Grand Bahama

Grand Bahama Island is an island of the Bahamas

Regions of Grand Bahama

• West
• South
• Freeport / Lucaya
• East

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Cities

• Freeport (Bahamas) | Freeport GPS 26.528611,-78.696667

Grand Bahama Halal Travel Guide

The 6 ecosystems of Grand Bahama Island are:

• Pine Forest
• Blackland Coppice
• Rocky Coppice
• Mangrove Swamp
• Whiteland Coppice
• Beach / Shoreline

Travel to Grand Bahama

Numerous Flights are available for US Muslims from South Florida. American Eagle offers daily Flights from Miami, Charlotte, Philadelphia and New York. Bahamasair, United, and Spirit Airlines all offer daily Flights from Fort Lauderdale. Delta Connection offers Flights from Atlanta.

How to get around in Grand Bahama

Taxis are typically waiting for visitors at the airport and sea port. They are also easily summoned by phone. Please be aware that there is NO such thing as a "service fee" or "bag handling fee," as some unscrupulous taxi drivers insist. You only pay the fare, and a tip if appropriate.

Public transport on the island consists mainly of minivans that ferry local residents to and fro. It is a dollar to take the local bus line anywhere on the island. They typically run about every 15 minutes however they will often wait until they have a full load before departing. It's unclear whether these are government run or privately owned.

Hotels often have their own shuttle services to various points of interest around the island.

Car, motorcycle, and buggy rentals are readily available. However be cautioned that the roads are driven on the left and local residents drive aggressively.

What to see in Grand Bahama

• Lucayan National Park, The crown jewel of the 3 national parks on Grand Bahama, Lucayan National Park is the only place in the Bahamas where you can see all six of the island's ecosystems. There are caves for exploration (including one of the longest underwater limestone caves in the world; access is seasonal as the caves are also used for bat conservation), a picturesque wooden bridge over a mangrove swamp, and a beautiful white beach with benches available for picnics. Visitors are advised never to leave belongings unattended, as thefts have been known to occur.

• Rand Nature Center - Outside downtown Freeport. Open 9AM - 4PM Monday to Friday (Closed on Saturday & Sunday) This national park is named for James Rand and was established as the first nature education center to preserve the habitat of Grand Bahama. Admission $5 adults, $3 children 5-12, children under 5 free.

• Peterson Cay National Park, a small island surrounded by reefs located 1 mile off the south shore, is the perfect getaway for a day trip / picnic. It is accessible only by boat, and visitors are instructed to anchor in specific areas away from the coral reefs. All plant and animal life within the park boundaries is protected by law. Fishing, shelling, and damage to or removal of any coral is strictly prohibited. Garbage disposal and leaving ash coals / embers is also prohibited. Leave-no-trace camping|Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Grand Bahama

• UNEXSO Dive Center - UNEXSO provides activities for both experienced and non-experienced SCUBA divers. They also offer different kinds of "swim with the dolphins" experiences as well. Some activities require a 1 day advanced registration.

• Grand Bahama Scuba - At the Ocean Reef Yacht Club, runs dives Monday through Friday and Sunday afternoon dives. They offer the popular shark dive as well.

• Leo and Carol Moxie | Ask almost anyone at Old Bahama Bay, or most taxi drivers, and they will know about Leo and Carol. This fishing boat captain and his Canadian-born wife/first mate can take you on the shark fishing adventure of a lifetime. The author of this entry has been fishing with them for 20 years, since she was a child. You can also charter them to fish for any other kind of available fish, or just to go out snorkeling off the beaten path. They are great with kids too and welcome Muslims families.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Grand Bahama

Bahamas Dollars (BSD) are equal in value to the American Dollar.American currency is accepted (sometimes even preferred) everywhere.

Sales tax does not exist in the Bahamas. National revenue is collected mainly through local import tariffs.

Duty-free items such as perfume, and jewelery often surprise tourists for being so affordable. It is not uncommon, for example, to find a bottle of your favorite perfume for less than half of what you could expect to pay back home. Thit is the advantage and convenience of duty-free shopping.

• Port Lucaya Marketplace Sea Horse Road on Bell Channel Bay, ☎ +1 (242) 373-8446. Duty-free shopping in over 80 stores in 12 buildings overlooking the Bell Channel Bay marina. The marketplace is the hub of Port Lucaya.

Halal Restaurants

Grand Bahama offers a wide variety of international cuisines for all tastes but for Muslims the food is limited and would be mainly Halal food from the sea.

Fish fries are like the Bahamian version of a neighbourhood barbecue, serving fried fish with various side dishes. Some fish fries cater specifically to tourists, but these are generally grossly overpriced ($50+, compared to local-run fish fries which cost less than $10 per plate) and the food pales in comparison to those run by local residents, for local residents.

The Port Lucaya area has a wide array of dining experiences for all budgets, at all times of the day. Thit is not a complete listing of restaurants in the area, but the overall best options. Prices reflect the expected apparel. In alphabetical order:

• Zorba's, delicious Greek cuisine, good prices.
• Banana Bay, located in Fortune Bay near Lucaya. Situated feet from the ocean on a beautiful white beach, perfect for families who want a refreshing lunch, with indoor and outdoor patio dining available. Delicious local cuisine at good prices.

• Pier One Restaurant | Has a beautiful waterfront view and serves delicious, high-end food, but what it is best known for are its nightly shark feedings. Sharks are summoned to the water below with the ring of a bell, and guests can watch them chow down, and even throw food to them. A highly recommended, unique experience.

• Radisson Grand Lucayan - Located on the picturesque Grand Bahama Island, Radisson Grand Lucayan offers guests outstanding quality. It has 540 luxury guest rooms and suites, which are decorated in a modern Art Deco-inspired tropical style, and is situated on 7.5 acres of white sand beaches. Guests at the Grand Lucayan hotel can enjoy a daily activities schedule, two 18-hole championship golf courses, Las Vegas-style casino, spa services and three pools for some fun in the sun. On-site dining options range from casual fare to fine cuisine, and the 90,000 square feet of meeting space provides the ideal setting for weddings and events of all kinds. Visit Radisson Grand Lucayan and see what makes our hotel one of the finest resorts in the Bahamas.

• Goombay Punch Soda | Sweet pineapple soda, with a slight lemon taste (like a pineapple heavy Pina Colada).

Muslim Friendly Resorts in Grand Bahama

• Pelican Bay Hotel - Seahorse Road, Port Lucaya. The Pelican Bay Hotel is in Port Lucaya, 5 miles from Freeport. The hotel is next to the Port Lucaya Marketplace and the UNEXSO facility and the resort juts into Bell Channel Bay overlooking two marinas.

• Wyndham Viva Fortuna Beach Resort - Churchill Drive & Doubloon Road. An all-inclusive resort on the south coast of the island, on 23 acres of land near a sandy white beach.

• Old Bahama Bay - 73 luxury suites and 72 marina slips. Halal food can be arranged on advance bookings.

Visit for room rates.

Stay Safe

The Bahamas, though well known for its festive culture and friendly people, does have a high crime rate amongst its people that reflects severe social disparities.Areas that cater to Muslims are heavily policed and kept exceptionally safe, but foreigners should not venture outside these areas alone. A desolate beach at night is incredibly nice, but be sure to tell the security guard at your resort where you are going, just to be safe.

News & References Grand Bahama

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