GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND IS WELCOMING VISITORS
ISLAND-WIDE ATTRACTIONS & TOURS ARE OPEN
Jul 15, 2020
Dolphin Scuba Dive at UNEXSO is open to underwater explorers Photo Credit UNEXSO Grand Bahama
The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board (GBITB) is pleased to announce that on July 13th, 2020, they moved on to the Phase 3 status of their reopening, to include the reopening of island Attractions and Dive & Watersports. As a special offer to welcome back visitors, Grand Bahama Island has partnered with Bahamasair to offer a rate of $229 .00 for a round trip fare from Ft. Lauderdale to Freeport for travel in the month of July. This rate includes all taxes; tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Silver Airways currently has daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Freeport, and American Airlines resumes flights from Miami to Freeport on August 19th. Domestic carriers Bahamasair and Westernair Bahamas have several flights daily to and from Nassau.
UNEXSO resumes operations on July 15th. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, dolphin close encounters are offered at a special rate of US$68 plus tax, and dolphin swims at US$125 plus tax. Shark and tank dives are also offered on those days. Instructions for the PADI open water SCUBA certification begins on July 18th at a cost of $350 plus tax, plus the cost of the online learning fee. This includes all materials, instruction and dives, and the certification fee.
The Bahamas Tourism Readiness and Recovery Committee has been working diligently with the GBITB, following extensive consultations with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Bahamas Ministry of Health, to facilitate the phased reopening of the island.
Pinetree Stables is open with horseback riding in the sea adventures Photo Credit TripAdisor
Phase 1 of the Tourism Recovery Plan ran from June 15 – 30 and allowed for the entry of boaters, yachters, and private aviation. Beaches and parks reopened on Monday, June 29th, as well as restaurants where capacity was limited to 50%.
Phase 2 started on Wednesday, July 1st when the international airports were reopened for commercial flights. Sea travel resumed as well with Balearia Caribbean ferries restarting operations on July 2. The Bahama Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL) will make its first port of call at Freeport on August 28th. Taxi services became operational, along with private and public bus services at 50% occupancy.
Phase 3 started on July 13th with the activations of Attractions, Dive & Watersports, Excursions, and Tours. The following establishments are open:
â- Blue Green Outdoors â- Calabash Eco Adventures
â- CocoNutz Cruisers â- Fragrance of the Bahamas
â- Garden of the Groves â- Grand Bahama Nature Tours
â- H. Forbes Charter Service â- Paradise Cove
â- Pinetree Stables â- Port Lucaya Marketplace
â- Rand Nature Center â- Renu Day Spa
â- S and D Coach Tours â- Westend Ecology Tours
â- Westend Watersports
Phase 4 is slated to start on July 27th. Straw vendors and Jet Ski operators may reopen. In order to mitigate any risk of new infections, all health and safety protocols will be strictly enforced. All locals and incoming travelers will need toadhere to social distancing guidelines and the use of personal protective equipment in all public areas. The health sector remains equipped and ready to respond to any emergency as needed.
Grand Bahama Nature Tours Photo Credit
It is recommended that all travelers interested in visiting The Bahamas review the requirements applicable to each member of their traveling party at www.bahamas.com/travelupdates , before booking a trip. Following are the testing protocols and entry requirements for incoming visitors, effective July 8th
– All travelers must complete an electronic Bahamas Health Visa application before departure from the place of embarkation. This can be found at travel.gov.bs. The Health Visa application process will take twenty-four to forty-eight (24-48) hours and should be completed with an adequate lead time
– All travelers are required to upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test with a sample taken within ten (10) days of arrival and provide contact information. Tests over 10 days old will not be accepted.
– The only persons approved to travel are those who have received a green color-coded response, as proof of approval. This confirmation must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas.
– Valid Passport
– Failure to comply with the stated requirements will result in denied entry
Bahamians and residents returning from countries where they cannot obtain COVID-19 tests will be permitted entry. However, they may be required to quarantine for a period of time.
The continued reopening ofGrand Bahama Island may be scaled back and adjusted if there is a deterioration of the COVID-19 infection trends, or if it is determined that the protocols and procedures in place are insufficient to move forward with the full opening. For more information please visit www.bahamas.com/travelupdates, or contact the Ministry of Tourism COVID-19 travel hotline at (242) 502-0829 Monday to Friday, 8 AM – 6 PM, or via email at contactusteam@bahamas.com.
Port Lucaya Marketplace is open in Freeport Photo Credit GBI Tourism Board
About Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board
The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board (GBITB) is the private sector marketing and promotion agency for Grand Bahama Island. The GBITB is mandated to support economic growth for tourism stakeholders on Grand Bahama Island.
Activities include the development and execution of various marketing and promotional initiatives designed to enhance and increase Grand Bahama Island’s awareness and profile in the market. The Board’s membership includes a wide range of tourism-related businesses including the accommodation sector, restaurants, bars, attractions, transportation providers, artisans, and retailers.
