Things to see and do in Freeport/Lucaya, including sailing trips, horseback riding, swimming with dolphins and shopping
WHAT-TO-DO - FREEPORT/LUCAYA, GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND - JAN 2006 EDITION
A visit to Grand Bahama wouldn’t be complete without basking in the sun, taking a dip in the crystal-clear waters and feeling the powder-soft sand between your toes. However, those are typical activities that can be enjoyed on any of The Bahamas’ islands.
For those seeking something a little different, Grand Bahama has a variety of unique activities to suit everyone.
Sail away
Those who yearn to explore the turquoise blue waters with the wind in their hair and nothing but the sound of sails in the breeze should hop on board Reef Tours’ Fantasea, Freeport’s only sailing catamaran. The 48-ft French-built sailing catamaran is designed to comfortably accommodate up to 40 guests for a two-and-a-half hour sailing of the Lucayan shores.
Owner/operator Doug Silvera Jr explains that Fantasea is a top-of-the-line Privilege boat that features five bedrooms, four bathrooms, salon and indoor/outdoor dining areas.
Trips leave twice a day for a two-and-one-half hour trip at 10am and 1:30pm. Patrons can choose either a sailing only or sail/snorkel trip.
“It’s very laid back ... we cater to both young and old, families and couples,” says Silvera.
In addition to enjoying a smooth, relaxing ride along the water’s glassy surface, guests can explore what lies below, thanks to provided snorkelling gear.
Soaking up the sun on board a beautiful sailing catamaran and exploring a world of interesting marine life and colourful coral formations is an ideal day activity. Reef Tours also operates an enchanting evening sail.
During the two-hour excursion, guests enjoy a romantic evening complete with wine and cheese and native rum punch.
Silvera notes that private charters are also available. “We get a lot of repeat customers and many charter the boat for the day,” he says, adding that trips are often taken from the docks of Reef Tours to the picturesque Peterson Cay, one of The Bahamas’ smallest national parks. Guests can enjoy snorkelling along the reefs and savour a delicious lunch on the beach or on the boat.
It is a good idea to call ahead as space is limited and trips are held weather permitting.
Dolphin encounter
Looking to make a splash with the locals? Then swing by UNEXSO for an experience that is sure to make anyone flip with excitement.
UNEXSO’s The Dolphin Experience has been a favourite with visitors since 1987. Numerous programmes are featured including Swim With Dolphins, Dolphin Close Encounter and Open Ocean Dolphin Experience.
Swim With Dolphins allows visitors to swim and interact with a few of UNEXSO’s 16 trained dolphins within the natural environment of the nine-acre Dolphin Experience Lagoon.
Dolphin trainer Pedro Baranda explains that, before the swim, participants are briefed about dolphin behaviour and anatomy.
“One problem we have is that people are tempted to play with a dolphin’s flippers, so we ask them not to handle the fins or touch the dolphin on the face or head,” he says. “People can touch them on the back or give them a belly rub.”
After the 10-minute introduction, participants can swim with the dolphins for up to 20 minutes.
“People can hug a dolphin or even try being a trainer and give commands,” says Baranda.
Those who want to get close to the dolphins but not swim with them can try the Dolphin Close Encounter. Guests sit on a platform and can watch and touch the dolphins as they swim past.
“This is a great activity for children, the elderly or people with disabilities because they don’t actually get in the water with the dolphins,” says Baranda, adding that actual contact time with the dolphins is about three minutes.
“It is more information related than action (related),” he explains.
At the end of the Close Encounter, participants can have their photo taken while receiving a dolphin kiss.
The Open Ocean Dolphin Experience features a truly once-in-a-lifetime scuba diving adventure in which participants interact with dolphins in their natural habitat – the open ocean.
Up to eight divers enjoy a trip to the south shore of Grand Bahama where they meet the dolphins. For up to 30 minutes, participants can swim in the ocean with their new-found flippered friends.
“We have the dolphins actually jump over you,” says Baranda. “It’s an amazing experience to see a dolphin up over your head.”
Giddy-up
Animal-lovers with a lack of sea legs should give horseback riding a try, courtesy of Trikk Pony Adventures.
Owner Leo Munnings explains that guests are picked up from their hotel and taken approximately 13 miles outside of Freeport to picturesque Barbary Beach, where groups of up to six riders enjoy a 90-minute journey along powder-white beaches while taking in the spectacular scenery of the azure Atlantic.
“It’s great,” says Munnings. “It’s very relaxing. There’s no need to ride single file – it’s just like riding your very own horse.”
Trikk Pony Adventures also offers a popular sunset beach ride where guests can enjoy a relaxing and romantic saunter on the beach just as the sun goes down. This ride is highly popular with couples and honeymooners. It is also a favourite with families and spring-breakers, says Munnings.
No riding experience is necessary and rides are hosted weather permitting.
Follow your nose
Did you know that it takes about 3,500 pounds of roses to produce one pound of rose-scented oil for perfumes?
Interesting facts about perfume and more can be discovered during a tour of The Perfume Factory at Fragrance of The Bahamas Ltd.
Fragrance of The Bahamas Ltd was founded in 1969 by Albert Whisnant, a clothing manufacturer from New York. It was during a visit to Freeport in '68 that Whisnant discovered the success of internationally made perfumes being sold in Freeport’s gift shops, however, there were no locally made fragrances.
Driven by his dream of creating a perfume factory, Whisnant partnered with long-time friend and perfume expert, Ernest Shiftan, to create Fragrance of The Bahamas Ltd’s first scents, including Island Promises, which was inspired by a close friend, playwright Neil Simon.
Today’s Fragrance of The Bahamas Ltd, which is owned and operated by the Aston family following Whisnant’s retirement in 1976, produces a variety of popular local fragrances such as Pink Pearl, Guanahani and Paradise. The factory is located within the walls of an elegant plum and white mansion located at the International Bazaar in Freeport.
While factory tours provide a first-hand look at how such fragrances are created, guests can also experiment with oils to mix their own scents. Tours are available Mon-Sat and admission is free.
Win it and spend it
Grand Bahama offers a seemingly endless list of things to do, but a visit to Freeport is not complete without taking a stroll through Port Lucaya Marketplace. Shoppers will delight in this duty-free mecca, which features a colourful Bahamian village-like setting spread over five acres.
In addition to the many speciality stores and boutiques, a variety of Bahamian and internationally themed restaurants, cafés and pubs, offering everything from Greek to Irish fare, are available.
Those in search of an authentically Bahamian gift or souvenir are in luck as one of the largest straw markets in the Caribbean region is featured in the marketplace. Here you can find hand-crafted straw hats, jewellery, bags, woodcarvings and other native handicrafts.
The spirit of jazz legend William Count Basie is alive and well at Count Basie Square, the heart of Port Lucaya Marketplace. This open air entertainment venue, where live performances by local bands are featured, was named in honour of the late jazz great who called Freeport home for many years before he died in 1984.
Located across from Port Lucaya Marketplace is the Isle of Capri Casino, Freeport’s only casino. Spread over 19,000-plus sq ft, guests can test their luck at one or more of the 400 slot machines and 21 gaming tables. High rollers can retreat to the casino’s high-limit slot area and table games room, which also features a VIP lounge.
Another shopping attraction in Freeport is the internationally themed International Bazaar. Once through the welcoming Torii Gate, visitors will see a variety of shops and restaurants representing cultures from around the world, including the Orient, Middle East, Europe, South America and more.
For further information, consult the See & Do and Shopping sections for Grand Bahama at www.caribbean.com.
Disclaimer: The information in this article/release was accurate at
press time; however, we suggest you confirm all details and prices
directly with vendors.
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