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Official site
The Garden of the Groves, located in Freeport on Grand Bahama Island in The Bahamas, is a 12-acre botanical paradise that stands as one of the island’s premier nature attractions. Nestled near the Lucayan waterways at the corner of Midshipman Road and Magellan Drive, approximately 7 miles east of downtown Freeport, this lush sanctuary offers a serene escape from the urban bustle, blending tropical beauty, cultural significance, and a commitment to wildlife conservation. Dedicated in 1973 by Wallace and Georgette Groves, the founders of Freeport, the garden has evolved over five decades into a certified wildlife habitat recognized by the U.S. National Wildlife Federation, home to over 10,000 species of plants and a haven for indigenous and migratory fauna. As of April 10, 2025, the Garden of the Groves remains a beloved destination, offering visitors a chance to explore its winding trails, cascading waterfalls, and tranquil settings, enriched by its historical legacy and ongoing restoration efforts.
The Garden of the Groves unfolds across 12 acres of meticulously
landscaped grounds, designed to showcase the native flora and fauna of
The Bahamas while incorporating serene water features and shaded
pathways. The terrain is relatively flat, with paved walkways and gentle
slopes, making it accessible to most visitors, though some areas—like
the hilltop chapel—require steps. The garden’s layout is a maze of
interconnected trails that wind through lush vegetation, leading to
hidden nooks, vibrant flowerbeds, and picturesque focal points.
At the heart of the garden are its waterfalls, two man-made cascades
that spill into a large, tranquil pond. This central water feature,
surrounded by benches and shaded by towering trees, is a magnet for
wildlife—turtles, fish, and ducks glide across the pond’s surface, while
the sound of trickling water creates a soothing ambiance. The falls are
modest in scale compared to natural wonders like Dunn’s River Falls in
Jamaica, but their charm lies in their integration with the surrounding
flora, including hibiscus, heliconias, and anthuriums that bloom in
vivid reds, pinks, and yellows.
The garden’s vegetation is a
vibrant tapestry of tropical and subtropical species. Towering mahogany
trees and Caribbean pines provide a canopy over trails lined with exotic
orchids, ferns, tamarind, Java plum trees, and bougainvillea walks.
Thematic sections, such as a butterfly garden and hummingbird haven,
highlight specific ecological niches, attracting colorful butterflies
and birds like the Cuban emerald and Bahama woodstar. A hanging garden
adds a whimsical touch, with vines and epiphytes draping over trellises,
while a banana plantation and tilapia pond nod to the island’s
agricultural roots.
The Labyrinth, a limestone replica of the one
at Chartres Cathedral in France, is a spiritual centerpiece, offering a
meditative walk through its winding hedge-lined paths. Nearby, the
Chapel, a tiny 19th-century-style structure perched on a small hill,
overlooks the gardens with its open-air design and consecrated status,
making it a popular spot for weddings and quiet reflection. The chapel’s
simple elegance, surrounded by blooming flowers, enhances the garden’s
fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
The Garden of the Groves owes its existence to Wallace Groves, a
controversial American financier who transformed Grand Bahama from a
sleepy backwater into a modern hub. Born in Virginia, Groves arrived in
The Bahamas in 1946, initially drawn by the island’s pine forests for
lumber. In 1955, he founded the Grand Bahama Port Authority, securing a
deal with the colonial government to develop Freeport into a tax-free
industrial and tourism center—a vision some critics later tied to
allegations of mob ties and political backhanders. Despite his complex
legacy, which includes a prior fraud conviction in the U.S., Groves’
impact on Grand Bahama was profound, and the garden was dedicated on
March 3, 1973, as a tribute to him and his wife Georgette, marking their
contributions to the island’s growth.
Originally a private
retreat, the garden opened to the public soon after, reflecting Groves’
desire to create a lasting legacy of natural beauty. Over the decades,
it faced significant challenges—Hurricanes Frances and Wilma in 2004 and
2005 ravaged the grounds, followed by the devastating Hurricane Dorian
in 2019, which flooded Freeport and damaged much of Grand Bahama. Each
time, local efforts, notably led by environmentalist Erika Gates from
the late 1990s until her passing in 2023, restored the garden. Gates, a
tennis star turned eco-tourism advocate, spearheaded its revival
post-2004, earning it wildlife habitat certification by ensuring food,
water, cover, and breeding spaces for fauna. Her legacy endures in the
garden’s present state, a testament to resilience and community
commitment.
The Garden of the Groves is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with
admission set at $16.50 USD for adults and $11 USD for children (ages
5–11), VAT included, as of recent updates. Visitors enter through a main
gate off Midshipman Road, greeted by a small ticket booth and parking
area. The experience can be self-guided or enhanced with a guided tour
(optional, often $5–$10 USD extra), where knowledgeable staff share
insights into the plants’ uses—medicinal, culinary, or ecological—and
the garden’s history.
A full exploration takes 1.5 to 3 hours,
depending on pace. The paved trails are mostly flat, with directional
signs preventing disorientation, though the chapel’s steps may challenge
those with mobility issues. Highlights include feeding turtles at the
pond, spotting birds in the canopy, and walking the Labyrinth, a
meditative loop taking 10–15 minutes. The Garden Café, overlooking the
waterfalls, serves breakfast and lunch—conch burgers, fresh juices, and
rum cocktails—with outdoor seating offering a scenic respite. Adjacent,
four small shops sell authentic Bahamian crafts—straw purses, wood
carvings, and jewelry—while a children’s playground with a cedar playset
keeps younger visitors entertained.
The garden’s wildlife
certification shines through in its fauna: indigenous raccoons
(relocated from elsewhere on the island), migratory birds, and
butterflies thrive amid nectar-rich flowers and berry-laden shrubs.
Birdwatchers flock here in winter (October–May) for species like the
thick-billed vireo, while the petting zoo—once home to pot-bellied pigs
and pygmy goats—adds a family-friendly touch, though its status varies
post-Dorian.
Ecologically, the Garden of the Groves is a sanctuary for Grand
Bahama’s native species, providing a rare public space to observe the
island’s flora and fauna outside its pine barrens and beaches. Its
certification by the U.S. National Wildlife Federation underscores its
role in conservation, offering a model of sustainable tourism in a
region often dominated by resorts. The garden’s resilience against
hurricanes mirrors The Bahamas’ broader story of recovery, a narrative
locals take pride in sharing.
Culturally, it honors Wallace
Groves’ vision, however polarizing, as a catalyst for Freeport’s
development. The chapel and Labyrinth weave in spiritual elements,
reflecting Bahamian traditions of faith and introspection, while the
crafts highlight artisanal heritage. Its cinematic cameo in Pirates of
the Caribbean (a crew boat scene filmed nearby) adds a modern
pop-culture layer, though it’s the garden’s natural serenity that
defines its allure.
Located 15–20 minutes from Freeport’s cruise port or airport, the garden is easily reached by taxi ($30–$40 USD round-trip, negotiated upfront) or rental car. Minibuses from Freeport (about $5 BSD) can drop off nearby if requested, though schedules are flexible. Its proximity to Port Lucaya Marketplace (10 minutes) and Lucayan National Park (25 minutes) makes it a convenient stop on a Grand Bahama itinerary, best visited in the dry season (November–April) for cooler weather (75–85°F or 24–29°C) and fewer showers.