Trip Date: February 2018 | Location: Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
This was another spur-of-the-moment birding trip to Grand Bahama Island. We opted for the fast ferry from Port Everglades, a convenient way to reach a destination that is truly a birdwatcher’s paradise. Grand Bahama hosts a unique mix of permanent endemic, regional, and migratory species across diverse habitats—from Caribbean pine forests to coastal mangroves.
On our previous visit in 2012, Shamie Rollie of Calabash Eco Adventures helped us tally 75 species in a single day. While we highly recommend hiring a guide like Shamie for your first trip, this time we felt confident navigating the island’s hotspots on our own. We checked into the Bell Channel Inn and enjoyed dinner at Upstairs on the Bay, a designated ‘No Stress Zone’ perfect for happy hour and sunset views.
Reef Golf Course
Our first stop Sunday morning was the Reef Golf Course, where they don’t mind birders early and away from the golfers. We birded for less than an hour and saw 13 species, including two of our targets: Western Spindalis and Smooth-billed Ani.
While on our way east, we kept the windows down and stopped when we heard a bird singing. Another vehicle pulled over to ask what we were looking at and identified the bird as a Thick-billed Vireo. The driver was none other than Erika Gates, who is undeniably the most famous birder on the island and a person I have always wanted to meet. The day was getting off to a great start.
Garden of the Groves
Our next stop was Garden of the Groves, where we saw Cuban Emerald, White-crowned Pigeon, and six warbler species. We had great looks at a Black-throated Blue Warbler on the path behind the Chapel. This is a nice place to spend the morning, walking the trails and enjoying the beautiful landscaping and water features.
It’s hard to believe we saw all these great birds before lunch. Next, it was a stop at the Grand Lucaya Marketplace for the best conch salad you will ever have. Make sure you stop at Daddy Brown’s Conch Stand; it’s worth the wait. We walked across to the Grand Lucayan Resort to look for Reg-legged Thrush. The resort has been closed since Hurricane Matthew in 2016, which has really hurt the area’s economy and tourism.
Emerald Golf Course
After lunch, we headed to the Emerald Golf Course, which is a known waterfowl hotspot. Highlights were the White-cheeked Pintail, Least Grebe, and a pair of Common Ground Doves. This part of the golf course has been abandoned for years, but the local birders have a designated access area to the main pond. Overall, a nice end to our day of birding, where we tallied 32 species.
Monday morning, we decided to do some beach birding and headed to Taino Beach/St. George’s Park. Four gull species, including the sought-after Lesser Black-backed Gull, were present. We continued to Williamstown Beach, where we had great looks at a Loggerhead Kingbird. This is truly a beautiful beach with some conch shells lined up for sale.
While driving the backstreets near the beach, we saw several dolphins jumping high out of the water. We quickly realized it was a dolphin training area. While we are not fans of animals in captivity, it was amazing to watch.
Owl’s Hole
Next, we decided to take the Grand Bahama highway to the Owl’s Hole, a popular diving spot. Mike was brave enough to descend the 30-foot ladder for a swim in the crystal blue water. The road to the Owl’s Hole is pretty rough, so we recommend an SUV if you go. Our car wouldn’t make it, so we birded as we walked, rewarding us with another target bird, the Cuban Pewee.
Our final stop this trip was the Rand Nature Center, with 100 acres of flora and fauna. A Red-legged Thrush in the library was quite entertaining. As we neared the exit, we came across another target bird, La Sagra’s Flycatcher. A Hairy Woodpecker was also a nice surprise.
We highly recommend you put Grand Bahama on your birding destination list. It is much more laid back than Nassau and has diverse habitats, which means diverse birds.
Trip Summary: Grand Bahama
Grand Bahama Island is a prime destination for birdwatchers, offering a mix of endemic, regional, and migratory species. Whether you take the ferry from Port Everglades or fly in, the island’s diverse habitats—from Caribbean pine forests to coastal mangroves—support a variety of prized birds.
- Key Endemics to Spot:
- Bahama Warbler
- Bahama Woodstar
- Bahama Yellowthroat
- Bahama Swallow
- Logistics & Tips:
- Transportation: We recommend hiring a local guide like those at Calabash Eco Adventures for your first visit to help you quickly identify the best birding hotspots. For exploring on your own, a rental SUV is highly recommended, especially for rougher roads leading to spots like Owl’s Hole.
- The “No Stress Zone”: Stay at the Bell Channel Inn and enjoy dinner at Upstairs on the Bay.
- Must-Eat: Don’t leave without visiting Daddy Brown’s Conch Stand at the Grand Lucaya Marketplace for the best conch salad on the island.
Grand Bahama Birding Hotspots
| Hotspot | Highlights |
| Reef Golf Course | Accessible early morning; great for Western Spindalis and Smooth-billed Ani. |
| Garden of the Groves | Beautiful trails featuring Cuban Emerald, White-crowned Pigeon, and various warblers. |
| Emerald Golf Course | A premier waterfowl hotspot; look for White-cheeked Pintail and Least Grebe. |
| Taino Beach / Williamstown Beach | Excellent coastal birding; look for gulls and the Loggerhead Kingbird. |
| Owl’s Hole | A rugged adventure spot; keep an eye out for the Cuban Pewee. |
| Rand Nature Center | 100 acres of habitat; ideal for spotting La Sagra’s Flycatcher and Red-legged Thrush. |
Trip Summary:
Trip Totals: 45 species • 2 Bahamas life birds • 0 life birds
Next up: San Francisco Birding – Read about our birding trip during a layover in the Bay Area.
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