Freeport Flights And Sights

The Bahamas (that's with a capital "The") is one of the most geographically complicated nations of the Atlantic. It's a coral-based archipelago comprising more than 700 islands -- hundreds more if you count the rocky outcroppings that have damaged the hulls of countless ships since colonial days.

Made of more than 100,000 square miles of dry and sometimes barren land, the archipelago comprises The Bahama islands and also, in the south, the Turks and Caicos Islands, which maintain a separate government. Most of the population is centered on New Providence Island (Nassau/Cable Beach) and Grand Bahama Island (Freeport/Lucaya). Paradise Island, the most heavily developed tourist complex, lies directly off Nassau and is reached by a causeway.

The 760-mile-long chain of islands, cays, and reefs that make up The Bahamas stretches from Grand Bahama Island, whose western point is 75 miles almost due east of Palm Beach, Florida, to Great Inagua, southernmost of The Bahamas, which lies about 60 miles northeast of Cuba and less than 100 miles north of Haiti. Cay (pronounced "key") is the Spanish word for small island.

Sandy beaches, fishing (some of the best in the world), boating, nearly perfect weather (even though the islands are in the often stormy Atlantic Ocean), and accessibility to the U.S. mainland put this archipelago on the world tourist map. The Bahamas lies right off the Florida coast. One 20- to 30-minute plane ride can free you from Miami's congestion as you land on Bimini.

The Bahamas is ideal for both quick 4- or 5-day jaunts and longer vacations, if you'd really like to island-hop and see as much as you can.

In the 1940s, when the Duke and Duchess of Windsor ruled The Bahamas (after he'd renounced the British throne), the islands were considered exclusive. Beginning in the 1960s, that reputation changed. Today the islands lure people from all walks of life, whether they want a $500-a-day luxury resort or prefer to rough it for $50-a-day on one of the little-visited Out Islands.

If you've decided that The Bahamas sounds like the perfect place to relax, feel free to start unwinding right now, because we've done all the legwork for you. Here you'll find our carefully compiled lists of the best that The Bahamas has to offer, from beaches and dive sites to resorts, restaurants, and sightseeing -- and nearly everything else you'll want to see and do.

With American Airlines flights to Freeport, it's easy to visit Grand Bahama Island in the Caribbean. There's any number of ultra-relaxing things to do in Freeport, including diving, snorkeling, laying on a white sand beach, visiting a national park or exploring one of the world's largest underwater cave systems.

Without question, playing in the gorgeous water surrounding Grand Bahama Island is one of the most popular activities in Freeport. First off, there are picture-perfect beaches nearly everywhere you turn, with white sand so soft, it pours through your fingers like water. It's easy to while away an entire afternoon doing nothing at all besides stretching out under the sun, with your toes in the sand, listening to the water gently lap ashore. But if you want to make a splash, there are a number of ways to do it. There's world-class deep-sea fishing; the islands of the Bahamas are known for many world-record catches. And Grand Bahama Island is renowned for its crystalline waters, making it a haven for snorkelers. You could also rent a kayak or sailboat for a day of peaceful exploration -- there are also mangroves that are fun to investigate by banana boat. For expert divers, there's a 65-foot reef with caves and caverns that's home to a variety of colorful fish and marine life that is a can't miss. And of course, there's the Blue Hole, which is literally a hole on the sea floor that offers a unique perspective on marine life.

If you'd like to return to terra firma, you still have plenty of things to do in Freeport. For one thing, Grand Bahama Island boasts an impressive number of native bird species, so birding is a natural choice here. We also like Lucayan National Park, where trails lead you through different ecosystems and you can explore two large caves, part of one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world. Please note that swimming in the caves is prohibited.

If shopping is on your to-do list while in the Bahamas, you're in luck. One of our favorite activities in Freeport is spending time strolling through the nearby Port Lucaya Marketplace. You'll find lots of duty-free options for items such as perfume, jewelry and fine linens, along with an excellent selection of locally crafted goods.

Whatever you'd like to do to unwind, Freeport on Grand Bahama Island is sure to have the recipe for relaxation. Fly to Freeport with American Airlines and let your cares float away with the warm breeze.