Eleuthera - One of Bahama's Best

Of the many islands in the Bahamas I have traveled to, Eleuthera is the skinniest, and one of the best. Measuring over one hundred miles long and three miles wide, Eleuthera offers a rare combination of charm, ruggedness and beauty. In an hour's flight from Florida's coastline, you can view the rich blue color of the Atlantic ocean from elevated cliffs, go shelling in the rich turquoise waters or spelunk caves and photograph multi hued stalactites.

The Island of Eleuthera has an abundance of soft white and pink sand beaches that are simply stunning. Fiction, this is not. These are closely matched to the infamous pink sand beaches found on nearby Harbour Island; a ten minute water taxi ride from the north end of Eleuthera. In previous years, these fine beaches were the domain for the now defunct Club Med which was devoured by hurricane Floyd in '99, the remnants of which can still be seen not far from Governor's Harbour. And while the Club is no longer there, their beach is and is still as gorgeous as ever. What's better is the fact there are so few people that lurk the beaches of Eleuthera.

The charm of Eleuthera is unlike most of the Bahamas islands I’ve seen. Eleuthera is fairly underdeveloped and very non-commercial. There is a feeling of time travel as you tour the island. Preacher's Cave is probably the most historical place to visit, located on the northern shores of Eleuthera. The cave was once home to Captain William Sayles and his fellow Puritans who found shelter there after their unfortunate shipwreck at Devil's Backbone. In front of the cave sits a large rock with a placard with the inscription "William Sayle ship wrecked at Devil's Backbone found refuge here. Sermons held 100 years." The sense of the adventurers' ghosts is palatable when first entering the cave. The surrounding area and the cave are now part of a historical park.

In many of the towns on Eleuthera, towns like Current Settlement, Governor's Harbour, and Tarpum Bay, you see the impact the ocean environment and previous hurricanes have had on these historical buildings and homes. In some instances, it's akin to walking down an old Western town street except the construct is stone and sand outlined by ocean water. There are some modern facilities, but take nothing away from the overall atmosphere. Kentucky Fried is not being served on Eleuthera.

Progressing from Eleuthera’s pink powder sand beaches and sleepy little Bahamian settlements, we explore the cliffs of Eleuthera and discover a new phrase: "rogue waves." Try to imagine being perched on a sheer cliff, nearly a hundred feet above the ocean, watching the dark blue waters below slamming onto the cliff's rock face. You think you are safely removed from the ocean's thrashing until a rogue wave suddenly hits the cliff and jumps well over your head leaving behind hundreds of gallons of sea water on you and your camera. You scream "What was that?" Because there are no reefs to break the waves coming to the cliffs, certain waves will break at a perfect angle resulting in a water show even the Bellagio can not duplicate.

My wife and I prefer renting vacation homes or villas while visiting an island like Eleuthera. You can find a nice variety of vacation rentals on Eleuthera. Some of these rentals are quite luxurious while others can be simple and very affordable. Many villa and house rentals can be rented from property owners directly. Quite a few of these property owners have independent websites for their rental properties. Ask for photos of the inside, outside and surroundings when searching for an ideal rental home. Found out where the property is located and locate it on a map so you can determine its proximity to restaurants, stores, and most importantly, the beaches. You may also want to ask for a detailed description of the property and its amenities. And be certain to inquire about refund and deposit policies!

Eleuthera is perfect for the usual island activities: diving, surfing, fishing, etc. Even better is lounging in a chair under an umbrella and swigging a cold Kalik beer. Now this is Eleuthera.

Visit Eleuthera website for more photos and information.

©2009 Perry Joseph