Activities listings for Freeport/Lucaya, Grand Bahama
January-June 2007 casinos, water and land sports, excursions and more
WHAT-TO-DO – FREEPORT/LUCAYA, GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND – JAN 2007 EDITION
Napping beside the pool is a relaxing way to spend your vacation. But if you’re a person who likes to be on the go, there are lots of things to see and do in Grand Bahama. Take a cruise, for example, swim with dolphins, play tennis, dive with sharks, visit tropical gardens, gamble with high rollers, play golf. The list of things to do is long and interesting. Let the following listings be your guide.
BOAT RENTALS
Plan your own adventure and explore Lucaya on a 17 ft or 25 ft rental boat. Boat rentals from 3-6 hrs. Reef Tours Ltd, tel 373-5880 or 373-5891/2.
BRIDGE
The Freeport Bridge Club holds games every Mon and Thurs, 7:30pm at Lucayan Towers South. Tel 373-2737, 373-9457 or 373-4773.
CAR RENTALS
Explore the island at your own pace. Contact Avis, tel 352-7666 or 373-1102 or Island Jeep & Car Rentals, tel 373-4001/2 or 351-4810.
CASINOS
Visitors 18 yrs or older may gamble at the 20,000 sq ft Isle of Capri Casino, Westin & Sheraton resorts at Lucaya, with 400 slot machines (open 24 hrs on weekends) and 21 gaming tables.
The casino floor features a high-limit slot area, room for high-limit table-game players and a VIP lounge with food and beverage service. Gaming customers can enjoy bistro-style dining at the 110-seat Cove restaurant. Tables open daily at 10am. Closing time is 3am or at the manager’s discretion. Tel 350-2000 or 1-888-OUR ISLE (687-4753).
CATAMARAN CRUISES
Lady Paradise, a 48 ft powered catamaran, is used for daytime snorkelling trips and can be chartered for evening cruises. Call Paradise Watersports, tel 373-4001 or 373-1271 ext 8057.
Lucayan Princess and Island Princess are powered catamarans specializing in snorkelling, day cruises and charters. Fantasea is a custom sailing catamaran offering sailing, sail & snorkel and wine & cheese cruises. Major credit cards accepted. For sailing times and information call Reef Tours Ltd, tel 373-5880 or 373-5891/2, e-mail reeftours@coralwave.com or visit www.bahamasVG.com/reeftours.
Enjoy day or evening excursions with Pat & Diane Fantasia Tours aboard the Fantasia and Sunshine, two powered catamarans featuring reef snorkelling trips and land tours. Fantasia is a 72 ft, double-deck catamaran complete with a 30 ft open-water slide and a 30 ft rock climbing wall. Dinner cruises are along the shoreline and Lucayan Canal with unlimited complimentary beverages. Sunshine is a 45 ft catamaran used for the Deserted Island Cruise, a 41⁄2-hour tour of Peterson Cay. This excursion includes a birdwatching tour, snorkelling and beach access, as well as lunch, beverages and snorkel gear. Groups, weddings, rehearsal dinners and charters by arrangement. Major credit cards accepted. Tel 373-8681 or 373-6107, e-mail patdiane@batelnet.bs or visit www.snorkelingbahamas.com.
CINEMAS
See first-run movies on five screens in modern, air-conditioned theatres at Galleria Cinemas. Three shows daily Mon-Fri; four shows daily on weekends. For show times call 351-9190/2.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
See scents being made and create your own at Fragrance of The Bahamas (Ltd) – The Perfume Factory. Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm, Sat 11am-3pm, tel 352-9391.
DEEP-SEA FISHING
Grand Bahama is one of the world’s most popular sports-fishing venues. Get in on the action with Paradise Watersports, tel 373-4001 or 373-1271 ext 8057.
Reef Tours Ltd offers a choice of customized fishing boats from Grand Bahama’s largest fleet. Bottom and reef fishing. Morning, afternoon and early-evening trips. Tel 373-5880 or 373-5891/2. Half-day, full-day and private charters.
DIVING & SNORKELLING
The Bahamas is famous for its clear waters and dazzling undersea world of coral reefs and marine life. Enjoy a snorkelling or scuba diving adventure. Snorkelling is offered by Paradise Cove, tel 349-2677; Paradise Watersports, tel 373-4001 or 373-1271 ext 8057; Pat & Diane Fantasia Tours, tel 373-8681 or 373-6107, e-mail patdiane@batelnet.bs or visit www.snorkelingbahamas.com; and Reef Tours Ltd, tel 373-5880 or 373-5891/2, e-mail reeftours@coralwave.com or visit www.bahamasVG.com/reeftours.
Snorkelling, diving and Mini-B excursions are offered at UNEXSO, tel 373-1244, and at Xanadu Undersea Adventures, tel 352-3811 or 352-6782 ext 1421, e-mail xanadudive@coralwave.com or visit www.xanadudive.com.
DOLPHIN EXPERIENCE
Visit UNEXSO’s Dolphin Experience, home to friendly Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Enjoy an interesting talk by the animal care staff and participate in one of several exciting programmes.
During the Dolphin Close Encounter, participants interact with dolphins while standing in the water on a shallow wading platform. The Swim with Dolphins programme allows visitors to swim with the mammals in a protected lagoon. The Open Ocean Dolphin Experience – UNEXSO’s signature dive – is a scuba diving session with dolphins in the open ocean along a coral reef. Tel 373-1244 or e-mail info@unexso.com for reservations.
ECO-ADVENTURES
Paradise Cove offers direct access to Deadman’s Reef, a spectacular reef on the southwest side of Grand Bahama Island. The reef is within swimming distance of the beach. It teems with tropical marine life, including an array of brilliant coral and fish, stingrays and spotted eagle rays. The beach is great for relaxation and sunbathing. You can also explore the reef in a glass-bottom kayak or an ocean kayak. A snorkel tour includes transportation, equipment and lunch. Tel 349-2677.
See also Dolphin Experience, above, and Horseback riding and National parks, below.
GLASS-BOTTOM BOATS
Explore the wonders of the deep from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat cruise. Reef Tours Ltd features the custom built, 60 ft, double-deck Ocean Wonder, Grand Bahama’s largest glass-bottom boat. Tel 373-5880 or 373-5891/2.
Paradise Watersports, tel 373-4001 or 373-1271 ext 8057, also offers glass-bottom cruises.
GOLF
Enjoy golfing at its finest in Grand Bahama, home to three picturesque courses. Check out the 18-hole, par-72 Lucayan Course or The Reef course, completely refurbished with 18 challenging holes. Tel 373-2002/3.
Fortune Hills Golf & Country Club has a nine-hole, par-36 course, restaurant (closed Mon) and pro shop. Tel 373-4500.
HORSEBACK RIDING
What could be more fun than horseback riding along nature trails and on a powder-white beach? Trikk Pony Adventures offers two beach rides to suit every rider. Intimate groups of six or fewer ensure a unique and memorable experience. Choose from a morning beach ride (Mon-Sat) or a sunset beach ride (Sat only), enjoying the diverse nature and beautiful beaches of Grand Bahama. No experience necessary. Transportation included. Tel 374-4449, 727-0131 (cell) or e-mail leo@trikkpony.com.
NATIONAL PARKS
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT), a non-profit, non-governmental organization, is responsible for the national park system of The Bahamas.
Explore the BNT Rand Nature Centre and its 100 acres of natural beauty, a great spot for birdwatching where many species of resident and migratory birds can be seen. The centre also has a collection of native animals, including a Bahama parrot and Bahama boa. At the wildlife garden and pond observe a display of the park’s red-tailed hawks. Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Admission $5 adults, $3 children 3-12 yrs (children under 5 yrs free). Gift shop. Two miles east of downtown on East Settler’s Way, tel 352-5438.
The 40-acre Lucayan National Park is managed by BNT with assistance from a volunteer committee. Nature trails and boardwalks lead to a variety of ecosystems – pinelands, hardwood stands and coppices, mangrove swamps and sand dunes. Two large caves – part of the third-longest underwater cave system in the world – are open to the public. Ben’s Cave and Burial Mound Cave are inhabited by rare fish and underwater crustaceans, as well as migratory bats in summer.
Swimming in caves and the creek is prohibited, and diving requires a permit. Toilets are located in the parking lot only. Open daily 9am-4pm. Admission $3 (children under 12 yrs free). Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Rand Nature Centre or at Smitty’s One-Stop in Bevan’s Town, four miles east of the park. The park is 26 miles east of Freeport. Tel 353-4149.
Peterson Cay National Park is approx 15 miles east of Freeport and a half mile offshore. For those with access to a boat, active coral reefs around the cay provide excellent opportunities for snorkelling and diving in an unspoiled location. The small cay is perfect for picnics and relaxation. No facilities. Tel 352-5438.
Help protect our national parks– take only photos; leave only footprints.
See also Eco-adventures, above.
PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE
This Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism programme gives visitors exposure to Bahamian hospitality and culture on a one-to-one basis. Visitors meet Bahamians with similar interests. Join your host at home, at civic clubs, church or another venue. Call People-To-People, Ministry of Tourism, tel 352-8044/5. The People-To-People programme is also available in New Providence, Exuma, Abaco, Eleuthera, San Salvador and Bimini.
PERFORMING ARTS
Freeport Players’ Guild, a non-profit repertory company, usually produces four plays during its season (Sept-June) at the Regency Theatre, tel 352-5533.
A non-profit organization, Grand Bahama Players stages cultural productions annually at the Regency Theatre. Plays by Bahamian, West Indian and North American playwrights. Contact Calvin Cooper, tel 373-2299 or e-mail calcoop@batelnet.bs.
SAILING CRUISES
Set sail to explore the beauty of the Lucayan shores aboard Reef Tours’ Fantasea, a 48 ft French-built sailing catamaran, the only one of its kind in Freeport. Sailing and snorkelling excursions available daily, 10am-12:30pm and 1:30-4pm. Sailing-only excursions available Wed and Sun 9:45am-12 noon. Enchanted evening sail with rum punch, wine and assorted cheeses. Tel 373-5880 or 373-5891/2, e-mail reeftours@coralwave.com or visit www.bahamasVG.com/reeftours.
TENNIS
Freeport/Lucaya features a variety of tennis courts for your enjoyment. Westin & Sheraton resorts at Lucaya has a pro shop and four courts: one grass, one artificial grass, one clay and one hard court. All are lit for night play. Tel 373-1333 or 350-5265.
WATERSPORTS
Grand Bahama offers a host of water-based activities, including glass-bottom boat trips, deep-sea fishing, booze cruises, parasailing, Jet Ski and WaveRunner rentals, banana boat rides, hydro bikes, waterskiing, windsurfing, kayaking, sailing and boat charters. Contact Paradise Watersports, tel 373-4001 or 373-1271 ext 8057; Reef Tours Ltd, tel 373-5880 or 373-5891/2; and Pat & Diane Fantasia Tours, tel 373-8681 or 373-6107.
Visit UNEXSO for a day of relaxation and fun. Go scuba diving, try the Discover Scuba Diving programme, participate in a variety of activities or simply relax and enjoy the pool bar in UNEXSO’s spacious pool and courtyard area. Entry and towel service are free of charge for guests participating in any UNEXSO activity. Tel 373-1244.
Explore the underwater world with Xanadu Undersea Adventures. Snorkel, scuba dive or enjoy Mini-B scuba. Tel 352-3811 or 352-6782 ext 1421, e-mail xanadudive@coralwave.com or visit www.xanadudive.com.
See also Diving & snorkelling, above.
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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