17 Best Things to Do in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island (2024)

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LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO ON GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND?

Are you taking a trip to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island and wondering about things to do? Dylan and I found ourselves in the same position a couple of weeks ago before we took our trip in May 2024! I’ve gone ahead and done all the research (and experienced) the best things to do on Grand Bahama Island so that you don’t have to!

Best Things To Do on Grand Bahama Island: An Overview

After spending five days in the Grand Bahamas, Dylan and I fell in love with the island. This destination is a must-visit because of the aquamarine waters, warm ocean, and friendly people. Before we dive into the best things to do on Grand Bahama Island, here’s a list of everything we’ll be covering today:

17 Best Things To Do on Grand Bahama Island

If you have the chance to visit the Grand Bahamas, take it. Dylan and I won the Free Bahamas Vacation raffle through Briar Travel and are thankful we took the opportunity. It turned out to be one of our absolute favorite vacations ever! Let’s dive into some of the best things to do on the island.

1. Garden of the Groves

First up on the list is the beautiful Garden of the Groves. Dylan and I unfortunately didn’t make it during our trip, but it’s one of the most referenced places to visit on the island for popular attractions. It’s a 12-acre property of botanical gardens featuring waterfalls, a chapel, and an on-site cafe.

You can enjoy the botanical gardens by taking a nature tour, walking the trails, dining at the cafe, or hosting an event. It is open seven days a week from 9 AM to 4 PM. There is an entrance fee, and it costs $17 for adults and $11 for children to experience the gardens.

2. Lucayan National Park

Second on the list is Lucayan National Park. Dylan and I rented a scooter during our trip and spent the day exploring Lucayan National Park. It was hands down our absolute favorite day on the island, and we’d recommend visiting this National Park if you get the chance.

The Lucayan National Park is home to many great attractions the island offers, including Gold Rock Beach and Ben’s Cave (which we’ll cover shortly). The park has two hiking paths, both loop trails that take you through the islands’ five different biomes. The hiking trails are short, easy, and beautiful.

3. Port Lucaya Marketplace

If you’re looking for some shopping, look no further than the Port Lucaya Marketplace. This marketplace is known for its duty-free shopping. You can find plenty of souvenirs, convenience, jewelry, and luxury stores at Port Lucaya Marketplace.

Shopping in the Bahamas is a different experience than shopping in the US, which is often the case when you travel internationally. Store owners and vendors sometimes call you into their stores to persuade you to buy their products. It’s a different marketing strategy than I was used to, but I enjoyed immersing myself in the Bahamian shopping experience!

4. Ben’s Cave

One of the most awe-inspiring sights on the island is Ben’s cave! It’s located in Lucaya National Park and is one of the many underwater karst caves on the island. It’s a short walk from the parking lot, and you’ll find spiral stairs to descend into this turquoise-brackish underground cave.

The water is crystal clear to view sea life, including fish, crabs, and even bats hanging from the walls! You can’t swim in Ben’s Cave, but you can scuba dive with a certified professional if you’re an experienced diver. Continue your trek through Lucayan National Park to see the Lucaya Cave next, where indigenous Bahamian remains lay!

5. Gold Rock Beach

If you still aren’t convinced about visiting Lucaya National Park, you will be after learning about Gold Rock Beach! Across the street from the National Park parking lot, a boardwalk takes you through a loop through four island biomes. However, at the midpoint of the loop, you’ll arrive at the infamous Gold Rock Beach, where they filmed a few scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean!

Only two other couples were at the beach when Dylan and I went. It had the most turquoise waters I’ve ever seen, and the water was so clear I saw fish, a crab, and a stingray. There was also a local selling fresh coconuts!

There weren’t any chairs on the beach, except a few that the locals rented out for $30 an hour. I’d recommend bringing this sand and waterproof beach blanket so you’re not sandy on your walk back!

6. Fortuna Beach

If you’re looking for free things to do on Grand Bahama Island, visiting a public beach is your best bet. Fortune Beach is a great relaxing beach with breathtaking water, a seashell-lined beach, and a nearby restaurant. There is free public parking near the east end.

Fortune Beach is between two channels. In the middle is Viva Fortuna by Wyndham Resort – where Dylan and I stayed. Even if you aren’t staying at Viva Fortuna, you can purchase day passes for resort access and water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and more. Fortuna Beach is hands down the most beautiful place I have ever visited!

7. Lucaya Beach

Lucaya Beach is another popular beach destination for visitors. Known for its white sand and coastline, it’s one of the most visited beachfronts on the island. It has a public restroom and hotels lining the waterfront. You can purchase a day pass at the resort or access the beach for free via the public entrance.

If you turn left and pass the resort, you will reach the beach after walking a short distance. It can become somewhat crowded, but if you turn right on Lucaya, you will find a more secluded beach. If you’re on a cruise and have limited time, this is a fantastic thing to do in Grand Bahama Island by taking a taxi from the cruise port.

8. Banana Bay

If you’re visiting Freeport with your partner, Banana Bay is one of the most romantic things to do on Grand Bahama Island for couples. It’s a hidden oasis on Fortune Beach and offers a great restaurant, a beautiful shoreline, and breathtaking ocean views.

Banana Bay is a great restaurant and beachfront option if you’re visiting for a limited time on Grand Bahama Island on a cruise, like Margaritaville or Celebration. If you don’t have a beach blanket or towel, you can rent beach chairs for a small fee (around $5).

9. The Bahamian Brewery

If you’re a beer drinker, the Bahamian Brewery is not too far from the Freeport cruise port! The brewery features nine different brands local to the Bahamas. They have many variations of their dominant beer: Sands! They also have a Triple B Malt as a non-alcoholic option.

Dylan and I aren’t beer drinkers, but we saw the Triple B Malt non-alcoholic drink and Sand’s beer everywhere in convenience stores and gas stations. The brewery also distributes across the other Bahama islands!

10. Peterson Cay National Park

Peterson Cay is a national park on a separate island, located a mile from Freeport! It is a one-and-a-half acre cay off the southward shore of the Grand Bahamas. Peterson Cay has a reef and an oceanside beach. It’s a Bahamian paradise for snorkeling and scuba diving. You can only access the national park via boat, so you can join a tour or hire a private boat from the Port Lucaya Marina.

Book your Snorkel and Day Pass Tour with Viator Here!

11. Paradise Cove

Paradise Cove is a spectacular place on Grand Bahama Island for excursions. It’s known for its watersports and activities, including snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, spearfishing, and freediving. There are also combo packages for those who want to try more than one activity!

Paradise Cove is on Deadman’s Reef, so snorkeling is fantastic for seeing fish, turtles, and other sea life. Gear is provided to visitors, though you can receive a discount if you bring your own. Paradise Cove also has waterfront villas for rent, a bar onsite, massage services, and more.

12. Barbary Beach

I’m well aware that this list contains several beaches as items for “things to do,” but after all, the beautiful beaches are what this island is known for! Barbary Beach is quiet, shallow, undeveloped, and great for kayaking. It’s a less visited beach, so if you visit, you won’t see many other people here!

13. Rand Nature Center

Dylan and I rented a scooter for two days in the Bahamas (don’t get me started on the taxi prices) and found ourselves at Rand Nature Center on the first day. Even though we didn’t plan on visiting, we were thankful we stumbled upon this 100-acre naturalistic park to immerse ourselves in the Bahamian landscape.

The Rand Nature Center features a trail that takes you through the island’s biome through one of the few Caribbean Pine Forests! Walking through the landscape, you’ll find yourself at a freshwater pond and arboretum. The nature center is a popular birding destination, and we saw plenty of birds by the pond!

14. Owls Hole

If you’re a thrill-seeker like Dylan and I, I’m telling you: Go to Owls Hole. It’s a blue sparkling sinkhole in Bahamian limestone about 30 feet wide. Many people cliff jump and scuba dive, but it can be dangerous, so check the water levels before you go or ensure you are an experienced diver. It’s completely free, so it’s great if you’re trying to travel on a budget!

Owl’s Hole was by far my favorite experience in the Bahamas. Dylan and I cliff-jumped into the blue hole, and it spiked our adrenaline and gave us a euphoric high! The road to Owl’s Hole is unmarked, unpaved, and rough, so if you drive the road, make sure you have a high clearance or 4×4 vehicle. Otherwise, you can walk the path for one to two miles to reach it.

The coordinates are: 26.58747°N, 78.46978°W

15. Perfume Factory

If you want to enjoy duty-free shopping, the Perfume Factory is worth checking out in an old Bahamian mansion. You can create your perfume through mixology with island scents, including Sand Cologne, Bahama Mama, Pink Pearl, Goombay, and more! You can also ship your order to the US and most other countries for a small fee.

16. Xanadu Beach

One of the things you can do on Grand Bahama Island today is visit Xanadu Beach! It’s a well-visited beach with lounge chairs, water activities, and a wide strip of white sand. Xanadu Beach is a public beach close to the Freeport cruise port. The beach is three miles long, giving visitors enough room to spread out and enjoy their island vacation!

17. Pirate’s Cove Ziplining & Waterpark

Last but not least, we have Pirate’s Cove Ziplining and Waterpark. This option is ideal for parents looking for ways to entertain their kiddos. Their ziplining crosses the Bahamian landscape, and their waterpark features an ocean trampoline.

It also features an adventure course, a $25 banana boat ride, and more. While some locals didn’t think this adventure park was worth it, many people have left positive reviews of the excursions and the beach!

Looking for a place to stay on the island? Check out my next post on the best resorts and hotels on Grand Bahama Island!

FAQs: Things To Do on Grand Bahamas Island

Now that we’ve covered 17 things to do in Grand Bahamas, I will cover some commonly asked questions!

What is Grand Bahama Island known for?

The Grand Bahama Island is known for its fine white sand beaches, turquoise warm waters, waterfront hotels, duty-free shopping, underwater caves, mangrove swamps, and Caribbean pine forests! It’s also home to beautiful conch shells and delicious conch salad.

Can you walk around Grand Bahama Island?

Grand Bahama Island isn’t extremely walkable unless you are in popular destinations, such as the Port Lucaya Marketplace. Although the island is only 96 miles long, many attractions are spaced out and accessible only via car, taxi, scooter, or bus.

How do you spend a day in Freeport Bahamas?

There are many ways to spend a day in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, including visiting one of their pristine beaches, engaging in water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, or scuba diving, or immersing yourself in the natural landscape at Lucaya National Park or Rand Nature Center.

What food is Grand Bahama known for?

Grand Bahama is known for its seafood, including conch salad, conch fritters, Bahamian crawfish, boiled fish, and more.

Wrapping Up: 17 Best Things to Do on Grand Bahamas Island

There you have it – the seventeen best things to do on Grand Bahamas Island. We hope you enjoy your trip, as it was one of our favorite vacations ever. Enjoy the waters, try some conch salad, and dive into some blue holes to make the most of your stay!

Happy travels!