Eleuthera

The_Bahamas

Eleuthera is an island in Bahamas.

Harbour Island To reach Harbour Island, one can take a water taxi (~$5) from the main island of Eleuthera. Harbour Island has the highest concentration of hotels; many of them upscale. Harbour Island is more densely populated than Eleuthera. The 3 mile beach on Harbour Island features pink sand and clear waters and has often been cited by various travel magazines as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve

thumb Enjoy (walk, swim, snorkel, get a tan, or whatever you like to do on beaches) the many great beaches. The water is usually rougher (bigger waves) on the Atlantic side of the island.

Surfing near Gregory Town in North-Central Eleuthera ("Surfer's Beach").

Swim, snorkel or dive the tidal current at Current Cut (North Eleuthera). Thrilling!

Fishing is one of the biggest sports in Eleuthera. Several people have recommended Paul Petty as a good local fishing guide.

Explore the Hatchet Bay Cave... bring a friend and at least one flashlight (preferably one each - or a back-up candle and matches - you don't want to get stuck without light down there!). Bring swimming gear if you want to explore the lowest level, which is half-filled with water. There are some friendly bats in the cave, but not many.

Explore some of the other caves on the island (there are several)! A) There is one just north of Ten Bay Beach (South of South Palmetto Point) - look out for the "Bahamas Heritage" sign on Queen's Highway. This one has a huge colony of bats, you can't miss them, and you will need a flashlight here! B) There is a nice system of caves just south of Rock Sound - look out for the "Bahamas Heritage" sign opposite to a church. You don't need any flashlight here. There is a small colony of bats in one of the caves. Also, look out for the turtle in the nearby "bottomless" pond. C) Preacher's Cave, close to a nice beach at the northern end of Eleuthera, is of historic interest as "The first Bahamian settlement". No flashlights needed here. The unpaved road, taking you the 2 miles or so from Queen's Highway to the cave, is a tough drive for a normal car (although possible).

Watch the Junkanoo parade in Tarpum Bay (this is a must if you happen to be on the island during Christmas time)! Check with the locals for the exact schedule.

Feed the fishes (or swim with them) in the Ocean Hole in Rock Sound.

Take a bath in "Queen's Bath", a mile or so south of the Glass Window Bridge. But make sure to watch out for big waves!

Attend a "Friday Night's Fish Fry" in Governor's Harbour. A large percentage of all tourists on the island seems to gather here every Friday for some BBQ, drinks and loud music. Be prepared to wait for an hour or more to get your food once you have ordered.

Visit nearby Harbour Island accessible via water taxi, approximately 10 minutes from the boat dock just east of North Eleuthera Airport.

Go snorkelling at Kemps Creek, Twin Coves or the Current. Go to the Schooner Cays, off Cape Eleuthera; hire a local who takes you over to these islands for the day, and live like the former beatnik on Dobey Gillis, Gilligan, sans Skipper and MaryAnne; you might see movie stars though.

  • Island Farm, Queen's Highway (.5 miles south of Palmetto Point Crossroads, +1 242-332-0141. Island Farm sells sells nursery plants and landscaping materials. They are known for their fresh bread baked on the premises, fresh produce, greens and herbs, jams, jellies, dressings and pestos, honey, hot sauce, maps, postcards and souvenirs. Island Farm also offers free wi-fi service on the premises.
  • Island Made Gift Shop, Queen's Highway (Downtown Gregory Town, +1 242-335-5369. Nice souvenir shop. Large selection of hats, caps, T shirts, postcards, maps, and clothing.
  • Rebecca's Straw Market, Queen's Highway (Downtown Gregory Town. Rebecca is an artist and local expert on flora and fauna. She has her own hot sauce: Pirate's Revenge. Pete is a character. Buy a cigar or beer and get a story.

Island Farm, Queen's Highway (.5 miles south of Palmetto Point Crossroads, +1 242-332-0141. Island Farm sells sells nursery plants and landscaping materials. They are known for their fresh bread baked on the premises, fresh produce, greens and herbs, jams, jellies, dressings and pestos, honey, hot sauce, maps, postcards and souvenirs. Island Farm also offers free wi-fi service on the premises.

Island Made Gift Shop, Queen's Highway (Downtown Gregory Town, +1 242-335-5369. Nice souvenir shop. Large selection of hats, caps, T shirts, postcards, maps, and clothing.

Rebecca's Straw Market, Queen's Highway (Downtown Gregory Town. Rebecca is an artist and local expert on flora and fauna. She has her own hot sauce: Pirate's Revenge. Pete is a character. Buy a cigar or beer and get a story.

The Laughing Lizard

  • Mate & Jenny's, South Palmetto Point (Turn towards South Palmetto Point from Queen's Highway and you will have Mate & Jenny's on the right very soon, +1 242-332-1504. Reasonable prices and good pizzas. A good place for a laid back dinner. The owner seems to have run the place for many decades.
  • Sammy's Place, Rock Sound (Follow the signs or ask the locals when in Rock Sound, +1 242-334-2121. Very reasonably priced and good local food.
  • The Laughing Lizzard Café, Gregory Town (On a hillside next to the main road just north of Gregory Town. Closes at 4PM.. Good place for lunch. Tasty wraps and smoothies.
  • Buccaneer Club Restaurant, Governor's Harbour. OK and reasonably priced food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
  • Pascal's at Sky Beach Club, Queen's Highway, Governors Harbour (4 miles south of the Governors Harbour airport, +1 242-332-3422. Beachside and poolside restaurant with excellent seafood and international cuisine. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Tippy's Restaurant, Banks Road (Banks road between Governor's Harbour and North Palmetto across from Pineapple Fields., +1 242-332-3331. Lunch 12:30-2:30 Dinner 6-10PM. Open air dining and a breathtaking view of Club Med beach and the Atlantic ocean. New York Times said "This is not some down-at-the-heels fish fry, but the epicenter of the island's emerging social whirl." Reservations should be made for dinner.
  • Bank's Road Deli. Stop by in the morning for cappuccino and croissants on the deck. Then pick up fresh bread (baked on the premises throughout the day), cured meats, cheese, olive oil and other essentials for a picnic on the beach.

Mate & Jenny's, South Palmetto Point (Turn towards South Palmetto Point from Queen's Highway and you will have Mate & Jenny's on the right very soon, +1 242-332-1504. Reasonable prices and good pizzas. A good place for a laid back dinner. The owner seems to have run the place for many decades.

Sammy's Place, Rock Sound (Follow the signs or ask the locals when in Rock Sound, +1 242-334-2121. Very reasonably priced and good local food.

The Laughing Lizzard Café, Gregory Town (On a hillside next to the main road just north of Gregory Town. Closes at 4PM.. Good place for lunch. Tasty wraps and smoothies.

Buccaneer Club Restaurant, Governor's Harbour. OK and reasonably priced food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

Pascal's at Sky Beach Club, Queen's Highway, Governors Harbour (4 miles south of the Governors Harbour airport, +1 242-332-3422. Beachside and poolside restaurant with excellent seafood and international cuisine. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Tippy's Restaurant, Banks Road (Banks road between Governor's Harbour and North Palmetto across from Pineapple Fields., +1 242-332-3331. Lunch 12:30-2:30 Dinner 6-10PM. Open air dining and a breathtaking view of Club Med beach and the Atlantic ocean. New York Times said "This is not some down-at-the-heels fish fry, but the epicenter of the island's emerging social whirl." Reservations should be made for dinner.

Bank's Road Deli. Stop by in the morning for cappuccino and croissants on the deck. Then pick up fresh bread (baked on the premises throughout the day), cured meats, cheese, olive oil and other essentials for a picnic on the beach.

  • Tippy's, on a very nice pink sand beach between Governor's Harbour and Palmetto Point.
  • Elvina's, rustic night spot in Gregory Town where Lenny Kravitz performs occasionally. Open mike jam sessions with local musicians on Tuesday and Friday nights.
  • Fish Fry, Governor's Harbour, next to Haynes Library, fish-fry every Friday night where locals and tourists meet on the water front. The food and drinks are good -- the music very loud.
  • Governor's Harbour Bakery. Local bakery with Bahamian bread, donuts and meat pies. You can ask at the grocery or liquor store for directions.
  • Kel-D's Bar & Grill, Queen's Highway (across from pier in heart of James Cistern, +1 242-335-6061. Basic local bar, cold beer and good Bahamian food.

Tippy's, on a very nice pink sand beach between Governor's Harbour and Palmetto Point.

Elvina's, rustic night spot in Gregory Town where Lenny Kravitz performs occasionally. Open mike jam sessions with local musicians on Tuesday and Friday nights.

Fish Fry, Governor's Harbour, next to Haynes Library, fish-fry every Friday night where locals and tourists meet on the water front. The food and drinks are good -- the music very loud.

Governor's Harbour Bakery. Local bakery with Bahamian bread, donuts and meat pies. You can ask at the grocery or liquor store for directions.

Kel-D's Bar & Grill, Queen's Highway (across from pier in heart of James Cistern, +1 242-335-6061. Basic local bar, cold beer and good Bahamian food.