I too reside in the metroplex but looking forward to some R&R and the slower pace of the island life. GETTING HERE AND AROUND | Official Eleuthera Harbour Island Dinsey has improved the road, but you can no longer drive all the way to the point. Getting Around Bahamas Were planning our first trip to Eleuthera next May, and Im cramming for the trip like first-year algebra. Thats $120 a day, however, were only eating out half the time so well cut it down to an average of $60 per day over the course of a one week trip. Do you have any advice for me in terms of where I should stay there? We initially wanted to stay on this charming little island, but hotels were booked to the brim by the time we booked (not surprising since we booked like 2 days before, and it's a tiny island - 3 miles long by 0.5 miles long). Your email address will not be published. Bahamas Ferries starts at roughly $92.95 for a one-way ferry ride to destinations such as Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos and Andros. Lighthouse Beach Drone Tour - Eleuthera, Bahamas - YouTube Eleuthera Travel Guide Others have had luck a bit further south near Tarpum Bay. Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells are very casual islands. Copyright 2020 - The Beach Book, LLC. Ask LP: will I be able to go somewhere warm for a winter vacation? I am inquiring about the person you rent vehicles through! Is it really calmer seas on the Caribbean side? If you want Eleuthera t-shirts and souvenirs, or find yourself needing new sandals or swimwear on your trip, this is the place to go! Bahama Hand Prints, which is quickly becoming an iconic brand in the Bahamas, has three locations. Definitely worth a visit when youre in town and eager for a caffeine boost! Bobbi, Great article thanks , Im looking to move to eleuthera permanently for a more peaceful life, keep up the good work . Besides which many of the folks who rent cars ask you to sign to say you wont attempt to take their cars down there. We even rented a car in the midst of Eleuthera to head back North for a day on Harbour Island and got a sneak peak at some of the beaches in Southern Eleuthera. Make sure to bring plenty of suntan lotion. The Cove is located in North Eleuthera near Gregory Town. Lets meet more towards the middle, but stay on the low side because it wont be often that we have four premium drinks at an expensive restaurant each day. Lacey is an artist, marketer, photographer, foodie and beach connoisseur who likes to "think deeply" from time to time. I will make sure they read this first. This is an option at some rentals. Travel between the islands of the Bahamas is best done by plane. If you need any further information, dont hesitate to reach out to me on Instagram (@travelwithlace). Finally, if you are already there and forgot these things, then try to find a breeze when outdoors and use air conditioning when indoors. The Harbourside Rental and Gift Shop near the water taxi dock rents out buggies for $40 per day. Love love love your blog!!! Learn More. The boat ride takes roughly 10 minutes from North Eleuthera, and an hour from south Eleuthera to Harbour Island. Getting Around. How to reach Eleuthera. Do you have recommendations for exploring (and staying on) the southern part of the island. Like GHB, its easiest to get to by connecting in Nassau first, then taking Bahamas Air or Pineapple Air across. Picking up coffee from a proper coffee shop is something I love to do at home. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-58417319', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rent a car for the whole time. Others have had luck a bit further south near Tarpum Bay. beaches, eats, Travel I think an AirBnB would be great for your family. Note there areno sailings days, so its best to book a ticket in advance and review the schedule to avoid any last-minute complications. Lacy, as an Eleutheran living in Georgia I was excited to read your article and how you highlighted the local businesses. GETTING AROUND | Official Eleuthera Harbour Island When youre driving into town from the North, you cant miss seeing their whimsical sign. Learn More Things To Do Sink Your Toes In The Sand Getting here; Move around; Where to stay; Things to do; Normas is THE gift shop in Eleuthera. Golf carts are ubiquitous in Spanish Wells and are a favorite way of getting around. Save. You can easily traverse all the settlements -- really hamlets, in most cases -- on foot. However, Lighthouse Beach is not just any beach. My husband even said they had the best conch fritters of any place we visited. Hi lacy. Ok, now that is a tad dramatic, but it's precisely how I felt. As with most places, its important to keep your doors and windows locked at night and avoid leaving valuables unattended. If you are trying to get anywhere on a schedule then you will need to make a reservation. If you stay in central Eleuthera (where the beaches I mentioned are) I recommend going doing a boat charter with Fishbone Tours (linked above in my blog post). Boats, ferries and water taxis are all fun ways to adventure around the Bahamas. Other water services, mainly through Bahamas Ferries, offer a wide variety of inter-island services from Grand Bahama Island, the Abacos, Andros, the Exumasand Long Island. I will continue to tune in for your insight. While groceries are generally expensive on any tropical island, you can find things to purchase that wont break the bank. The buses don't run in the Out Islands, and it's best to use exact change. If your luggage weighs more than 30 lbs then youve probably packed too much. It will be anywhere from 1-2 miles from your rental to the highway. There are flights between North Eleuthera Airport and the other two airports and between Rock Sound and Governor's Harbour as well. Da Perk (best name ever, right?) This short article about North America can be made longer. As such, we advise you to select the airport on Eleuthera that's the closest, within reason, to wherever you'll be staying. I am headed to Eleuthera in December (next month) and our travel agent has not done this yet, so I have been using your guide to find one (along with a few other things). Driving in the Bahamas, especially in Nassau, is filled with one-way streets, narrow roadsand heavy traffic. Boats and ferries have scheduled rides throughout the day. Its been on my bucket list to go there for a while now:) Can you please give me Sues info for the car rentals? La Bougainvillea far exceeded my expectations. In a word, YES, it is worth it to go visit Lighthouse Beach, but, first, lets talk about why some folks choose not to go there. 4 Best Eleuthera Travel Tips You Need to Know Next time, we may even consider staying in their gorgeous hotel. It is 50 miles (80 km) east of Nassau. If youre planning to go to Eleuthera in 2022, please know that the restrictions for tourists entering the Bahamas are ever-changing. Eleuthera. Theyre not cheap, and they have limited quantities, but having unlimited internet access while youre in the backwoods of the island trying to find some unmarked beach is extremely reassuring. Please avoid climbing on the rocks and DO NOT drive across when the water is high/rough. You are going to want to budget between $100 to $200 per day per person with my recommended budget being $150. Nomie. Visit our blog at https://www.eleutheradirect.com/blogThe beautiful island of Eleuthera, Bahamas is known for it's beautiful beaches, but Lighthouse Beach ma. The easiest and most common way to reach Eleuthera is aboard a plane. Fortunately, most activities on Eleuthera, such as beaching or visiting the attractions, are free! You need a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Hi Keely, so glad to hear that my guide has been helpful to you! The maps do expire every few days, so be sure to download your map when you arrive (versus days in advance). For accommodations, anything in the Governors Harbour area would be reasonably close. We are leaving Nassau in a couple of hours and flying to Eleuthera for a couple of days. Or, if you find yourself in the East Texas areas of Rockwall, Greenville or Royse city, please feel free to join us at our ministry coffee shop in lone Oak Texas which is called sacred grounds (101 Katy St). Average Costs; What to Pack; Best Beaches in Eleuthera; Top Things to Do; Where to Stay. The Jitney Bus costs anywhere between $1.25 and $3.50 for a one-way ticket and will take travelers from one side of the island to the other. I believe we paid $20 per lb last August. From Eleuthera, a much cheaper option isa water taxi to Harbor Island, which you can take for only $5 and pay upon arrival. Sounds like you frequent the island. There are many beaches listed on TripAdvisor, but I highly recommend buying The Beach Book: Eleuthera (which goes out of print often, so prices range between $49 and $130) and The Elusive Beaches of Eleuthera book. An affordable and widely used option for getting around the Bahamasis taking the Jitney Bus. The food, the drinks, the amenities if you're staying in a resort in the Bahamas, it's likely you won't want to leave once you land. Plus, you absolutely cannot beat the beach-front views their restaurant offers. You can search just about anything with one or two key words. Im so happy to hear my guide was useful to you. American Airlines (from Miami) and Delta (from Atlanta) fly daily into Eleuthera. I love when you have written, I will continue to read more. Hi Lacey! If you are one of us, read on. . Here are the places on my "next time" wish list: Or if anyone knows how I can rent one of these beauties, I would be more than open to that too. Other types of insect repellent can be effective, but sprays with DEET are a sure thing. From the Glass Window Bridge to Governor's Harbour is 27 miles, and from there to Cape Eleuthera is 31 miles. Beginner's Guide to Eleuthera, The Bahamas - Lace Daily We typical do not stay at resorts but are more AirBnB people. 4. Simply yell "stop" when you're ready to hop off. Eleuthera is over 100 miles long, so youll need a capable SUV! 4. Plus, it has the best beach of the three. Grab a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? While some may choose to walk its grid-like streets, most travelers opt for a golf cart rental. Eleuthera Travel Tip #1: What should you pack? During the day youre not going to be dressed in more than that and most likely youll be in a bathing suit most of the time. Really? " Will you be engaging in activities that require equipment rentals such as kayaking, paddle boarding or scuba? We were thinking of just renting a car for a few days to go exploring. Our site uses cookies. Or basically same experience at a very nice beach hotel and a lot less expensive? It was a wonderful way to spend the day. What an informative article on this mazing island! 6 bucket list destinations at risk of disappearing due to climate change, The Bahamas urges tourists to visit areas unaffected by Dorian, 8 Caribbean destinations where couples can find romance, These are the 12 best beaches in the Caribbean, The 8 best places to visit in the Caribbean, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Here are the standard airlines that will take you to ELH: You can also take Silver Airways, Pineapple Air and Bahamas Air to GHB from Nassau. You can find a limited selection of most items, including sunscreen, cereals, bread, frozen pizzas, meat and produce. Here are some of the sites we may lose, and what you can do about it. It sits high above the ocean, with the Caribbean Sea (Exuma Sound) on one side and the deep blue Atlantic on the other. Read our Privacy Policy. Definitely one of those dream days you think of in the depth of winter. Thanks for stopping by my corner of the internet. Usually, the WiFi at rentals is solid (as long as the power doesnt go out, which happens occassionally) but I definitely recommend bringing a back-up connection for work and to carry with you when visiting remote beaches, just in case you need to access Google maps or reach out to someone in case of emergency. It's just amazing, because anywhere else in the world - there would be restaurants, numerous hotels, shops, etc - but here it seemed like you had the gorgeous turquoise water and pink coastlines to yourself to share with the amazing locals. How to Get to Eleuthera | 10Best If you only want to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Hi Bobbi, thanks for your question. (Click Here for a short video tour of Lighthouse Beach.). The Caribbean side is usually prettier. If you're on a tight schedule, this might not be a great option the buses don'trun on a strict schedule. So thank you! (e.g., dont get careless and leave your beach bag yards from wherever youre swimming.). I personally use a spray called Bens with either 80% or 100% DEET to increase the duration of protection. Car Rentals - Official Harbour Island Guide One of my favorite answers Ive seen is Eleuthera is safer than wherever youre coming from. And, its true! Ill assume that most visitors will do a mix of all of these choices. A more valuable, less invasive way where travelers and homeowners, by working directly with each other, can both better match their needs. I wanted to stay right on the pink sand beaches is that possible? While there is some crime in Eleuthera, its 99% petty theft. It will make enough of an impression that I bet youll remember it and the experience for the rest of your life!! There are taxis and car rentals. The restaurant offers thoughtful (and somewhat expensive) menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you need more help for doing research (not sure how much you have done) please ask after searching, we are more tan willing to help after that. We will be there for 11 days and are really hesitant to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There are lots of concoctions that have been offered on how to deal with them. Water Taxi is the way of choice and is just a short ride from the North Eleuthera airport. Most of the people who claim otherwise are probably vitamin B salespeople! Official Eleuthera Harbour Island. I have been more than 1/2 a dozen times and wouldn't even consider it. Best Places to Go in 2020. Thanks for putting this together. Sip, SipThe LandingQueen ConchRock HouseThe DunmoreArthur's Bakery. The waters around Eleuthera & Harbour Island boast more wrecks than any other island in The Bahamas, healthy coral reefs and walls, and a drift dive site at Current Cut. Its not far from the North Eleuthera Airport and would be a great place to stay for people interested in being near Harbour Island and Spanish Wells for day trips. Eleuthera, located 50 miles east of Nassau. When I go visit the swimming pigs or reef fishing in the Eleuthera area, I always go with Spanish Wells Fishing. Great location! Ill send you an email with Suzannes email address so you can book your rental car. 4. Hi Denee, thanks for your question! Eleuthera. So I'll be filing it away for sure. Eleuthera Travel Tip #3: How much money should you bring? GHB is the airport near Governors Harbour, which is more convenient if you intend to stay in Governors Harbour or south Eleuthera. Getting around Eleuthera, it's around 12 miles from Spanish Wells to Harbour Island, and around 24 miles to the Glass Window Bridge. With a length of 110 miles and an average width of only 7 miles, Eleuthera's unique geography makes it the perfect place for a weekend road trip. If you want peas and rice, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, and fried goodness, this is the place!Be sure to stop into their gift shop for an Its Better in The Bahamas t-shirt and a scoop of fresh coconut ice cream, too. Its that good! The Bahamas is made up of 700 islands. Untouched by commercialization, Eleuthera's handful of towns . I was wondering if you have any advice about the internet in Eleuthera? Their lobster is the best Ive had in all of the Bahamas (and Ive had my fair share of spiny lobsters). Notify me of follow-up comments by email. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-58437162', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car. We are flying into Governor's Harbour and are renting a house in Double Bay. Are there carts for rent? No-see-ums go dormant in cooler conditions and when there is a breeze they have a much harder time to land and bite. Its very rarely too windy to enjoy the Atlantic side, in my experience. We are traveling to Eleuthera in July 2022. Gallery Learn more about how we are making your safety our priority Let's Go . Enjoy your trip. Beautiful Airbnb: Escape to Serenity Private Retreat; Gorgeous Hotels and Resorts; Book a Massage Breaking Down Eleuthera into 3 Main Areas However, this spot much like Glass Window Bridge can be quite dangerous if you visit when the tide is higher, or the water is rough. You can find Bahamian red and green mangoes, passion fruit, quinep, soursop and more. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. The beautiful Caribbean has countless places where couples can discover romance. With little traffic on the island, walking is an enjoyable experience here. Bahamians tend to drive fast. Otherwise, check into La Bougainvillea Its amazing! Word has it even the vehicles labeled 4X4 arent because the 4X4 systems are too difficult to maintain on the island.). Hi Noemie! Your thoughts, Thank you so much for these so useful information. I hope you have an incredible first trip! Will you be going on any paid excursions or tours? Getting around Eleuthera - Eleuthera Forum - Tripadvisor Luckily for you, one of them is in Governors Harbour, just across from Normas Gift Shop. We grabbed a reservation, and waited not so patiently to arrive. Otherwise, look into Big Daddys Car Rentals or Cadet Car Rentals. Harbour Island is very eco-friendly and only allows golf cart and bicycle transportation. This budget also assumes that we do a mix of more expensive meals with some moderate ones. Oh, and some toilet paper might be nice, just in case. The Bahamas September 1, 2022 Beginner's Guide to Eleuthera, The Bahamas lacey 367 I went to the Bahamas three times the year before the pandemic, which forced me into a 10-month break from island life. You can reach her by email at info@floatyourboatbahamas.com and by phone at 310.251.7596. It should be noted that many, many people make it to Lighthouse Beach in a sedan. The best spot to get a car is from Lutra Car Rental in Governor's Harbour. I have taken several successful trips to the Bahamas during this timeframe, but I recommend getting trip insurance in case of trip-disrupting weather. cover more ground and explore the Out Islands, Buy the latest edition of The Travel Book, 8 eco-friendly destinations where sustainability is priority. It is also true that since the settlements are rather far apart, the cost of your ride will not be inexpensive. They have an excellent selection of wine, cheeses, meats, crackers, and gluten-free baking ingredients and snacks. The French Leaves restaurant, which is perfectly located on the waters edge overlooking Cupids Cay, is called 1648. Some of the islands, such as Harbor Island, are only accessible by boat. We usually share a room all 5 of us. If you're staying at a big resort and plan to remain on-site for the majority of your trip, then taking a taxi. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Traveling around Eleuthera | BSFN Official Site There are no public transportation optionsavailable. Instead, you have to park your car and walk to the point. So there it is. Hi Maria, thanks for your question! The small, open-air market has a selection of fresh-picked veggies and fruit many of which you may not know about! The Cove also offers private dining options for resort guests. If you go you will see why. I just wanted a few days of warmth in a place with a little character before my brain exploded. From what we hear, it can be a little rough around the edges (old cars, etc). Know, too, that taxis on Eleuthera are battered and expensive; the cost to haul you and up to two companions, plus your luggage, from North Eleuthera Airport, in Eleuthera's far north, to Cape Eleuthera, near the island's southern tip, is around $180, and it's a long, monotonous ride. This is exactly what we were looking for! (My mom thinks the police station is hilarious because it has a wooden sign and a police mini-bike parked out front.
