Grand Bahama Island

An old favorite still trying
to make a big splash.

Grand Bahama Island

Grand Bahama is the very first island I ever visited, so it holds a special place for me.

Like Cancun, Grand Bahama's twin cities, Freeport/Lucaya, were constructed from the ground up to cater to visitors. Previously, Grand Bahama was mostly pine forest and one of the least developed islands of the Caribbean.

In order to make an impact and be noticed quickly, the island pulled out all the stops to become instantly famos with the opening of Freeport's International Bazaar in 1967.

The International Bazaar was actually the forerunner of Walt Disney World's EPCOT, predating it by more than a decade. The plan worked, and overnight Grand Bahama became the newest hot island destination.

Certified divers have the unusual chance to play with trained dolphins in the open ocean. Many islands offer dolphin encounters in an enclosed area, but only on Grand Bahama can you swim with them freely. There's also a dolphin encounter program, too.

Grand Bahama offers more golfing opportunities than perhaps any other island. It has four championship caliber courses planned by such leading architects as Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Dick Wilson.

In the past, Grand Bahama has lacked convenient air service or hotel facilities to fulfill its grand possibilities. Now with its new airport terminal and regular ferry passenger service from Florida, everything could be coming together. The island's long wait could be over.

The Essentials

Grand Bahama Arrival Briefing
What you need to know if you go

Getting To Grand Bahama
Come by air or sea

Grand Bahama History
An interesting history still unfolding

Things To Do
Numerous nature-based activities

Marriage License Requirements
Easy to plan a wedding here

Wedding Planners
To make it all easier

Grand Bahama Attractions

Dolphin Experience

Garden of the Groves
Prettiest spot on Grand Bahama

Lucayan National Park
With spectacular Gold Rock Beach

Peterson Cay National Park
Can be reached only by boat

Rand Nature Center
National Park on Freeport outskirts

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