June issue, Budget Travel magazine – As if there werenﾒt enough reasons to take Friday off. Grand Bahama Island is just 57 miles east of Palm Beach, so flights from Florida to Freeport, its main town, take less than half an hourﾗand Florida Express ferries from Fort Lauderdale cost $165 round trip. Where the West Indies hug the East Coast, thereﾒs a long weekend for anyone. Bosses beware.
Beachgoers: On GBIﾒs tranquil East End, 30 miles east of Freeport, Bishopﾒs Bonefish Resort offers waterfront suites and 14 miles of sugar-white sand. Itﾒs a short drive (renting a car is easy at the airport) to never-ending Gold Rock Beachﾗby far the most beautiful stretch of sand on the island. Low tide unveils a welcome mat of rippled sandy peaks, perfect for seaside strolls. Afterward, head to Freeport for the International Bazaarﾒs straw market, where ladies sell handmade hats, baskets, and totes for less than $15 an itemﾗtheyﾒll even make things to order, on the spot. On Fridays, Le Chicken Shack Garden Bar, a casual hangout nearby, holds its weekly feast of boiled Andros crab, caught off neighboring Andros Island. When the sun goes down, Port Lucayaﾒs Count Basie Square has steel-drum bands, reggae DJs, and the occasional limbo contest. And donﾒt forget to order a tropical Bahama Mama at nearby Rumrunners. Anyone who finishes the drink gets to autograph the wall.
Fishers: GBI has long been known as home of ﾓthe boneﾔﾗthe elusive bonefish. Spend a Saturday on the virgin flats searching for a nibble from the wily, silver-skinned fish. Most boats are only big enough for two passengers, so expect an intimate experience. On the lazy West End, 30 miles from the airport, Bootle Bay Fishing Lodgeﾗwhere legendary Bonefish Foley has hosted Presidents Nixon and Kennedyﾗrents doubles for $90 and runs half- and full-day fishing excursions. Bootle Bayﾒs full-day outing ($375) is one of the least expensive on the island. After a day on the flats, treat yourself to some fresh conch fritters and a cold Kalikﾗthe local brewﾗjust down the road at the Chickenﾒs Nest. Bring quarters (both American and Bahamian dollars, always worth the same, are accepted everywhere), since thereﾒll be plenty of folks to shoot pool with.
Gamblers: Last December, the 19,000-square-foot Isle of Capri Casino at Our Lucayaﾗacross from its partner hotels, the Westin and the Sheratonﾗopened in Port Lucaya, a touristy open-air mall where youﾒll find souvenirs like Androsia batik sarongs, duty-free liquor, and polished conch shells. The Port bustles with shoppers, pub patrons spill onto the walkways, and restaurants serve sweet Caribbean lobster tails (try Fat Manﾒs Nephew, overlooking colorful Count Basie Square). Donﾒt expect to mingle with Bahamians over blackjackﾗitﾒs illegal for locals to participate in organized gaming. During the summer months, you can stay at the Sheraton for $129ﾗitﾒs a five-minute walk to the Capri, so you wonﾒt need a car.
Nature lovers: At the 40-acre Lucayan National Park, about 25 miles east of Freeport, take a self-guided tour through the well-labeled trails dotted with wild guava, tamarind, towering Caribbean pines, and gumbo-limbo trees. Unique to the preserve are the Lucayan tunnels, the longest surveyed underwater cave system in the world. When theyﾒre hit by sunlight, the water turns a dizzying blue (sorry, no swimming). At Gold Rock Creek, across the road, Kayak Nature Tours leads six-hour excursions through the mangrove swamps, home to snappers, crabs, and barracuda. The tour includes 90 minutes in a two-person kayak, lunch on Gold Rock Beach, and a nature walk. Spend Sunday bird-watching against a backdrop of waterfalls, flowers, and alligators at the 12-acre Garden of the Groves, seven miles west of Lucayan Park. The Garden exhibits nearly 5,000 varieties of plants, many native to the islands. Understandably, itﾒs a popular spot for tropical weddings.
Grand Bahama Island
Transportation
Florida Express 866/313-3779, www.ferrybahamas.com, $165 round trip
Lodging
Bishopﾒs Bonefish Resort 242/ 353-4515, www.gbweekly.com/bishopsbonefish, doubles $160
Bootle Bay Fishing Lodge 242/349-4010, www.bootlebay.com, doubles $90
Sheraton at Our Lucaya 800/325-3535, www.ourlucaya.com, doubles $129
Food
- Le Chicken Shack Intl. Bazaar, 242/ 351-2692, crab meal $10
- Rumrunners Port Lucaya, 242/373-7233, Bahama Mama cocktail $4.60
- Chickenﾒs Nest 242/ 346-6440, four fritters $1
- Fat Manﾒs Nephew Port Lucaya, 242/ 373-8520, lobster tail $27
Activities
Isle of Capri 242/350-2000
Lucayan Natl. Park 242/352-5438, $3
Kayak Nature Tours 866/ 440-4542, www.grandbahamanaturetours.com, $69
Garden of the Groves 242/ 373-5668, $10
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By David Lahuta, Budget Travel
