EXCURSIONS TERRESTRES

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak through the mangrove-lined waterways in Lucayan National Park and then relax on a wonderfully secluded stretch of sand nearby. While kayaking, you will likely pass under tree canopies that shelter an array of wildlife, birds in particular. The sounds that you hear will be almost entirely those of nature, making the experience all the more serene and enjoyable. On occasion, the guide may describe the environmental benefits of mangroves, such as how they filter impurities from the water. Gold Rock Beach is also a spectacularly natural setting as it rims the national park and is protected from development. You will find it immensely relaxing and the water brilliant blue. Back in Freeport, you will browse the Garden of the Groves, a botanical garden that supports a huge variety of indigenous flora and fauna. After meandering the winding paths, you might stop at the café and dine on your own.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak through the mangrove-lined waterways in Lucayan National Park, a natural oasis.
• Relax on secluded Gold Rock Beach, a lengthy undeveloped stretch of pristine sand.
• Stroll along the winding paths in the Garden of the Groves botanical wonderland.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Observe sharks and other marine life from the comfort of a glass-bottom boat while cruising over several coral reefs. The 56-foot-long boat features large viewing windows to offer clear, unobstructed views of the underwater wonders. The first stop will be a barrier reef that is typically teeming with brightly colored tropical fish darting in and out of the coral. The spectacle should be even more spectacular at the next coral reef, a spot with so many marine creatures that it is nicknamed the Fish Farm. After witnessing the ever-changing parade of marine life there, you will soon reach Shark Junction, an area that dozens of nurse sharks usually frequent, some of them up to 8 feet long. Chances are, they will congregate around the boat because they have been hand-fed for years. As you will see while watching an expert shark feeder, nurse sharks use suction to quickly vacuum up their food.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy unobstructed views of marine life when cruising in a glass-bottom boat.
• Expect to see schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, sharks and plenty more.
• Watch a shark expert hand-feed the nurse sharks that congregate around the boat.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snorkel the crystal-clear waters off Grand Bahama and enjoy a close-up view of the diverse marine life that inhabits the coral reefs. After a relatively short boat ride, you will reach a reef that the captain has chosen after considering the weather and water conditions. The boat will moor there rather than drop anchor, which could damage the fragile ecosystem. You will then ease into the water and behold the wonders that lie just below the surface. There is no telling what you will see, but you can be sure it will be plentiful as the visibility is often up to 200 feet. You may observe neon-colored parrotfish, blue angelfish, black groupers and horse-eye jacks. Be sure to scan the ocean floor for spiny lobsters, hermit crabs and large sea snails known as Triton’s trumpets. If you spot a leatherback sea turtle, it will be a showstopper, as these graceful creatures weigh up to 1,300 pounds.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise to a coral reef not far offshore that is ideal for snorkeling.
• Look for a variety of colorful marine creatures gathered around the reef.
• Observe schools of tropical fish, unusual mollusks and perhaps even a sea turtle.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit and bring a towel.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a generous beer tasting and tour of the Bahamian Brewery and spend hours relaxing at a luxurious resort on Lucaya Beach. You will see firsthand how the beers are brewed from the second-floor observation platform, after which you will sample several of the most distinctive ones. You may be served a hearty stout, a light lager and a beer flavored with pink grapefruit or guava. The variety of beers is remarkable. Following the tasting, you will head for a resort on lively Lucaya Beach, a beautiful stretch of white sand right across from the Port Lucaya Marketplace. You might spend your time basking in the sun, swimming in the sea, strolling the beach or doing nothing more ambitious than reading under the shade of a coconut palm. You are also welcome to walk across the street and shop in the dozens of stores in the marketplace.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Tour the modern Bahamian Brewery and sample several of the beers produced there.
• Spend hours luxuriating however you please at a resort right on Lucaya Beach.
• Walk across the street and shop in the Port Lucaya Marketplace, if you wish.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, hat, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Swim in the crystal-clear waters off Grand Bahama with a passel of cute, friendly pigs and then spend time shopping at the largest open-air marketplace in the Bahamas.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a scenic drive along the western tip of Grand Bahama Island. Along the way to Deadman’s Reef at Crystal Beach, you will hear about the wild pigs that inhabit this part of the island. It’s not known exactly why or when pigs were introduced to Grand Bahama, but it will become obvious that their descendants have thrived.

Once you wade into the shallow waters, you can expect the pigs to follow, knowing that food awaits. The guide will show you how to feed the pigs and the best ways to interact with them while swimming. The pigs couldn’t be friendlier, cuter or more enthusiastic about the attention. You might even learn their names, as many of the pigs are regulars.

Following this unusual experience, you will enjoy free time in Port Lucaya Marketplace, the largest open-air shopping and dining venue in the Bahamas. The marketplace has dozens of duty-free shops, two straw markets, two craft centers and a variety of restaurants.

You might shop for exquisite jewelry, designer fashions and fine leather goods. There are several art galleries well worth browsing for local paintings and watercolors. The marketplace also offers all sorts of dining options and cuisines.

Take a leisurely 12 1/2 mile bike tour along the island. Learn about the local history through a seaside native settlement. Visit the tropical Garden of the Groves and lunch under a huge fig tree overlooking the waterfalls. There is time to enjoy the gardens or shop for handcrafted goods, fragrances, books and locally made straw work. Then visit Grand Bahama’s finest beach where you can take a refreshing swim or just relax.

See the best of Grand Bahama Island on this adventurous jeep tour. A short bus ride from the pier will take you to your waiting jeep. Your adventure begins as you hop into your jeep and drive off, on the left side of the road, following British tradition. Enjoy a narrated tour of the city highlights with stops at points of interest - all this while learning about the island’s history, original Indian inhabitants and the early settlers.

Visit the beautiful Garden of the Groves where you'll relax under a huge fig tree overlooking the waterfalls while enjoying lunch. Stroll through the lovely gardens, browse boutique shops featuring locally made arts and crafts and see artisans create native straw work. Your journey continues to one of Grand Bahama’s finest beaches where you can take a dip in the crystal clear water.

Enjoy a once in a lifetime kiss and hug from one of our Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins. This is an interactive program that is fun and educational, ideal for non-swimmers and families with young kids.

Upon arrival at Sanctuary Bay, one of the most natural and largest protected dolphin facilities in the world, you will begin your dolphin encounter. Learn about these amazing creatures as our professional dolphin trainers conduct an educational orientation. Interact with these friendly dolphins while they splash and jump around you, and then step on to a 3 foot deep submerged platform where you will touch, kiss and hug a dolphin.

Before you depart, don’t forget to say hello to the many tortoise’s that live on the property and have your photo with one of the colorful parrots. Our photographers will be on hand to capture your time with the dolphins and photos are available through our website after your program.

Enjoy a once in a lifetime chance to swim, kiss and hug an Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin. This is an interactive program that is fun and educational, suitable for people 55” or taller.

Upon arrival at Sanctuary Bay, one of the most natural and largest protected dolphin facilities in the world, you will begin your dolphin swim. Learn about these amazing creatures our professional dolphin trainers conduct an educational orientation. Guests will enter the water 6 at a time, free form swim with the dolphins, dive under the surface or swim side by side. Our trainers will instruct you on proper use of hand signals for some extra fun with the dolphins. Finally, have your moment to kiss and hug the dolphins while our professional photographers capture the memory forever. This program is conducted in approximately 12 ft of water, you will be provided with a life vest(optional) and swim fins.

Before you depart, don’t forget to say hello to the many tortoise’s that live on the property and have your photo with one of the colorful parrots. Our photographers will be on hand to capture your time with the dolphins and photos are available through our website after your program. Please note: pregnant women are not permitted to participate on this tour.

Upon arrival, you’ll have the option of a guided tour or to explore on your own. Interpretive signs highlight this lush tropical landscape with trees and flowers from around the world. You’ll find a replica of the original chapel from the early logging days, tranquil lagoons with cascading waterfalls and an open-air cafe deck.

Local artisans display their arts and crafts. Walk down into the cool fern grove and marvel at the magnificent limestone boulders that tower to both sides of your trail! You may also want to relax out on deck where Bahamian drinks and food can be purchased. After your visit to the gardens you’ll be transported to Port Lucaya Marketplace for shopping.

This tour has something for everyone. Go sightseeing, ride an ATV, visit a tropical garden and swim at one of Freeport's finest beach spots. On your way to the ATV base enjoy a narrated sightseeing tour of Freeport. Receive a safety briefing and gear before setting off with your guide along winding trails through forests and dense vegetation. Continue your ATV ride along a beach trail. Stops along the way will introduce you to the environment, history and culture of the island.

After the ATV ride visit the adjacent tropical Garden of the Groves. Restaurant and bar services are available at your own expense under a very large, shaded deck. Afterwards, hop on a bus for a swim at one of Freeport's finest beach spots.