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Visiting Grand Bahama Island: The Softer Side of the Bahamas Part 2
Travel and accommodation provided by Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. All words and opinions are my own. This visiting Grand Bahama Island post contains affiliate links, which in no way cost you money.
Visiting Grand Bahama Island: The Softer Side of the Bahamas (Part 2)
If you are just joining our adventure be sure to check out part one of our story here. For those that are caught up….
As much as I loved lounging at the Grand Lucayan Resort it was wonderful to get out and explore the island by Jeep. The Jeep Adventure Safari is a 5 hour tour that incorporates three adventures into one; driving, Garden of the Groves, and Junkanoo Beach Club. I was a bit nervous about driving on the opposite side of the road, but the tour made it easy by giving you a lead Jeep to follow.
Jeep Adventure
Each Jeep was equipped with a radio to you are kept informed of interesting sites and traffic. After about 2 minutes of driving I had a good handle on things and began to have a great time. There were three people in my Jeep total; we took turns driving, which allowed for time behind the wheel and time to take pictures.
Our route took us through Millionaire's Row, and from there we went off road and into the forest. As a passenger during this part I was able to see a ton and found riding as a passenger just as much fun as driving.
The Dolphins
Now when visiting Grand Bahama Island another must do is the Dolphin Experience. This was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had on vacation; it was simply incredible. UNEXSO offers both dolphin encounters and open water dolphin swims; they have been in business since 1987, and currently work with 12 bottle nose dolphins. With the largest open water facility in existence, UNEXSO is one of three facilities in the world that take the dolphins out into the open ocean to interact with other marine wildlife.
I asked the trainer if a dolphin has ever decided to stay out in the wild and he told me no, that they always come back to Sanctuary Bay. In the wild dolphin typically to live between 15-20 years, but at UNEXSO the oldest dolphin is 43, more than double the wild life expectancy.
Swimming in Open Water
Jumping into the water with two large dolphins is not for the faint of heart. The water is deep and a little bit cold. Wearing fins, you use your legs to swim around, leaving your hands free to interact with the dolphins. Swimming right next to these creatures was almost a religious experience. The dolphins stayed right by my side as I swam through the open waters. I really hope to be able to do this again someday, as it was quite spectacular.
The Brewery Tour
I had so many other great experiences while visiting Grand Bahama Island. If you like beer, touring the Bahamian Brewery is a must do! After the tour a taste of each beer is poured, and you can stay as long as you'd like drinking your favorites and chatting with locals and tourist alike. I love the Sands Light and the High Rock; both were very tasty Bahamian beers.
Perfume and Jewelry
I also stopped by The Perfume Factory to see how they make their scents. I didn't plan enough time, but you can create and bottle your own fragrance while visiting. After you create a fragrance the ingredient list and amounts is kept on file so you can reorder once you are home.
The factory is in a colonial style home and feels very warm and welcoming; it's nothing like a factory at all. Be sure to check out their extensive selection of fragrance and body butter if you don't have time to create your own.
The Beach
When visiting Grand Bahama Island, you must spend some time lounging on the beach; it's like a law…plus it's about as relaxing as it gets. There is nothing better than pulling a chair and just enjoying the sun and surf while sipping a cold beverage. If you have time, be sure to take a drive out to the West End and Old Bahama Bay Resort. The drive out to the West End is 36 miles from the resort. You'll pass through a few small towns and miles of countryside ending at Old Bahama Bay Resort, a quiet and tranquil part of the island.
Grand Bahama Island is absolutely wonderful. If you are looking for a fun getaway that is close to home I really recommend looking at this destination. Delta offers non-stop flights from Atlanta to Grand Bahama Island, making it incredibly easy to fly down for a long weekend to enjoy some fun in the sun. Plan your tropical island getaway to Grand Bahama island here. If you would like to learn more, check out our 5 Must Try Foods on Grand Bahama Island post. Happy Travels!
That is beautiful! We used to go to the Bahamas as a family but haven’t for a few years, now I miss the tranquility and beauty!
thanks,
Mitch
This looks like an unforgettable trip, Deb! I’ve always wanted to visit the Bahamas.
That looks like such a fun way to explore the island!
Wow, Deb! What an amazing trip. I love going to the Bahamas.
I hope to swim with dolphins someday!
That view is glorious! I would love to swim with the dolphins!
Oh my gosh, so so beautiful and it looks like you had a blast.
Ah! That looks AMAZING! I have always wanted to swim with dolphins
That is beautiful!! Oh, how I’d love to visit!
What a fun experience! It looks so beautiful there.
We did the same dolphin swim! Unfortunately that was back in the day when i thought that corn rows and my head were a match made in heaven, so it’s unlikely i’d ever actually show anyone a photo LOL
What a wonderful experience.
Ooooh fun for the whole family. The kids would love the beach, I would love the Perfume Factory and Hubs those jeeps 😉
What a beautiful place for a vacation. I day dream of going to places like this!
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