Last Updated on October 5, 2025
The Bahamas – the mere mention of the country evokes images of pristine beaches, relaxed island life, and lively music, food, and culture. On a summer 2025 visit, I found all to be true – and so much more.
Did you know that the Bahamas comprise 16 separate islands, covering a vast 100,000 fascinating square miles, each uniquely its own?
Grand Bahama is the fourth-largest Bahamian Island with the city of Freeport representing its pulse. It is an active place full of world-class beaches and adventures by day, and a lively nightlife, flavorful food, and vibrant local culture by night.
As I walked into Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham Resorts, the laid‑back charm, simple beauty, and friendly smiles made it clear — I was officially in an island paradise. One situated along an expansive beachfront.
Viva Fortuna Beach
In the open-air registration area, my surprise greeting was a genuine Bahamian welcome. With vibrant clothing and rhythms echoing through the air, local dancers and musicians treated me to a lively performance radiating authentic Bahamian flair. As I watched the scene unfold, a smiling server arrived with chilled mimosas. This extraordinary welcome solidified the feeling that I had fully stepped into an island nirvana.
I was assigned a superior king ocean view room, though double queens are also offered. My accommodation was equipped with a terrace, allowing me to relax and enjoy the fabulous views.
In the morning, a blissfully blue sky, soft breezes through the palm trees, and the sight of an early-morning riser enjoying a solitary walk along the beach greeted me. I sipped my morning coffee, enjoying the soft rustle of the palms which set the pace for a blissfully quiet morning.
I knew it wouldn’t last — for soon, the beach would spring to life with vacationers ready for a dip in the turquoise water or basking on the chaise loungers lining the sand.
Perhaps a room surrounded by the resort’s beautiful gardens is more appealing to you. No worries, as you can find these as well. There are adjoining rooms in both categories, as well as accessible rooms. All accommodations at Viva Fortuna Beach offer amenities you’ll need, such as free WiFi, a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, and safety deposit boxes, to name a few.
All-Inclusive Resort on Grand Bahama Island
Viva Fortuna Beach is an all-inclusive resort, the only one on Grand Bahama Island. Each of their 274 rooms features a lovely terrace or balcony, offering stunning views. Stays include your room of choice, all meals and snacks, unlimited beverages, cocktails and wine, the kids’ club, and access to select water and land sports.
You may wonder about other things to do on-site during your stay:
- Theme nights and live entertainment – a live-action show of The Lion King is the one I saw during my stay
- A disco, as well as other bars and nightclubs
- A stunning pool – to while away minutes or hours
- A spa on-site, or if you are so inclined, you can enjoy a beach massage
- Wind surfing and paddleboard excursions (a fee may apply)
- Sporting activities such as pickleball, introductory diving lessons, water aerobics, tennis, basketball, beach volleyball, to name a few
Dining at Viva Fortuna Beach
One of the things I like best about staying at an all-inclusive resort is getting to explore the property’s varied food offerings. I was never disappointed with any meal I had here.
As with most resorts, Viva Fortuna Beach offers a superb buffet, called Buffet Junkanoo. The restaurant serves classic dishes and a variety of international options. The atmosphere remains casual and beach-worthy, featuring large windows providing perfect views during your meal.
There is also a nice snack bar, conveniently located close to both the beach and the pool.
The resort has three à la carte restaurants, all of which require prior reservations. Viva Café is a fusion restaurant serving a diverse range of international dishes. Dolce Vita features an authentic Italian menu, serving entrees such as pastas and pizza. Lastly, Hacienda Don Diego serves incredible Mexican cuisine along with delicious margaritas. The food here is fabulous!
Offsite Grand Bahama Activities
While Viva Fortuna offers fantastic activities without ever leaving the resort, there are a myriad of other things to do in Grand Bahama. I have compiled a short list of favorites enjoyed during my stay here.
- Local Fish Fry at Outriggers on Smith Pointe. If you want to experience an authentic taste of local culture, you must take part in this community fish fry. I was amazed at the number of locals (and visitors) who attended this Wednesday evening dinner. The food was fabulous, albeit the very first time I have ever been served an entire fish straight from the fryer. The atmosphere was so much fun, with food, libations, and music flowing from start to finish. The beach-shack eating areas, picnic tables, and large deck where the band played all offered stunning views of the beach and sunset, literally steps away.
- Bahama Blast ATV tours. This local family-owned company is well worth your time. I was able to take a unique tour of the city of Freeport on an ATV. Dave and his family are fabulous hosts, and the four-hour excursion allowed me to see several sites around Freeport, including the photo-worthy Grand Bahama sign and the Port Lucaya Marketplace.
- Sanctuary Bay Dolphin Encounter. I was ‘kissed’ by a dolphin and it was an incredible experience. Sanctuary Bay is different from traditional marine parks. Here, dolphins live in ocean enclosures that mirror their natural habitat, allowing them to retain their instincts yet still interact with their handlers and those of us lucky enough to witness these beautiful creatures.
Grand Bahama Island is a laid-back destination offering a wealth of experiences. Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham is an ideal setting for visitors seeking the luxuries of an all-inclusive resort, while still being conveniently close to other fun activities.
