Freeport Travelers Recommend

Built as a tourist destination for beach seekers in the 1950s, Freeport serves as the gateway to Grand Bahama. With a day to spend on the island, you’ll have time to get a feel for the town, immerse yourself in the turquoise Caribbean waters, and hit the beach. Here are some tips for a 24-hour itinerary.

Morning: Around Town

Kick off your day with a tour of Freeport to learn more about Grand Bahama’s only urban settlement. See the mansions of Millionaire’s Row, visit an open-air fruit market, stroll through the Garden of the Groves, and do some duty-free shopping. If you’d rather get out of town, opt for a round island tour—or hop on an all-terrain vehicle for a guided excursion through jungle and past beaches along the Grand Lucayan Waterway.

Afternoon: Sailing and Snorkeling

No trip to the Caribbean would be complete without some time spent on and in the water. Climb aboard a party boat for a few hours of music, grilled seafood, swimming, and snorkeling, or explore the Bahamian coast on a luxury sailboat instead. Active travelers might consider an afternoon of water sports just off the coast of Freeport—options include jet-ski safaris, shark diving, deep-sea fishing, and kayaking.

Night: Beach Bonfire

Polish off your perfect day in Freeport with an evening bonfire on Taino Beach. These island-style parties typically include a buffet dinner, tropical cocktails, a local DJ spinning tunes, and lots of dancing in the sand. Alternatively, make your way to Port Lucaya Marketplace, where steel bands, gospel singers, and Junkanoo groups take the stage at the vine-covered bandstand almost every night.

With three days to spend in Freeport, you’ll be able to see the highlights around town, explore the island’s national parks, get out on the water, and eat like a local—a comprehensive Grand Bahama Island experience. Here are suggestions for how to spend your three days in Freeport.

Day 1: Local Culture

Start your first morning with a guided sightseeing tour of Freeport. Stroll through the waterfalls and winding paths at the Garden of the Groves, then head to Millionaire’s Row—home to the island’s international celebrities. Next, shop at local markets or visit the only distillery on the island where you can buy duty-free liquor. In the afternoon, take a food tour to sample local Bahamian flavors, get a behind-the-scenes look at a local brewery, collect seashells on a white sand beach, or learn more about the history of Grand Bahama on an electric bike tour. After the sun goes down, head to Count Basie Square in the Port Lucaya Marketplace for live music on the bandstand.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure

Freeport is a nature lover’s paradise, and any trip to the city must include a visit to Lucayan National Park, home to one of the world’s largest underwater cave systems. The park boasts six diverse ecosystems, ranging from pine forests to mangroves and beaches. After a morning spent touring this pristine part of the island, spend the afternoon on the water. Freeport offers a variety of aquatic adventures, including scuba diving (with sharks, for those brave enough), snorkeling, jet skiing, and kayaking. If you’d prefer to stay dry, you can still enjoy the water and the colorful life that lies below aboard a glass-bottom boat. End your day on Taino Beach with a bonfire party complete with food, cocktails, and a live DJ.

Day 3: Island Highlights

Now that you’ve experienced the essentials of Grand Bahama Island, spend your last day on a day trip and enjoy one of the island’s quirkier attractions on a day trip: Animal lovers can take a tour to West End for a day spent splashing in the Caribbean Sea with the region’s resident wild pigs, while sun seekers might opt for a day on the private beach at Sweetings Cay, where you can fish, kayak, bike, swim, or simply relax on the sand. If you’re an avid snorkeler or scuba diver, use this time to explore Peterson Cay National Park, home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the Bahamas. Finally, finish off your time in Freeport with a sunset cruise, where you can toast to a trip well spent. 

Grand Bahama Island allures with its white sands, unspoiled scenery, and warm Caribbean waters. With two days in Freeport, you’ll have plenty of time to take it all on. From underground caves and shark dives to beach bonfires and sunset cruises, here are some ideas for a 48-hour itinerary.

Day 1: On Land

**Morning:**Get oriented with a guided sightseeing tour around Freeport, the island’s major urban center. Catch highlights such as Millionaire’s Row, Garden of the Groves, and the local produce market.

**Afternoon:**After lunch, head to Grand Bahama’s East End to discover one of its most scenic gems, Lucayan National Park. Most tours give you the chance to walk along Gold Rock Beach, explore one of the world’s largest underground cave systems, and spot native Bahamian birds and colorful tropical fish.

**Night:**As the sun goes down, make your way to nearby Taino Beach for a nighttime bonfire in the sand. Island parties typically include a buffet dinner, tropical cocktails, and a live DJ spinning tunes beneath the stars. 

Day 2: In the Water

**Morning:**The warm, clear water just off the coast of Grand Bahama seems made for water sports. Sample a new adventure or stick to an old favorite, such as shark diving, snorkeling, kayaking, jet-skiing, or checking out the underwater fauna from a glass-bottom boat.

**Afternoon:**Take some time to relax and soak up the sun at a Freeport-area beach. Venture out on your own, or prebook a day pass at a beach bar where drinks, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and equipment for water sports are included.

**Night:**Wrap up your stay in Freeport with a romantic cruise aboard a sailing yacht. Capture images of the Bahamian sunset as you sip drinks and snack on appetizers. You’ll be back in town in time for dinner at your hotel or a local restaurant.