WHERE TO STAY: For convenient lodging steps from beaches, restaurants and shops, choose from among three options in the Lucaya area.
Pelican Bay at Lucaya (800-852-3702, www.pelicanbayhotel.com) is the smallest, and my favorite. The property on the bay is across the road from the beach, and a $5 wristband entitles you to use the beachfront facilities of hotels listed below. Double rooms, elegantly decorated with folk art, start at $130 per night.
The Westin and Sheraton (877-OUR- LUCAYA, www.ourlucaya.com) resorts sit side by side on a great beach, and guests can use the facilities at either property. The Westin is more upscale, with doubles starting at $179 per night. At the Sheraton, doubles start at $159.
If you prefer a clean, modest cottage in a somewhat remote area, with a great beach and snorkeling, consider Paradise Cove (242- 349-2677, www.deadmansreef.com). A car or scooter would be handy. One-bedroom cottages were destroyed by last season's hurricanes but are scheduled to reopen soon. Two-bedroom cottages ready for occupancy are $195 a night.
WHERE TO EAT: Dine at picnic tables on an outdoor deck at one of 26 locally owned restaurants in Sunset Village in Eight Mile Rock. At Veronica Bishop's, a lobster or shrimp platter was $11; chicken, ribs and jerk pork platters, $7.
Gourmet dining in a romantic setting is featured at the Ferry House, on the bay next to Pelican Bay Resort. Entrees begin at about $30.
NATURE TRIPS: Kayak Nature Tours (866-440-4542, www.grandbahamanaturetours.com) specializes in trips within two national parks on the island: Lucayan National Park and Peterson Cay. My kayaking/hiking tour was $79, including lunch, transportation, kayaks and a guide on the five-hour trip. Alternately, for $79, you can kayak to Peterson Cay, which at 161/27 acres is one of the world's smallest national parks. The key, or cay, has sandy beaches and is ringed with coral reefs -- ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Bike and birding tours are also offered.
West End Adventures (www.westendadventures.com) recently launched a party boat to take visitors to a deserted offshore island for swimming and snorkeling. The day-long tour, including lunch, is $70 per person. The company has a separate boat for diving excursions.
Explore the island in an open truck, hike and take a motorboat trip to a quaint fishing village with East End Adventures (242-373-6662, www.bahamasecotours.com). Tour with lunch, $120.
UNEXSO (800-992-DIVE, www.unexso.com), best known for scuba diving, also operates a dolphin education and interaction facility, with varied prices.
INFORMATION: Grand Bahama Island Tourist Board, 800-BAHAMAS, www.grand-bahama.com.
-- Cindy Loose#
