It's amazing how life can change in the blink of an eye and with the stroke of a pen.
Fifty years ago, Grand Bahama Island was hardly considered
paradise. Despite its close proximity to the U.S.—located in the Atlantic Ocean only 55 miles east of the Florida peninsula—the island was difficult to navigate to by boat, sheltered by treacherous shallow reefs that surrounded it. In its history, only Indians, pirates, smugglers and bootleggers had chosen to call this uniquely isolated island home. But in 1955, American financier and visionary Wallace Groves approached the local Bahamian government with an idea to promote tourism. Shortly thereafter, the town of Freeport was formed, a harbor was constructed, and Grand Bahama Island blossomed into the paradise it has become for tourists.
Today, Freeport is one of the most popular cruise ship destinations in the Bahamas. And while it is a fantastic stopover for shopping, golf and beaches, there's more to this island that an extended stay will reveal.
The island is home to fishing villages and undiscovered ecological treasures. It has one of the world's largest underwater cave systems, three national parks, endless dazzling beaches and enchanting marine life, all of it within a couple of hours of Freeport and Lucaya.
Sportfishing on Grand Bahama Island is considered among the best in the world. Marlin, sailfish, blue and yellowfin tuna, bonefish and barracuda all inhabit the surrounding waters. Fly-fishing, particularly for bonefish, is quickly gaining popularity on Grand Bahama Island and throughout the Bahamas. Next to golf, it is the island's fastest growing sport.
In addition to the plentiful-and reasonably priced-independent fishing guides, there are several water-sports companies, marinas, hotels and picturesque lodges all over the island that cater to anglers.
Grand Bahama Island's three national parks and underwater cave system entice visitors looking for nature and peace. A great way to experience the great outdoors on the island is through an ecotour.
Anyone who's sailed or cruised into Freeport can tell you it's a
shopper's mecca. The International Bazaar is the center of the duty-free shopping universe here, featuring fashion, jewelry, perfume and Bahamian souvenirs. There is an adjacent straw market offering visitors local handmade products, of which hand-woven hats and bags are most predominant.
Lucaya, a smaller port for personal vessels to dock away from the cruise docks in Freeport, has its own shopping destination, the Port Lucaya Marketplace. It, too, offers great duty-free prices on a wide range of goods, and it has its own straw market. But the real draw of Lucaya is the convenience of moving about on foot. One can walk from the port to the market to the casino to the hotel without running out of breath.
A dining experience not to be missed on Grand Bahama Island is a meal at the Ferry House, located at the Pelican Bay at Lucaya Hotel and Suites. Just steps from Lucaya Beach and the Port Lucaya Marketplace, the Ferry House features a creative culinary style that Chef Völundur Völundarson describes as "a blend of contemporary global cuisine fused with the unique flavors of the Caribbean."
To get the most complete experience from Chef Völundarson's cuisine, order the Tasting Menu, a selection of seven courses that samples the chef's unique and delectable style in a wide range of dishes. When I visited the Ferry House, the Tasting Menu included creamy wild mushroom soup topped with whipped cream and white truffle oil, yellowfin tuna sashimi with wasabi soy-sauce, crispy skin duck breast with caramelized apples and roasted potato, and a caramel cake. The cake was so fresh from the oven that its warm caramel filling spilled out as I sank my fork in. It melted in my mouth as I savored each bite, wishing I could begin the meal again.
A Grand Bahama Island experience is much like that meal. As you savor the luscious scenery in your final moments before departing, you'll wish you could start your vacation all over again.
To plan your own vacation to Grand Bahama, call or visit your local AAA Travel Counselor.
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