The island rambles on for 96 miles, rimmed with cities, villages, and cays that offer lasting evidence of the many different people and cultures that have called Grand Bahama Island home.
Early in its history, Grand Bahama Island was virtually uninhabited for almost 300 years. However, with the development of Freeport/Lucaya in the 1950s, and because of the island’s location just 55 miles from the east coast of Florida , it is now one of the most visited of all the Bahamian islands.
One of the best ways to learn more about the culture and people of Grand Bahamians is through the People-to-People Program, which brings together visitors and residents of similar professions, hobbies, etc. to create special memories of our destination that will last a lifetime
Skulls, bones and artifacts have been found in the caves at the Lucayan National Park, and a significant new archeological site recently discovered near Deadman's Reef in western Grand Bahama Island has uncovered hearths, animal bones, pottery pieces, and shell beads.
On Grand Bahama Island, the sea has always provided. The earliest settlers were possibly the Siboney Indians, who lived off conch and fishing. They were a Stone Age people who entered the Caribbean about 4,000 years ago. Since they were hunter/gatherers they left almost no evidence of their presence here. When the Taino from South America arrived around the time of Jesus Christ, the Siboney disappeared.
After the Taino (or Island Arawaks) arrived in The Bahamas from Cuba and Hispaniola |
