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Grand Bahama Freeport : The City
Grand Bahama Freeport : The City
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The Bahamas, a member of the British Commonwealth, is an archipelago of more than 700 islands and cays located 52 miles off the coast of Florida. The diversity of the islands and continued economic and political stability are some of the reasons why so many international companies call The Bahamas home. In Freeport, successive Bahamian Governments have engaged in the best possible give-and-take relationship with private enterprise resulting in the creation of a thriving city with more than 50,000 residents at no expense to the Public Treasury. In recent years, the spill-off to the rest of Grand Bahama has resulted in improvements to water and power services across the island at the same low cost paid by residents of Freeport. The Bahamian Government is a supporter of the Freeport economic zone while keeping the greater needs of the nation and its people in balance. Freeport: The City
The infrastructure of a developed business centre. The ease of international accessibility. Luxury residential choice, amenities and services for exceptional quality of life. Nowhere in the region will one find greater fulfillment of these needs than in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Look beyond the beaches and natural beauty of The Bahamas and you will find that Freeport is an extraordinary centre for business and private investment. It is also an exceptional place in which to live. Nowhere, in the region, will you find a better centre for business, with luxury communities, state of the art telecommunications capabilities or a comparable quality of life. In Freeport, development is the mandate of a private corporation. The Grand Bahama Port Authority understands and delivers to your needs. From preliminary fact-finding through grant of final licenses, direct access and one-stop decisions support the schedule of your investment demands. This is why so many companies choose Freeport, Grand Bahama. Geographic LocationGrand Bahama is one of the northernmost of the islands of the Bahamas, and the closest major island to the United States, lying just 65 mi (90 km) off the state of Florida. Grand Bahama is the fourth largest island in the Bahamas island chain of approximately 700 islands and cays. The island is approximately 96 miles (154 km) long west to east and 17 miles (27 km) at its widest point north to south.Grand Bahama Island's strategic location just 65 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida and on the major EW - NS shipping routes, has positioned it for tremendous growth as an ideal centre for international business. Consequently, a growing number of international companies use Freeport as its site for business. Getting HereTravel to Freeport is simple and convenient, whether by air or sea. Should you choose air travel, by commuter flight Florida is only 30 minutes away. You arrive at The Grand Bahama International Airport - the largest privately owned airport in the world. With its 100,000 square foot terminal and 11,000 foot runway, Grand Bahama International Airport accepts the world's largest commercial aircraft.With its new passenger terminals and centralized check-in facilities ideal for home porting, the Lucayan Harbour provides the most modern cruise facilities available in the region. For those who prefer to travel by yacht, Freeport offers a selection of outstanding private marinas. Port Lucaya Marina can accommodate yachts up to 170' with port-of-entry clearance facilities and berths with full services and individual metering. Lucayan Marina and Running Mon Marina also afford the yachting enthusiast with the high calibre of quality and service that have made Freeport the popular destination it has become. What to do in Grand Bahama IslandArts & Craft Market: Located across from the Our Lucaya Resort (Port Lucaya), the market offers a wide variety of what should be locally made (but often not) straw, arts, crafts and souvenir items.Baseball & Softball: The Grand Bahama Softball Association has a full season of games. Basketball: The Grand Bahama Basketball Association organizes a league amongst the local clubs and visiting teams from Nassau, culminating in selection of players for the National Squad in the Caribbean games and the Pan-American games. Beaches: Crystal clear waters cuddle over 60 miles of pearly white sand beaches. The waves are usually absent thanks to an omnipresent barrier reef that surrounds the beaches. Cinemas: There is one major movie center in Freeport. Diving: This is the best place to do it, bar none. Fishing: Marlin, tuna, sailfish are a plenty in the deep water near the island and on the reefs, grouper, snapper, yellowtail are waiting for you hook. Charter fishing and rental boats are available at all the marinas. Golf: The Island has four 18 hole championship courses. Library: The Sir Charles Hayward Library situated in down town Freeport has an small collection of books and periodicals. National Parks: There are 2 national parks on Grand Bahama Island: Petersons Cay which is 7 miles due east of Freeport is a small islet with an unspoiled reef and a small sand beach. The Lucayan National Park is 20 miles east of Freeport and features a wide variety of mini eco-systems complemented by with hammocks, caves, blue holes, a footbridge over a natural creek, a small cay and one of the best beaches on the island. The parks are maintained by the Bahamas National Trust. Rugby: The Freeport Rugby Club has a clubhouse on Settler's Way adjacent to the YMCA. They host matches between Nassau clubs, and clubs from the U.S and UK as well as hosting a Rugby festival each year for teams from Qatar, UK, California, Jamaica, and Canada. Sailing & Boating: Ride the banana boat, para-sail, or a jet ski (or do all of the above!) at Superior Watersports. Excellent docking facilities with full service bait and tackle shops, gas docks are available at most marinas. Shopping: Excellent selection of merchandise from all over the world at Port Lucaya with competitive prices on perfumes, jewelry, cameras, designer clothes as well as beautifully carved native art-work. There are two supermarkets--Winn Dixie-- in Downtown Freeport and another Winn Dixie on Sea Horse Road in Lucaya as well as food stores like Butler's Specialty. There prices are somewhat expensive due to their monopolistic position, and the general cost of shipping food over by ship. Snorkeling: Because of the excellent visibility of the waters (due to the fact that the soil in the Bahamas is not rich, there is nothing to color the water) snorkeling is a year round event--though in the winter the water is too cold for my tastes (though those Canadians don't seem to mind). If you snorkel in the winter, I would suggest a wet suit. Soccer: Soccer matches at the Grand Bahama Football League Squash: Four courts are located at the Grand Bahama Tennis & Squash Club located behind Freeport High School. Straw, Craft and Souvenir Markets: Straw work in the form of hats to placemats, and dolls can be easily found and bargained for. Tennis: Tennis is growing by leaps and bounds. Taxis: Taxi cabs are located at the Grand Bahama International Airport, at the Lucayan Harbour, and major hotel and tourist locations. Theatre: The Regency Theater is home to the Freeport Players Guild which performs several plays a year. The Theater also occasionally features professional performers including opera, and ballet. Water Sports: Water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, snorkeling, wind surfing and banana boat rides can be enjoyed off the Lucayan and other beaches. YMCA: The YMCA is features several large playing fields, a gym, an indoor basketball court and 25 meter swimming pool. |
