Stay in a luxurious beach resort, snorkel or scuba dive around colorful coral reefs, have a conch salad for lunch, explore hidden caves and secluded coves in the afternoon, and watch the sunset from rocky bluffs when you visit Eleuthera and Harbour Islands.
Eleuthera is not just an island, but also the name of the entire island chain, including Harbour Island, Windermere Island, Current Island and Man Island. These “Out Islands” of the Bahamas are so relaxed and free-spirited that it inspired Lenny Kravitz to write a reggae song, Eleutheria.
While British Loyalists first settled here as early as the 17th century, tourism was only introduced some 50 years ago and the locals are exceptionally welcoming and friendly.
The vibrant Pineapple Festival in Gregory Town brightens up Eleuthera’s southern shores each June. You have to drive along across the Glass Window Bridge to get there. This narrow strip of rock is wedged between the wilder, sapphire waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the calmer, turquoise waters of the Bight of Eleuthera.
Not far from here is Governor's Harbour, the administrative capital. It has rows of charming, pastel-colored colonial cottages in Victorian and Caribbean style. Visit the nearby pineapple fields or tour the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve with its “bush medicines.”
Once the capital of the Bahamas, Harbour Island (or Briland) is just a spit of land off the northeast coast of Eleuthera Island. It’s famous for its pink sand beach, which looks magic. Rent a cottage or beach villa to enjoy Harbour Island’s friendly people a while longer. The only town here is Dunmore Town and you can buy the locally grown sugarloaf and other fresh tropical fruits everywhere.
From Fort Lauderdale and Miami, fly into Nassau, then take a connecting flight to North Eleuthera Airport. You can also sail here from Nassau, since its just 50 miles (80 kilometers) away. Car rental is available locally. To travel to Harbour Island, take a taxi to the docks, then hop on a watertaxi to Government Dock. To really get away from it all, arrange a boat trip to nearby Man Island and have a picnic on a deserted beach.
