Many of Grand Bahama’s
hotels, restaurants and businesses were hit badly in 2004 and 2005 when
hurricanes ripped across its shores. But it bounced back in style and is a
superb destination for natural beauty.
Fish-filled reefs,
tree-lined nature walks, kayak-friendly creeks and dolphins have made Grand
Bahama a sought after destination.
Beautiful beaches, pine forests and sleepy villages await you. For a bit
more action there are the holiday hotspots of Freeport and Lucaya boasting wide
tree-lined boulevards, elegant resorts, world-class shopping, superb beaches
and a multitude of activities for everyone.
Of all the islands in
the Bahamas archipelago, Grand Bahama Island is the second most popular tourist
destination. Freeport is the resort centre of the Island where most of the action
can be found. The eastern and western ends of the Island are more serene and
discovering hide-away spots are not uncommon. Your shopping needs are also
catered for as a walk through Port Lucaya will uncover duty-free treasures.
With fantastic weather
all year round, this is an incredible holiday destination. The summer
temperatures are kept in check by the cooling trade winds. The hurricane season
runs from June to November when heavy rainfall and storms are likely.
The average monthly
temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
23 |
24 |
25 |
27 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
29 |
26 |
24 |
|
Night |
15 |
15 |
17 |
19 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
22 |
19 |
16 |
It might not be up to
Milan standards, but Grand Bahama can provide you with plenty of opportunities
to splash your cash.
The main shopping area
is Port Lucaya Market Place where you’ll find all manner of shops selling
anything from clothing to perfume and leather goods to crystal. Another
excellent area is Downtown in Freeport.
Grand Bahama is a duty
free heaven for shoppers. The following items can all be bought duty free:
perfumes, crystal, leather goods, jewellery, fine linens, tablecloths, watches,
clocks, photographic equipment, china, binoculars and telescopes.
When the sun goes
down, Grand Bahama’s nightlife gets going. An evening’s entertainment generally
takes the form of a club or live show, but if you fancy a flutter there is
always the Isle of Capri Casino. Below are a few venues you might like to check
out during your stay.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
If you can tear
yourself away from the wonders of Grand Bahama then you may want to take some
time out to explore one of the other islands in the Bahamas archipelago such as
Nassau or the Out Islands.
To avoid stomach
upsets you should only use bottled water. The major health risk in the Bahamas
is traveller’s diarrhoea most commonly caused by eating fruits, shellfish, and
drinks to which your body is unaccustomed. To minimise the chances of this
happening go easy at first on new foods
such as mangoes, conch, and rum punch.
Health facilities on Grand Bahama are good but you are strongly advised
to have full medical cover in place before travelling.
Grand Bahama is a safe island but you should always take the usual
precautions with your valuables and never leave your belongings unattended on
the beach.
