Lucaya
Beaches, Port LucayaThe beach and resort area, with bars and the dive centre.
Island guide
Things To Do In Grand Bahama
The closest big island to Florida: Lucayan National Park's caves and Gold Rock Beach, diving with dolphins, Port Lucaya's market and the Wednesday fish fry at Smith's Point.
90 km
From Florida
3–4
Days to see it
Beaches, caves and an easy hop from Florida
Grand Bahama is the fourth-largest island in the Bahamas and, at around 90 kilometres from the Florida coast, one of the easiest to reach. Its main town, Freeport, was built from the 1950s as a free trade zone, and next to it Lucaya is the beach and resort area, with the shops and bars of Port Lucaya Marketplace.
The island was badly hit by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, and recovery has been slow in places, though the beaches, national parks and main tourist areas are open. A new international airport is being developed to replace the damaged terminal.
The nature is the highlight. Lucayan National Park protects one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world, with Ben's Cave open to visitors, and Gold Rock Beach, a wide stretch of sand that appears at low tide. Divers can swim with dolphins, and the east and west ends of the island are quiet and rural. Give Grand Bahama three or four days.
Where to base yourself
Lucaya for beaches, Port Lucaya and the bars, Freeport for the cheapest stays, or the quiet west and east ends.
Freeport
Town, cheaper staysThe main town and airport.
East End
National parks, quietLucayan National Park and fishing settlements.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Grand Bahama
Visit Lucayan National Park, about 40 minutes east of Lucaya, to see Ben's Cave and Burial Mound Cave, part of a huge underwater cave system, then walk the boardwalk through the mangroves to Gold Rock Beach, best at low tide. Kayak or snorkel to Peterson Cay, a tiny national park off the south coast.
Dive or swim with dolphins at UNEXSO, the dive centre at Port Lucaya, which also runs reef, wreck and shark dives. Walk around the Garden of the Groves, a botanical garden with a small chapel.
Spend afternoons at Taino Beach and Lucaya Beach, browse Port Lucaya Marketplace, and on Wednesday evenings eat at the fish fry at Smith's Point.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
All beaches in the Bahamas are public, so Taino Beach, Lucaya Beach and the long beaches of the east are free.
Port Lucaya Marketplace costs nothing to browse, often with free live music in the evenings.
Lucayan National Park charges a small entry fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
The Wednesday fish fry at Smith's Point is the island's best local night, with fried fish, conch, peas and rice and music. Conch salad and cracked conch are sold at stands across the island.
Port Lucaya has a range of restaurants and bars, and Freeport has cheaper local places.
Restaurant meals carry 10 per cent VAT, and a service charge is often added.
Nightlife
Going out
Port Lucaya Marketplace is the centre of the nightlife, with bars and live music around the bandstand.
The Wednesday fish fry at Smith's Point is the liveliest local night.
Use taxis at night.
Getting around
Getting around
Grand Bahama International Airport, in Freeport, has flights from Nassau and Florida, operating while a new airport is developed. Ferries from Fort Lauderdale have run to Freeport, but schedules change, so check before planning around them.
Buses run between Freeport and Lucaya by day, but are limited. Taxis are expensive, so a hire car is the easiest way to reach the national parks and the ends of the island. Driving is on the left.
Costs
What Grand Bahama costs
Grand Bahama is one of the cheaper places in the Bahamas, though still not cheap. Small hotels and apartments start at around €70 to €110 a night.
Dolphin encounters and dives are the main extras, and car hire is useful.
Restaurant mains cost €20 to €35 plus VAT and service. The fish fry and conch stands are much cheaper.
Safety
Safety and scams
Grand Bahama is generally safe for visitors. Take normal care in Freeport at night and use taxis after dark.
In Lucayan National Park, the caves are for looking at; do not swim or dive in them without a qualified guide.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, and the island was hit hard by Dorian in 2019. In an emergency, call 911 or 919.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Fish fries, Junkanoo and festivals.
Every Wednesday
Wednesday fish fry
Smith's Point
Local food and music.
26 December and 1 January
Junkanoo
Freeport
Costumed parades and drums.
When to go
December to April is the dry season and the best time to visit. The north of the Bahamas is cooler in winter than the south. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Dry, peak season
Feb
Dry and comfortable
Mar
Spring break crowds
Apr
Warm water, dry
May
Warming, quieter
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Hot, regatta season
Aug
Hot, rising hurricane risk
Sep
Peak hurricane risk, some places close
Oct
Still risky
Nov
Good value
Dec
Dry season, Junkanoo
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Slightly cooler than Nassau in winter.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Lucaya prices.
Treat these as a guide. Dives and car hire cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Grand Bahama questions
The ones we get asked most.
Has Grand Bahama recovered from Hurricane Dorian?
The beaches, national parks and main tourist areas are open, though recovery has been slow in places and a new airport is still being developed.
How do I get to Grand Bahama from Florida?
By short flight, or by ferry from Fort Lauderdale when it is running. Check schedules before booking.
What is there to do on Grand Bahama?
Lucayan National Park's caves and Gold Rock Beach, dolphin dives, Port Lucaya and the fish fry.
Do I need a car on Grand Bahama?
It is the easiest way to reach the national parks. Taxis are expensive.
Is Grand Bahama cheaper than Nassau?
Generally a little, especially for places to stay.
When is the best time to visit Grand Bahama?
December to April.
Is Gold Rock Beach worth it?
Yes, especially at low tide, when the sand stretches far out into the sea.
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