Lucayan National Park Questions

[alwalaska]

A couple of questions:

Would it be possible to do Lucayan National Park on our own?

Can we just catch a cab there and back?

If so, do you know the price?

Is there anywhere to get more info about what we would see along the trail?

How much does it cost to get in to the park?

Is it worth it to take along our snorkel gear?

 

Thanks.

[alwalaska]

Anyone have any info getting to and from the park on Grand Bahamas?

[gottago2mexico]

A couple of questions:

Would it be possible to do Lucayan National Park on our own?

Can we just catch a cab there and back?

If so, do you know the price?

Is there anywhere to get more info about what we would see along the trail?

How much does it cost to get in to the park?

Is it worth it to take along our snorkel gear?

 

Thanks.

 

Yes, very possible, but you'll want to rent a car at the pier if you're on a cruise stop. A taxi would be more expensive than renting a car, as it's an hour away, and you'd have to arrange with the driver to either wait for you or come back, as there are no taxis out there. It's in the boonies, a car is your best option, or a tour.

 

You won't see much along the trail - mangroves, foliage, two small blue holes (water filled caves), a few birds, the new bridge over the creek with some fish in the creek, and of course Gold Rock Beach.

 

It's a $3.00 per person entrance fee. It's a 10 minute walk to get to the beach, and once there, you can snorkel, but it's mostly a sandy bottom until you get way out there by Gold Rock, which if you try that, make sure you have a snorkeling buddy - it's a long haul. In the sandy area, you can see starfish, sea biscuits, sand dollars, bonefish, and an occasional conch shell, not a lot else. Once in a while a barracuda or a stingray cruises by, but not often.

 

Hope this helps, have fun!

[alwalaska]

Yes, very possible, but you'll want to rent a car at the pier if you're on a cruise stop. A taxi would be more expensive than renting a car, as it's an hour away, and you'd have to arrange with the driver to either wait for you or come back, as there are no taxis out there. It's in the boonies, a car is your best option, or a tour.

 

You won't see much along the trail - mangroves, foliage, two small blue holes (water filled caves), a few birds, the new bridge over the creek with some fish in the creek, and of course Gold Rock Beach.

 

It's a $3.00 per person entrance fee. It's a 10 minute walk to get to the beach, and once there, you can snorkel, but it's mostly a sandy bottom until you get way out there by Gold Rock, which if you try that, make sure you have a snorkeling buddy - it's a long haul. In the sandy area, you can see starfish, sea biscuits, sand dollars, bonefish, and an occasional conch shell, not a lot else. Once in a while a barracuda or a stingray cruises by, but not often.

 

Hope this helps, have fun!

 

Thanks. What side of the road do they drive on?

[gottago2mexico]

Thanks. What side of the road do they drive on?

 

The Left

[bobsfamily]

The Left

Or as they say in the Bahamas... "The right side of course.... the left" :D

 

J & S are correct - do not try this with a taxi unless you are with a large group as the taxi price will be huge. Someone posted that they had a taxi driver take them to and from the park for only $25pp BUT they had 9 or 10 people... so around $250 for the bunch of them.

[alwalaska]

Thanks for all the info.

 

Are there any other recommendations that you all have for Grand Bahamas without doing a tour? We are trying to keep this trip as low cost as possible.

[bobsfamily]

Thanks for all the info.

 

Are there any other recommendations that you all have for Grand Bahamas without doing a tour? We are trying to keep this trip as low cost as possible.

 

If going to a beach the day before or after you might do this:

 

One thing to remember about GBI... it is really a land based vacation island. The ship is a 15-20 minute taxi ride to nearest "tourist spot". Right at the pier is an area that every day is growing. It has a mini straw market, liquor store, bar, shops and some food for sale. Within walking distance is a restaurant that is over the ocean... DO NOT swim here! The restaurant "feeds" the sharks every day... a tourist attraction. You can walk along the beach though. This area is industrial so not the prettiest place but nice for a walk. All this does not cost a cent. The taxi to Our Lucaya will cost $5pp each way so for a couple you are already at $20. If you are going to Nassau or another beach first you might consider staying at the ship, buying some things (they may be a bit higher but you have not spent anything yet) and hang around the empty pool, eating onboard, check out the in port specials at the spa, etc. You can get a few drinks right at the entrance returning to ship. Just a thought.

[alwalaska]

If going to a beach the day before or after you might do this:

 

One thing to remember about GBI... it is really a land based vacation island. The ship is a 15-20 minute taxi ride to nearest "tourist spot". Right at the pier is an area that every day is growing. It has a mini straw market, liquor store, bar, shops and some food for sale. Within walking distance is a restaurant that is over the ocean... DO NOT swim here! The restaurant "feeds" the sharks every day... a tourist attraction. You can walk along the beach though. This area is industrial so not the prettiest place but nice for a walk. All this does not cost a cent. The taxi to Our Lucaya will cost $5pp each way so for a couple you are already at $20. If you are going to Nassau or another beach first you might consider staying at the ship, buying some things (they may be a bit higher but you have not spent anything yet) and hang around the empty pool, eating onboard, check out the in port specials at the spa, etc. You can get a few drinks right at the entrance returning to ship. Just a thought.

 

Thanks. There are 3 of us, so I guess that would be $30. I really like to see new places, but I am also nervous about renting a car in a foreign country and driving on the "other" side of the road. I know a lot of people do this, but I'm one of those nervous folk.

 

Maybe we will walk around for a while and see the beach. How long does it take for the taxi ride to Our Lucaya? What is there?

[bobsfamily]

Thanks. There are 3 of us, so I guess that would be $30. I really like to see new places, but I am also nervous about renting a car in a foreign country and driving on the "other" side of the road. I know a lot of people do this, but I'm one of those nervous folk.

 

Maybe we will walk around for a while and see the beach. How long does it take for the taxi ride to Our Lucaya? What is there?

It is around a 15 minute ride, cost $5pp each way. At Our Lucaya is a marina, shopping area, food/drinks/trinkets/straw market/casino/beach area. It's a good tourist area. If hungry and on a budget the Subway is the deal... otherwise food is not cheap. Also remember that you are on island time.

[madi54]

Is it safe to swim in the water at Our Lucaya resort? not sure where you are talking about the sharks.

[bobsfamily]

Is it safe to swim in the water at Our Lucaya resort? not sure where you are talking about the sharks.

I was talking specifically about the area around a restaurant near the port/pier. It is over the water and the owners have a "show" at least once a day where they feed the sharks leftovers... hence no swimming near there.

 

Our Lucaya is fine. Many miles away.

[madi54]

Thanks!

[bobsfamily]

Thanks!

Having said all that, remember that the ocean is their house....