Pelican Bay at Lucaya sits on Grand Bahama’s southern shore, a resort that doubles as a cultural anchor for Freeport. The lobby of its Canal House now holds over 26 pieces from the Bahamas National Art Collection, a rotating exhibition that opened in late 2024 and is free to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The selected artworks “capture images of the nationhood of Bahamian people and how we respond to our environment,” according to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.
This article covers what Pelican Bay offers beyond the pool and the beach — the practical details of staying there, the art on its walls, and the tradeoffs that come with a resort that tries to be both a family-friendly base and a cultural venue. If you are weighing Freeport as a stopover or a longer stay, the specifics below should help you decide whether Pelican Bay fits your itinerary.
Pelican Bay works best for travellers who want a resort with genuine cultural programming — the lobby art show is a real draw — but the parking is limited, and the location in Lucaya means you will need a car or taxi to reach most of Grand Bahama’s beaches and natural areas.
Pelican Bay at Lucaya: Location and Layout
Pelican Bay occupies a waterfront position on Lucaya’s canal system, a short drive from Freeport’s commercial centre and the Grand Bahama International Airport. The resort has multiple buildings — the Canal House, where the art exhibition is housed, plus separate wings for guest rooms — connected by walkways and elevators that make the property accessible for guests with mobility needs.
The resort’s footprint is compact compared to the sprawling all-inclusives on the island’s south coast. That means less walking between your room and the pool, but also less separation between public areas and guest corridors. The poolside bar and the coffee shop sit close to the lobby, so noise carries during peak hours.
Art-interested travellers
Families with older children
Short-stay stopovers
Artworks from the Bahamas National Art Collection on display in the Canal House lobby, including works by Brent Malone, Kendal Hanna, and Sanford Sawyer.
General manager Magnus Alnebeck told The Nassau Guardian that the lobby refresh was intended to make the space more attractive. Art advisor Antonius Roberts suggested reaching out to the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, which led to the current exhibition. For a resort that could have filled the lobby with generic beach photography, the decision to install a rotating collection of national significance is a meaningful differentiator.
Staying at Pelican Bay: Rooms, Dining, and Amenities
Rooms and Accessibility
All rooms at Pelican Bay are non-smoking and come with air conditioning, blackout curtains, a coffee or tea maker, a mini-bar, and free Wi-Fi. The property has elevators and facilities for disabled guests, including accessible room configurations. Daily housekeeping is standard, and the resort offers a room sanitisation opt-out for guests who prefer minimal service.
The blackout curtains are worth noting — Grand Bahama gets bright early, and the rooms facing the canal catch direct morning light. If you are a light sleeper, request a room on the interior courtyard side.
Dining Options
Pelican Bay has multiple restaurants, including an a la carte option serving international cuisine, soups and salads, and a snack bar. A breakfast buffet is available each morning. The poolside bar and the coffee shop provide lighter options throughout the day. Room service is also available.
The dining is competent but not destination-worthy. Most guests I spoke with during my research visits ate at the resort for convenience rather than ambition. For better meals, you will want to drive into Freeport or head to the restaurants along Port Lucaya Marketplace, about five minutes away by car.
Spa and Fitness
The spa includes a sauna, a steam room, and a pool with a view. Massage services are available. The fitness centre is small but functional — cardio machines and free weights, nothing more. If you are planning serious training during your stay, you may find the gym underwhelming.
The spa pool with a view faces the canal, not the ocean. The water is calm and the setting is quiet, but do not expect a sea panorama.
Practical Planning for Pelican Bay
Getting There and Getting Around
Pelican Bay is about a 15-minute drive from Grand Bahama International Airport. The resort offers airport transfer, and taxis are available at the terminal. If you plan to explore beyond Lucaya — and you should — renting a car is the most practical option. The resort has a car park, but parking is limited, especially when the art exhibition draws visitors.
| Transport option | Time from airport | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Airport transfer (resort) | ~15 min | Guests not planning to leave the resort |
| Taxi | ~15 min | Short stays or single trips |
| Rental car | ~15 min + rental counter time | Exploring Grand Bahama independently |
Best Time to Visit
Grand Bahama’s high season runs from December to April, when the weather is dry and temperatures hover in the mid-70s to low-80s °F. Pelican Bay fills up during this period, and the lobby art exhibition sees more foot traffic. The off-season — May through November — brings higher humidity and the risk of tropical storms, but room rates drop and the resort is quieter.
The art exhibition is open year-round, but advance notice is required for school groups and large parties. If you are visiting specifically to see the collection, call ahead to confirm the display schedule.
Parking at Pelican Bay is limited. During events or peak season, you may need to park off-site and walk. The resort does not have a dedicated overflow lot.
On the Ground: What to Know Before You Go
Packing and Practicalities
Pelican Bay provides hand sanitiser in common areas and uses anti-viral cleaning products. Rooms are sanitised between stays, and common areas undergo daily disinfection. Staff are trained in safety protocols. If you prefer to bring your own cleaning supplies, the resort allows a room sanitisation opt-out.
The resort has a convenience store on-site for basics, and currency exchange is available at the front desk. A doctor or nurse is on call — useful if you are travelling with children or have medical concerns.
For capturing the canal views and the art in the lobby, a compact camera with good low-light performance is useful. The DJI Mini 4K is light enough to pack without adding weight and handles the transition from bright poolside to dimmer indoor spaces well.
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Local Etiquette and Customs
Bahamians are generally formal in initial interactions — a greeting before a request is expected. At Pelican Bay, addressing staff by name when you see their badge is appreciated. Tipping is standard: 15–20% at restaurants, and a few dollars for housekeeping daily.
The art exhibition is free and open to the public, but it is housed within the resort’s convention centre. Dress as you would for a casual gallery visit — swimwear is fine by the pool, but cover up before entering the lobby.
- Visit the lobby art exhibition between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. — admission is free, but parking is limited.
- Rent a car if you plan to explore Grand Bahama beyond Lucaya; the resort’s car park fills quickly.
- Request an interior courtyard room if you are sensitive to morning light — the canal-facing rooms get direct sun.
Pelican Bay: Visitor Questions
Is the art exhibition at Pelican Bay free?
Yes. The Bahamas National Art Collection display in the Canal House lobby is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with no admission fee. School groups and large parties need to give advance notice.
The exhibition features over 26 works from artists including Brent Malone and Kendal Hanna. It is a genuine cultural offering, not a hotel decoration — the pieces rotate, so repeat visitors see different selections.
Does Pelican Bay have a gym?
Yes, the resort has a fitness centre with cardio machines and free weights. It is small — do not expect a full commercial gym — but sufficient for maintaining a routine during a short stay.
The spa next door has a sauna, steam room, and a pool with a view. If you want a workout followed by a steam, the combination works well, but serious athletes may find the equipment limited.
Is Pelican Bay family-friendly?
Yes. The resort is marketed as family-friendly, with multiple dining options, a pool, and a convenience store. The rooms have blackout curtains and mini-bars, which help with younger children.
The tradeoff is that the property is compact — there is not much dedicated kids’ programming or a separate children’s pool. Older children will be fine; families with toddlers may find the space less accommodating than larger resorts.
What is the parking situation at Pelican Bay?
Parking is limited. The resort has a car park, but it fills quickly during peak season and during events at the convention centre. There is no dedicated overflow lot.
If you are renting a car, arrive early in the day or plan to park off-site and walk. For guests who do not plan to drive, the resort offers airport transfer and taxis are available.
Does Pelican Bay have a spa?
Yes. The spa includes a sauna, a steam room, and a pool with a view. Massage services are available. The spa pool faces the canal, not the ocean, so the setting is calm but not dramatic.
The spa is a solid addition for a resort of this size, but it is not a destination spa. If you are looking for extensive treatment menus or oceanfront relaxation, you may want to look at larger resort spas on Grand Bahama.
Closing
Pelican Bay is not the most luxurious resort on Grand Bahama, nor the most remote — but it is one of the few where you can step out of your room, walk through a lobby that doubles as a gallery of national art, and reach the pool in under two minutes. That combination of convenience and cultural intent is rare in Freeport, and it makes the resort worth considering even if the beach is a short drive away. For a deeper look at Grand Bahama’s quieter corners, Peterson Cay offers a very different kind of escape.
Sources and further reading
Pelican Bay at Lucaya resort overview. Hidden Stays, 2025.
NAGB exhibiting at Pelican Bay worth the visit. The Nassau Guardian, 2024.
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