Grand Bahama Island - Resorts & Activities Review (scroll down for photos)
Recently I visited Grand Bahama Island for the first time as a guest of Vision Airlines, the Grand Lucayan and the Bahamas Tourism Industry. Vision Airlines is announcing new nonstop flights between Freeport on Grand Bahama Island and Raleigh Durham Airport, Richmond Airport, Baltimore-Washington Airport, Louisville Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport on their comfortable 136 seat 737-400 planes. Fares start at $99 each way plus taxes for all of the airports except Fort Lauderdale, where fares are only $39 each way plus taxes. A wonderful bonus with flying into Freeport Airport is that Americans clear customs before boarding the plane! When arriving back in the U.S., you can bypass all international customs and entry lines and simply claim your bags and leave.
Grand Bahama Island is a wonderful blend of cosmopolitan architecture and nature. There are no large cities, but accommodations, restaurants and shopping are all first-rate. Friendly Bahamians welcome visitors with a smile and are eager to share the natural beauty of their island paradise. Activities include snorkeling, diving, kayaking, sail and motor boating, golfing, exploring caves on guided excursions, jeep tours, horseback riding, fishing and of course, the dolphin encounter.
Our group was hosted by the Grand Lucayan Resort. This stunning beach-front property, which is about a 15 minute drive from Freeport, is located right next to the straw market in Lucaya as well as the UNEXSO Dolphin Encounter. The Grand Lucayan offers four creative pools, including one that is currently being refurbished just for children. Unique restaurants feature intimate spaces and unique decor with styles from all over the world. Cuisine is varied and delicious. For those who MUST have their specialty coffees, there's even a Starbucks on site. Wi-fi is included in the resort fee throughout the entire property, so you can even check those emails while lounging by the pool or in one of the hammocks. Those with children or grandchildren will love the included children's activities, from arts and crafts to guided explorations around the property. Active teens will love the ocean trampoline, banana boats and jet-skis. Check out my photo album below to see more pictures of this stunning resort!
UNEXSO (Underwater Explorers Society) stands out for its natural dolphin habitat and exceptional trainers. According to our instructor, UNEXSO is one of only four dolphin encounter programs that allow their dolphins to take "field trips" out into the open ocean (see my review for Anthony's Key in Roatan, Honduras for one of the other four). In addition to the standard packages for petting and kissing the dolphins, or swimming with them, UNEXSO offers a dive package, where the dolphins follow your boat and play with you as you dive. Pricing is very competitive with dolphin encounters starting at only $82 per adult and $50 for ages 4-7. A swim package in the lagoon is currently $169.
Other resorts on the island, including the Pelican Bay, located across the street from the Grand Lucayan, offer boutique hotel qualities without sacrificing luxurious guest rooms. This island-style resort runs a unique, hi-tech meeting and reception building called the Canal House. An architectural gem in and of itself, this facility boasts details such as warm colors, huge windows and terraces, wood and bamboo ceilings and trim work, creative local artwork, completely up-to-date audio and visual equipment and lighting options, as well as included bottled water and espresso machines. The top floor features a daily breakfast restaurant with the ability to cater lunches or dinners.
The only all-inclusive resort on the island is the Wyndham Viva Fortuna. Accommodations are basic and focus on families and young, active travelers. Set on a huge, beautiful beach with plenty of lounge chairs, this resort is a bit remote and focuses on a complete get-away with activities such as a trapeze, ocean sports, ping-pong, pool and fussball along with evening entertainment by the resort staff. Meals are offered buffet-style in the main dining room, with a few a la carte restaurant options for dinner.
Grand Bahama Island is a fantastic option for either a quick weekend get-away or for an entire week. Destination weddings are also very popular here and the Grand Lucayan offers its own wedding planning specialists for that professional and personal touch. Meetings, retreats or reunions will be hosted in style, with hi-tech and varied meeting spaces in a gorgeous setting. Give me a call at 828-244-6640 or email me at noelle@insightsintravel.com to plan your trip to Grand Bahama Island!
Grand Bahama Island is a wonderful blend of cosmopolitan architecture and nature. There are no large cities, but accommodations, restaurants and shopping are all first-rate. Friendly Bahamians welcome visitors with a smile and are eager to share the natural beauty of their island paradise. Activities include snorkeling, diving, kayaking, sail and motor boating, golfing, exploring caves on guided excursions, jeep tours, horseback riding, fishing and of course, the dolphin encounter.
Our group was hosted by the Grand Lucayan Resort. This stunning beach-front property, which is about a 15 minute drive from Freeport, is located right next to the straw market in Lucaya as well as the UNEXSO Dolphin Encounter. The Grand Lucayan offers four creative pools, including one that is currently being refurbished just for children. Unique restaurants feature intimate spaces and unique decor with styles from all over the world. Cuisine is varied and delicious. For those who MUST have their specialty coffees, there's even a Starbucks on site. Wi-fi is included in the resort fee throughout the entire property, so you can even check those emails while lounging by the pool or in one of the hammocks. Those with children or grandchildren will love the included children's activities, from arts and crafts to guided explorations around the property. Active teens will love the ocean trampoline, banana boats and jet-skis. Check out my photo album below to see more pictures of this stunning resort!
UNEXSO (Underwater Explorers Society) stands out for its natural dolphin habitat and exceptional trainers. According to our instructor, UNEXSO is one of only four dolphin encounter programs that allow their dolphins to take "field trips" out into the open ocean (see my review for Anthony's Key in Roatan, Honduras for one of the other four). In addition to the standard packages for petting and kissing the dolphins, or swimming with them, UNEXSO offers a dive package, where the dolphins follow your boat and play with you as you dive. Pricing is very competitive with dolphin encounters starting at only $82 per adult and $50 for ages 4-7. A swim package in the lagoon is currently $169.
Other resorts on the island, including the Pelican Bay, located across the street from the Grand Lucayan, offer boutique hotel qualities without sacrificing luxurious guest rooms. This island-style resort runs a unique, hi-tech meeting and reception building called the Canal House. An architectural gem in and of itself, this facility boasts details such as warm colors, huge windows and terraces, wood and bamboo ceilings and trim work, creative local artwork, completely up-to-date audio and visual equipment and lighting options, as well as included bottled water and espresso machines. The top floor features a daily breakfast restaurant with the ability to cater lunches or dinners.
The only all-inclusive resort on the island is the Wyndham Viva Fortuna. Accommodations are basic and focus on families and young, active travelers. Set on a huge, beautiful beach with plenty of lounge chairs, this resort is a bit remote and focuses on a complete get-away with activities such as a trapeze, ocean sports, ping-pong, pool and fussball along with evening entertainment by the resort staff. Meals are offered buffet-style in the main dining room, with a few a la carte restaurant options for dinner.
Grand Bahama Island is a fantastic option for either a quick weekend get-away or for an entire week. Destination weddings are also very popular here and the Grand Lucayan offers its own wedding planning specialists for that professional and personal touch. Meetings, retreats or reunions will be hosted in style, with hi-tech and varied meeting spaces in a gorgeous setting. Give me a call at 828-244-6640 or email me at noelle@insightsintravel.com to plan your trip to Grand Bahama Island!