Lucaya Harbour © heather0714
Overview:
There are various Eastern Caribbean cruises that feature the
Bahamas as a port of call, bringing passengers from all over the
world to revel in the natural splendour, beautiful beaches and
near-perfect weather of this island paradise. Once there,
passengers will find Grand Bahama is an idyllic island of white
sandy beaches and beautiful waters. In town there are plenty of
boutiques and bazaars to explore, and a variety of restaurants to
dine at. Local attractions include a number of casinos, Lucayan
National Park, acclaimed dive sites and the island's natural flora
and fauna. Kayaking in the mangrove creeks is also popular. Cruise
ships dock at Lucayan Harbour, a ten minute drive from Freeport, on
Grand Bahama Island. Lucayan Harbour has 106 berths, accommodating
boats of up to 170ft (51.8m). The Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility
is a modernized cruise-passenger terminal featuring a Tourist
Information centre and retail village.
Contact:
Lucayan Harbour Cruise Facility
Tel: +1 (242) 350 8000
www.gbpa.com
Transport:
Lucayan Harbour is a 10 minute drive from Freeport. Taxis are
available from the pier and are metered but often charge a flat
fee. There are also vans to ferry passengers into town. Rental cars
and scooters are available to hire.
Attractions:
Freeport and Lucaya attractions include the Pirates of the
Bahama Theme Park, on Taino Beach, and the Bahamian Tings art
gallery in Freeport, exhibiting sculptures, paintings and other
'tings' produced by local artists. Port Lucayan's UNESCO Dolphin
Experience, where guests can view and swim with the dolphins, is
another great feature of the island. And then, of course, there are
the beaches - Lucayan, Taino and Gold Rock beaches are the most
popular, while diving at Paradise Cove to see Deadman's Reef is a
must.
Restaurants:
- The Pepper Pot - This take-away features Bahamian food including
the island's best guava duff (local dessert)
- The Harbour Room - Upmarket restaurant serving a lovely New
England-style conch chowder
- Churchill's - An American chophouse with an understated yet
elegant appeal
Best dish: Delmonico steak
Shopping:
Grand Bahama Island has many shopping options for visitors to
enjoy. Freeport's International Bazaar boasts over 100 shops, with
themed subdivisions representing different parts of the world. Port
Lucayan Marketplace and Marina is another major shopping area where
tourists will find any number of bargains, from local produce to
designer labels.
Best buy: Self mixed, bottled and named perfume (The Perfume Factory at
International Bazaar)
Excursions:
- See Eleuthera Island's Glass Window Bridge
- Take in the mysterious stone blocks off Bimini Islands, thought
to be part of the 'lost city' of Atlantis
- Long Island boasts the world's deepest 'blue hole', a
fascinating dive site