'''Eleuthera''' is an island in Bahamas.
Get in
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 [http://www.continental.com/] flies into ELH from Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA).
Twin Air [http://www.flytwinair.com/] flies from Ft. Lauderdale into all 3 airports on Eleuthera. You can fly from Nassau to Eleuthera on Southern Air [http://www.southernaircharter.com/] or Bahamas Air [http://www.bahamasair.com/]; the flight is less than 30 minutes. Another option is the Bahamas Ferries [http://www.bahamasferries.com/]. 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.
Get around
Eleuthera has no public transport system. There are taxis and car rentals. It's generally best to rent a car to explore Eleuthera. Hitchhiking is popular and locals are generally helpful and friendly. Bicycling is increasingly popular, but see notes below.
Eleuthera is 110 miles long, and delightful to explore. Be prepared: Eleuthera's gas prices are $1-2 higher than the U.S. Car rental costs are based on a per day basis and never involve extra fees. In most 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.
'''Bicycling:''' Eleuthera with its rolling hills (and three killers around Gregory Town) is the most challenging island of the Bahamas. The main road, Queen's Highway, the only option for road bikes) should not be ridden by beginners. For more casual riders, mountain bikes are fine; a hybrid is an ideal compromise. There are no bike shops and serious riders usually bring their own, but several resorts and individuals rent mountain bikes or hybrids. Refer to other pages on Eleuthera for details.
Bicycling is a growing sport and Eleuthera hosts the Cancer Society "Ride for Life," with 50-75-100 mile competitions, every April. The Queen's Highway is well paved (watch out for road repairs north of Governor's Harbour airport). Drivers are generally courteous, giving bikes a wide berth, but use a rearview mirror and wear a helmet. The greater danger lies ahead: cars pulling out to pass who may not see you coming at them. Be alert when you see an oncoming car closely following another. Another problem: being chased local dogs ("pot-cakes"). Lately there haven't been many, but be on the lookout south of Tarpum Bay and around Gregory Town.
See
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.
Do
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!
Buy
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 [http://islandfarmeleuthera.com/] 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.
Eat
'''Dolcevita Restaurant''' [http://dolcevitabahamas.com], 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.
Drink
'''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.
Sleep
On Eleuthera there are only about 3 hotels on the waterfront even though the island is 100 miles long. Many foreigners rent their homes.
Blueskies Cottage. lueskies cottage. anorama Rd - Rainbow Bay. ttp://www.blueskiescottage.com. Blueskies is a brand new vacation cottage. It sleeps 4 persons and it is conveniently located as Rainbow Bay Beach, one of Eleuthera_fs beautiful beaches, and miles of other empty beaches are only minutes away from the BlueSkies cottage. Email info@blueskiescottage.com for more info.
'''The Rainbow Inn''' [http://rainbowinn.com/], P.O. Box EL25053, Governor's Harbour, 242-335-0294, vacation@rainbowinn.com, located on Queen's Highway south of Hatchet Bay.
'''Quality Inn Cigatoo'''* [http://www.qualityinn.com/ires/en-US/html/HotelInfo?hotel=BS009], Haynes Avenue PO Box 86 , Governors Harbour, (242) 332-3060, The beautiful pink Bahamas beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea are all within walking distance of this Governors Harbour hotel.
Get out