Grand Bahama Island
Grand Bahama Island is the 4th largest island in the Bahamas and also one of the northernmost island. The island stretches about 96 miles long from west to east and the widest part from north to south is about 17 miles.
The island is also the nearest main island to the United States, because it’s only about 55 miles away off the state of Florida.
The island is governmentally divided into Freeport Bonded Area, East Grand Bahama district and West Grand Bahama district. The capital city is West End, which is the oldest city in the island and in 2004, there were more than 50,000 people living on the Grand Bahama – making it the second most crowded island in the Bahamas.
Important Cities
Freeport and Lucaya is the 2 most important cities in Grand Bahama.
Both the trade harbor and main airport are located in Freeport. It’s a very clean city with many good shops, roads and premium watefront lots.
On the other hand, Lucaya is a great destination for tourists. It has beautiful beaches, great hotels and many attractions, including snorkeling and cruising.
How to Get Here
There are many ways to reach the Grand Bahama Island. If you want to get here by sea, then there are cruises, mailboats and ferries. If you prefer by air, then you can choose a chartered and scheduled air, or a private one.
Where to Stay
You have plenty options.
If you don’t want to spend more than $100 per day, then you can stay at places like Bell Channel Inn, Dundee Bay Villas, Island Palm Resort, Port Lucaya Resort, or Flamingo Bay Hotel & Marina.
If you can spend more, then there are nice places like The Westin at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort, Viva Windham Fortuna Beach, Pelican Bay Hotel, Old Bahama Bay, Xanadu Beach Resort & Marina and Island Seas Resort.
There are currently more than 30 big hotels and resorts in the Grand Bahama Island.
Grand Bahama Island Attractions – Things to Do
You can visit the beautiful beaches like Paradise Cove Beach, Barbary Beach, Mather Town Beach, Xanadu Beach, Taino Beach, Gold Rock Beach, William’s Town Beach and Lucayan Beach.
If you like water sports and adventures then you can go snorkeling, diving, boating, sailing and fishing.
Birding is another unique way to spend your time in the island, because the Grand Bahama is very well-known for its large collection of native bird species.
Other attractions that might interest you are golfing, private flying, shopping and of course… dining.
For dining, I suggest you check out Ruby Swiss Restaurant, La Dolce Vita, China Beach and Zorba’s Greek Cuisine.
How to Get Around
To explore the island, just like any other islands in the Bahamas, you can find rental cars easily at the airport. Be careful though, these cars are for left-hand driving.
Renting motor scooters or bicycles could give you more freedom to find quiet spots. You can find a cycling path in Lucaya.
Public buses are also available. They connect the East and West Grand Bahama and the fares depend on your destination.
You can also try the free ferry that runs between Sweeting’s Cay and McLean’s Town every day. There’s also another ferry service that can take you to the Abacos.
