Eleuthera in The Bahamas...
What's So Special About It?
How is Eleuthera different from other islands in the Bahamas or the Caribbean? It's simply this... An island only developed to a degree. It has the most beautiful beaches but they are not crowded. Far from it! Yet you will find restaurants, stores, gas stations and banks but little entertainment with the exception of the Fish Fry in Governor's Harbour and Jam sessions at Elvina's in Gregory Town. There are only a few hotels but many rental villas. It's an island with a moderate subtropical climate to relax, recover from stress and get away from the hectic world. And do take a look at the climate, air and water temperatures we have collected over the years.
Where Is Eleuthera?
View photos and stories from visitors to Eleuthera and to this Web site.Other less developed Out-Islands in the Bahamas - like Andros, Cat Island, Great Exuma and Long Island - are lacking in infrastructure and are not offering as many rental villas. See below how spectacular the waters around Eleuthera really are. The turquoise colors are indicating that the sea is shallow. That's why the old Spanish conquerors called it *Baya Mar* meaning shallow sea. And this term later was pronounced Bahamas. Notice that the lighter the color the shallower the sea is.
And did you know that it's only an hour by air from Florida, meaning Miami or Fort Lauderdale? So, your Bahamas Out-Island vacation is only a short distance away! A heaven of peace and tranquility is awaiting you. Particularly if you are a couple, a family of snorkelers and anglers. Here's the reason...
The Most Pristine Pink Sand Beaches
Here are a few beaches, just to give you a first impression.
And here's an example of an Atlantic side beach... Wykee Estates, 3 miles north of Governor's Harbour in the center of the island. The
number of beaches
on Eleuthera is truly impressive. You'll be getting both... the beauty of the beaches and the beauty of the underwater world if you're a snorkeler or diver.
How to Find Accommodation
Rental places for your beach vacation in Eleuthera abound. Why?... Because many foreigners - mainly from the US - are renting out their homes or guest cottages. Try this... Put the two search words eleuthera rental into Google and you'll find a wide choice of rental homes. None of the beaches are crowded. In fact, you will exclaim "there is some one on OUR beach" when you squint and look real hard. ========== SIDEBAR ==========We know Judy who is very familiar with this and other islands of The Bahamas. Judy in Florida knows most
Bahamas Beach House Rentals inside out. Click here to view good photos and contact Judy directly.
She will find an ideal rental anywhere in the Bahamas for you. ======= END OF SIDEBAR =======
Hotels?
Hard to believe but there are only two hotels directly on the water. The one in the North near Gregory Town is the newly renovated Cove.In the central area of the island there's just one hotel directly on the water. It's name?...
The Unique Village
in North Palmetto Point. That's the Atlantic side with all the fine pink sand beaches.
So you can "fly" over the island and view the most important places of interest. This is amazing. Try it!...- To zoom in, click on the plus arrow [+] on the satellite map below.
- Click the minus arrow [-] to zoom out.
- Drag the map by holding down the left mouse button.
- For placemark captions click on View Larger Map on lower left side...
- Then click on the Governor's Harbour & Palmetto Point link.
- Clicking on any yellow placemark will show links to photos of beaches, restaurants, settlements and the three airports on the island.
View Larger Map
Friendly Island People
Eleuthera island is about 100 miles long and a quarter mile to four miles wide. Its population is only about 9'000. And Eleutherans - the English-speaking natives are very friendly. Let me give you a personal example...When we first arrived at Governor's Harbour airport, we were driven to the settlement Governor's Harbour, 9 miles south of the airport GHB. And what did we see?... An almost straight road across gently rolling hills looking like a roller coaster and... Bush, bush, nothing but bush on either side. Lots of breathing space and a great sense of freedom! Well, Eleuthera is a Greek word and it does mean freedom. As we entered the small town of Governor's Harbour, the locals waved at us. *You must be a very popular person*, I said to the driver. *Oh, no, this is just the way people are here* she told me. And so it is still today when we're driving to town.
What Can You Expect?
Crystal clear turquoise waters, awe-inspiring pink sand beaches -
here's just another beautiful example
- and pure air. Absolutely no pollution. And little traffic which by the way is left-hand traffic just like in England. The Bahamas after all were a British colony until 1973. That's why the children usually still greet me with a friendly *Good afternoon, sir*.
Grocery Stores
Here is friendly Normalie with her always smiling Haitian helper Kevin in Sands grocery store in Palmetto Point, 3 miles south of Governor's Harbour.
In the center of the island - between Governor's Harbour and Palmetto Point - there are a few grocery and liquor stores with quite a good selection.
Do visit them on our shopping tour.
They don't exactly compare to what you're used to in the US. Well, maybe with this one exception... Rock Sound, in the South. There you'll find the largest grocery store on the island, THE MARKET PLACE. It usually has a good choice of fruits and vegetables.
What To Bring
Most repeat visitors to this island bring frozen meat. Don't pack any vegetables though or fruit because customs will confiscate them.And don't forget your prescription medicine. There are no pharmacies on this island.
For answers to frequently asked questions about "our" island, click here.
Restaurants
You will find over 25 restaurants
but of course not as many as in really touristy places. Bahamian cuisine, Italian or Chinese... yes, you'll find them all here.
Eleuthera Is Developing At A Faster Pace
There's even a new gym in Palmetto Point, Central Eleuthera. And since The New York Times published articles about Eleuthera in the Winter of 2005/2006, a couple of resorts started going up. They're still under construction - Winter 2007/2008 - but will start operating in the Winter of 2008/2009.These new real estate developments don't bother us Winter residents though, because most of them will be classy five star resorts. Nothing to do with mass tourism. Believe me the essence of Eleuthera in the Bahamas is this... Spectacular beaches, tranquility and a good choice of rental homes to really enjoy your privacy.
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