Luv to cruise- I used to live in the Bahamas on Grand Bahama-It is a great time in the Bahamas. At that time of year it is going to be warm and comfy and the water will be great! Don't worry about it!
I've been at the end of October, and the water was great in Nassau. You can easily go over to Atlantis on your own if you don't want to do the excursion. Just take a taxi over (not water taxi). There is a public beach to the right of the property called Cabbage Beach.
I haven't been to Freeport in such a long time, I'm still trying to figure that one out too.
Luv to cruise-The road pattern on Grand Bahama is quite simple and straigtforward. It is one place where car rental should not be feared. SStill, the ship tours are fairly reasonable and should be given serious consideration. If your driving-most rentals are American left hand dive cars-since you will drive English Style-remember to kepp the grass under your left shoulder and you will be OK-the roundabout will require some thought and caution (It's in the center of Freeport-called Ranfurley Circus-its jus, and yout a rotary that you approach from the opposite direction)-On Grand Bahama it's good to visit the following: Freeport's International Bazaar, The Garden of the Groves,
Port Lucaya (Love the Underwater Explorer's Society-UNEXSO-Pub )-the Lucayan marketplace and you might just consider visiting the Xanadu Beach Hotel for a cocktail out at Dundee Bay (It was one of Howard Hughes final residences)-Golf is also quite good on Grand Bahama. If you know where to go Grand Bahama is quite a good resort in its entirety. Above all-Enjoy!