Grand Bahama Island Vacation Packages

With over 700 islands and 2,000 cays sprinkled across the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas can be kind of confusing without a guide. Lucky for you, we've got you covered. The most popular islands you've probably heard of are New Providence, home to Nassau and Paradise Island, and Grand Bahama Island. However, there are numerous other small islands that make up the Bahamas, and they're typically known as the Out Islands. These beautiful, more pristine islands are true gems in the Caribbean. The most popular tourist region in the Out Islands is the Abacos, but whether you stay on the mainlands or adventure to the Out Islands, you'll love every minute in the Bahamas.

Ever dreamed of riding a seahorse? Okay, maybe you can’t do that here, but you can ride a horse by the sea! If you're craving both an exciting and family-friendly eco-tour in Grand Bahama, then horseback riding by the beach is perfect for you. It's a great bonding activity for families and a romantic experience for couples. Ride along the gorgeous, powdery white-sand and even splash a little in the crystal water as your well-trained horse gently plunges into the turquoise sea for a land-and-sea adventure.

Hang out with the locals and listen to live music while strolling past restaurants, perusing trinket shops and hopping the bars in this happening square. Named after the famous jazz entertainer, Count Basie Square is an open-air gathering area constantly buzzing with activity like limbo dancing and festivals. You'll vibe to tropical beats played by local bands and clap your hands to calypso. This is the place you want to be for a real Bahamian experience.  

What’s a vacation without a little shopping? Stroll through one of the Caribbean’s largest straw markets and get your shop on!

Get your hair braided or try your hand at bargaining with street vendors to find a special treasure to take home. You'll get to browse over 80 specialty stores housed in the pastel-colored buildings of this 12-acre shopping complex. When you get hungry, there are also outdoor and indoor bars, cafes and restaurants.

Take home some hand-crafted Bahamian-made jewelry, woodcarvings or native handicrafts, or just take home the memories of a great day by the water. 

Sail out into those sparkling clear waters and cast your line into the open blue sea. Strap yourself in and get ready to reel in incredible fish like Marlin, Barracuda, Yellowfin Tuna and more! Grand Bahama Island is considered one of the premier destinations in the world for sport fishing. In fact, fishing enthusiasts worldwide flock to the island every year to go for the gold in annual competitions and catch the big one in seasonal fishing expeditions. Whether you want to go deep-sea fishing, fly-fishing, or reef fishing, you can do it here. 

Language: English

Currency: US dollar

Electricity: 120 volts AC; American appliances are fully compatible

Passport/Immigration: All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport when traveling to and from the Bahamas.

Drinking Water: Water is safe for drinking.

Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC/GMT -4 hours)

Peak Season: December to May

Once you have a beer by the beach, Grand Bahama will feel just like home. Where's the best place to have one? Well, about a 15-minute drive west from Port Lucaya, you can find an amazing off-the-beaten-path bar where all the locals seem to know each other by name: Rooster's Bar. This place is known for its great live music, filling drinks and a simple yet delicious menu of Bahamian treats.

While you're in the Bahamas, there's nothing you'll want more than the sun on your shoulder and the wind in your hair. The best place to do that is in the West End of Grand Bahama. There you'll find several quaint villages of pastel-colored island houses lining the coast. They all have memorable and colorful names like Hawksbill Creek. For a real glimpse of local life, try to visit the fish market along the harbor there and get some fresh fish from the local fisherman as they bring their boats in.

What's the best way to see all of Grand Bahama Island? On a scooter, of course! Once you arrive on Grand Bahama, you'll notice that there are stands all along the roads of Freeport and Lucaya where you can rent a scooter for next to nothing. Also, you can usually rent one from your hotel. If you get the chance, definitely try it out. Most of Grand Bahama is flat with well-paved roads – perfect for travel by scooter.

You've got to try authentic Bahamian food at least once while you're in the Bahamas. If you're in Grand Bahama, then the best spot to find a non-touristy restaurant with real Bahamian food, the kind that the locals eat, is at Geneva's. You'll love Geneva's because it's family-owned, and the Monroe family takes pride in cooking the old-fashioned way. Make sure to try some conch – order it stewed, cracked, fried or in chowder.

You're not on Broadway, but that doesn't mean you can't take in a show! For a great, affordable theater experience, just check out the Regency Theater. You see, the Freeport Players’ Guild and the Grand Bahama players both use the small Regency Theater to rehearse! If you're lucky, you could see a Broadway show like Mamma Mia or a contemporary work by Bahamian and Caribbean playwrights for as low as $10.

Flights land in Grand Bahama – Freeport (FPO), a public airport serving the island of Grand Bahama.

All immigration forms are usually supplied by the airlines. When entering the Bahamas, visitors must complete and sign an immigration form. A portion of this card (returned to you by the immigration official clearing you for entrance) is required to exit the Bahamas. Don't lose this tiny, "check stub size", immigration document!

Grand Bahama Island is one of the few Caribbean destinations that provides pre-clearance for U.S. Customs and Immigration services, allowing flights from Grand Bahama to enter the United States as domestic flights and bypass the normal U.S. Customs and Immigration clearance encountered on most returns from an international destination. Please allow an extra hour for check-in during peak hours.

CheapCaribbean.com has partnered with Nexus Tours as our premier transportation company in Grand Bahama.  They’ll provide you with safe, comfortable and professional transportation, from the airport to your resort, and back. 

After you clear customs and exit the terminal building at the airport. Look for the Nexus Representative holding an Amstar/Cheap Caribbean.com sign.  The representative will then escort you to their van for your transfer to the hotel.

Making transport arrangements with our tour operator is the safest bet. If you need to grab a taxi, ask your hotel to request one for you. Ferries are also available among the islands.