Relaxing on a Grand Bahama Island beach; credit The Bahamas
Grand Bahama Island Beaches
Grand Bahama Island Beaches include a protected reef on the southern shoreline. Northern cays are filled with numerous crunchy white sand beaches. At activity beaches, find a wide selection of parasailing, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and more. At secluded beaches, find yourself.
Fortune Beach
Quiet and secluded, only five miles from Port Lucaya, the beach got its name from a shipwreck worth $2 million discovered here; includes a restaurant with good food and often celebrates private functions. You will need private transportation to get there or purchase a tour to visit this beach.
Gold Rock Beach
Secluded and spectacular at low tide, this protected national park is worth the relaxing, but a distant drive or tour bus from Freeport. Only BBQ pits, picnic tables, and benches are available so bring a lunch. Diver Alert: north of the beach, across the road, are the Lucayan Caverns, which is the world’s longest underground surveyed cave system.
Lucaya Beach
Located across from the Port Lucaya hotels this popular tourist beach has just about any watersport activity from snorkeling to parasailing; it’s a nice stretch of beach for romantic strolling. Coral Beach is a walk to the west and is less crowded and Billy Joe’s snack shack is close by to sample the famous roast conch.
Mather Town
Limited water activities, but a great beach for swimming, eating and drinking with the locals. Club Caribe restaurant and Margaritaville Sand Bar are nearby. Its located 3 miles from Port Lucaya.
Paradise Cove Beach
A secluded beach for picnics, volleyball, and snorkeling. Lots of tour packages go here from 10 am to sunset. Short-term apartments are on the island’s west side.
Taino Beach
Located in the Lucaya area, is ideal for families with children as it has a small playground; during holidays the beach is the host site for many local cook-outs; several restaurants are nearby; there is limited water activity available, and straw goods, hair braiding, and other souvenirs are available by Captain Kenny’s. Volleyball is available and matches are held on Saturday afternoons in front of the restaurant.
William’s Town Beach
Eastside of the beach offers nearly every imaginable water activity such as banana boats, jet skis, and snorkeling; on the settlement side is a native restaurant and bar. This is a good place for horseback riding.
Xanadu Beach
A popular tourist beach three miles from the International Bazaar offers water sports, straw goods, and local cookouts and drinks.
Dolphin Experience
One of the best natural attractions on the island, located at the UNEXSO compound next to Port Lucaya Marketplace; visitors not only see and learn about dolphins, but swim with them, pet them, and sign up as an assistant trainers. If you have ever dreamed of getting close to the most intelligent and complex animal next to man, make a reservation
LOCATION: Freeport
PHONE: 242-373-1250
Paradise Cove
Located at Deadman’s Reef, Paradise Cove is secluded on the southwestern shore of the island. You can reef snorkel off the beach and/or volleyball. This is a snorkeling tour with equipment and transfers for a fee since it’s located 15 miles from International Bazaar in Freeport. The cove is also accessible by bus or rental car. Open daily from 10 am to sunset.
PHONE: 242-349-2677
Underwater Explorers Society
Instructors and training facilities at the Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) are among the world’s finest; thousands of visitors, including children, take advantage of the ‘learn-to-dive’ in a week course that includes all equipment, instruction in training pools, and a guided SCUBA dive on a shallow reef. UNEXSO also offers several daily shipwreck, shark, dolphin, and night dive trips.
LOCATION: Port Lucaya Marketplace; call for pricing.
PHONE: 242-373-1244
