Bahamas with the kids By Mike Weingart
Grand Bahama Island (Flickr: James Byrum)
Grand Bahama Island is a grand place for families traveling with children. The northernmost island in the Bahamian archipelago is teeming with beautiful beaches, hidden coves and other family-friendly sights and attractions that together make for an unforgettable island getaway.
Here are some family approved attractions and resorts that come recommended:
(MORE: Insider Guide: Freeport, Grand Bahama Island)
Kid-Friendly Things to Do
The Garden of the Groves (Courtesy The Garden of the Groves)
The Garden of the Groves. For more than 20 years, visitors have experienced these gardens, which are open from 9 am to 4 pm with guided tours at 10 am. Discover exotic plants and flowers, waterfalls, migratory birds, and butterflies. There is an interesting spiritual labyrinth, as well as a children’s playground. And Wi-Fi! Adult admission is $15 with special rates for children.
Freetown Farm. A working farm that lets the children see and experience life in the country, Freetown Farm has miniature horses, horseback riding, fruits and vegetables, sugar cane, 250 chickens and 10 horses. The the site of many U.S. film productions in the 1960s now offers farm tours and trail rides for families with kids as young as 5 years old. The farm tour is $5 per person.
People-to-People. With the People-to-People program, visiting kids can meet the children of Grand Bahamas Island. They can join a Pen Pal Program or spend a day going to a Bahamian school.
UNEXCO (Photo: Kids Fun TV)
UNEXCO. At this dolphin sanctuary, kids and parents can interact and swim with dolphins, scuba dive and snorkel, all while in a relaxed island setting.
Grand Bahamas Nature Tours. This tour operator caters to families in search of kayaking and snorkeling adventures.
Pinetree Stables. Children 8 years and older can participate in a two-hour guided horseback ride.
(MORE: The Most Amazing Hotel Pools in the Bahamas)
Family-Friendly Accommodations
Memories Grand Bahama Resort & Spa (Courtesy Memories Grand Bahama Resort & Spa)
Memories Grand Bahama Resort & Spa. With five categories of family-friendly accommodations (three of which have connecting rooms options), including the Deluxe Island Room, the Deluxe Plunge Pool Room, and the Presidential Ocean View 1-bedroom Suites, Memories Grand Bahama Beach Resort is an ideal resort for families vacationing in the Grand Bahama Island. Specifically for the family, Memories has an on-site splash pad with a slide for kids, a Kids Club (ages 4-12) with special and secure facilities, cartoons, daily activities, games and playground, and a Teens Club (ages 13-17) that includes video games, Wi-Fi with charging stations, billiards and table tennis. The property has 492 rooms and is located adjacent to the casino and Port Lucaya Market Place.
Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach. The Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach is four miles from the Market Place and has 274 rooms in three categories – vista, flora and standard. Its all-inclusive features include the Viva Kid’s Club for children 4 to 12 years of all.
Mike Weingart contributed this to MiniTime. He has visited some 100 countries, been on 47 cruises, and is currently president of the Southwest chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents.
