Located on Grand Bahama Island, this port city has a large international airport, duty-free shopping districts, and several white-sand beaches along Lucayan National Park.
Freeport, the second-largest city in The Bahamas, sits on Grand Bahama Island just 67 miles from Florida's coast. You can swim through the limestone caves at Lucayan National Park, spot Bahama Warblers at the Rand Nature Centre, or relax at Gold Rock Beach where Pirates of the Caribbean scenes were filmed. At Port Lucaya Marketplace, local bands play Goombay and Rake n' Scrape music, while at Peterson Cay, you'll find coral gardens filled with angelfish and parrotfish.
Getting to Freeport
You can fly to Grand Bahama International Airport from the United States, Canada, and other Bahamian islands. The airport includes US Border Preclearance facilities, which speeds up your return to the US. Boats run from Florida to West End, the first port of entry, located 55 nautical miles from the mainland.
Exploring Port Lucaya Marketplace
Local musicians play Bahamian rhythms in Count Basie Square each evening at Port Lucaya Marketplace. You'll find wood carvings, straw work, and jewelry made by local artisans, along with fashion shops and restaurants serving conch fritters and rock lobster. The marketplace draws crowds from 6 PM onwards, when both visitors and locals gather at the waterfront bars and cafes.
Natural Wonders and Parks
Lucayan National Park's limestone cave system stretches for six miles underground across its 40 acres. Walk on elevated boardwalks through mangrove swamps where red mangrove roots arch above the water, and pine forests filled with Caribbean pines. To explore Ben's Cave, an inland blue hole, you'll need to go with an authorized dive instructor. At the Rand Nature Centre, follow a 2,000-foot trail to spot Bahama Warblers, Olive-capped Warblers, and 16 other bird species native to The Bahamas.
Beaches and Water Activities
At low tide on Gold Rock Beach, the water pulls back to reveal parallel ridges in the sand that stretch for hundreds of feet. The beach sits within Lucayan National Park, which limits visitor numbers. Peterson Cay, a 1.5-acre island national park one mile offshore, has four reef zones where you can snorkel or dive. Look for spotted eagle rays and barracuda swimming among brain coral and sea fans.
Local Culture and Events
During Junkanoo festivals near New Year's, groups compete with cowbells, goatskin drums, and whistles while wearing costumes covered in thousands of crepe paper flowers. Each Wednesday at Smith's Point, locals set up food stalls selling fresh snapper, grouper, and conch. Through the Ministry of Tourism's People-to-People program, you can spend time with local residents who share their family recipes and traditions.
Historical Background
Spanish sailors named Grand Bahama "Gran Bajamar" (Great Shallow Sea) because of its coral reefs, which kept their ships away but created perfect hiding spots for pirates. In 1955, Wallace Groves received 50,000 acres of land for development. The Hawksbill Creek Agreement turned Freeport into a free trade zone, and the city grew from 150 people in 1956 to become The Bahamas' second-largest city.
