Looking for the best Freeport, Bahamas activities & attractions?
Do you have a trip planned to the Grand Bahamas and are wondering what some of the best activities in Freeport!? Don’t worry because I was in your position before my trip back in May 2024 after winning a Bahamas vacation for two! After spending almost a week there, I’ve compiled a list of all the best attractions and activities in the area through experience and a little research!
Let’s dive in.
In a Hurry? Here’s What We Recommend:
- Best Spot For Water Sports: Head To Taino Beach
- Top Secluded Beach: Take a Taxi To Barbary Beach
- Adrenaline Junkies: Schedule a Tour To Barn Owl’s Hole
- History Buffs: Buy Tickets To Bahamas Maritime Musem
- Nature Enthusiasts: Visit Lucayan National Park
- Shopping Lovers: Check Out Port Lucaya Marketplace
- Couples: Best Romantic Beaches in the Bahamas
Freeport, Bahamas Activities: An Overview
Freeport is a beautiful vacation destination known for its fine, white-sand beaches, vibrant turquoise waters, and relaxed vibe. It’s a beautiful island to explore and was hands down one of my favorite destinations. Freeport is the perfect place for both a relaxing and adventurous vacation! It’s the best of both worlds because you can relax and try some of the island’s exciting activities!
Top Freeport, Bahamas Activities and Attractions
Grand Bahama is known for its beaches, but there is so much more to the island than that. You can learn about the natural landscape, head into town to shop, enjoy water sports on the beach, try local cuisine, or visit a well-known attraction. No matter what kind of vacation you want, you’ll find something in Freeport worth experiencing. Let’s dive into the specifics of each activity!
Visit the Garden of The Groves
One of the most popular things to do in Freeport is to visit the Garden of the Groves! It’s a lush twelve-acre botanical garden that houses over 1,000 species of plants and animals. There’s even a cafe overlooking a cascade where you can enjoy a specialty coffee or food.
The Garden of the Groves is a fascinating place for birders because of the indigenous and migratory birds that are protected there. Explore the garden through a guided or self-guided tour every day between 9 am and 4 pm. Afterwards, head to the cultural shopping village to find local artisan crafts and art.
Go Shopping at Port Lucaya Marketplace
To enjoy some Bahamian shopping, head to Port Lucaya Marketplace. The Marketplace is the largest shopping area on the island, sitting at nine and a half acres! It’s duty-free shopping, meaning you can avoid the national and local taxes. You’ll find everything from clothing, jewelry, skincare, restaurants, specialty stores, and boutiques in this outdoor marketplace!
Stroll through the forty stores to take a gander at what the shops have to offer. The marketplace is paved and is wheelchair accessible. Head to Port Lucaya Marketplace at night to explore any of the four bars for entertaining nightlife!
Spend The Afternoon at Xanadu Beach
Xanadu Beach is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Freeport. To escape the crowds and have a quiet beach day, Xanadu is your beach. It’s a hidden gem only a few miles from the International Bazaar! Since the last hurricane, there aren’t a ton of amenities, so it’s a good idea to bring everything you’ll need.
To make the most of your time bring a towel or something to sit on, your swimsuit, sun protection, and enough food and beverages to tie you over, and you’ll be ready! If you want more to do, you could bring cards, a ball to play catch with, or some snorkeling gear to stay entertained. Spending the day at the beach is a great way to save money if you’re vacationing in the Bahamas on a budget.
Take a Trip to Lucayan National Park
During my entire vacation in the Bahamas, my favorite day was visiting Lucayan National Park. It’s the only national park on the island where you can learn about the biomes as you wind through the walking path. We decided to rent a scooter to drive ourselves, but there are a ton of tours you can pay for that will take you there through the shuttle.
There are two main parts of Lucayan National Park: the walkway towards the left of the highway that goes farther inland and the walkway to the right that takes you toward the ocean. To the left, you’ll find two blue holes that lead to the Caribbean, one of them being Ben’s Cave. To the right, you’ll head towards Gold Rock Beach, where they shot the famous Pirates of the Caribbean scene!
Cliff Jump Into Barn Owl’s Hole
Barn Owl’s Hole is a blue underwater inland cave in the Bahamas well-known by adrenaline lovers who like to cliff jump! The cave received its name because sometimes you can find barn owls nesting on the cave ledges. It was one of my all-time favorite activities, though it is not for those afraid of heights because the jump is high!
It’s one mile from the beach but a bit challenging to locate because it’s off of an unpaved dirt road only accessible via trucks, cars with high clearance, or ATVs. We’d recommend taking a guided tour from locals who know their way around and can tell you exactly where to jump to stay safe.
Try Water Sports at Taino Beach
If you want to do some water sports, head over to Taino Beach! Lucayan Waterways offers everything from snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, deep sea fishing, and more. You can also book a banana boat ride, a tour on a glassbottom boat, or a sunset cruise!
If you want access to these water sports, Taino Beach Resort is one of the best resorts on the island. You can head to the Welcome Center to book any activities, but if you’re coming from outside the resort, you can also find an activity booth on the beach. All watersports are dependent on the weather.
Make Your Perfume at the Freeport Perfume Factory
A unique way to spend an afternoon in Freeport is heading to the Freeport Perfume Factory, AKA Fragrance of The Bahamas! You can create your perfume using Bahamian scents like Paradise, Fruit Punch, Bahama Mama, Conch Salad, and more! The factory is in an old Bahamian mansion, and the factory offers tours for free!
Visit The Bahamas Maritime Museum
If you’re into learning more about the history of the Bahamas, head over to the Maritime Museum! The museum opened in 2022 and covers the rich history of the waterways. It covers the indigenous Lucayan free divers, a sunken crown jewel, the tragedies of the slave trade, and the remains of a Spanish shipwreck.
This museum is next to Port Lucaya Marketplace, so after a day of shopping, head over to learn more about this culturally rich island! You can make an appointment by calling or emailing or simply pay for a ticket at the door. You can also pay extra for a private tour to learn more about the Bahamas’s maritime heritage.
Zipline at Pirate’s Cove
For a fun adventure with your kiddos or loved ones, head to Pirate’s Cove Zip Line and Waterpark! It’s Freeports only adventure theme park on 7.5 acres on the shoreline. Choose between a fun day at the waterpark or relaxing by the beach for a few hours to unwind.
They have a thirty-five-foot high waterslide, floating bouncy slides, banana boat rides, beach games, public WiFi, playgrounds, and more. There’s also a restaurant and bar onsite, so you don’t have to worry about finding food while you’re there! You can get a massage, book a jetski ride, or even a parasail.
Take In The Scenery at Rand Nature Memorial Center
If you enjoy hiking, Rand Nature Memorial Center is a 100-mile-acre nature preserve with 2,000 feet of walking trails. You’ll wind through different Bahama biomes, including pine forests, coppice trees, and next to a pond filled with turtles. Rand Nature Memorial Center is another great spot for birders, as there are many different types of birds in the area with signage with bird information along the way. They also have a plant arboretum next to the pond!
If you want to visit Rand Nature Memorial Center, head there in the morning to beat the heat. They’re only open Mondays through Fridays from 9 am to 1 pm. Once you return to the Welcome Center, look at the exhibits inside to complete your experience!
Listen to Live Music at Count Basie Square
For live music lovers, head over to Count Basie Square on the weekends! During the evenings, enjoy live music in this outdoor, family-friendly environment. Since it’s within the marketplace, you can grab a bit to eat or drink at nearby bars or restaurants. Daddy Brown’s is a well-known restaurant that many people enjoy. It’s a great place to try a conch salad!
Count Basie Square is well-maintained, clean, and safe. It also has beautiful views of the bay. If you’re going to bring kids, plan to go in the early evening because later on, it gets pretty crowded and rowdy!
Find Tranquility at Barbary Beach
Barbary Beach is one of the most pristine, quiet beaches on Grand Bahama Island. It has a long strip of beautiful beachline perfect for long strolls while dipping your feet in the water. Generally, you can’t find many other people on the beach. It’s truly a hidden gem if you’re willing to make the drive, and the coastline is stunning!
You can get there via taxi or rental car. It’s on the east side of Freeport near the Grand Lucayan Waterway and Peterson Beach. It’s an undeveloped area so you won’t find restaurants or hotels around. It’s a good idea to bring everything you need to enjoy your time at Barbary Beach.
Go Snorkeling at Paradise Cove
If you’re interested in participating in water sports during your time in the Bahamas, head to Paradise Cove! Paradise Cove has many adventure options, including snorkeling, freediving, spearfishing, and more.
You can relax on the beach, go for a walk, or dine out at the beachfront restaurant. You also have the option to book between a few different beachgoer packages, including a few water sports options, lounge chairs, a tropical drink, and more!
Visit Peterson Cay National Park
The second national park in the Grand Bahamas is Peterson Cay National Park! It’s offshore, so you’ll need to take a boat to get there. It’s a beautiful, natural cay on the Grand Bahamas leeway shore. It’s known as a geological wonder due to its coral reef nursery. The national park has minimal developed infrastructure or trail systems on the island, making it a designated wilderness area.
Peterson Cay is fascinating for birders because it’s an IBA (Important Bird Area). The park boundary is 1,000 acres of marine and coastal environment, great for bird watching, photography, snorkeling, and kayaking. You can reach the national park by joining a local tour or hiring a boat from the Port Lucaya marina.
Enjoy Local Beer From The Bahamian Brewery
Looking to get a taste of local Bahamian beer!? Head to The Bahamian Brewery to try all the local beer, wine, and spirits! You can try all the different kinds of the Bahamian brand Sands. They have nine beers to taste. They have lagers, radlers, stouts, ales, malt beers, and a non-alcoholic option!
It’s 100% Bahamian owned and operated. They do all of the production, distribution, and retail. If you visit different islands in the Bahamas, you can find Jimmy’s Wine and Spirits in Nassau, Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Eleuthra! They also have imported beers, beverages, and even tobacco for those looking for something more familiar!
FAQs: Freeport Bahamas Activities
Great! Now that we have gone over fifteen top Freeport, Bahamas activities, we can cover some questions about the area.
Is Freeport, Bahamas worth visiting?
Freeport is worth visiting. There is something for everyone. The Grand Bahamas has more to offer than its pristine beaches, although they’re worth enjoying!
You can find water sports, fun attractions, national parks, nature preserves, live music, duty-free shopping, and more!
How do you spend a day in Freeport, Bahamas?
How you spend a day in Freeport will depend on your vacation interests. Some popular things in Freeport are enjoying one of its beautiful white-sand beaches, doing duty-free shopping at Port Lucaya Marketplace, visiting one of the island’s national parks, or trying out different water sports in the pristine turquoise ocean.
What is Freeport, Grand Bahama is known for?
Freeport is known for its beautiful beaches, relaxed vibe, and conch salad. It’s also known for its snorkeling, birding, cultural experiences, golf courses, and hotels.
Is Freeport Bahamas expensive?
Generally, pricing in Freeport is comparable to the United States. However, Freeport is one of the more budget-friendly destinations in the Bahama Islands. Since it’s on the ocean, the island imports many products which is why it is sometimes pricey. It’s also a bit expensive to get to the island.
Wrapping Up: Freeport Bahamas Activities
Well, there you have it! Fifteen of the best activities in Freeport, Grand Bahama. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited and a vacation I reflect on frequently. Once you see the white-sand beaches and turquoise ocean, you won’t want to leave!
One of the fantastic things about Freeport is that there is an activity or attraction for everyone who goes. Bird and nature lovers will find peaceful refuge in Peterson Cay, Garden of the Groves, or Rand Nature Memorial Center. History buffs will be fascinated by the Maritime Museum and Lucayan National Park. It’s also great for shopping, relaxing, and water sports!
What do you think!? Will you take a trip to Freeport!? We sure hope so! Safe travels!
Samantha Kaiser is the author and owner of www.thelifestyletravelers.com – a travel blog highlighting a budget-friendly, adventurous, outdoor lifestyle.
A Sustainability Challenge in Freeport, Bahamas
As a sustainable travel site, we’re always examining the potential environmental and cultural impacts of the destinations we cover. Freeport, Bahamas is no exception – while it offers an abundance of natural beauty and activities, there are some clear sustainability challenges that both visitors and local businesses must grapple with.
The rapid growth of tourism in Freeport has put a strain on the island’s delicate ecosystems. Increased foot traffic in places like Lucayan National Park and Peterson Cay risks damaging fragile habitats and disturbing wildlife. Water-based activities like snorkeling, boating, and jet skiing also have the potential to harm the area’s coral reefs if not managed responsibly.
Development of new hotels, resorts, and tourist infrastructure is another concern. Improper construction and lack of environmental regulations could disrupt the natural landscape and local communities. Waste management and pollution control are also major issues as visitor numbers climb.
Preserving Freeport’s unique Bahamian culture is also a challenge, as the influx of tourism can lead to over-commercialization and loss of authenticity. Striking the right balance between economic growth and cultural/environmental protection will be crucial.
So what can visitors and businesses do to be more sustainable in Freeport? Here are a few tips:
For Visitors:
- Stick to marked trails and avoid disturbing wildlife in natural areas
- Choose eco-friendly tour operators that prioritize reef protection
- Reduce single-use plastics and properly dispose of waste
- Support locally-owned businesses to preserve cultural authenticity
For Businesses:
By working together, visitors and businesses can help ensure Freeport remains a premier island destination while safeguarding its precious natural and cultural resources for the long term. It’s a delicate balance, but one that’s essential for the future of sustainable tourism in the Bahamas.
