caves are accessible for certified scubas. Climate Freeport features a tropical rainforest climate, similar to South Florida's. According to Köppen Climate Classification (Af), more specifically with hot humid conditions that vary only a little throughout the year. Seldom do temperatures drop below . Average temperatures are around , with water temperature varying between . The winters are usually mild and dry (with the exception of some rainfall due to cold fronts), while the summers are usually hot and wet. Although a freeze has never been reported in the Bahamas, snow was reported to have mixed with rain in Freeport in January 1977, the same time that it snowed in the Miami area. The temperature was about at the time. The temperature of was tied, on the 30th of January 2022. Economy Tourism draws more than 1 million visitors per year, but has diminished since 2004, when major hurricanes Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne made landfall; in 2016, Hurricane Matthew hit the island. In early September 2019, Hurricane Dorian moved over the area and stalled for over a day, causing extensive devastation. Several cruise ships stop weekly at the island. Much of the tourist industry is centered on the seaside suburb of Lucaya, owing its name to the pre-Columbian Lucayan inhabitants of the island evidence of whom has been found on the island. Freeport features at least two Junkanoo festivals near New Year's. The city is often promoted as Freeport/Lucaya. Most hotels on the island are located in Lucaya along the southern shore facing the Northwest Providence Channel. The primary shopping venue for tourists is the Port Lucaya Marketplace in Lucaya. Recovery from the 2004 Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances took nearly a decade and led to closure of the older shopping venue International Bazaar and neighboring Bahamas Princess Resort and Casino. Notable natives and residents Janine Antoni - conceptual artist Robert Antoni - novelist, professor Sebastian Bach - Canadian singer, frontman of the band Skid Row JoBeth Coleby-Davis - Bahamian Progressive Liberal Party politician, attorney Andre Deveaux - NHL player Joanna Evans Olympian Swimmer Kevin Foxx - comedian/writer Tynia Gaither - sprint Olympian Jeffery Gibson - 400mH world champ medalist & Olympian Shavez Hart - sprint Olympian Jack Hayward - British businessman Raymond Higgs - Olympian Jumper Buddy Hield - NBA player Jonquel Jones - WNBA player Johnny Kemp- Singer/Songwriter Justin Hill - British writer Michael Mathieu - sprint Olympic medalist