Freeport Beaches Info

[cherith]

I've noticed a lot of people asking about the Beaches here in Freeport.

As a local now and a regular 'home exchanger' I've made up a booklet on our place and it has a section on beaches and I thought I would list them here.

The distance I mentioned is the distance from downtown Freeport.

 

Sorry, I've had to take out a couple of my favourite secluded ones as I LIKE them that way! ;-)

 

But here they are:

 

Beaches

Without Exception, all the beaches are on the South side of the island. I will list from West to East.

The numbers will correspond to where I’ve marked on the Map.

For maximum enjoyment of your pick of your beach for the day be sure to check the weather (wind) forecasts as well as the tides. A wind from the north makes the calmest beach.

1. Deadman’s Reef or Paradise Cove Distance ~ 25 minutes

This beach is pretty much the only beach where there is decent snorkeling, but it is superb and well worth a visit. It is a private beach and they do charge you $3 just for the right to visit. Snorkel gear is $12 a day for rental and they have all facilities; Toilets, a bar and restaurant and showers.

Located toward the west End of the Island, Drive West on the Queen’s highway following signs to the West End. Well past 8 Mile Rock, watch for faded sign on the left (south) and a rough road. Sign indicates Paradise Cove.

Try to attend this beach on a low or incoming tide as outgoing currents would limit the snorkeling to the near side of the rocks.

Water can get chilly past the rocks so it may be an idea to wear a t-shirt or swimming vest or your snorkel could get cut short.

Best Beach for: Snorkeling

 

2. Xanadu Distance ~ 7 minutes

This beach (or Fortune Bay) is pretty much the only beach to go to if the winds are up or the sea is choppy. It has a canal breakwater and a natural reef that protects it. There is a long sandbar that is exposed at low tide and is wonderful for playing Frisbee or just sitting in the shallow waters. Even at high tide most of the water remains shallow in front of the reef. This beach has all facilities, Toilets, bar and restaurant.

Located in front of Xanadu Resort Hotel. Turn left as you leave Jansel Court and head down (South) on East Mall Drive. Continue past the two roundabouts and when you get to two blue gates on the right called “Bahamia”, turn right onto Pinta Avenue. Follow and take the left at the roundabout. You will drive over the canal and follow the road to the left toward the Hotel. You can either park in the Hotel car park, or turn off to the right just before the hotel and enter into the trees and park nearer to the beach. You may want to use 4 wheel drive for this.

Note: This beach can get crowded with locals on the weekends. Avoid Sundays as people will have generators for music and such.

Best for: Close beach visit, High Tide, and Windy days.

 

3. Un-named: Opposite canal from Xanadu Distance ~ 5 minutes

This beach is great on a calm day and you are likely to have it to yourself. There are no facilities at all and you can drive the jeep very close to the beach.

Located just on the far side of the canal from Xanadu it is the closest beach to home. Drive South on East Mall Drive until it ends. Turn right on Lunar and less than a block turn left onto Oceanhill and drive straight to the canal breakwater.

Best Beach for: Being Close

 

4. Tyne Beach: Distance ~ 7 minutes

This beach is situated in the front of a quiet Condominium complex beside a canal breakwater. It does have shower facilities and a pool and they don’t mind if you use it. Despite it being in front of a residence the beach is most often empty.

Drive south on East Mall drive to the end, turn left onto Lunar and right onto Glover Lane. Follow the road all the way around until you turn into Tyne complex. Please park near the dumpster as the other parking is for residents. Walk to the beach by way of walkway to the left of the building.

This beach is just further along and can also be reached by going to Bikini Bottom.

Best Beach for: Walking. Close, private and Very pretty at low tide if low wind or winds coming from the North.

 

5. Bikini Bottom Distance ~ 12 minutes

This beach is great if the wind and sea is calm. It’s one of our favourites and we’ve rarely seen anyone there, although we have avoided weekends for that reason. The beach has no facilities whatsoever.

This is just down the beach from Tyne and so it makes a nice walk. You can walk all the way from Island Seas Resort up to Tyne Beach.

Located beyond Island Seas Resort. Drive East on East Sunrise Highway (towards Lucaya) When you get to the lights at Beachway Drive, turn right and go to the very end. You will see a beach and Island Seas Resort is on the left. Turn right along the road that runs beside the beach. It is in very bad shape so watch for potholes and please go slow over speed bumps. Drive to the very end of the road until you see a road that goes through the bush. We usually park right here and walk slightly further up the beach to the nice sandy area. There are wonderful sandbars here too when the tide goes out.

Best Beach for: Privacy

 

6. Hotel Beaches

There is a long stretch of very walkable beaches that run from “Our Lucaya” down to Coral beach and beyond. This stretch of beach runs all the way from the end of Coral Road down to the Lucaya Hotels

Best Beach for: Meeting others

 

7. Taino Beach Resort

This beach is super on a North wind or calm day. There is also an amazing pool at Taino Beach Resort. It has a lazy river, water slide, in pool bar (in a cave) and a shallow beach entry area. The pool is surrounded by hammocks and chairs and we go there to hang out every once in a while. There is also an open air restaurant (mediocre) on the beach. Although the pool grounds are listed as being for hotel guests only, we have never once been approached as we walked onto the grounds, you can also say you are going to the restaurant and they will let you in if they’d ever ask.

Taino Beach resort is on Jolly Roger Drive, which is off West beach Road off Midshipman (follow route to Taino Beach below)

When you get to a blue hotel/motel looking place on the right (canal side) there is a gravel car park through a white fence right on the canal. We park there and walk through the lot across the street (just walk around the barrier arm), through the car park and to the hotel grounds.

Best for: A change of pace, meeting others, party type atmosphere, lounging by the pool.

 

8. Taino Beach Distance ~ 15 minutes

This beach is located on a park so there is always plenty of parking. It is an attractive beach that usually gets a lot of locals. This is the location of the Wednesday night “Fish Fry” that brings together locals and tourists alike. The Fish Fry starts any time after 5:30 and goes on till quite late. There is a restaurant on the beach that people queue up for for well over an hour to get their food, but if you go to a place called “The Bus Stop” just a 30 second walk away, you will get your food quite quickly and it is superior. Try the fried Grouper! An order of Conch Fritters is only $1. You should try to take in the fish fry at least once while you are here as it is part of the Bahamian Culture.

Located just east of Port Lucaya, Drive as if to Lucaya but at the last roundabout take the exit to Midshipman. Drive along Midshipman until you see West Beach Road on the right. Take this and the road will curve around until you see the Taino Beach signs.

Best Beach for: Walking, sand.

 

9. Fortune Bay Distance ~ 20 minutes

This beach is a super beach that you shouldn’t miss but at high tide there is no beach to speak of. The sand on shore is not nice sand compared to the other beaches on the island, however this beach has the unique feature of a sandbar that runs perpendicular to the shore. It creates a wonderful crystal clear area that remains shallow and is quite warm because of the shallowness of it. There is a small restaurant at the beach. Like Xanadu, this beach is protected from higher waves because of the reef and breakwater.

Located close to the west side of the Grand Canal drive as if to Lucaya but at the last roundabout take the exit to Midshipman. Drive along midshipman to Fortune Bay Dr, you will see a public park area close to the beach, drive further than that, slightly past the restaurant to another very small car park. There is an opening to the beach there that will put you right at the sand bar.

Best Beach for: Playing in the shallows

 

10. Barbary Beach Distance ~ 25 minutes

This beach is a very popular beach with tourists that have transportation. It has the Grand Canal on the West side of it and a large covered picnic area with benches. There is also a beach volleyball net set up.

This is the closest beach on the far side of the Grand Canal. You will need to dive along East Sunrise and follow it until it crosses the canal. At the first roundabout that you come to, don’t go straight through, but take the exit. You will see a piece of wood with a red painted arrow. These arrows lead to Barbary. At each roundabout you come to, don’t take the continuing road, but go around to the next exit. When the road stops heading south and runs shoreside heading east, you take the first dirt road and follow it all the way to the right.

 

12. Gold Rock Distance ~ 25-30 minutes

This beach is part of Lucayan national Park and should be taken in at least once during your trip here. Be sure to check the tides on this one because at high tide there is NO beach whatsoever, the water comes right up to the trees. At low tide there is sand bar after sand bar and it’s stunning. Try to hit it on an outgoing tide so you can spend some time.

There is a toilet at the car park and you may be expected to pay for parking here. The car park is located a small walk from “Ben’s Cave” which is a land locked blue hole. Fresh water on the top and salt water underneath as it opens to huge caverns. When you descend the steps into the cave please remain quiet as the cave is home to many bats and your noise will disturb them.

To get to Gold Rock beach you need to cross the road and take the walkways and boardwalks to the beach. It is about a 10 minute walk.

Best Beach for: Endless sand bar (only when the tide is out!)

 

If you are interested, if you drive about 3 or 4 minutes past Lucayan National park you will see a dirt track to your right with a chain link fence to the left of the track. If you pass the library you’ve gone to far. If you drive down this and enter the fenced area you can see the remains of one of the pirate ships that they used to film Pirates of the Caribbean.

There continues to be beaches further east along the island but they are far to get to and no better than any of the ones listed. Save the gas.

 

 

Hope that helps!

[daydreamer713]

Thanks I am going on a cruise on March 1 and will be in Freeport on the 2 from 8-4. We were looking for places to go so this is great! Can I just tell a taxi driver I want to go to specific beach and they will take me?

[gottago2mexico]

Yes, all the taxi drivers know where the beaches are.

 

Only a few things to add to that great info:

 

# 2 - If you turn right on Dundee Bay Drive, and drive down to the end of the road, past the house that was seen this year on The Bachelor, this is Bahamas Princess Beach. Very nice and rarely used.

 

# 3 - I've always heard this beach referred to as Port-of-Call Beach. Don't know if that's it's official name or not, but it's what I've heard it referred to as many times. It gets really small at high tide, so as with all the beaches, low tide is the time to visit.

 

# 5 - This beach is called East Palm Beach I believe, but you can just ask the taxi to take you to the beach at Williams Town. You can walk down the beach to Island Seas to get a cab. Gets nearly non-existent at high tide sometimes.

 

# 6 - Beach runs solid from Our Lucaya about 1 mile, all the way to the canal at Silver Point. Normally just referred to as Coral Beach, but I think it's really a combination of named beaches - Silver Point Beach, Coral Beach, and Lucayan Beach.

 

Between # 8 and # 9 is Churchill Beach at Mather Town, just off Churchill Drive. Here you can find three beach bars - Margaritavilla Sandbar, Georgie's on the Beach and Bertha's. It's just a short walk west from the Wyndham resort.

 

#9 - The restaurant is called Banana Bay, and is visited by some of the ship shore excursions.

 

# 10 - This is the beach visited by Grand Bahama Nature Tours (Kayaking) and Trikk Pony Adventures (Horseback Riding) on their tours.

 

Great and detailed info - I've bookmarked this thread!

[Birdnutty]

Thank you all for taking the time to make up such a detailed and very valuable list. It will come in very handy when we go there in a few weeks. (yay!!!!!)

[cherith]

Thank you Johann and Sandra for adding those bits! :-)

[LynneL]

Thank you cherith & Johan & Sandra. I'm going on the Pride in Aug. & honestly was not thrilled at the prospect of a stop in Freeport. Decided to look on this board to see if there was anything that would peak my interest in this port....and you guys came through!

 

Last time there, many years ago, Freeport was an unplanned port on our cruise. I remember walking a loooooong road with our kids, seeing nothing, & finally hiring a van which only dropped us at a casino & a couple of shops - then, back to the ship.

 

These beaches listed seem great & will certainly be watching the boards for feedback from visitors. When you say the distance from downtown Freeport, is downtown where the ships dock? Are cabs generally a per person fee or per cab? Thanks for all your help. You guys are great!

[cherith]

Actually, the distances are from the Freeport downtown core. The port is west of here by about 15 minutes.

I had just cut and pasted this information from our home exchange book, so it was not actually written for the 'cruiser' as it were.

We live right by the International Market, so you can take these distances from there.

Most cabs are per person.

[traci28]

Cherith - My children are HUGE fans of Spongebob Squarepants, who happens to "live" at Bikini Bottom beach. For this reason alone, I would like to take them there.

 

We plan on using taxis to get around... my thoughts were to hit up the marketplace for a bit and then go to the beach and then back to the ship. Is there a sign that says "Bikini Bottom Beach" that we could take a picture with? Will a taxi wait for us while we played around at the beach some or is there a way to catch one once we are finished?

 

Thank you very much for your information! It has been very helpful!

[cherith]

Hi Traci,

No, there's no sign for the beach, but there is a little restaurant/bar there called Bikini Bottom, so you could get that sign in. The bar there has the barstools as wooden swings hanging from ropes on the ceiling. Those are outside in an unsecured area, and it's closed eariler in the day so the kids should be able to get a couple of cute snaps.

[bobsfamily]

Cherith - My children are HUGE fans of Spongebob Squarepants, who happens to "live" at Bikini Bottom beach. For this reason alone, I would like to take them there.

 

We plan on using taxis to get around... my thoughts were to hit up the marketplace for a bit and then go to the beach and then back to the ship. Is there a sign that says "Bikini Bottom Beach" that we could take a picture with? Will a taxi wait for us while we played around at the beach some or is there a way to catch one once we are finished?

 

Thank you very much for your information! It has been very helpful!

 

You might want to strike a deal with a cabbie as hiring one here and then another is going to become quite expensive.

Most people who do these beaches are staying for a few days. All great picks just harder to get to off the cruise ship.

[traci28]

Thank you both, Cherith and Bob; I didn't think of striking a deal with the cabbie first. I'll give it a whirl!

[bobsfamily]

Thank you both, Cherith and Bob; I didn't think of striking a deal with the cabbie first. I'll give it a whirl!

 

There was a post somewhere on the Bahamas section about a group that paid $25pp to go to several beaches and Our Lucaya. The cabbie stayed with them the entire day. Depending on what you want to spend you can contact:

http://www.freeporttours.com/limos/

[FIRSTLAKE]

Just back from the Bahamas on Conquest.

We took the shuttle to Our Lucaya and enjoyed the beautiful beach there and it was soooo easy. If you like to walk on the beach this is a great place to do that. The water was too cold for me but my grandkids went in.

There were chairs available to rent and the price got cheaper as the day went on.

[TITISSA]

Just back from the Bahamas on Conquest.

We took the shuttle to Our Lucaya and enjoyed the beautiful beach there and it was soooo easy. If you like to walk on the beach this is a great place to do that. The water was too cold for me but my grandkids went in.

There were chairs available to rent and the price got cheaper as the day went on.

 

 

How far is Our Lucaya from port? Were can I take the shuttle? Are there beach umbrellas also for rent? TIA.

[bobsfamily]

How far is Our Lucaya from port? Were can I take the shuttle? Are there beach umbrellas also for rent? TIA.

 

There will taxis that take about 8-10 at a time to Or Lucaya for $5pp right outside of the ship. It's about 15-30 min. ride depending on traffic.

 

As for the beach.... they used to have "clamshells" for rent. Chairs and umbrellas were for the resort guests.

 

Great swim-up bar... a bit expensive.... but nice.

[buglver066]

Thank you sooo much for the post- I was actually trying to figure out the beaches online and that wasn't much help. I do have one question though.....you obviously have to take taxis to these places...I have a one year old- do I need to drag her car seat along with us for the taxis?

[bobsfamily]

Thank you sooo much for the post- I was actually trying to figure out the beaches online and that wasn't much help. I do have one question though.....you obviously have to take taxis to these places...I have a one year old- do I need to drag her car seat along with us for the taxis?

 

As far as the cabbie is concerned.... he does not care, nor do the police. It's your own reasoning.... I would not it for the short ride.

 

Remember that you are not in the US and this is nor Disneyworld....

[gottago2mexico]

Thank you sooo much for the post- I was actually trying to figure out the beaches online and that wasn't much help. I do have one question though.....you obviously have to take taxis to these places...I have a one year old- do I need to drag her car seat along with us for the taxis?

 

Taxis do not have car seats available, so if you want a car seat for your little one you'll need to bring one. There is no car seat law in the Bahamas though.

[Igal]

I know there is a recession going on but at least look up info before you post, especially about laws and carseat concerns.

It is a law http://www.bahamas.com/vacation-planning/driving-laws.

I know there are alot of people who don't follow the laws, but there are those of us who do. Do you really want to air our dirty laundry and discourage travel here?

Yes, bring a carseat if you come with small children. It is the safety that matters.

Also, sneaking into Taino Beach Resort- It is private for their paying guests, I have been asked to leave even if spending money. Don't waste a trip down, just to find out you have to leave.

 

Also, another good beach, that's fairly close is Williams Town/East Palm Beach, next to Island Seas. Someone mentioned a bar there Bikini Bottom, they are opened in the daytime.

 

BTW, this is a really nice site, thanks for letting me share.

[gottago2mexico]

I know there is a recession going on but at least look up info before you post, especially about laws and carseat concerns.

It is a law http://www.bahamas.com/vacation-planning/driving-laws.

I know there are alot of people who don't follow the laws, but there are those of us who do. Do you really want to air our dirty laundry and discourage travel here?

 

I stand corrected. I've seen dozens and dozens of small kids not in car seats, and have never seen one actually in a car seat, so I guess I just assumed it must not be required. Not sure what that has to do with a recession, but thanks for the link. Good information.

[Igal]

I stand corrected. I've seen dozens and dozens of small kids not in car seats, and have never seen one actually in a car seat, so I guess I just assumed it must not be required. Not sure what that has to do with a recession, but thanks for the link. Good information.

 

 

You're right the recession has nothing to do with car seats.

 

My point is businesses here are closing down left and right because of the recession going on. We really don't need false info to discourage business further. I was mainly fueled by bobsfamily's remarks about the cabbies and police not caring. With a comment like that I wouldn't want to come here, especially if I'd never traveled here, I'd be afraid to.

[bobsfamily]

You're right the recession has nothing to do with car seats.

 

My point is businesses here are closing down left and right because of the recession going on. We really don't need false info to discourage business further. I was mainly fueled by bobsfamily's remarks about the cabbies and police not caring. With a comment like that I wouldn't want to come here, especially if I'd never traveled here, I'd be afraid to.

 

Well you may have been unhappy with my comments BUT they are from watching just what others have said here... I've NEVER seen a carseat in a cab, or private car, nor have I seen anyone do anything about it... I have seen kids standing/sitting/playing/etc in car but not in a car seat.

 

I really don't get the comment about false info discouraging business... What? Do you think someone would not go in a cab if a car seat is not used... maybe the cabs would be unfilled by all those people who refuse to get in a cab without a car seat? I'm not sure what you are getting at.

 

I must admit that I did not know there was a law about car seats, thanks for pointing it out... I will make sure I report that tidbit... Maybe the people of the Bahamas should be notified... You may be the only one that knows.

[firefighterjake]

So . . . getting this topic back to the original posting . . . thank you Cherith . . . your descriptions of the beaches were pretty much spot on. Very useful information -- this would be well worth having as a sticky up front so new folks don't have to do a search for this info.

[Adelheid]

In my surfing the web for suggestions as I am a first time cruiser, I saw a post that suggested you bring your bike to get around the island. Would this be a good idea for navigating to different beaches or not worth it due to traffic/theft/etc?

[bobsfamily]

In my surfing the web for suggestions as I am a first time cruiser, I saw a post that suggested you bring your bike to get around the island. Would this be a good idea for navigating to different beaches or not worth it due to traffic/theft/etc?

 

GBI is LARGE and a bike would not do much unless you are someone who does 50 miles a day.... plus I'm not sure what the ship would do about it. it is a 15-20 min. cab ride to the nearest "tourist area"... could be 30-40 min. on a bike, plus a little dangerous. There are a few places right at the pier but again I wonder about taking on the ship... even one of the fold-up ones would be a bit cumbersome going from cabin to disembarkation.

Nassau would be easier but I would not leave it alone.

If going to the island for a land vacation that might be better but I don't know about getting it on a plane. Most resorts rent bikes.