West End
The oldest settlement on Grand Bahama — a storied fishing village 55 miles from Florida.
West End is the oldest settlement and westernmost point on Grand Bahama Island, a weathered fishing village perched just 55 nautical miles from the Florida coast. Its colourful history spans sponging, Civil War smuggling, and Prohibition-era rum running, when warehouses and distilleries sprang up to supply thirsty Americans across the Gulf Stream.
Today, West End is a quieter place, home to the Old Bahama Bay resort and marina, local fishermen, and a handful of taverns where you can still hear stories of the old days. For cruisers arriving from Florida, it offers the shortest crossing to the Bahamas and a genuine taste of island life before the resort bustle of Freeport.
A history of runners and wreckers
West End's fortunes have always risen and fallen with opportunity. In 1861, smugglers operating from the village commanded hefty prices running cotton, sugar, and weapons to the Confederate South. By the 1920s, Prohibition transformed West End into a notorious rum-running port — warehouses, bars, and distilleries lined the waterfront, shipping liquor across the Gulf Stream to Florida.
The legacy of those colourful decades lingers in local lore and a few weathered structures, though modern West End is far quieter. Fishing remains a mainstay, and many families trace their roots back generations to the spongers and sailors who first settled here.
Old Bahama Bay and the marina
The Old Bahama Bay resort anchors West End's modern identity. Originally developed as the Jack Tar Village in 1960, the property passed through several owners before being renovated as a luxury condo resort with a full-service marina. The 72-slip marina is a popular first stop for boaters crossing from Florida, with fuel, customs clearance, and resort amenities.
The resort's beachfront and pool area offer a comfortable base for exploring the western tip of Grand Bahama, though the real draw for many is simply the solitude and slower pace compared to Freeport.
Fishing and local life
West End remains an authentic fishing community. Local guides offer bonefishing on the flats and deep-sea charters for marlin, wahoo, and dolphinfish in the Gulf Stream waters just offshore. The village itself is small — two roughly parallel roads lined with modest homes, a few taverns, and a waterfront where working boats still tie up.
Visitors seeking genuine Bahamian atmosphere will find it here: cold Kaliks at a local bar, fresh conch salad made dockside, and the unhurried rhythm of a community that has weathered hurricanes and economic shifts for centuries.
Getting there
West End lies about 28 miles west of Freeport along the Grand Bahama Highway. By boat, it is the closest Bahamian landfall from Florida — approximately 55 nautical miles from Palm Beach. Old Bahama Bay marina offers fuel, slips, and on-site customs clearance for arriving vessels. From Freeport, taxis or rental cars can reach West End in roughly 45 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
- What is West End, Bahamas known for?
- West End is the oldest settlement on Grand Bahama, historically known for sponging, Civil War smuggling, and Prohibition rum running. Today it is a quiet fishing village and the closest Bahamian port to Florida.
- Is there a marina at West End?
- Yes. Old Bahama Bay operates a 72-slip marina with fuel, power, water, and on-site customs clearance — making it a popular first stop for boaters crossing from Florida.
- How far is West End from Freeport?
- West End is approximately 28 miles west of Freeport, about a 45-minute drive along the Grand Bahama Highway.
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