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Harbour Island and Eleuthera: the Bahamas in style
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While the Bahamas is an archipelago with over 700 islands to visit there is no way you are going to stretch yourself across the 100,000 square miles in the western Atlantic Ocean to see it all so your best bet is to make some hard choices. Sure there are other places in the Bahamas that might be worth a try, but Harbour Island and Eleuthera are two of my favorite places down in the Caribbean and that says a lot since I’ve been searching the islands for years.
In Harbour Island you will find Dunmore Town, not too big since the entire island is only three miles long and a half a mile wide. The powdery, pink sand beaches and New England style inns and hotels won’t be the Caribbean “business as usual” because, while laid back, the staff at the properties on the island really take care of you. It might be a little island, not big on the map, but it is certainly big on hospitality none the less.
The quant little town is tree-lined with narrow streets and golf carts are the mode of transportation should you want to get to a snorkeling adventure, try some bonefishing in the waters off Harbour Island’s coast or just do some shopping along the waterfront. Divers also find this place to be a real jewel since the Plateau and the Arch are both giant coral structures that are densely populated with marine life.
To get to Harbour Island a trip to Eleuthera is a must unless you arrive by boat, and hey it is where Prince Charles and Princess Diana spent their honeymoon – on Windemere Island nearby. Eleuthera is about two miles wide and 110 miles long with about 11,000 people calling the island home. Gregory Town and Governor’s Harbour are the highlights with more pink and white sandy beaches and water sports of every kind.
The name “Eleuthera” is actually taken from the Greek word for freedom and it’s a concept still important on the island – especially since the founding of the place started with just 70 people who set out from Bermuda in 1648 to found a colony where religions freedom was acceptable.
The most popular land attractions on Eleuthera are Haynes’s Library, a historical landmark built in 1897 and the oldest government complex on the island. Glass Window Bridge is two miles east of Upper Bouge and at the narrowest point of the island (that would be 30 feet). It is a striking rock formation and you can see where the land falls away to nearly sea level thereby dividing the island in two. Preacher’s Cove is a large cave located 10 miles outside the settlement known as Bluff. This is where the religious group was shipwrecked at what is called Devil’s Backbone.
Pineapples are also big business here and there is even a festival held the first weekend of June. A Junkanoo parade, crafts and pineapple recipe contest are all the norm for the day as is the half-mile swim, three-mile run and four-mile bike ride followed by dancing and eating to be sure.
Small, but perfect for a getaway, spend some time on Eleuthera and then make your way over to Harbour Island for a classy night or two in one of the eight local inns or properties – there’s one calling your name right now.
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