Grand Bahama, through the efforts of dedicated individuals and institutions such as the Rand Memorial Nature Center and the Lucayan National Park, has become something of an environmental headquarters for the islands. With its miles of sandy beaches, excellent shopping, two casinos, a dozen or so large hotels, a waterfront district and many restaurants, Grand Bahama is quickly becoming a major vacation destination.

Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island, is the second largest city in the islands. With a steadily growing population, now more than 50,000, Freeport, which adjoins the Lucaya Beach area, is a more modern city than Nassau. The carefully planned, landscaped streets are a product of the sixties, and of the dreams of American entrepreneur and financier, Wallace Groves.

Paradise Island, a long, narrow barrier island connected to Nassau by a toll bridge, is as different from Nassau as Key West is from Miami.
While Paradise Island is a world of hotels, restaurants and exciting nightlife, it’s also a world still quite unspoiled where you can enjoy the sea and beaches that lie close to the bustling streets of the city.

The largest and best known city in the Bahamas is Nassau. Located on the island of New Providence, it boasts a population of more than 175,000 people. In times gone by, Nassau was an international playground for the rich. Today, the first city of the Bahamas attracts not only the affluent of the world, but vacationers of every class and culture, especially from America. The city has become a tax haven – Nassau has more than 400 banks – and is a popular location for international business conferences and meetings.

The Bahamas lie scattered across more than 100,000 square miles of the western Atlantic Ocean. From a point roughly 70 miles east of West Palm Beach, Florida, the great archipelago extends some 750 miles southward toward the northern Caribbean, almost to the island of Hispaniola. The islands that make up the Bahamas are generally low and flat. The highest point in the entire archipelago, on Cat Island, is just 206 feet above sea level.

Accommodations on Barbuda have a room tax of 8.5% and service charge of 10%.

Resort

K Club
South of airport 9 miles on Main Road
800-223-6800, 268-460-0300, fax 268-460-0305
$$$
This is one of the Caribbean's most secluded resorts, the spot where Princess Di used to get away from it all. The resort includes 40 guest rooms on the beach with kitchenettes, gardens, showers and air-conditioning. Rates include all meals. The resort has a championship nine-hole golf course and two lighted tennis courts. The rates are ghastly, even by high Caribbean standards. If you have to ask, you probably can't afford to stay here.

Besides animal- and birdwatching, Barbuda has several attractions. The ruins of Martello Tower, a beachside fortress, is one of the last of its kind in theCaribbean. This former lookout nowaffords some breathtaking views. Located south of the airport on the Main Road.

Spanish Point Tower (or The Castle) is another good lookout. It’s set off Main Road on the southeast side of the island. This tower was originally built to defend the island from the fierce Caribs. Take the Main Road south from the airport.