K9GY inform DXNews.com that he will be active as C6AYM this time from Eleuthera Island, IOTA NA - 001, not Grand Bahama as announced earlier.
Eric, K9GY will be active from Grand Bahama Island , IOTA NA-080, 5 - 10 August 2026 as C6AYM.
He will operate on 80 - 6m, including activity in WAE DC CW Contest.
QSL via LOTW, ClubLog OQRS.
Grand Bahama: From Early Settlements to an International Tourism Hub
Located in the northern part of the Bahamas archipelago, Grand Bahama is the island closest to the mainland—the Florida coast is just 90 kilometers from the island’s beaches. Grand Bahama covers an area of 1,373 square kilometers, and the island’s permanent population today exceeds 50,000 residents.
A Brief History of Grand Bahama
The Indigenous People of Grand Bahama
Modern science believes the earliest inhabitants of the island were primitive Siboni Indians, who were hunter-gatherers and possessed a Stone Age culture. Later settlers of Grand Bahama were the Arawak Taino, who arrived on the island from the South American mainland. This people used dugout canoes for travel across the sea, which allowed them to colonize a significant part of the Caribbean basin.
The Arawak communities, known as the Lucayanos, constituted a socially and politically advanced society that existed on Grand Bahama with a population of 4,000 people until the arrival of the conquistadors in 1492. Under the influence of genocide and diseases introduced by the Spanish, as well as oppressed by slavery, the Lucayanos soon ceased to exist entirely.
Development in Our Historical Era
Thus, at the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, the island became part of the Western cultural sphere. The island’s current name originates from the Spanish language. Gran Bajamar translates to “large shoals,” which served as the name for the entire island chain and for its northernmost island. In 1670, the Bahamas came under British rule. Although the island had been inhabited all along, the first small towns were founded here by local residents only after the abolition of slavery in the territories of the British Crown.
However, despite some revival of life on the island during the Civil War and Prohibition in the United States, the infrastructure of Grand Bahama remained one of the least developed in the Bahamian archipelago until the mid-20th century, and the island’s population numbered only about 500 people. In 1955, an investor arrived on the island and built the port city of Freeport, and later the tourist hub of Port Lucaya. From that moment on, the rapid growth of the cities and the development of the island began. Today, Freeport is the second-most populous city in the Bahamas, with a population of over 50,000.
The second most visited island in the Bahamas
Grand Bahama is the second most visited island in the archipelago. Its hallmark, making the island instantly recognizable to tourists, is its snow-white sandy beaches, which contrast in an indescribable way with the azure coastal waters, and its lush forests of Cuban pine. Grand Bahama boasts a rich variety of flora and fauna. It is home to three national parks, and its coastal waters feature the largest system of underwater caves, attracting numerous divers from around the world. Fishing enthusiasts also find their paradise on the island thanks to the abundant fish species in the coastal waters.
Tourism Hubs on Grand Bahama
The most popular city among tourists is Freeport, which today stands as a fully developed hub for tourism and social gatherings. The city boasts a large number of shops, two casinos, and a wide selection of venues for nightlife enthusiasts. Surrounding Freeport are numerous golf courses, tennis courts, and centers for diving and sport fishing enthusiasts. For those seeking fun and entertainment, this resort is a true gift of fate and a source of unforgettable experiences. Freeport is also the capital of the Greater Bahamas. However, it is by no means the only place worth visiting.
Among the island’s other attractions is the Reinde Memorial Nature Center. This facility features a magnificent botanical collection focused on tropical plants. Designed as a comfortable park, the Reinde Memorial is well-suited for those who enjoy relaxing in nature. In the cool shade of the tree-lined paths and surrounded by the bouquet of tropical scents, you can spend hours on end.
Grand Bahama is an island with its own History Museum. This museum houses exhibits from various periods of the island’s history, as well as a detailed visual account of the settlement of Grand Bahama. The museum is visited not only by avid history buffs but also by many tourists who consider learning about the island’s history an integral part of their trip.
Among the island’s most striking and truly noteworthy sites is the internationally renowned Lucayan National Park. The park’s natural splendor is crowned by underwater caves. And, of course, the village of Jack’s Tar—a haven for ancient pirates and moonshiners. However, the selection of places to visit on Grand Bahama is not limited to these. The island truly has many places worth seeing.