ph: 321.537.8028
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How to Get Here
Old Bahama Bay is in the historic village of West End, Grand Bahama Island, approximately 26 miles west of Freeport and 56 miles due east of Palm Beach, Florida. West End has a colorful history and today is a picturesque fishing village. The settlement is the oldest city on Grand Bahama Island and is considered its historical capitol. West End has a reputation of being hospitable and friendly and the atmosphere is one of cool breezes and the most beautiful sunsets.
- Grand Bahama Island
- Places of interest on your way to Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour
If you are arriving through Freeport via commercial airline or the ferry boat you are required to process through Bahamas Customs as your point of entry with a valid passport. It is strongly recommended to pre-arrange you rental car or resort shuttle pick up in advance. From there you will head 26 miles towards West End, Grand Bahamas through many small villages.
With Freeport representing the largest town on the island it is recommended to pick up any items you need before you head for the resort. On the way you will have an opportunity to stop at the islands primary grocery store Solomons (Queens Highway) for snacks, drinks and do it yourself meals. The condo offers a full kitchen for convenience as well as gas grills throughout the resort. If you are fishing on this trip you can pick up sides or spices to cook with your fish. If this doesn’t interest you, the resort restaurants will cook your catch for you. During off season, the restaurants may have reduced hours so we recommend having options.
Another stop on the way that we recommend is the SANDs Beer Brewery (Queens Highway). Here you can take a tour, try a sample, buy beer, wine and liquor to enjoy during your stay.
Other areas of interest in the Freeport area are the International Bazaar and Port Lucaya Marketplace, both only open when cruise ships are in port.
If you want to enjoy the freshest conch salad on the island this is located in the village 3 miles before the resort at a small water front shack called Shebos. Here Shebo cracks live conch to order and you can eat waterfront on picnic tables.
This is a great way to become acclimated to the Bahamas lifestyle.
- Commercial Airline into Freeport (FBO)
Commercial airlines fly and depart daily into Freeport International Airport (FBO) Grand Bahama, Bahamas. From there you pass through Bahamas customs and then you are ready to explore the island. When traveling by commercial airline, we recommend that you have prearranged car rental or resort shuttle plans.
- Ferry Transit from Florida
Several high speed ferry's run from Ft. Lauderdale to Freeport Bahamas. Typically these ferry's departs from Ft Lauderdale daily at 8:00 am and arrives in Freeport 3.5 hours later. From there you pass through Bahamas customs and then you are ready to explore the island. Daily departures typcially leave at 6:30 pm returning to Ft. Lauderdale. When traveling by ferry we recommend that you have prearranged car rental or resort shuttle plans. Check for 2:1 specials on the internet.
- Balearia High Speed Ferry: www.ferryexpress.com
Celebration Cruise Line is the exclusive cruise ship sailing out of the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport and offers one trips allowing for comfortable overnight trips to the Bahamas. All cruise passengers receive a comfortable cabin for the cruise. Accommodations include economical coach cabins, oceanview staterooms and luxurious suites. The ship departs on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday out of Grand Bahama Island, and departs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday out of Florida. Once in Freeport Bahamas you can rent a car and experience the island while driving to the resort or have the resort shuttle pick you up.
- Bahamas Celebration Cruises: www.celebrationship.com
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- Bahamas Car Rental
Car rentals are typically high mileage well-traveled vehicles that are clean with cold AC. Your in the islands and this is all you need. We have rented from most car rental companies and personally like Brads or Hertz due to their honest no hassle service. Both offer free pick up and drop off to the airport or seaport and neither added any hidden fees like cleaning charges for normal wear or sand. Car rentals average $50.00 per day inclusive of all taxes and service fees. Remember to drive on "Left Side" of the roadways.
- Brads Car Rental: 242-352-7930
www.bradscarrental.com - Hertz Freeport Car Rental: 242-352-9250
www.hertz.com
- Brads Car Rental: 242-352-7930
Old Bahama Bay Resort Airport Shuttle
Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour provides shuttle service to the Freeport Airport. Please call the main office for pricing and availability. Typical cost is $70 each way for two persons and $5 for additional persons.
- Resort Main Office: 888-983-6188
- Resort Main Office: 888-983-6188
- West End Airport (MYGW)
The West End Airport (MYGW) is a private airport which services Old Bahama Bay's guests and residences. The West End Airport opens Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour and the idyllic destination of West End, Grand Bahama Island to private pilots and charter operators. Just 56 miles from Palm Beach, Florida and with 6,000 feet of paved runway, the West End Airport is a pilot’s dream.
The airport is a daytime only, VFR only, operation. No instrument approaches are available and no night landings/takeoffs are permitted. The airport is open 7 days a week from 8 am to 5 pm. The ICAO code is MYGW and the IATA code is WTD.
Only aircraft which have been pre-approved by West End Airport Management and Bahamas ATC may land. This requires that the registration/tail number of the aircraft be submitted and approved.
- To obtain approval, please contact Ashley Smith, Airport Manager, at AshleyJamesSmith1940@gmail.com or call (242-727-1335).
- Landing fees are $300 per plane. Please call ahead for possible group rates.
- No fuel, GPU or aircraft tug services are currently available. Maximum aircraft landing weight limits apply. Contact airport management for further information.
Looking for a private air charter check here:- www.IslandCoastalCharters.com
- Arrive by BoatArriving to West End or OBB by personal boat is one of the most popular ways to arrive. Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour is an official Port of Entry to the Bahamas with a Bahamas Customs office onsite. Standard Customs protocol apply when entering Bahamian waters. US boats are subject to a Bahamas Customs fees of $150.00 for vessel 30’ and under and $300.00 for vessels over 30’which are to be paid in US cash, no credit cards. Prearranged dock slips are required prior to arrival to Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour and can be reserved by calling the number below.
- GPS Coordinates: 26º 42.189N | 78º 59.872W
- Dock Master: 888-983-6188
ph: 321.537.8028
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