Welcome to Freeport, Grand Bahama, the second city in The Bahamas also known as Magic City. Freeport Bahamas is primarily a cruise destination, which makes it a great destination for beaches. Come virtually explore the best beaches in Freeport with me.
How to get to Freeport?
If you’ve never been to Freeport, most major airlines such as Silver Airways, Jet Blue, and American Airlines fly there mostly from Miami. There are also day trips from Florida on the Baleria and Discovery Cruises. As for cruises, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian all dock in Freeport.
Let’s explore the best beaches in Freeport.
Does Freeport, The Bahamas have good beaches?
Every island in The Bahamas has good beaches. Freeport is no different, as there is a plethora of beaches on the island. Some are attached to restaurants, and some are secluded.
Freeport has a good selection of beaches, and it won’t take you long to find one to your liking.
Can you walk to the beach from the Freeport cruise port?
No, the Freeport cruise port is not close to tourist attractions or beaches. There are Cruise ships and light tourism activity on one side and industrial works on the other side.
The closest beach is Xanadu Beach, and it’s about a 10-minute drive from the cruise port. The downside is that Xanadu Beach is secluded. So if you want to spend the day doing water sports, it’s better to bite the bullet and go to Lucaya Beach.
Lucaya Beach is about a 15-minute drive from the Freeport cruise port. But it has a lot of water sports and great restaurants in the area. It’s actually in the back of a major hotel.
However, if leaving the port isn’t your thing, the cruise port has many amenities that travelers look forward to.
10 Freeport Bahamas Beaches near the cruise port (in order of distance from the port)
1. Xanadu Beach (10 mins): A popular family beach, Xanadu is as close as you can get to the Freeport Cruise Port. It’s ideal, and there are a few restaurants nearby. During the week, it isn’t as crowded, but on the weekend, it’s bound to be packed with families enjoying the beach.
Note that the hotel is no longer in operation, but the water is still beautiful.
2. Lucaya Beach (20 mins): Tourists call it Lucayan Beach, but the locals refer to it as Lucaya Beach. Either one, someone will know what you mean.
This is one of the most popular tourist beaches in Freeport, Bahamas, as it’s filled with various water sports. How crowded the beach is depends on whether a ship has docked. If so, it can be busy. If not, it can be secluded.
It is not well labeled, so look for the police station. It’s also located opposite the popular Port Lucaya, behind the back of the Our Lucaya Hotel.
3. Williams Town Beach (18 min): This isn’t technically Freeport, but because it’s close to the port, I wanted to include it.
Ever wanted to go horseback riding on 1.9 miles of beach, while the ocean breeze is blowing in your face? You can at Williams Town Beach. This beach also has banana boats, water skiing, and jet skiing.
4. Taino Beach (24 min): Taino is like a wonderland on a beach, making it one of the popular beaches to visit in Freeport, Bahamas.
If you’re traveling with kids, this beach is a must-do. You can take a ferry here from the port (call for hours in advance). There’s a water amusement park, lots of bars, and two restaurants. You can enjoy a cold Kalik beer while watching your kids have the time of their lives.
5. Smith’s Point Beach (24 min): This is another beach that’s technically not in Freeport. It’s adjacent to Taino Beach, but it’s on the Smith’s Point Side while Taino is on the Freeport side.
If you’re looking for peace and seclusion, this beach is not it. If you can look beyond that, it’s definitely one of the best beaches in the settlement.
6. Paradise Cove Beach (Deadman’s Reef- 25 min): This isn’t in Freeport, but it’s still within a short distance from the port. What people like most about this beach is the number of activities they have, such as snorkeling tours of reefs. And there’s a beach shuttle so you can skip out on the taxi fare.
7. Mather Beach (26 min): Not located in Freeport either, but it’s near some of the best restaurants in Grand Bahama as well as Margarita Villa. You know Mama always needs a cocktail, and who would argue if it came with an amazing view?
8. Fortune Beach (27 min): The Bahamas tends to brag about having so many beaches that you can have a few to yourself. This is one of them.
The water is shallow with multiple sand bars appearing when it’s low tide. No matter the day or the hour, Fortune Beach is a forgotten beach. There are no amenities. Just you and miles of ocean.
9. Barbary Beach (32 min): This is the same beach as Fortune Beach, except it’s separated by a canal.
Some people say it’s hard to find, but your taxi driver will know where he’s going. Barbary Beach is very remote, peaceful, and just what the doctor ordered. However, be cautious of your surroundings.
10. Gold Rock Beach (36 min): Best known as the welcome mat of Grand Bahama, this beach is a part of the Lucayan National Park.
At low tide, you can walk for hours, taking in the beauty around you. There are BBQ pits, picnic tables, and benches here, but no other amenities. The entrance fee is $5 per person, and children under 12 are free.
The best way to get around Freeport
Getting around Freeport is very difficult. Everything is spaced apart.
If you can afford to take a taxi wherever you go, then take a taxi. From the port, taxis can cost between $20 – $35 each way. Be sure to ask the price before your driver starts the journey.
If a taxi is out of the budget, a car is a more reasonable and easier way to travel around Freeport. There is public transportation, such as buses, but the buses run on island time. So it may not be the best option if you’re on a schedule.
Things to do in Freeport
Adventurous Things to Do in Freeport
Kayak with Turtles: Take in a remote location in Freeport from the comfort of your kayak. This tour takes you to the turtles’ natural habitat.
✔️ Learn more about Kayaking with Turtles ✔️
Freeport Beach Club: Similar to Paradise Cove, a day pass at a resort. The best part is they have a kids’ club if you’re looking to relax without the kids for a few hours.
Paradise Cove: By now, you know there’s no shortage of beaches in The Bahamas or Freeport. This activity gives you a day pass at Paradise Cove, where you can snorkel or sunbathe. The choice is yours.
✔️ Get your Paradise Cove Day Pass ✔️
Swim with Pigs: Made popular by the original pigs in Big Major Cay, in Exuma. This half-day tour takes you swimming with the pigs and then to lunch. Word to the wise, these are wild animals and will chase you for food.
✔️ Swim with Pigs Half-Day Tour Details ✔️
Sailing: Spend a little more and learn to sail while in Freeport, The Bahamas. If you’re not in the mood for sailing, you can always relax until it’s time to snorkel. A great day on the water with food and drinks.
✔️ Decide between learning to sail or relaxing on the sailing yacht ✔️
Scuba Diving: If you have time, sign up for a Scuba Dive in Freeport. It’s a 4-hour activity, and the instructors will take you on a shallow dive after teaching you how to use the equipment in the pool.
Glass Bottom Boat: A wildlife tour in paradise with a glass bottom boat. If your kids are fascinated by marine life, this is perfect. The sharks are fed in front of you while fish swim underneath you.
✔️ Book your Glass Bottom Boat ✔️
Horseback Riding: A two-hour trail ride for horse lovers. This takes you through the pine forests, dunes, beaches, and oceans.
✔️ Learn more about Pinetree Stables ✔️
Outdoor Activities in Freeport
Lucayan National Park: The Lucayan National Park has one of the biggest underwater cave systems in the world. Two of the caves are open to the public. However, swimming is prohibited, and a special permit is required for diving.
Other activities are kayaking and hiking through nature trails.
Peterson Cay National Park: The smallest national park in The Bahamas, this is only reachable by boat, but it’s a favorite for snorkeling and diving.
Rand Nature Center: If you love adventure, you’ll love the Rand. One hundred acres of natural beauty await you. You can take self-guided walks through the nature preserve, look at rotating visual art, and learn about the history and value of Bahamian plants.
The Garden of the Grove: This is the most picturesque activity on the list. The garden of the Grove is known for its Instagrammable features. But also their waterfalls and winding trails.
Where to stay in Freeport
Luxury All-Inclusive Resort in Freeport, Bahamas
Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort: Island life meets soft life. Everything you could ever imagine needing or wanting on an island is right at your fingertips. Including that good Bahamian food.
✔️ Check rates and availability for Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort ✔️
Budget-Friendly
The Marlin at Taino Beach Resort: If you’re looking for laid-back accommodations and a home away from home, you’ve found your place. Bonus: it has a private beach.
✔️ Check rates and availability for The Marlin at Taino Beach Resort ✔️
Which is better Freeport or Nassau, Bahamas
It depends on the type of traveler you are. Most travelers love Nassau because it’s the city version of the entire country. And everything is in Nassau, for every kind of traveler.
Except for the ones that like seclusion. Freeport provides seclusion at a more affordable rate.
Freeport has sustained a lot of damage from hurricanes over the years, and it is trying to make a tourism comeback. It has a lot of adventure, peace, and activities without the crowd.
If you’re looking for a beautiful Bahamian beach close to the United States, you can’t go wrong with either one. Both Freeport and Nassau offer beautiful beaches.
Conclusion
Freeport, Bahamas, is an excellent choice for beachgoers as it offers a variety of beaches. From popular tourist beaches filled with various sports activities to relaxing and secluded beaches that are only known by the locals (and those who have read this guide).
Whichever beach you choose to go to, you are sure to be met by nature’s beauty.
