Its many pine forests give it a Landes air. If Freeport and Lucaya, the two twin cities and capitals of the island, do not present any major interest (except for shopping, casinos or golf), Grand Bahama is best enjoyed on the nature side. At Lucayan National Park, we paddle through the mangroves in search of striped grouper, before reaching the long, floury white sand beach of Gold Rock Creek where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed. After the picnic under the pines and swimming in transparent water, we visit the caves formerly occupied by the Lucayan Indians, before being introduced to "bush medicine" inherited from African traditions with a guide. Aloe, lemongrass or gray mangrove still treat fevers, infections and various pains in the small fishing villages of West End, Eight Mile Rock or McLean's Town. Here we dive with sharks (chills guaranteed!) or swim with dolphins in the natural environment thanks to the Unexso center. Gigantic mille-feuilles of porous limestone where water has shaped a maze of wells, galleries and caves, the relief of the Bahamas offers an incredible aquatic playground. Some 600 wrecks of old galleons and freighters sprinkled here and there spice it all up, between sponges and gorgonians, moray eels and barracudas...
The roots plan:a peas'n'rice (rice with vegetables and spices) in the colorful eateries of the West End, a former haunt of smugglers during Prohibition.
The charm plan:a tete-a-tete at Pier One on the Port Lucaya Marina, before listening to an outdoor concert of Bahamian music at Count Basie Square.
The charming plan:the Pelican Bay, a stone's throw from the Unexso center on the marina. www.pelicanbayhotel.com.
The family plan:the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach 3*, an all-inclusive resort between pine forest and ivory beach. www.vivaresorts.com.
Check with the Bahamas Tourist Office. Depending on your desires (idleness, diving, golf, nature), and your budget, we will recommend the right island or the right combination of islands. 113-115, rue du Cherche Midi, 75006 Paris. Phone. :01 45 26 62 62.
