Dream escape: Grand Bahama
Baby-soft sand, vibrant turquoise waters and endless sunshine are what you’ll find on this little slice of heaven
Located 50 miles off the coast of Miami lies the first island in the Bahamas chain, Grand Bahama. Boasting 90 miles of breathtaking coastline, three national parks, one of the world’s largest underwater cave systems and duty-free shopping, this gorgeous, something-for-everyone destination lives up to its name.
Start your escape by soaking up the sun’s rays at Gold Rock Beach in Lucayan National Park, known for its picture-perfect landscape and serene atmosphere. “We were the only people on the beach and it felt like we were in paradise,” raves Bethany Megan 1973 on TripAdvisor.com. “The kids had fun searching for starfish and sand dollars and it was a great place for a picnic.”
To marvel at the rich marine life that lives in the crystal-clear waters off the coast of the capital city, Freeport, book a tour ($40 and up per adult, $26 per child) with Pat & Diane Snorkeling.
“It was like swimming in an aquarium,” says a reviewer from Indiana. “There were hundreds of fish and you could reach out and touch them.”
After toweling off, pay a visit to Garden of the Groves ($17 per adult, $11 per child), a 12-acre garden featuring winding trails, fountains, stunning waterfalls, a chapel and a plethora of wildlife. “It was even more beautiful than the brochure pictured it,” says a reviewer from California. “We saw lush gardens filled with birds, butterflies, curly tailed lizards. It also has a great café and by far the best souvenir shops in Freeport.” Spy pretty flowers growing on vines throughout the island’s mangrove forests
End your day exploring the waterfront shops at Freeport’s 12-acre Port Lucaya Marketplace. Listen to live music playing in the courtyard, visit shops that sell locally made crafts, dine on fresh seafood and marvel at the sights of a stunning sunset.
Great day trip: Sweetings Cay
Embark on a day excursion with Fran’s Travel Tour & Limo Service to Turtle Park ($109 per person). Guests take a ferry to Sweetings Cay, located 4 miles off the coast of Grand Bahama, where they can touch starfish in the shallow waters, enjoy light refreshments and kayak through the mangroves to see the turtles in their natural environment.
Don’t miss: Fish fry
Head to the beach at Smith’s Point in Lucaya at 6:30 pm on Wednesday nights for the famous weekly fish fry. Chow down on delicious fried turbot, grouper and lobster, plus potato bread and conch salad, as you listen to performances by local musicians.