Eleuthera is a prime choice for a weekend getaway or an extended stay. Several airlines offer service to Eleuthera. Take either a short flight from the East Coast of Florida or a quick hop from Nassau or Grand Bahama on the Fast Ferry.
You’ll be free from busy city congestion and the daily rush of every day living. Prepare to come to a screeching halt and take it nice and slow. You won’t want to miss a thing when you’re surrounded by a natural landscape this awe inspiring.
The region is divided into two areas – North and South Eleuthera. One of the most spectacular sights in the world, Harbour Island beaches, sits at North Eleuthera. Famous for its pink and white sands, the breathtaking Harbour Island beaches are like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. There are also various historical landmarks worth checking out for the history buff in you.
sight-seeing in Eleuthera includes exploring Preacher’s Cave,  colonial villages and pineapple plantations. There’s also the Glass Window Bridge, as well as other natural points of interest throughout.  Resorts dot the island with no shortage of stunning views.  The relaxing nature of this Bahama Out Island is enough to keep anyone’s anxieties at bay from the moment they land until well after they’ve departed this tropical paradise. Visitors can enjoy a number of activities, from bonefishing to windsurfing.  Anglers come to Eleuthera for bottom-, bone-, and deep-sea fishing, testing their skill against the dolphinfish, the wahoo, the blue and the white marlin, the  tuna, and the amberjack.

Eleuthera is the most populous of the out islands with a scattering of fishing villages situated up and down the coastline. The Eleutheran chain has some of the finest and most unspoilt white and pink sand beaches in the entire Bahamas, making this the perfect location for a romantic vacation, a honeymoon in paradise or for families to explore the many deserted beaches.

The island architecture is predominantly quaint colonial style homes in pretty pastel shades.
A drive along the Queens Highway is an experience in itself; at times one can see both the calm Caribbean Sea on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other.
Rolling hills, secluded beaches and the gin clear seas ensure you have an unforgettable tropical vacation.
The Island hospitality is sure to make you feel welcome, the locals really are warm and friendly, and yes, they will wave as you drive by. Time here is not an issue, the sun comes up, and the sun goes down.

The island is a 20 minute flight from Nassau, 50 Minutes from Fort Lauderdale, it is truly a relaxing getaway.
 

A sort of Bahamian Plymouth Rock, Eleuthera Island was the first permanent settlement in The Bahamas, founded in 1648. A search for religious freedom drew the Eleutherian Adventurers from Bermuda here, to the "birthplace of The Bahamas." The long narrow island they discovered and colonized still bears the name "Eleuthera" -- Greek for freedom. The locals call it "Cigatoo."

These adventurers found an island of white- and pink-sand beaches framed by casuarina trees, high, rolling green hills, sea-to-sea views, dramatic cliffs, and sheltered coves, and they're still here, unspoiled, waiting for you to discover today. More than 161km (100 miles) long but merely 3km (2 miles) wide (guaranteeing that you're never far from the beach), Eleuthera is about 113km (70 miles) east of Nassau (a 30-min. flight). The population of 10,000 is largely made up of farmers, shopkeepers, and fishermen who live in old villages of pastel-washed cottages. The resorts here are built around excellent harbors, and roads run along the coastline, though some of them are inadequately paved.

Eleuthera and its satellite islands, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island, offer superb snorkeling and diving amid coral gardens, reefs, drop-offs, and wrecks. Charter boats are available at Powell Point, Rock Sound, Spanish Wells, and Harbour Island. You can also rent Sunfish, sailboats, and Boston Whalers for reef fishing.

Eleuthera rivals the Abacos in terms of popularity among foreign visitors.  Along with the Abacos, Eleuthera has the largest concentration of resort hotels outside of the major developments of Nassau/Paradise Island and Freeport/Lucaya.

Three hundred years ago a small band of English pilgrims, seeking religious freedom, landed on this island and gave it the ethereal name, Eleuthera.  The name seems to be as apt today as it was then. Eleuthera, delivers on its initial promise by bestowing its gifts upon the lucky who've stumbled upon it, or the smart who know to go there. Miles of glistening pink and white sand beaches, serene colonial villages, and the rolling acres of pineapple plantations make Eleuthera an island of the most casual sophistication. The cool laziness of Eleutherean life and dusty-yet-drenched colors of the island give it the feel of a giant illusion; it seems to have a kind of unbounded air of calm and grace. With its two companions, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, Eleuthera has long been a favored destination among smart travelers seeking a bit of quiet charm.

Eleuthera is not really the sort of place that lends itself to plans, but you'll probably find yourself at some point ready to do some exploring. Preacher's Cave is a good place to start. It's a subterranean cave in which the Eleutheran Adventurers, the happy few pilgrims who first landed here, took refuge and held religious services upon their arrival. If Preacher's Cave was a chapel in the wilderness, the magnificent Cave at Hatchet Bay gives the appearance of a vaulted cathedral. It is more than a mile long, with stalagmites and stalactites that gleam in the torchlight.

Another magnificent sight is the Glass Window Bridge, which spans a gap in which the turbulent waters of the Atlantic meet the calmer seas of the Exuma Sound on the island's leeward side. The existing man-made structure has replaced a naturally-formed bridge that was blown away during a hurricane years ago and the view of the deep blue ocean and crashing surf is spectacular.

Eleuthera Regions

Governor's Harbour    At some 300 years old, Governor's Harbour is the island's oldest settlement, reportedly the landing place of the Eleutherian Adventurers. The largest town on Eleuthera after Rock Sound, it lies midway along the 161km-long (100-mile) island; its airport is likely to be your gateway to the island.

The town today has a population of about 1,500, with some bloodlines going back to the original settlers, the Eleutherian Adventurers, and to the Loyalists who followed some 135 years later. Many old homes line the streets amid the bougainvillea and casuarina trees.

Cupid's Cay is just outside of Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, Bahamas. The Cay is connected to the mainland with a causeway and one of the island's main shipping ports is here as is the "Fast Ferry." There is easy access to shopping,  restaurants and many beaches and you'll be able to find most
anything that you would need as Governor's Harbour is the capital of this wonderful Island. You will also find The Historic Haynes Library within walking distance with Internet connections and a nice supply of books for your leisure time
 
Rock Sound
Located in South Eleuthera, Rock Sound is a small shady village, the island's main town and once its most exclusive enclave. The closing of two old-time landmark resorts, the Cotton Bay Club and the Windermere Club, has at least for now slowed the flow of famous visitors, who once included everybody from the late Princess Diana to a parade of CEOs.  You can have many of South Eleuthera's best beaches practically to yourself.

Rock Sound opens onto Exuma Sound and is located to the south of Tarpum Bay. The town is at least 2 centuries old, and it has many old-fashioned homes with picket fences out front. Once notorious for wreckers who lured ships ashore with false beacons, it used to be known as "Wreck Sound."

Cape Eleuthera was once home to a chic resort and yacht club that drew some of the movers and shakers from America's East Coast, including Richard Nixon and his pal Bebe Rebozo; some of the top golfers in America played its Bruce Devlin-Bob van Haage 18-hole course, which winds its way along the water. They're gone now, but the splendid white sandy beaches -- three of them -- remain the same, and locals claim the deep-sea fishing is as fine as it ever was.

A "Hole" in the Ocean--The Ocean Hole, which is about 2km (1 1/4 miles) east of the heart of rock sound, is said to be bottomless. This saltwater lake that eventually meets the sea is one of the most attractive spots on Eleuthera. You can walk right down to the edge of the water. Many tropical fish can be seen here; they seem to like to be photographed -- but only if you feed them first.

Essentials--Rock Sound itself boasts a shopping center and a bank in addition to its airport, but not a lot else. Many residents who live in South Eleuthera come here to stock up on groceries and supplies.

Tarpum Bay
If you're looking for an affordable vacation on high-priced Eleuthera, head here. This charming waterfront village, some 15km (9 miles) north of Rock Sound, is good for fishing and has a number of simple, inexpensive guesthouses. This tiny settlement with its many pastel-washed, gingerbread-trimmed houses is a favorite of artists, who have established a small colony here with galleries and studios.

Gaulding's Cay, north of town, has a lovely beach with exceptional snorkeling.

Windermere Island
Windermere is a very tiny island,  It is midway between the settlements of Governor's Harbour and Rock Sound.

This island couldn't be more discreet. "We like to keep it quiet around here," one of the staff at the presently closed Windermere Island Club once told us. Regrettably, that wasn't always possible for this once-deluxe and snobbish citadel. When Prince Charles first took a pregnant Princess Diana here in the 1980s, she was photographed by paparazzi in her swimsuit. Much to the horror of the club, the picture gained worldwide notoriety.

Even without its posh hotel, Windermere Island is worth a day trip. Savannah Sound, with its sandy sheltered beaches and outstanding snorkeling, is particularly appealing. There are also excellent beaches for shelling and picnicking, and there is good bonefishing, with some catches more than 10 pounds.

West Beach, a good place for sunning and swimming, is about a 10-minute walk from the old Windermere Island Club. The beach is on Savannah Sound, the body of calm, protected water separating Windermere from the main island of Eleuthera.


Palmetto Point
On the east side of Queen's Highway, south of Governor's Harbour, North Palmetto Point is a little village where visitors rarely venture (although you can get a meal there). This laid-back town will suit you if you want peace and quiet off the beaten track.

Ten Bay Beach is one of the best beaches in The Bahamas, with its sparkling turquoise water and wide expanse of soft white sand. The beach lies a 10-minute drive south of Palmetto Point and just north of Savannah Sound.
Hatchet Bay
Forty kilometers (25 miles) north of Governor's Harbour, Hatchet Bay was once known for a sprawling British-owned plantation that had 500 head of dairy cattle and thousands of chickens. Today, that plantation is gone, and this is now one of the sleepiest villages on Eleuthera, as you can see if you veer off Queen's Highway onto one of the town's ghostly main streets, Lazy Shore Road or Ocean Drive.

The Current
The inhabitants of the Current, a settlement in North Eleuthera, are believed to have descended from a tribe of Native Americans. A narrow strait separates the village from Current Island, where most of the locals make their living from the sea or from plaiting straw goods.

This is a small community where the people often welcome visitors. There are no crowds and no artificial attractions. Everything focuses on the sea, a source of pleasure for the visiting tourists, but a way to sustain life for the local people.

From the Current, you can explore some interesting sights in North Eleuthera, including Preacher's Cave. The very devout Eleutherian Adventurers held religious services inside the cave, which is pierced by holes in the roof, allowing light to intrude. The cave is not far from the airport, in a northeasterly direction. Another sight is Boiling Hole, which is in a shallow bank that seems to boil at changing tides.

Spanish Wells
A short ferry ride from Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, aptly named, is where sailors came ashore from Spanish galleons to fill their casks with fresh water after long sea voyages. The people of his prosperous fishing village, renowned for their seamanship, have deep ancestral roots. They are direct descendants of the original Eleutheran adventurers and Loyalists. There is excellent fishing and diving available, even a sunken train wreck for those seeking the exotic. Called a "quiet corner of The Bahamas," Spanish Wells is a colorful cluster of houses on St. George's Cay, 1km ( 1/2-mile) off the coast of northwest Eleuthera. It is characterized by its sparkling bays and white beaches, sleepy lagoons, excellent diving, and fine fishing colony.

You can walk or bicycle through the village, looking at the houses, some more than 200 years old, which have New England saltbox styling but bright tropical coloring. You can see handmade quilts in many colors, following patterns handed down from generations of English ancestors. Homeowners display these quilts on their front porches or out their windows, and they are for sale. No one locks doors here or removes ignition keys from cars.

Harbour Island
On Harbour Island, off the north coast of Eleuthera, is Dunmore Town, the oldest and most charming settlement in The Bahamas complete with white picket fences and friendly residents. All of Harbour Island is rimmed by pink, sugar-sand beaches.  While you are here, visit the "Hill Steps," which were cut out by prisoners, with an underground tunnel leading from the cove to Rock House, a nearby resort. Also on Harbour Island is Titus Hole, a cave with an open mouth that overlooks the harbour and is said to be the first jail of Harbour Island