Freeport
Landmarks
Grand Bahama Island is brimming with history and mystery. With the world’s longest underwater cave systems, the Island’s oldest hotel, and miles upon miles of pristine, untouched beaches, here you will find some of the island’s best landmarks to make for a memorable vacation.
Rand Nature Center
The Rand Nature Center was the first established education nature center on Grand Bahama Island. It is 100 acres of natural beauty in the heart of Freeport. The center is home to a variety of bird species that can be seen year round. Bird-watching season is from October to May and this is when winter residents and migratory birds arrive on the island. You can walk along through the nature preserve, view rotating art, cultural and educational exhibits, the Glory Banks Gallery and also learn about the center’s vegetation. The Rand Nature Center’s main purpose is to preserve the natural beauty of Freeport. It also offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about Grand Bahama’s wildlife.
Port Lucaya Marketplace
Port Lucaya Marketplace is a shopper’s paradise. Additionally, it is the only shopping, dining and entertainment complex on Grand Bahama Island. The 12-acre beachfront complex has everything that island visitors could want. It features more than 40 specialty stores and boutiques, 14 restaurants, 6 bars and 3 late night lounges in addition to 3 water sports operators. Here, you will see Straw Vendors & Authentic Bahamian Craft Artisans designing their handicrafts which can even be personalized. You’ll also be see live entertainment here every day. The complex was established in 1988 on a tiny peninsula outside of Freeport. It has everything that is uniquely Bahamian. You will also find Port Lucaya Marketplace to be the perfect place to learn more about Bahamian culture.
Garden of the Groves
Garden of the Groves is located on 12 acres and it has been certified as a Wildlife Habitat by the U.S. Wildlife Federation. The Garden has over 10,000 species of flowers, plants, and trees, which attract all types of birds and butterflies. You’ll also find waterfalls, trees, a meditation labyrinth, and spectacular beauty all around. Walk around the Garden of the Groves in a guided tour or just explore it on your own. There are signs everywhere that highlight the landscape that is made up of trees and flowers Bahamian flowers and other vegetation.
Feel the tranquility of lagoons with their waterfalls. There is even a Labyrinth for meditation. There is a fern gully and with limestone boulders on both sides of the trail. Local artisans creating native straw works, coconut jewelry, fragrances, art and more can be found here. For the kids, there is a cedar-crafted play-set in the kid’s playground. Unwind at the cafe and bar overlooking the ponds and waterfalls. Lunch is freshly prepared daily.
Gold Rock Beach
Located inside the Lucayan National Park, Gold Rock Beach is about 45 miles from Port Lucaya. To get there, you’ll need to go on a very long and uneventful drive. Once you get there, however, you’ll be glad you did. This is a very secluded beach, complete with picnic tables and barbecue pits. It’s crowded during the weekend but almost empty during the week. There are many beautiful sights to see here. This is the Grand Bahama lifestyle at its best. Gold Rock Beach supports the mangrove ecosystem of the Island and features a wide variety vegetation. At low tide, the beach will show off its infamous island’s signature Welcome Mat. You can get here by tour bus or rental car.
Grand Bahama Labyrinth
Grand Bahama Labyrinth is inside the Garden of The Groves. Island visitors come here to touch base with their spirituality. Grand Bahama Labyrinth made its debut at the Garden of the Groves on in 2008 when it reopened. A replica of the original Chartres Labyrinth, the Grand Bahama Labyrinth is in the Medieval Cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres in France. Grand Bahama Labyrinth was founded by Barbara Chester. It is the first labyrinth in the Islands of The Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Treasure Bay Casino
Located at the Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort, the Treasure Bay Casino is a Las Vegas-style casino. It features 35,000 square feet, including 400 slot machines, 21 tables of baccarat, Caribbean stud poker, blackjack and roulette. There are also a wide variety of restaurants in the immediate area.
Lucayan National Park
The Lucayan National Park has been around since 1982. The 40-acre park provides visitors with a unique glimpse of Grand Bahama surroundings. It is also the home of the Lucayan Caverns. There are more than six miles of caves, caverns and charted tunnels. It is famous for being one of the longest underwater cave systems in the entire world. You can immerse yourself in this tunnel system, and learn important facts on Lucayan history while you’re at it. Visitors can wander the trails to venture through a spectacular landscape of pine trees, rare flowers and other Bahamian vegetation.
UNEXSO Dive Center
If you love dolphins, you’ll love The UNEXSO Dive Center. It is in Port Lucaya area, within walking distance of Pelican Bay at Lucaya. Here’ll you’ll find a variety of activities for amateur as well as expert scuba divers. You will also experience swimming with dolphins in the natural environment of The Dolphin Experience lagoon. You can take home dolphin mementos too. There are also excursions from UNEXSO to the Dolphin Experience Lagoon every day.
The Perfume Factory
The Perfume Factory is in an old 18th century Bahamian mansion in Freeport. Here, you can discover unique fragrances like Sand Cologne, Pink Pearl, Guanahani, Paradise, Island Promises, Bahama Blue, Bahama Mama, Bahama Papa, Conch Salad and many more. Additionally, the factory has free tours, where you’ll see behind the scenes of a working fragrance production operation and get a chance to mix, bottle and name your own fragrance.
Peterson Cay National Park
Lively coral reefs which provide a place for snorkeling and diving, diving surround Peterson Cay National Park. It is just one mile from the beach and it is one of the smallest National Parks in the Bahamas. The cay is also well-suited for bird watching, picnics and just relaxing in the sun. It is accessible only by boat and visitors are asked to anchor in specified areas away from the coral reefs. The reason for this is that all plants and animal life within the park boundaries are protected by law. Prohibited are fishing, shelling, and damage to or removal of any coral. Also strictly prohibited and punishable with a stiff fine are garbage disposal and leaving ash coals / embers.
Lucayan National Park
The Lucayan National Park has been around since 1982. The 40-acre park provides visitors with a unique glimpse of Grand Bahama surroundings. It is the home of the Lucayan Caverns. There are also more than six miles of caves, caverns and charted tunnels. It is also famous for being one of the longest underwater cave systems in the entire world. You can immerse yourself in this tunnel system, and while also learning important facts on Lucayan history. Visitors can wander the trails to venture through a spectacular landscape of pine trees, rare flowers and other Bahamian vegetation.