Travel Tips for Grand Bahama Island

Photo Gallery  |   Hotels  |   Optional Tours  |   Travel Tips / Getting Married


Note: All United States citizens are required to have a valid passport to re-enter the United States.

Size / Population: Grand Bahama Island has a total populaton of 51,756 as of 2010.

Language: English is the primary language of the Bahamas.

Currency: Currency in GBI is the Bahamian dollar, which is on equal to the American dollar. Credit cards and travelers checks are accepted at most locations. There are also ATM machines equipped with +PLUS and Cirrus systems in various locations around the island.

Climate: Grand Bahama Island is known for its beautiful year-round, tropical climate. The seasons that may affect travel are the hurricane season (June through November) and the rainy season (May through October).

Electricity: Electrical appliances from the United States are easily adaptable. All electrical outlets are 60 cycles/120 volts.

Time Zone: Grand Bahama Island is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone. Daylight Savings Time occurs from March to November.

Communication: Direct-dial services in guest rooms are provided in most hotels and resorts. In order to save on long-distance phone calls, phone cards are available with convenient rates. The Bahamas Telephone Company (BTC) also provides roaming rates for cell phones. Check with your cell phone provider about your international coverage. High-speed internet access is typically found in all resorts. Fees for internet access may apply. Contact your hotel directly for more information.

Drinking Water: The tap water is safe to drink but bottled water is sold at most locations on the island as well.

Transportation: Travelers can get around Grand Bahama Island a variety of ways: taxi cabs, rental cars, motor scooters and jitney buses are available throughout the island. If you are driving, remember to drive on the LEFT side of the road. If you are using a motor scooter, be sure to wear a helmet.

Customs & Duty Free Shopping: In 1992, The Government of The Bahamas took away the import duty of the following luxury goods: liquor, china, crystal, collectibles, fragrances, watches, photographic equipment and leather goods. U.S. citizens out of the country for 48 hours or more are allowed up to $800 worth of duty-free merchandise. Less than 48 hours, the duty-free exemption is $200. Limitations include 32 oz. of tobacco for those over 21 and no more than two liters of alcohol.

Traveling with Children & Pets: Traveling to GBI with children is no trouble at all. Many resorts offer special activities for children as well as baby-sitting services. If you are planning on bringing your pet, you will need to apply for an import permit. There is a $10 processing fee for each application. Import permits are provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry in Nassau, Paradise Island.

Getting Married: Grand Bahama Island is known for its romantic, tropical setting so it's no surprise that couples frequently choose GBI as their wedding destination. The beauty. The beaches. The experiences. The memories. Having a wedding in The Bahamas not only allows you to have your wedding and honeymoon in one spot, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to give your guests a vacation they will remember. From intimate, barefoot-on-the-beach weddings to lavish affairs with your friends and family, GBI provides the perfect backdrop for the wedding of your dreams. Most venues have on-site wedding planners and coordinators that can help you with all the details of your special day. Start planning the wedding of your dreams now!

Wedding Requirements
The information below is a general list of requirements to perform a legal wedding ceremony in Grand Bahama Island. Please check with the GBI tourism department or wedding coordinator at your resort for additional information on legal requirements and fees for weddings in GBI. Your wedding coordinator will arrange for a marriage officer to perform a civil ceremony at your hotel or another place the couple selects. All information below is subject to change without notice.
Documentation: The bride/groom must bring original copies of the following documents:
• Original and copy of official birth certificate
• A valid, non-expired passport
• Deed Poll if there has been a name change (If a legal name change has occurred a notarized copy of this is required.)
• Divorce or death certificate if applicable
• Original and copies of the official identification of two witnesses
• Written authorization from the parents guardians if the bride or groom is under 18 years of age
Waiting Period/Residency Requirement:Both parties must produce a valid passport, birth certificate and photo ID. The parties must also produce evidence of the date of their arrival in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Immigration Card or entry stamp in your passport will suffice.
Witnesses: You must have two witnesses over the age 18 each with official identification credentials.
Fees: A marriage license costs $120 and this fee includes one certified copy of a marriage certificate. The fee for extra certificates is $20 each.
Apostille: Many countries now require that official documents, such as international marriage certificates, be certified by the issuing country. In The Bahamas, this means that an Apostille (a special seal) is applied by the relevant authority to certify that a document is a true copy of an original. The Apostille can be made available to you within 30 days of the request. Your wedding planner or marriage officer can assist you with this.