Things to Do in Eleuthera: A Comprehensive Guide
Eleuthera fans out over the Caribbean’s waters like a loose ribbon on a blue and turquoise quilt. A long skinny island, it measures over 100 miles in length, while never reaching more than a few miles in width.
The scenic island is one of over 700 land masses that make up the Bahamas Archipelago. Its serpentine shape conceals coves and windswept beaches that boast some of the most scenic attractions in all of the Caribbean.
ELEUTHERA ISLAND ATTRACTIONS
Though Eleuthera’s beaches are marvelous, the island contains a variety of tourist attractions that are perfect for thrill-seekers. From caves to sinkholes to natural soaking pools, Eleuthera’s must-see destinations make it one of the most scenic islands in North America.
Perhaps more than any other island I’ve yet experienced in the Caribbean, Eleuthera welcomes the adventurous spirit. It is rugged and remote and a far cry from the region’s typical manicured tourist hot spots. Reaching some of Eleuthera’s top attractions requires patience, a 4×4 vehicle, and a sense of adventure.
BEST ELEUTHERA BEACHES
Eleuthera has no shortage of beaches. And with over 165 sandy shores, finding a favorite is not always easy.
The skinny island lies at the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Bight of Eleuthera. On the west side of the island, the shoreline showcases a calm and shallow sea. Along Eleuthera’s eastern edge, coral pink sands meet cobalt waters and pounding surf.
Over the course of a week, Dan and I discovered many of Eleuthera’s top beaches
While our limited stay did not grant us the opportunity to set foot on each of the island’s idyllic waterside stretches, it allowed us plenty of time to explore the skinny ribbon of land from top to bottom.
FRENCH LEAVE BEACH
Eleuthera’s French Leave Beach owes its name to the old Club Med Resort that once stood on its shores. Its unspoiled pink sand extends out over a mile and is flanked by dense green shrubbery.
The beach is among the most popular with visitors because of its convenient location near Governor’s Harbour. It is home to Tippy’s—a waterside restaurant and bar that dishes up fantastic conch fritters and piña coladas.
Despite being one of the top places to see on Eleuthera, solitude-seekers will rejoice in the beach’s lonely stretches of windswept sand.
SURFER’S BEACH
Surfer’s Beach lies at the end of a narrow potholed road, on the island’s Atlantic side. It is located between the townships of Hatchet Bay and Gregory Town, in north-central Eleuthera. Thanks to gusty Southwest winds that blow breaks in from the Atlantic, it is one of the most renowned surfing areas in The Bahamas.
Dan and I didn’t get the opportunity to watch surfers during our visit to the wave-pounded beach. Yet I hear that the high season—between October and April—boasts some of the Caribbean’s best breaks.
GAULDING BEACH AND CAY
Gaulding Beach is a popular swimming spot located near Gregory Town, across the road from Daddy Joe’s Restaurant.
At low tide, the water is so shallow that one can practically walk to Gaulding Cay—a small islet with a hat of trees.
Though many pointed us toward Gaulding Cay for sea life, Dan and I didn’t have much success with snorkeling in the area.
TEN BAY BEACH
Ten Bay Beach showcases tranquil waters and soft golden sands. It is among the calmest swimming beaches on the island due to its location along the Bight of Eleuthera.
Large casuarina and palm trees line the shores of the beach—providing shade from the hot sun. The abundant shade and perfectly-spaced hammock trees make it a wonderful place to relax for the day.
Ten Bay Beach’s calm protected water is warm and gentle. During low tide, I was able to walk out quite far before the water reached my knees.
WINDING BAY
Winding Bay is a wonderful four-kilometer beach offering secluded views and pristine sand. Its shoreline consists of two semicircular beaches that are largely flanked by natural vegetation. A line of trees separates the beach from the road.
Due to algae and sharp rocks, Winding Bay is poorly suitable for snorkeling.
But nevertheless, Dan and I saw a shark and stingray swimming through the area’s shallow water.
LIGHTHOUSE BEACH
Visiting Lighthouse Beach is, without a doubt, the top thing to do on Eleuthera. This hidden gem teeters at the southernmost point of the island, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean. Its luxurious pink sands rival the world-renowned expanse on nearby Harbour Island.
Lighthouse Beach lies nestled in the bosom of a massive rock structure, behind a thicket of forest and dunes.
Reaching Lighthouse Beach requires a 4×4 vehicle and the ability to negotiate massive potholes. It is not for those who desire amenities and easy access.
Unfortunately, the best beach in Eleuthera is not slated to remain unspoiled for long. Disney Cruises bought up the large tract of land and is in the process of surveying the area for development.
Soon, Lighthouse Beach will be a cruise ship port that rests at odds with the island’s rugged and untamed nature. It will no longer be a quiet stretch of paradise for lovers of wild and off-the-beaten-path locales.
I’m grateful that I visited Lighthouse Beach when I did. For now at least, the beach is proof that, sometimes, the roughest journeys reap the best rewards.
OTHER THINGS TO DO ON ELEUTHERA
It’s true. Eleuthera’s beaches are magic.
But there are other things to do on Eleuthera that don’t involve sand and sea.
The ribbon-like island is covered in a dense carpet of forest that conceals jewel-like sinkholes and maze-like caves. During our visit to Eleuthera, Dan and I relished many of the area’s unique geological offerings.
EXPLORE PREACHER’S CAVE
Preacher’s Cave is both a historical and geological landmark. Its recorded human history dates back to the 1600s, when a group of English Puritans—known as the Eleutheran Adventurers—sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom. After shipwrecking on a reef called Devil’s Backbone, they found refuge in Preacher’s Cave.
As well as being a safe haven, the cavern transformed into a house of worship. The adventurers conducted the island’s first religious service from an alter-shaped rock at the far end of the cave (hence, the landmark’s name).
Today, many descendants of the Eleutheran Adventurers reside in Spanish Wells.
A delightful sandy beach lies across the parking area from Preacher’s Cave. The beach hides behind a thicket of greenery that contains some picnic tables and benches.
JUMP INTO THE SAPPHIRE BLUE HOLE
Eleuthera’s sapphire-colored sinkhole is located on the Northern part of the island, within walking distance of Preacher’s Cave. It lies nestled amongst a tapestry of verdant trees, like a sapphire jewel in an emerald ocean.
The Blue Hole is the most renowned of Eleuthera’s many sinkholes. It is a popular spot for swimming, photography, and cliff jumping.
A platform along the edge of the sinkhole entices adventure-seekers to dive into the salty inland lake.
ADMIRE THE GLASS WINDOW
The Glass window is Eleuthera’s most defining feature. A narrow strip of land and road that connects Gregory Town and Lower Bogue, the window measures just 30 feet wide at its narrowest point.
While one can witness the area’s amazing colors from behind the wheel of a moving car, it is worth pulling to the roadside to admire the view. The eastern side of the narrow highway showcases the indigo waters of the Atlantic Ocean, while the western side reveals the Bight of Eleuthera’s calm turquoise waters.
To make the most of the area’s beauty, Dan and I hiked around the sharp rocks and peered over the sheer cliffs.
The varied ocean shades were mesmerizing.
VISIT THE QUEEN’S BATHS
The Queen’s Baths are a collection of natural pools that border the rugged Atlantic side of Eleuthera. They lie just south of the Glass Window Bridge, amidst a rugged area of sharp rock outcroppings.
Over the years, the Queen’s Baths tidal pools formed thanks to continual erosion of rocks from the crashing Atlantic waves. Ocean waves pour over the lip of the pools during high tide and fill the tubs with water. Once settled, the sun warms the crystal clear water, creating a bath-like temperature that is perfect for soaking.
Beware of stepping on the urchins and sea snails that blanket the walls and floor of the hot tubs.
While the Queen’s Baths are a major Eleuthera highlight, the area can only be visited safely during low tide. At high tide, the pools often fill up quickly and forcefully.
EXPLORE CATHEDRAL CAVE
Cathedral Cave—also commonly known as Spider Rock Cave because of the thick webs that cling to its walls— is an underground cavern near Rock Sound. The unassuming cavern is straight out of Indiana Jones. Tree roots force their way through cracks in the cave ceiling and giant palm-sized spiders create webs that drip from the rock walls like melted ice cream.
Though Cathedral Cave is a known landmark on Google Maps, it can be difficult to find. The best access point is via a small path across from the white Anglican Church on Sherman’s Highway. The trail to the cave passes by Boiling Hole—an attraction with similar geology to the Sapphire Blue Hole and Ocean Hole.
WHERE TO STAY ON ELEUTHERA
Though we split our time between Gregory Town and Rock Sound, most hotels and resorts in Eleuthera cluster near Governor’s Harbour. The island’s accommodation options range from basic beachside cottages to opulent resorts.
Admittedly, we didn’t stay in an established hotel while on Eleuthera. But from my research, I gathered that the island’s most highly-rated places include La Bougainvillea, Mika’s Resort, and the spendy yet luxurious French Leave Resort.
Dan and I chose to rent Airbnbs for the duration of our Eleuthera vacation. Airbnb provides a wide range of lodging options on the island.
BEST PLACES TO EAT ON ELEUTHERA
There is little respite from high prices on Eleuthera. And food is no exception. It was difficult for Dan and I to adjust to the inflated costs of everything from groceries to sit-down meals.
While on the island, we hoped to save some money by stocking up on ingredients at a grocery store. But we found the prices to be so exorbitant that we left empty-handed.
In order to cut back on costs, we enjoyed fruit and fresh baked bread from the Eleuthera Farm and tasty lunch wraps at Louis Delights (a popular local joint). Our favorite place to eat on Eleuthera was the reasonably priced and delicious Snack Shack in Gregory Town.
After 4pm, Eleuthera’s cheaper options all but disappeared and we had no option but to splurge. Our favorite places to eat dinner included Daddy Joe’s in Gregory Town and Wild Orchid’s Restaurant in Rock Sound.
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Eleuthera is an off-the-beaten-path destination with no shortage of notable places to see. Its plethora of sandy beaches and hidden treasures are among the region’s most enticing.
Yet somehow, despite boasting some of the best beaches in the Bahamas, the skinny island remains wild and untamed. It is a perfect reminder that the Caribbean is about more than all-inclusive resorts and overdeveloped beachfronts.
At least for now.
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