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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.
Visit this first of its kind, revolutionary land-based coral farm to learn about this important marine animal and how Coral Vita is working to save endangered coral reefs using microfragmenting technology. They have 30 tanks and expect to grow more than 10,000 pieces of 20 different coral species each year. Kids of all ages will enjoy hands-on learning with the touch tank. Tours last one hour and are available on Monday and Thursday at 10 am.
Fortune Beach lies between two canal channels, and in the middle sits the Viva Wyndham 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.
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. Interpretive 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 guided tour at 10 am (Monday–Saturday).
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.
Learn about The Bahamas' fascinating maritime history at this new museum that houses exhibits and valuable artifacts from one of the country's most famous wrecks: Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas, which sank on the Bahama Banks in 1656. The museum also features exhibits about the indigenous people of The Bahamas, the Lucayans, as well as the transatlantic slave trade.
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.
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.
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 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 Lighthouse Pointe at the Grand Lucayan resort, where nonguests can purchase day passes from the hotel, which include the use of pools and nonmotorized water equipment, as well as access to restaurants. Feed jackfish, snorkel at Rainbow Reef, parasail, or take a WaveRunner tour. Near the long-standing Ocean Motion water-sports operation, 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 the Coral Reef Beach Bar. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; sunrise; swimming; 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.
Lucaya's large and lively shopping complex is on the waterfront across the street from the Grand Lucayan hotel and right in front of the Pelican Bay hotel. Wander walkways lined with hibiscus, bougainvillea, and croton to discover a wealth of brightly painted waterfront restaurants and bars, water-sports operators, and shops selling clothing, 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 most weekends. Lively outdoor watering holes line the square.
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. Acquired by the Bahamas National Trust in 1992, 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.
Along this beautiful stretch of beach, you'll find the famed restaurant The Stoned Crab 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.
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 and passionfruit/guava radlers, plus a nonalcoholic option. 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; The Bahamian Brewery souvenirs are available in the gift shop.
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.
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