If you want your vacation to be different from the normal resort experience, then Eleuthera awaits. However, she knows in advance that it is not for everyone. If you are looking for nightlife and casinos then Eleuthera is not for you. If you are hoping to spend time just relaxing and enjoying an amazing tropical location in a slow-paced and friendly place, this is the right place.
Right where Eleuthera is
Eleuthera is a family island of the Bahamas, sometimes referred to as the outer island, about 60 miles east of Nassau. When you look at a map of the Bahamas, it’s a long, skinny island with a “whale’s tail” at the southern end. It’s actually almost 110 miles long, but only 2 miles wide at its widest point. Most of the island is much narrower than that. The narrowest part of the island can be found at the Glass Window Bridge.
Ways to get to Eleuthera
Eleuthera is home to THREE international airports: North Eleuthera (ELH), Governor’s Harbor (GHB), and Rock Sound (RSD).
When leaving Florida, there are several options for flying to Eleuthera. American Eagle, which is part of American Airlines) has regular flights from Miami to North Eleuthera. Continental Airlines flies from Fort Lauderdale to North Eleuthera and Governor’s Harbour. TwinAir/Calypso (a small private airline) flies from Fort Lauderdale to all three Eleuthera airports.
You can also get to Eleuthera via BahamasAir, however you will need to make connections via Nassau.
From Nassau you also have some more options. All three airports are served by Bahamas Air. SouthernAir also offers flights from Nassau to all Eleuthera airports. You can also choose to take the Bo Hengy, a high-speed ferry, from Nassau to Spanish Wells, Harbor Island, and Governor’s Harbour.
Naturally, you’ll need to check the timetables for all of these options.
Accommodations in Eleuthera
You won’t find high-rise hotels or large resorts on Eleuthera, and that’s part of its charm. You will find the most expensive resorts on Harbor Island. This is also where the rich and famous have some homes.
You can also find some luxury resorts on the main island of Eleuthera: The Cove, Pineapple Fields, and Cape Eleuthera Resort. However, most hotels in Eleuthera are low-key, relaxed and comfortable. There are many hotels of this type in Eleuthera. A few that come to mind are Surfers Manor, Rainbow Inn, Duck Inn, and Unique Village.
For a more private, home-away-from-home experience, there are several vacation home rentals available. Just do your research and you will find something that suits your taste and budget.
The incredible beaches of Eleuthera
Eleuthera has over 50 fabulous beaches, but many of them are hard to find and if you’re only here for a short visit, you might miss out on some of the best.
While some can be seen from the Queen’s Highway (the main north-south road), many are on dirt roads that don’t seem to lead you to a beach.
There are pink sand beaches, white sand beaches, pebble beaches and others where you can find some fabulous shells. Most are also deserted, so expect to have an amazing beach all to yourself, once you’ve found it.
The most famous beaches in Eleuthera are Pink Sand Beach on Harbor Island, Surfers Beach, French Leave Beach, Cotton Bay, and Lighthouse Beach, to name just a few.
What is the best time to visit Eleuthera?
It’s wonderful to visit Eleuthera any time of year, however you’re likely to find the best weather from November to April. Summers tend to be hot and humid with much more rain and even the possibility of tropical storms or hurricanes. The summer season also produces more thunderstorms. I’m actually a big fan of thunderstorms and the ones on Eleuthera can be pretty amazing.
We have only scratched the surface of all that Eleuthera has to offer. Although it takes a bit more effort to visit Eleuthera, it is well worth the trip.
