Back in February 2013 I traveled to the Bahamas for the third time. The first two times I traveled to the most popular island of the Bahamas, Nassau. So when a special came up for Freeport, Grand Bahama on Expedia I was eager to book and see the island. I didn’t know what to expect when booking. I knew it was the lesser traveled island compared to Nassau but I didn’t know if there was anything to do. All I wanted was seclusion; where I could escape to lay on a beach sans many people. And that’s exactly what I got.

During my time in Freeport, Grand Bahamas I wrote down some important notes. Anybody wanting to travel to the Grand Bahamas would be surprised to learn that there isn’t much information about it. So I have compiled a list below of important information. This was my first hand experience and the following is a non wordy, concise and quick list of what I encountered while on Grand Bahama.

Food

No need to buy meals every breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try a grocery store like Solomons.
Foods are imported so it’s possible to eat food other than seafood.
$10 – 30 bucks for a meal. Budget for your first couple of meals because most likely you won’t be able to go to the grocery store.
Budget for pricey food but if you can, shop at grocery store like Solomon’s (near downtown Freeport). You will need to take the bus that leaves from the Lucayan Market or take a taxi.
Ate bagels, roast beef, and avocados… A good cheap meal.

Freeport General Tips

Freeport is only 60 miles off of Ft. Lauderdale. Easy flight to get to if you’re looking for a quick escape.
Leave your phone if you truly want to escape (at least at the hotel).
There is wifi at some places — mostly hotels.
Easy to find deals during the low periods. Look on Expedia Hotwire for last minute deals. Usually these places are places that people don’t frequently travel to at this time of the year.
If you’re flexible and open minded you can have an awesome get-away.
Grand Bahama is pretty safe. Use common sense. Walk with another especially if you’re single girl. Sometimes you will be approached about drugs – say no politely and walk away.
Being gay is not an issue but if you flaunt be cautious. Just use common sense. Being gay here is taboo therefore it’s better to be not flamboyant.
Stick with how much money you have and work with it.
Grand Bahama is very laid back.

Getting There

Flights as of May 2013:

Airlines	Destinations
American Eagle	Miami
Bahamasair	Fort Lauderdale, Nassau
Blue Panorama	Seasonal: Milan-Malpensa
Delta Air Lines	Seasonal: Atlanta
Flamingo Air	Marsh Harbour, South Bimini
Regional Air^[3]	Marsh Harbour, Nassau, North Eleuthera, San Andros, South Bimini, Walker’s Cay
SkyBahamas Airlines	Fort Lauderdale, Nassau
United Express operated by Silver Airways	Fort Lauderdale
US Airways	Charlotte, Philadelphia
US Airways Express operated by PSA Airlines	Charlotte
Western Air	Nassau
WestJet	Seasonal: Toronto-Pearson
XL Airways France	Paris Charles de Gaulle

It’s also possible to come by cruise!

People of Freeport

Pretty friendly, laid back, not so pushy like the rest of Caribbean.
In the Grand Bahamas there is such a thing as Caribbean time. Things won’t move as fast. But that’s okay.

See and Do in Freeport

You need a tour or rent a car to see the rest of island (when staying in Freeport).
Lucayan National Park is a must do; beach is one of the best in the Caribbean; Native Americans buried in ancient caves; The second highest point in Grand Bahama (it’s not really high though).
Can observe all of the Ecosystems of Grand Bahama at Lucayan National Park
Fortune Beach, Gold Rock Beach, Lucayan Beach, Mather Town Beach, Paradise Cove Beach, Smith’s Point Beach, Taino Beach, William’s Town Beach, Xanadu Beach, Silver Point Beach are the top beaches.
Avoid the beach across the canal from Silver Point Beach.
Beaches are white, secluded, and pristine; Water is a pretty blue.

Shopping in Freeport

Grand Bahama has duty free shopping which is pretty normal for most Caribbean countries.
On Sunday most stores are closed or have very short hours. Be aware of that.
The Lucayan Market is not big but you do have the name brands that are at most Caribbean ports. You also have the crap market souvenir shops that pressure you to buy. If you’re not a person who can’t say no avoid this area because they will put on the pressure for you to buy something.

Swamp near Lucaya National Park

View from Ocean Reef Hotel

Solomons

The Pelican Bay Hotel

Stay in Freeport

Hotels are pricey but if you come in the off the season (January to May) it’s pretty slow. In the summer it rains often and there is a greater chance of hurricanes. September and October and during holidays are the busiest.
Be aware of any locals trying to sell time shares. Would you like to come to the same place every year? Why would you want to come to the same place every year? Ask yourself these question. Understand that you could travel a lot for less than you would be paying at a time share.
I stayed at a hotel that also sold time shares and it was perfectly fine; Didn’t ask me to buy a timeshare. Had a kitchen to make food and it was a huge, older apartment.
Ocean Reef is a hotel option but you have to walk to the beach — about a mile; could always take a taxi but it’s around $5 to the Lucayan Beach (one way, per person).
The nicest hotels are near Lucayan Beach. They include Grand Lucayan and Pelican Bay.

Tourist Environment

February is pretty quiet and peaceful. Few tourist and secluded beaches. Easy to rent out chairs and umbrellas.
Best time to come is right after New Years because kids are in school, families are busy and cruises are not frequent. Months of January and February are pretty low key.
Average water temperature is 75ish; in the summer it’s even warmer.
Lots of older people. Grand Bahama is not a young crowd.

Transportation in Freeport

Taxis are pretty expensive — Spent $22 dollars from the airport to the hotel.
$5 to the beach from the hotel to the beach; per person, one way.
Biking not really an option; Could be dangerous because of the mentality of driving.
You can rent a car to tour the island or hire a tour guide to take you. If you’re renting a car they sometimes make you get a 3 day rental which adds up quickly. I remember to get a rental wasn’t cheap and for 3 days I think it was over 200 dollars. If you’re only going to a few parts of the island it is probably better to get a tour guide.
They also drive on the left side of the road! And some parts of the islands have poor road conditions.
Public transport is pretty easy but not very extensive. Next to the police station near Lucayan Market there is a bus step connecting Lucayan to the Solomon Grocery Store — Must pay 1 dollar for the van taxi ride.

Weather

Weather is warm year round but there is slight chance of colder weather during the winter months; possible to see 50s and 60s.
Sun is intense – need to bring sunscreen with you (under 3 oz if flying).
Hurricanes can happen from July to November.