Attractions Nearby Freeport, Day Trips and Excursions

(Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas)

Since nearly all of Grand Bahama's development is concentrated in one area around the city of Freeport, there are lots of interesting attractions to visit on a day trip. Especially noteworthy is the Lucayan National Park, the Peterson's Cay National Park and various outlying golf courses, while for families, a day trip to the nearby Dolphin Experience is a must.

Water activities are the most popular way to get out and experience the natural wonder of this island. However, there are also several very interesting villages and attractions at either end of the island that are worthy of an excursion, such as Hawksbill Creek and West End. Best of all, no matter where you drive to you will find a lovely deserted beach.

Peterson's Cay National Park

Address: Peterson's Cay, Bahamas, BS
Tel: +1 242 352 5438
Located around 25 km / 16 miles to the east of Freeport and roughly 30 minutes away by boat (from Port Lucaya) is one of the most popular destinations for snorkelling day trips - the Bahamas' smallest national park (just 1.5 acres / 0.6 hectares). Although you will have to enjoy this secluded islet through a tour package, it is still worth it. Rare birds live here, while the waters are teeming with tropical fish and healthy coral reefs. Kayak excursions are one way to explore Peterson's Cay, or you can join a guided nature tour. Some people just come over to work on their tans and swimming.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

West End

A great escape from the development of Freeport is the 45-km / 28-mile drive to the old fishing village of West End. A scenic coastal road takes you here, passing through land that hasn't been changed by modern tourism. Just as interesting as West End are the other villages you will pass on the way. Hawksbill Creek and its fish market make for a great stop, as does the hamlet of Eight Mile Rock and the Paradise Cove beach resort at Deadman's Reef.

Dolphin Experience / Dolphin Encounter

Address: Port Lucaya, Bahamas, BS
Tel: +1 242 373 1244
Check out the Underwater Explorer Society (Unexso) and their dolphin facility, which is the largest in the world. They run a fascinating human-dolphin interaction programme here, allowing guests to get very close to these bottlenose dolphins in their natural environment. A 25-minute ferry ride from Unexso's base takes you to the giant 9-acre / 4-hectare wading platform, where you can play with these friendly creatures.
Open hours: daily - depends on departure time
Admission: charge

Golf Courses

Address: Grand Bahama, Bahamas, BS
There are several very nice golf courses on Grand Bahama, a number of which are in the vicinity of Freeport. To the east, the Lucayan Golf Course ranks amongst the best kept of the lot and is a real beauty to play. It is the most expensive course on the island, but worth it. The Reef Golf Course (regarded as one of the Caribbean's finest) is slightly older but based on Scottish-style courses, and the nine-hole course at Fortune Hills is the best value on the island. Other notable golfing attractions include the Ruby Golf Course and the adjacent Emerald Golf Course, with both lying on the westerly outskirts of the city.
Open hours: daily - 06:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge

Lucayan National Park

Address: Queens Highway, High Rock, Bahamas, BS
Tel: +1 242 352 5438
There are a lot of natural highlights packed into this 40-acre / 16-hectare park, some 31 km / 19 miles to the east of Freeport. After wandering through pines, palms and mangroves across Gold Rock Creek you will reach one of the island's most beautiful and isolated beaches. Bring your mask and snorkel to enjoy the pristine coral reef system. Another attraction is the underground freshwater cave system that is estimated to have 36,000 entrances. Two of the caves are easy to explore and somewhat developed with visitors in mind. If you have the time, be sure to check out the mangrove trails and the glorious stretch of sand that is the Gold Rock Beach.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Pirates of the Caribbean

Although there is no denying that the island of Grand Bahama has a notable pirate past, today the biggest pirate attraction here relates to the more recent Hollywood movies starring Johnny Depp. In 2005, the second and third sequels of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise used Gold Rock Creek as a major location and the crew spent a number of months filming here. A huge replica of a buccaneer ship remains from the former movie set and lies directly to the east of the Lucayan National Park.