NASSAU, Bahamas, January 24, 2024 — Grand Bahama’s beloved Gold Rock Beach is named among the 25 best beaches in the Caribbean to visit in 2024 by The Caribbean Journal.
The Caribbean Journal ranking underscores the timeless beauty and esteem for one of the island’s most popular natural jewels, protected within the historic Lucayan National Park (LNP), managed by The Bahamas National Trust (BNT).
A proven fan-favourite among visitors, Gold Rock Beach is world-famous as the site of many commercial and movie scenes filmed against its picturesque backdrop. Approximately 25 miles from the city of Freeport, this secluded and serene beach boasts a healthy offshore coral reef system and is a perfect location for swimming, snorkeling, and picnics.
This latest honour bestowed by Caribbean Journal further cements Gold Rock Beach’s reputation as one of the region’s best and most beautiful natural attractions. In 2018, it was voted Best Beach in the Caribbean by readers of USA Today; and in 2023, the Lucayan National Park itself ranked seventh among USA Today’s top ten attractions in the Caribbean, no doubt in part due to Gold Rock Beach’s allure.
In total, The Bahamas claims six out of 25 of Caribbean Journal’s best beaches to visit in 2024. Aside from Gold Rock Beach, the other five are Long Bay Beach, protected within the West Coast Marine Park, another national park managed by the BNT in San Salvador; Paradise Island Beach on Paradise Island; Pink Sand Beach in Harbour Island; the Tropic of Cancer Beach in Exuma; and Old Bight Beach in Cat Island.
Gold Rock Beach suffered major erosion to its shoreline in 2019 after Hurricane Dorian. Since then, the BNT has led several efforts to restore this iconic attraction to its former glory and help protect it against future storms.
BNT Director of Parks Ellsworth Weir said: “It’s an honour to have the beauty of Gold Rock Beach, the Lucayan National Park, and Grand Bahama at large recognized on this scale; especially after so many people have come together to help restore that beauty. We need people to see what we see and understand the value of what we’re protecting within our country’s national parks.
“We will continue to safeguard these natural jewels, and we hope more and more Bahamians will see our vision and join us in conserving them for now and tomorrow. Not only for our visitors , but first and foremost for us and our children; for generations of Bahamians to come. These are our beaches, our parks, and our pride, and we must protect them for our enjoyment.”
The Lucayan National Park is one of 33 national parks managed by the BNT, and three in Grand Bahama. In addition to Gold Rock Beach, it is known for protecting one of the world’s largest charted underwater cave systems, and an array of healthy ecosystems, including pine forests, mangroves, and coral reefs. Established in 1982 and expanded in 2015, this national park plays a significant role in the economy of Grand Bahama, supporting the livelihoods of many Bahamians on the island.
NOTE: To learn more about the role the BNT plays in managing terrestrial and marine national parks, conserving wildlife, and informing environmental policy, please visit its website: www.bnt.bs and follow/subscribe to its various social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Your visit, membership, or donation can make a substantial difference in preserving the natural beauty of The Bahamas for future generations.
