The Reefs and Caves of Grand Bahama.

Grand Bahama

The northern island of Grand Bahama is a haven for nature and the water, fringed by reefs and threaded with one of the longest underwater cave systems on earth. Lucayan National Park protects part of that system, where you can walk down into crystal caverns and then cross to the untouched, palm-backed Gold Rock Beach, a vast sweep of sand revealed at low tide.

Offshore, the warm clear water offers world-class diving and snorkeling among reefs, wrecks and friendly reef sharks, while a famous program lets visitors meet wild dolphins. The island has built its reputation on these encounters, run by long-established operators who know the water well.

Add the mangroves and pine forests, kayaking, and miles of empty beach, and Grand Bahama is the Bahamas at its most natural and uncrowded, an easy hop from Florida.

Where: Grand Bahama, the northern Bahamas
Best time: Dec–Apr (dry season); year-round
Good for: Nature & diving
Pair it with: Nassau or the Abacos

Where it is

On the map.

Grand Bahama is the northernmost main island, close to Florida; Lucayan National Park and Gold Rock Beach lie on the south shore east of Freeport.

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What you'll see

On the route.

Stop 01

An underwater cavern

Descend into one of the crystal caverns of Lucayan National Park, part of one of the longest underwater cave systems on earth.

Stop 02

Gold Rock Beach at low tide

A vast sweep of rippled sand emerges as the tide drops, palm-backed, empty and one of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas.

Stop 03

Diving the reefs and wrecks

The warm, clear water offers world-class diving among reefs and wrecks, with friendly reef sharks a highlight of the island's dive sites.

Stop 04

Wild dolphins

Grand Bahama's famous dolphin program lets visitors meet and swim with wild dolphins in the open water alongside experienced guides.

Know before you go

The practical details.

Good to know

Lucayan National Park

The park protects mangroves, pine forest and part of one of the world's longest underwater cave systems; you can descend into the Ben's Cave and Burial Mound caverns, walk the boardwalk trails, then cross to spectacular Gold Rock Beach, vast and empty at low tide.

Good to know

The water

Grand Bahama has superb, warm, clear water for diving and snorkeling on reefs and wrecks, with famous shark and dolphin encounters run by established operators; kayaking the mangrove creeks and fishing the flats are gentler ways to enjoy it.

Good to know

Getting there & when

Grand Bahama is one of the closest Bahamian islands to Florida, reached by a short flight or ferry as well as from Nassau; the dry season (December to April) is sunniest and calmest, ideal for diving, while summer is warm with the small chance of a passing storm.

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The Reefs and Caves of Grand Bahama.

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