy the garden under twinkling lights on Friday nights only during the high season, with dinner specials and sometimes live music.

    Midshipman Rd. and Magellan Dr., Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
    242-374–7778

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $17
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  • 6. Bahamas National Trust Rand Nature Centre

    Established in 1939 on 100 acres just minutes from downtown Freeport, a half mile of self-guided botanical trails shows off 130 types of native plants, including many plants known for their use in bush medicine. The remaining tracts of land are left natural and undisturbed to serve as wildlife habitat. The center is also one of the island's birding hot spots, where you might spy a red-tailed hawk or a Cuban emerald hummingbird. Visit Donni, the one-eyed Bahama parrot the center has adopted, and the two Bahamian boas, a species that inhabits most Bahamian islands, but not Grand Bahama. The visitor center also hosts changing local art exhibits. The center survives on admissions, gift shop purchases, and donations alone, but has plans for a future face-lift and new exhibits.

    Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
    242-352–5438

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $5, Closed weekends and after 1pm weekdays
  • 7. Eight Mile Rock

    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. The string of brightly painted food shacks along the ocean, known as Sunset Village, was demolished by Hurricane Wilma in 2005, and has yet to fully recover its party atmosphere. Driving north through Eight Mile Rock will lead you to the West End, home to Paradise Cove and Old Bahama Bay resorts.

  • 8. Fortune Beach

    Greater Lucaya

    Fortune Beach lies between two canal channels, and in the middle sits the Wyndham Viva Fortuna all-inclusive resort, where visitors can purchase day passes to use water-sports equipment and resort facilities. Steps from the resort the secluded beach offers exceptional strolling, off-shore snorkeling, and swimming. The western end backs the Margarita Villa Sand Bar and the private homes along Spanish Main Drive, known as "Millionaire Row." The eastern end is home to Banana Bay Restaurant, where at low tide a shallow lagoon forms alongside a drawn-out sandbar, allowing you to walk yards out to sea with cold drink in hand. Amenities: food and drink; parking near east end only (no fee). Best for: solitude; snorkeling; sunrise; swimming; walking.

    Fortune Bay Dr., Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
  • 9. Lover's Beach

    This beach on the island's west side is relatively unknown and rarely visited by tourists, and its sand is 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 is 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.

  • 10. Lucayan Beach and Coral Beach

    This stretch of sand divides into separately named beaches at the intersection of Sea Horse Road and Royal Palm Way. The eastern end is Lucayan Beach, monopolized by the broad spread of the Lighthouse Pointe at The Grand Lucayan resort, where nonguests can purchase day passes from the hotel which include use of pools, nonmotorized water equipment, and access to restaurants. Feed jackfish, snorkel at Rainbow Reef, parasail, or take a WaveRunner tour. Near the long-standing Ocean Motion Watersports, there is no admission fee for the beach. Go west from here along Coral Beach, where the shore widens for easier strolling and the crowds thin considerably on the way to Coral Beach Bar. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; sunrise; swimming; walking.

    Sea Horse Dr., Royal Palm Way
  • 11. Old Freetown Beach

    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.

    Off Grand Bahama Hwy., just west of Ol' Freetown Farm
  • 12. Owl's Hole

    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.

    Off Grand Bahama Hwy., Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
  • 13. Port Lucaya Marketplace

    Port Lucaya Marketplace

    Lucaya's capacious and lively shopping complex is on the waterfront across the street from the Grand Lucayan Hotel, and right in front of the Pelican Bay. The outdoor shopping center, whose walkways are lined with hibiscus, bougainvillea, and croton, has lots of well-kept, colorfully painted establishments, among them waterfront restaurants and bars, water-sports operators, and shops that sell clothes, silver, jewelry, perfumes, and local arts and crafts. The marketplace's centerpiece is Count Basie Square, where live entertainment featuring Bahamian bands appeals to joyful nighttime crowds every weekend. Lively outdoor watering holes line the square.

    Sea Horse Rd., Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
    242-373–8446
  • 14. Taino Beach

    Greater Lucaya

    Along this beautiful stretch of beach you'll find the iconic Stoned Crab restaurant and their photo-worthy swings over the shallow sea. A few steps farther is Outriggers Beach Club, home to the popular fish fry held every Wednesday night. This is also where you'll find the legendary Tony Macaroni's beach shack; be sure to give his roast conch a try. Plenty of green space edges the beach, and there's also a playground. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.

    W. Beach Rd., near Smith's Point
  • 15. The Bahamian Brewery

    One hundred percent Bahamian-owned, this 20-acre brewery opened in 2007, bringing to the Bahamian islands five new beers including Sands, High Rock Lager, Bush Crack, and Strong Back Stout. They now offer nine products, including the popular refreshing pink grapefruit or passionfruit and guava radlers. The brewery does everything on-site including bottling and labeling, and offers 45-minute to hour-long tours on weekdays that take you along each step in the brewing process. The tour ends in the tasting room where you can belly up to the bar or cocktail tables to sample each beer. Walk-ins are accepted. Beer, wine, and liquor can be purchased in the retail store; Bahamian Brewery souvenirs are available in the gift shop.

    Just off Queen's Hwy., east of turn to West End
    - 242 - 688–2337

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $10 for tours, No tours on weekends, but liquor store open Sat. Closed Sun.
  • 16. West End

    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 evenings for friendly, casual street gatherings, and small fish fry shacks on weekend afternoons, 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' 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 Tiki Bar for breakfast and lunch, or at the West Side Grille for dinner.

    West End, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
  • 17. William's Town Beach

    When the tide is high, this 1.9-mile slice of relatively hidden beach (from East Sunrise Highway, take Coral Road south, turn right onto Bahama Reef Boulevard, then left on Beachway Drive) can get a little narrow, but there's a wide area at its East End on Silver Point Beach near Island Seas Resort, where a food stand called Bernie's Tiki Hut serves fresh local delicacies such as cracked conch, fried snapper, or grilled lobster tail. Bernie's also hosts a bonfire on Tuesday nights. You can also grab a bite or a potent cocktail at Manta Ray Village nestled between Island Seas and Bernie's. Just west of here, a sidewalk runs the length of the beach along the road and at low tide the beach expands far and wide for easy walking on the shore. Island Seas Resort has its own modern interpretation of the local beach shack, called CoCoNuts. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

    Silver Point Dr. at Beachway Dr.
  • 18. Xanadu Beach

    The old Xanadu Resort of Howard Hughes fame has been abandoned and is all but crumbling and even the surrounding buildings look depressed, but there is local talk that the day will come when the area will be restored and renovated. There are no longer amenities nor flocks of tourists on this beach. However, the mile-long stretch of sand is still serene and worth a walk at sunset, especially when cruise ships depart into the twilight. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

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