Bahama Mama in the Island Seas

We told our front desk clerk that we wanted to go out for a "nice" dinner and this is the place he recommended.

Unfortunately, he forgot to mention that reservations are highly recommended, in fact we had to wait 2 hours (during which time I had my hair braided) for a table on a weeknight. The hostess wasn’t going to let us in until I told her that we had been sent there by our hotel and just spent 10 dollars on a cab to get there.

It is easy to reach in Port Lucaya and has a nice atmosphere. There won't be all that many places where you don't have to sit in a plastic chair for dinner. We had the lobster, which was excellent and very nice sized. They also seemed to specialize in pizza, as that is what most people were ordering.

I wouldn't attempt to get in on a weekend without reservations. The place was completely packed when we walked by at 10:30 at night.

The only restaurant located right in the Island Seas Resort. Any others would be at least an 8-dollar taxi ride away.

The menu is limited and overpriced. The service is slow, and the service station where the waitresses get drinks and condiments is in the open in the restaurant, detracting from the atmosphere. The only thing this restaurant has going for it is convenience. It would not be feasible or affordable to eat all meals here. While waiting for a shuttle I saw two tour bus loads of people come into the resort with bags of groceries from the local Winn-Dixie grocery store. I found using my kitchen faster and tastier than using Coconuts for breakfast and lunch.

Of all the restaurant choices, make sure you don't miss this one. Reservations HIGHLY recommended. You won't see this restaurant advertised while in the Bahamas - its popularity has traveled by word of mouth.

The food is nothing special for the Bahamas, although they do have a very extensive menu. It's the feeding frenzy of sharks that you can watch from your table while dining that people come for. They have limited seating on the edge where you can see straight down to watch this, and the restaurant recommended to us to make reservations at least 2 days in advance for one of these tables.

It is about 24 dollars for a taxi to get here from Port Lucaya and worth it. We wanted to save the money by using the public bus system (one dollar per person) but arrived late for our reservation and lost our table on the edge.

The feeding occurs 3 times nightly, at 7, 8, and 9pm. The sharks started to appear a few minutes before 7 like clockwork. When the fish scraps were tossed into the water we saw at least a dozen large sharks. Probably in the 8-foot range. It was most interesting to see the baby sharks zip through the water, grab the fish scrap from right in front of a large shark and get out of the way before the large shark has a chance to do anything about it.

Our taxi driver told us that the sharks had recently returned from mating season. They leave for the months of May and June to mate. During that time the owner brings nurse sharks into a tank in front of the restaurant so you will still be able to see sharks. I don't think the trip out there would be worth the taxi price during those times if he was correct.

Ironically, we dined on shark. The blackened shark was excellent. The curry shark was a bit mushy. And as always in the Bahamas, don't expect good service. Overall, I'd say don't miss this dining adventure.

A not-to-miss restaurant with both beautiful and interesting views. Known for the sharks that swim up to the edge of the rocks that the restaurant is located on for feedings. The scheduled feedings take place at 7, 8, and 9pm. Interestingly the waitress broke a glass on the table and decided to chuck it over the edge into the water halfway between feedings. Two large sharks zoomed out of nowhere to inspect the glass. The photos do no justice compared to actually seeing it in person.

In Freeport you will find many, many snorkel tours to choose from, most of which end up in the same spot, Dead Man’s Reef. If you do any activity in the Bahamas, I recommend this one.

Most of the tour boats are small and offer nothing more than a ride out there along with the necessary equipment. My first tour was on one of the smaller boats, which is fine as you are really heading out there to see the beautiful fish and coral.

Last time we were there we gave the large Pat and Diane snorkel tour boat a try, complete with a waterslide and rock climbing wall. (And clean bathrooms, I might add.) The cost was 20 dollars per person, although if you sign up through the resort they will charge more. Round trip transportation was included in that price.

The tour is 2 hours. They have a bar and snack bar onboard. Fish food is one dollar per baggie and worth the price, unless you think ahead to bring bread in a plastic baggie.

The water is very clear there, the fish are beautiful and varied, and the coral is magnificently colored (just don't touch it).

After 45 minutes they open the waterslide from the second story of the boat for use. I was having a great time with it until I found out they allow you to jump from the second story into the ocean. Now that was fun.

Lastly they opened the rock climbing wall before we headed back.

I definitely recommend this particular tour.