Boat Cruises
Ocean Wonder, Port Lucaya Dock (tel. 242/373-5880), run by Reef Tours, is supposedly the world's largest twin-diesel-engine glass-bottom boat. Any tour agent can arrange for you to go out on this vessel. You'll get a panoramic view of the beautiful underwater life that lives off the coast of Grand Bahama. Cruises depart from Port Lucaya behind the Straw Market on the bay side at 9:30, 11:15am, 1:15, and 3:15pm, except Monday and Friday, when only two tours leave at 9:30 and 11:15am. The tour lasts 1 1/2 hours, costs $25 for adults and $15 for children 6 to 12, and is free for children 5 and under. When calling for a reservation, confirm the departure times mentioned above, because there may be seasonal variations.
Superior Watersports (P.O. Box F-40837, Freeport; tel. 242/373-7863), offers trips on its Bahama Mama, a two-deck 22m (72-ft.) catamaran. Its Robinson Crusoe Beach Party, offered daily from 11am to 4pm, costs $59 per person. There's also a sunset booze cruise that goes for $35. (In summer, these cruises are on Tues, Thurs, and Sat night from 6-8pm.)
For an underwater cruise, try the company's quasi-submarine, the Seaworld Explorer. The sub itself does not descend; instead, you walk down into the hull of the boat and watch the sea life glide by. The "sub" departs daily at 9:30 and 11:30am, and 1:30pm, and it costs $39 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under.
Fishing
In the waters off Grand Bahama, you can fish for barracuda, snapper, grouper, yellowtail, wahoo, and kingfish, along with other denizens of the deep.
Reef Tours, Ltd., Port Lucaya Dock (tel. 242/373-5880), offers one of the least expensive ways to go deep-sea fishing around Grand Bahama Island. Adults pay $80 if they fish, $45 if they only go along to watch. Four to six people can charter the entire 42-foot craft for $480 per half day or $950 per whole day. The 32-footer can be chartered for $320 half day and $620 for a whole day. Departures for the half-day excursion are at 8:30am and 1pm, 7 days a week. Bait, tackle, and ice are included in the cost.
