Freeport: The Hong Kong of the Americas

Where Nassau is a blend of the old and new, Freeport/Lucaya is a modernistic planned city, and is situated on the the Bahamas' second most popular tourist destination: the Island of Grand Bahama.

Grand Bahama Island is the second most popular tourist destination. Here you will find long stretches of deserted clean-white beaches, inviting hotels, one major casino, night-time entertainment and world-class scuba diving facilities and land and sea sports. Freeport is the resort center of the Island where much action can be found. On the eastern and western ends of the Island are serene and quaint settings and finding hide-away spots is not uncommon. Shopping is also a feature as one can stroll through Port Lucaya and discover duty-free treasures from around the world.

Like New Providence, the larger Grand Bahama boasts (more) miles of pearly white beaches, and luxurious hotels. Unlike Nassau, the less populated outskirts of Grand Bahama supply more serene and tranquil surroundings (read deserted beaches) popular amongst those who desire private hideaway spots reminiscent of the Family Islands. According to a census taken in 1990 stated that there are 40,898 persons living in Grand Bahama, of which 12% were non-Bahamians, and 88% were Bahamian.

For those into nature, Grand Bahama is also home to one of the oldest underwater cave systems in the world, situated at the Lucayan National Park. Whether your looking for modern luxury or want to get away from civilization, Grand Bahama offers the best of both worlds.


What To Do On Grand Bahama Island

Arts & Craft Market: Located across from the Our Lucaya Resort (Port Lucaya), the market offers a wide variety of what should be locally made (but often not) straw, arts, crafts and souvenir items.

Baseball & Softball: The Grand Bahama Softball Association has a full season of games.

Basketball: The Grand Bahama Basketball Association organizes a league amongst the local clubs and visiting teams from Nassau, culminating in selection of players for the National Squad in the Caribbean games and the Pan-American games. 

Beaches: Crystal clear waters cuddle over 60 miles of pearly white beaches. The waves are usually absent thanks to an omnipresent barrier reef that surrounds the beaches.

Cinemas: There is one major movie center in Freeport.

Diving:  This is the best place to do it, bar none.

Fishing: Marlin, tuna, sailfish are a plenty in the deep water near the island and on the reefs, grouper, snapper, yellowtail are waiting for you hook.  Charter fishing and rental boats are available at all the marinas.

Golf: The Island has four 18 hole championship courses.

Library: The Sir Charles Hayward Library situated in down town Freeport has an small collection of books and periodicals. 

National Parks: There are 2 national parks on Grand Bahama Island: Petersons Cay which is 7 miles due east of Freeport is a small islet with an unspoiled reef and a small sand beach. The Lucayan National Park is 20 miles east of Freeport and features a wide variety of mini eco-systems complemented by with hammocks, caves, blue holes, a footbridge over a natural creek, a small cay and one of the best beaches on the island. The parks are maintained by the Bahamas National Trust. 

Rugby:  The Freeport Rugby Club has a clubhouse on Settler's Way adjacent to the YMCA. They host matches between Nassau clubs, and clubs from the U.S and UK as well as hosting a Rugby festival each year for teams from Qatar, UK, California, Jamaica, and Canada. 

Sailing & Boating: Ride the banana boat, para-sail, or a jet ski (or do all of the above!) at Superior Watersports. Excellent docking facilities with full service bait and tackle shops, gas docks are available at most marinas. 

Shopping: Excellent selection of merchandise from all over the world at Port Lucaya with competitive prices on perfumes, jewelry, cameras, designer clothes as well as beautifully carved native art-work.  There are two supermarkets--Winn Dixie-- in Downtown Freeport and another Winn Dixie on Sea Horse Road in Lucaya as well as food stores like Butler's Specialty. There prices are somewhat expensive due to their monopolistic position, and the general cost of shipping food over by ship.

Snorkeling: Because of the excellent visibility of the waters (due to the fact that the soil in the Bahamas is not rich, there is nothing to color the water) snorkeling is a year round event--though in the winter the water is too cold for my tastes (though those Canadians don't seem to mind). If you snorkel in the winter, I would suggest a wet suit.

Soccer: Soccer matches at the Grand Bahama Football League

Squash: Four courts are located at the Grand Bahama Tennis & Squash Club located behind Freeport High School.

Straw, Craft and Souvenir Markets: Straw work in the form of hats to placemats, and dolls can be easily found and bargained for.

Tennis:  Tennis is growing by leaps and bounds. See BahamasTennis.com

Taxis: Taxi cabs are located at the Grand Bahama International Airport, at the Lucayan Harbour, and major hotel and tourist locations.

Theatre:  The Regency Theater is home to the Freeport Players Guild which performs several plays a year. The Theater also occasionally features professional performers including opera, and ballet.

Water Sports:  Water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, wind surfing and banana boat rides can be enjoyed off the Lucayan and other beaches. 

YMCA: The YMCA is features several large playing fields, a gym, an indoor basketball court and 25 meter swimming pool.