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TravelTips24 : North America : Caribbean : Bahamas : Eleuthera

Eleuthera

Eleuthera is an island in Bahamas.

Travel to Eleuthera & Visa Requirements

Eleuthera has 3 airports: North Eleuthera (ELH), Governors Harbour (GBH), and Rock Sound (RSD). All airports are small, open-air and convenient. ELH and GBH have onsite bars and ELH has an onsite restaurant.

ELH has the most flights arriving and departing. ELH is a short taxi ride and water taxi ride to Harbour Island. Most car rental places on the island will gladly pick you up at ELH and drive to another town on the island. ELH is 15 to 20 minutes north of Gregory Town.

GBH is the centrally-located island, located just south of the town of James Cistern and a 10 to 15 minute drive to Governor's Harbour, the largest town on Eleuthera.

Continental [1] flies into ELH from Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA). Twin Air [2] flies from Ft. Lauderdale into all 3 airports on Eleuthera. You can fly from Nassau to Eleuthera on Southern Air [3] or Bahamas Air [4]; the flight is less than 30 minutes. Another option is the Bahamas Ferries [5]. The ferry docks on Eleuthera at Governor's Harbour, Spanish Wells and neighboring Harbour Island. To get to and from Eleuthera and Harbour Island or Spanish Wells, you take a water taxi and a cab ride to reach your destination.

Regions

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.

Tours & Getting around Eleuthera

Eleuthera has no public transport system. There are taxis and car rentals. It's generally best to rent a car to explore Eleuthera. It's not ideal for bicycling along the highway. Hitchhiking is popular and locals are generally helpful and friendly.

Eleuthera island is 100 miles long, and delightful to explore. Be prepared: Eleuthera's gas prices can be twice those of the U.S. Car rental costs are based on a per day basis and never involve extra fees. In many cases, you don't sign papers. No car rental chain companies exist on Eleuthera -- you rent from locals who may keep a fleet of rental cars in their yards. Some entrepreneurs combine their car rental companies with a gas station or with a taxi company. As you drive around (on the LEFT-HAND side of the road), you will need a good map or good local knowledge.

Do not try to bike or jog down the main road. Eleuthera has one main road, Queen's Highway. Queen's Highway is in a constant state of repair. You will find minimal traffic here and no bike paths. Cars speed across curves and are not ready to find a biker around the bend. Side roads in some of the towns are better for biking. Hitchhiking is okay here -- you can hitch or pick up hitchers with no penalties.

Eleuthera attractions and sightseeing

  • The Current Cut in North Eleuthera.
  • The beaches - the main attractions of Eleuthera.
  • The Glass Window Bridge connecting North-Eleuthera with the rest of the island,
  • The big Ocean Hole in Rock Sound, South Eleuthera.

Eleuthera city tours

The best activities are...

1. Surfing near Gregory Town in North-Central Eleuthera.

2. Swim, snorkel or dive the tidal current. Thrilling!

3. Fishing is one of the biggest sport in Eleuthera.

4. Explore the Hatchet Bay cave... bring a flashlight!

Eleuthera souvenirs & shopping

Eleuthera is really not an island for shopping. There's a nice souvenir shop in Gregory Town - The Island Made Gift Shop. Another place that sells souvenirs along with local fruits, vegetables and homemade bread is Island Farm [6] located just south of Palmetto Point crossroads. Island Farm also offers free wi-fi service on the premises. Most of the larger towns have a few shops or more.

Eleuthera Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

  • Dolcevita Restaurant [7], RunAway Bay Marina, South Palmetto Point, one mile south of Palmetto Point crossroads, 242-332-0220, info(at)dolcevitabahamas.com, 5:30 pm till 10 pm / closed Wednesdays. Quality seasonal dishes using organic products combined with one of the nicest wine selections on the island.

Eleuthera nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

  • Tippy's, on a very nice pink sand beach between Governor's Harbour and Palmetto Point.
  • Dolcevita, just south of Palmetto Point, nice bar and deck for watching beautiful sunsets over Exuma Sound.
  • 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.

Eleuthera cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels & lodging

On Eleuthera there are only about 3 hotels on the waterfront even though the island is 100 miles long. Many foreigners rent their homes.

  • The Rainbow Inn [8], P.O. Box EL25053, Governor's Harbour, 242-335-0294, vacation@rainbowinn.com, located on Queen's Highway south of Hatchet Bay.

Get out

This page was last edited at 07:58, on 13 November 2008 by Wikitravel user Bluewater. Based on work by Hilary and Jessica Howington, Wikitravel user(s) Jonboy and Airin, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others.

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