Outside Of Freeport

Outside of Freeport/Lucaya

The Island of Grand Bahama narrows as you move west out of Freeport towards the West End, which was once the capital of Grand Bahama and is still the home of the first settlers of Grand Bahama. On the main road from Freeport to the West End, which in some spots seems just inches from the water, you will see fisherman's boats moored and ready to sell the fresh catch of the day to those who pass by. Local vendors line the road with food stands selling meals of fried grouper, conch salad and peas-n-rice.

The little seaside villages have houses painted in bright blue and pastel yellow permeate the area between Freeport and the West End. Many of these settlements are hundreds of years old and were name after the original homesteader whose descendants still live there.

Going toward the East End of the Island from Lucaya you will see the "natural side" of Grand Bahama Island. The road is long and flat and it cuts through dense pine forest to reach McLean's Town, which is the end of the road. The indigenous creatures such as the curly-tail lizard, raccoons, and pelicans are some of the creatures you will see in this part of the island. There are other sights outside Freeport and Lucaya you won't want to miss.

The Lucayan National Park is a 40-acres land preserve with trails and elevated walkways winding through the natural forest of wild tamarind and gumbo-limbo trees. As you progress on past an observation platform, a mangrove swamp and secluded pools, which contains rare marine species and the largest explored underwater cave system in the world or so it is believed. There are two entrances into the cave. One of the entrances will be closed during the bat-nursing season of June and July. If you wish to explore the cave you must contact the Underwater Explorer Society. The park also contains five ecosystems beach, sandy or whiteland grove or hardwood forest, mangroves, rocky grove, and pine forest. At the entrance to the park there is a large map, which details the distinctive features of the park. If you cross the road from the park, a boardwalk will lead you to Gold Rock Beach. The Gold Rock Beach is a beautiful unpopulated beach of white sand with an aquamarine sea and coral reef.

The Parrot Jungle's Garden of the Grove is a 12-acres tropical paradise. There are some where in the neighborhood of 10,000 species of tropical flora including fruit trees, bougainvillea, oleander, and chenille plant grow. This beautiful garden was named for the American financier and the Freeport creator Wallace Groves and his wife. You will also have the opportunity to watch alligators, birds, and Bahamian raccoons. Included in the tropical paradise are a petting zoo and a playground. If you will follow the Main Waterfall Trail you will arrive at the full-size replica of Grand Bahama Island's first settlement, the chapel at Pine Ridge.

The Beaches along the coastline of the eastern end of Grand Bahama Island is the most unpopulated because the natives of the closest settlements along the way mainly use them. The beaches are not equipped with public facilities so the beachgoers will often headquarter at one of the local beach bars. The hotels in Lucaya have their own beaches with water sport activities; hotel in Freeport will shuttle their guests for free to beaches, such as Xanadu with a mile of white sand beach and Taino, which is fun for families, water-sports enthusiasts and partiers. Many of the local residents prefer William's Town, which is located south of Freeport and east of Xanadu beach.

East of Port Lucaya are several wonderful beaches, which run along the south shore, such as Churchill Beach, Smith's Point, Fortune Beach, and Barbary Beach. Even farther east at the end of the road a 20-mile drive from the Lucaya hotels, you will find the Gold Rock Beach. At the West End you will find snorkeling beachgoers taking tours to Paradise Cove.