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Grand Bahama Island is still relatively quiet, but offers much to do in the way of outdoor activities. The number one attraction is the beach, with its miles of white sand and aqua water. All of the major hotels have organized an array of motorized and non-motorized aquatic activities, including windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking and snorkeling. However, after a few days the appeal of the beach begins to diminish for some people. When that happens, there are a decent amount of day trips that can occupy the rest of the time. Some of them further explore the island’s natural attractions, while some of them focus on the commercial districts.
Peterson’s Cay
One of the most popular daytime destinations for snorkelers lies just one mile off the coast of Grand Bahama Island on Peterson’s, a peaceful and secluded cay (pronounced ‘key’) where guests can swim, suntan and snorkel for hours in relative privacy. Rare island birds inhabit the cay, and dozens of varieties of tropical fish live in the waters around it.
A number of different tour operators offer excursions to Peterson’s Cay. On the Kayak Nature Tour, guests paddle two-by-two out to the cay. Once there, an experienced guide leads the entire group into the aquamarine water, where hundreds of fish and other sea creatures hide amongst seaweed and coral. Nature tours and eco-tours are the best way to get close to the sea and island wildlife.
However, if you’re not quite up to a two-mile kayak excursion, there are plenty of motorized boats that visit this tiny island. A typical day trip lasts for three hours. Guests are picked up by a motorboat in the morning and swiftly ferried over to the cay for the day. Lunch is provided by the Captain and crew. On some tours—the Robinson Crusoe cruise, for one—free Bahama Mamas (drinks) are also a part of the deal. Any of the major or medium-sized hotels can book a tour to the cay; simply ask at your hotel tour desk.
Port Lucaya
This bustling port is the center of activity on Grand Bahama Island. Not only do the cruise ships and tour boats leave from the harbor; it is also the site of one of GBI's largest shopping centers. A handful of hotels and over a dozen restaurants and bars are also located within five minutes’ walking distance. With so many activities to choose from, it’s possible for anyone to plan the perfect day.
Early birds will want to arrive before the crowds. Leave your hotel around 7.30a or 8a—you can bicycle or take a taxi. If you’re staying at a hotel in the area, it might be just a five-minute walk. Enjoy breakfast at one of the many restaurants; the Caribbean Café is a good, inexpensive option. The Port Lucaya Resort offers a buffet breakfast in its Tradewinds Café for about US$10. If you just want a quick cup of coffee, stop by the Turkish Big Boat Deli. Butlers of Port Lucaya features Starbucks drip coffee, which is an amazingly strong cup of joe in comparison to everything else on the island.
With breakfast out of the way, you’ll be ready to shop, sail, tan or do whatever else it is that you fancy. Wander along the harbor’s edge; you’ll see plenty of signs advertising snorkel cruises, diving classes, parasailing, jet skiing, and every other aquatic activity. Most of the daytime activities leave around 9am, so try to arrive before then. If it’s shopping you’re after, the options are endless. There are around 20 shops that offer the same kinds of souvenirs; just turn around and you’ll bump into one. If you’re looking for something a little different—say, a little more authentic—check out Androsia for handmade island clothing, or Leo’s Art Gallery for original Bahamian artwork.
Late risers will just be getting up now. Stretch your lazy bones and head to Cally’s for an enormous, inexpensive breakfast. Then join your early-bird friends for a day of sightseeing and shopping. Whether or not any of you are in the market for fine jewelry, you should definitely visit the island’s two jewelry giants: Original Colombian and Colombian Emeralds. The merchandise is stunning. If you want something cheaper, there are a number of discount jewelry stores scattered throughout the mall.
Good lunch or supper options include Shenanigan’s Irish Pub and Zorba’s Greek. Both of these places are highly popular with locals. If you just want to relax with a drink, there are about a dozen places, including Bahama Mama’s, the Corner Bar and Pisces Restaurant. At any given time these bars will be filled with sunburned tourists and rowdy locals.
As the sun goes down and the early birds go home, the port’s nightlife scene starts to come alive. Lucaya is the only place that has any real nightlife, and that can be hit or miss. Even on a slow night, you’re assured of live music in the courtyard, Guinness on tap at Shenanigan’s and one truly hilarious sight: the tourists rolling off the Booze Cruise around 8p. During Spring Break, the entire port is a mass of people. It’s a scene that young college students’ love, but anyone over the age of 20 might want to stay away. Everything in the port closes around midnight, so don’t plan on staying out too late. You need to be ready to rise early again tomorrow, for another sunny Bahamian day.
International Bazaar, Casino at Bahamia
This is not only a popular daytime destination for visitors to Grand Bahama, it’s probably the most popular way to spend an evening. The Casino at Bahamia is open round the clock on weekends, and ‘til the wee hours on weekdays. With thousands of square feet of gaming table and slot machines, this place is a reasonable approximation of a Las Vegas casino. And like a Las Vegas casino, it has a few restaurants and bars located on the premises, including one elegant steakhouse and one lavish buffet spread.
The International Bazaar remains busy all day long , with the exception of Sundays, when it doesn’t open. Nearly 100 restaurants and specialty stores are located at the Bazaar. Start in one section—the covered International Arcade is a good spot. Meander through the diverse shops. You can shop for accessories at the Leather Shop, collectibles at Bahama Coin & Stamp, or home accents at The Old Curiosity Shop. Tara Va @ and Animale are under the same ownership; both stores carry upscale womenswear and adorably funky shoes.
Once you get out of the Arcade, it becomes nearly impossible to maintain any sense of direction; the mazelike structure of the Bazaar is similar to an old European village. It is, in fact, intended to resemble a global village, with each group of shops representing a different part of the world. There’s an Arabian district, an Oriental one, and a Parisian cluster of boutiques. The shops don’t usually fit into their international grouping; indeed, most of them are more Bahamian than anything else.
Stop by the Flovin Gallery and check out original works by local artists; then swing by Lightbourne’s African Shop to browse imported crafts. When you start to get hot —which you will—you can get ice cream at the Chocolate Box or a cold beer at the Hurricane Lounge.
There are lots of dining options, most of them mid-range. Café Michel is a charming European-style bistro, while China Palace serves Asian food with flair. Zorba’s Takeaway dishes up Greek and Bahamian favorites at rock-bottom prices. Or you could opt to head over to the Casino or the Resort at Bahamia.
For non-gamblers, there’s only so much to see at the Casino. Still, it’s entertaining for a while—for the whole night, if you enjoy table games or slot-pulls. The grounds of the Resort at Bahamia are lovely, especially on starry nights. Enjoy a nightcap at the country club’s pool bar before you head home.
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