“Surfer's Beach is for wave riders, but there are also beaches for snorkelers, swimmers and shell collectors. Best of all, you can have one all to yourself. Around mid afternoon on New Year's Eve, when nearly all the island's rooms were booked, not a single soul could be spotted on Ten Bay Beach, six miles south of Governor's Harbour, despite a brilliant sunshine and near perfect temperatures.” New York Times, February 19, 2006.

It’s obvious that the reporter who penned these lines was seeing Eleuthera for the first time. Regular visitors are surprised to find anyone on their favorite beach. With sixty miles of beaches and a few dozen hotel rooms, Eleuthera is a paradise for beach lovers who enjoy privacy and unspoiled natural beauty.

Beyond the beaches, Eleuthera is surrounded by coral reefs that offer exceptional diving and snorkeling. The Devil’s Backbone, another popular dive, is a large coral formation notorious for wrecking ships. The Current Cut, a narrow channel with currents that regularly reach 10 knots, has been rated one of the ten best dives in the world.

Eleuthera is famous for bonefishing, and deep-sea fishing. Reef fishing, and spear-fishing are also popular. The Caribbean side of the island is usually free from heavy surf, providing excellent conditions for sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. Trails through the fields and woods are perfect for jogging, hiking, and mountain-biking. You won’t find them on a map or in a guidebook, so ask a local resident or watch for trails on the side of the road. The Atlantic side of the island, north of James Cistern offers several excellent beaches for surfing, with

Surfer’s Beach being the most famous.

Eleuthera offers varied and unique sightseeing. The Hatchet Bay Cave extends for a mile underground. At The Cliffs, giant ocean swells crash into a limestone precipice. The Rock Sound Ocean Hole, said to be bottomless, is an inland salt lake connected by subterranean passages to the sea. Feed the tame saltwater fish miles from the ocean. The Glass Window Bridge, painted by Winslow Homer, is the narrowest point on the island, where the calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean almost touch the turbulent deep blue of the Atlantic. The cavernous Preacher’s Cave provided shelter for the first European settlers of Eleuthera, and served as their first church. The Queen’s Baths are a collection of large tide pools carved out of the soft rock by wave action. At low tide, the

Queen—or anyone fortunate enough to be on Eleuthera—can bathe amongst the little fishes. These sites are all in their pristine state. Don’t expect to find a guide booth or even a paved road as most of the access roads are rocky, dirt roads. It all adds to the charm!

Each of Eleuthera’s score of picturesque villages deserves a visit. Gregory Town, home of the annual Pineapple Festival, is also home to Pam’s Island Made Gift Shop, featuring local handicrafts, and Thompson’s bakery, creator of Eleuthera’s famous pineapple tarts. Spanish Wells is an island fishing village off of the north coast of Eleuthera with lovely nineteenth century cottages in pastel colors. Governors Harbour features an historic waterfront, colonial homes, and the recently restored Haynes Library. Governors Harbour also hosts the Friday

night fish fry, a weekly waterfront street party that brings out locals and visitors alike. Harbour Island, a five.minute water.taxi ride from Eleuthera, offers luxury hotels, shopping, great restaurants and celebrity sightings. No private cars are permitted on the streets of Harbour Island, so plan on renting a golf cart.

Live music is also popular on Eleuthera, part.time home to Lenny Kravitz and his band, Patti Labelle, Mariah Carey, and others. For more information, see entertainment…below.

Eleuthera has numerous annual events, from the Pineapple Festival and the Ride for Hope to the International Food Fair and the North Eleuthera Regatta.

For other lists of sights and attractions, try http://www.eleuthera-map.com/eleuthera-reviews.html

Contacts and Resources for Things to Do

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday Night: Fish Fry street party in Governors Harbour. Great Bahamian food

and drink, and dancing on the street to DJ music. Locals and visitors love

this event.

Tuesday and Friday Nights: Open mic at Kel D’s, James Cistern…Great local dive bar and favorite of local musicians.

Saturday Night: Live music at the Rainbow Inn.

Sunday Night: Live music at Cocodimama Resort.

Wednesday and Friday Nights: Dr. Seabreeze local Bahamian music star at

Rainbow Inn, Hatchet Bay.

Monday and Thursday Nights: Live music at The Beach House, Governors Harbour.

Every night Except Thursday: Princess movie theater, Governors Harbour.

Current popular movies. 8:15 pm only. 242.332.2735

RESTAURANTS

In the Governors Harbour area, try the following:

The Bistro at Sky Beach Club 242.332.3422

Cocodimama 242.332.3150

Tippy’s 242.332.3331

The Rainbow Inn: 242.335.0294

The Beach House 242.332.3387

FISHING, SPEAR.FISHING, AND SNORKELING CHARTERS

Gladstone and Paul Petty, Governors Harbour: 242.557.7269, 242.332.2993,

242.332.2963 Call 6:30.7:00 am eastern and after 9.9:30 pm eastern.

Captain James McCartney, Palmetto Point: 242.332.3393

Fly.fishing, spear.fishing, and reef fishing; snorkeling; picnic cruises include

cruising, snorkeling, beach lunch.

Captain Z, Gregory Town: 242.335.5185 or 242.551.0641

[email protected]

Fishing and diving charters.

Unique Charters, S. Palmetto Point: 242.332.1830 or 888.820.8471

[email protected]

Fishing and diving charters.

Crazy Pete: 242.551.0104

Fishing and diving charters. Pete is also a skilled seafood chef.

Kelsey or Danny Rankine: 242.332.6035 or 242.332.6616

Fishing and diving charters out of Savannah Sound.

Scott Bethel: 242.468.1426

Fishing and diving charters out of Governors Harbour.

FISHING EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Clearwater Dive Shop, Governors Harbour: 242.332.2146

Also snorkel and scuba equipment rentals.

SCUBA AND SNORKELING

Ocean Fox Diving, Harbour Island: 242.332.2323

Email: [email protected]

Dive excursions, training, and equipment. Also fishing charters.

Valentine's Dive Center, Harbour Island: 242.333.2080

Dive excursions, training, and equipment. Also fishing charters.

LiL Shan’s Watersports, Harbour Island: 242.422.9343; 242.554.5789

Snorkel Trips, Scuba Trips, PADI Scuba courses

Clearwater Dive Shop, Governors Harbour: 242.332.2146

Snorkel, scuba and fishing equipment rentals.

Surfer Pete, Gregory Town: 242.335.5436

Diving, fishing, surfboard and bike rentals.

Forty’s, Governors Harbour: Call Pineapple Fields Office: 242.332.2221

Rents kayaks, small sail boats, snorkel gear for use on the Club Med beach. Also

rents bikes.

EXCURSIONS

Island Hopping Excursion

Includes trips to the Exumas, Thunderbolt Cave, the National Park of the

Bahamas, Rose Island, etc. Maximum of 10 people.

Gladstone and Paul Petty, Governors Harbour: 242.332.2993 or 242.332.2963

Call 6:30.7:00 am eastern and after 9.9:30 pm eastern.

Day Trip to Harbour Island

This is a do-it-yourself day trip. To get to Harbour Island, drive 45 minutes north

from the Governors Harbour airport to the Three Islands Dock, then a take a

short water-taxi ride to Dumore Town on Harbour Island. The taxis run on a continuous basis and the fare is $5. Once on Harbour Island, rent a golf cart for about $50-60/day and explore. Harbour Island has excellent shopping, many fine restaurants, celebrity sightings, and a long beautiful beach.

SURFING, CAMPING and KAYAKING

Bahamas Out Islands Adventures, Gregory Town: 242.551.9635 or 335.0349,

[email protected] Tom Glucksman, manager. Surfing school, and board rentals. Also, camping and

kayaking trips.

Surfer Pete, Gregory Town: Call Rebecca’s Beach Shop, Gregory Town: 242.

335.5436. Surfboard rentals, long and short. Also diving and fishing equipment and bike rentals.

MARINAS

Runaway Bay Marina, S. Palmetto Point: 242.332.0400

Hatchet Bay Marina, Alice Town: 242.332.0186

Davis Harbour Marina, Rock Sound: 242.334.6303

SMALL BOAT RENTALS-Prices are subject to change, please ask.

Forty’s, Governors Harbour: Call Pineapple Fields Office: 242.332.2221

Rents kayaks, small sail boats, snorkel gear for use on the Club Med beach. Will

soon have power boats for fishing and water skiing. Also rents bikes.

Island Watercraft Rentals, Palmetto Pointe: 242.332.0380. Ask for Albert

Archer. Email: [email protected]. Boats for rent include:

13' Boston Whaler with 50HP E.Tec Evinrude engine: $200.00 per day

which includes a full tank of gas.

Two jet skis: $130.00 per hour per jet ski.

Two Kayaks: $40.00 per day per kayak.

Cape Eleuthera Marina, Powell Pointe: 242.334.8500

16ft Carolina Skiff Rentals-35 Horsepower

Full day $350 / half day $200

Includes life vests, full tank of gas, oil & vhf radio. Up to 3 persons.

LiL Shan’s Watersports, Harbour Island: 242 422.9343; 242 554.5789

Jet Ski Rentals-½ Hour $60 /1 Hour$120/Half Day $350/Full Day $450

Boat Rental-17’ Mako: Hourly $40; Half Day $125; Full Day $170

Boat Rental-17’ Whaler: Hourly $35; Half Day $110; Full Day $160

Kayak Rental-1 and 2 Seats -Hourly $10-$15; Full Day $49-$59

WINDSURFING

Jethro Armstrong, Tarpon Bay: [email protected]

BICYCLE RENTALS

Tom Glucksman: Gregory Town: 242.551.9635 or 335.0349

Forty’s, Governors Harbour: Call Pineapple Fields Office: 242.332.2221

CAVING

Calvin Monroe: 242.464.0962

TENNIS

The Cigatoo Resort, Governors Harbour, 242.332 3060. Ask for Annie.

Memberships to use the Cigatoo courts are available for $30/month.

TENNIS LESSONS

Sammy Sands, Pro, North Palmetto Point: 242 332.1632

[email protected]

GOLF

Cotton Bay Club

The only Robert Trent Jones designed golf course in the Bahamas, once ranked

among the best in the world. Although course maintenance is currently

haphazard it is still a very enjoyable course with an oceanfront hole.

242.334.6101

LIBRARY

Historic Haynes Library, Governors Harbour: 242.332.2877

Membership to borrow books: $5-Internet access-$5 per hour.

Arts and crafts for children Sat morning at 10 a.m.

GIFT SHOPS

Almond Tree, Rock Sound, Eleuthera

Bank’s Deli, Governors Harbour

The Beach House Boutique, Govenors Harbour: 242.332.3387

Brenda’s Gifts & Souvenirs, Governors Harbour

Frank's Art Gallery & Souvenirs, Harbour Island

Island Farm, South Palmetto Point: 242 332.1921

Pam's Island Made Gift Shop, Gregory Town: 242 335.5369

Clipper Imports, Governors Harbour-located in the Rose Manor house

Rebecca’s Beach Shop, Gregory Town

Sugar Mill, Harbour Island

MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR GOVERNORS HARBOUR

Police/Fire: 242.332.2111 or 242.332.2117

Ambulance: 242.332.3178 or 242.557.7006

Levy Clinic: 242.332.2774

Located in a pink building just north of Governors Harbour. If the clinic is not open, a nurse is on call at 242.332.3400. If you can’t get through, call police, and they will get another nurse on call.