Eleuthera Island Hotels
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About Eleuthera
Eleuthera is an island in Bahamas.
Get in by plane
Eleuthera has 3 airports: North Eleuthera (ELH), Governors Harbour (GBH), and Rock Sound (RSD). All airports are small, open-air and convenient. ELH and GBH have onsite bars and ELH has an onsite restaurant.
ELH has the most flights arriving and departing. ELH is a short taxi ride and water taxi ride to Harbour Island. Most car rental places on the island will gladly pick you up at ELH and drive to another town on the island. ELH is 15 to 20 minutes north of Gregory Town.
GBH is the centrally-located island, located just south of the town of James Cistern and a 10 to 15 minute drive to Governor’s Harbour, the largest town on Eleuthera.
Continental flies into ELH from Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA). American Airlines has direct flights to Eleuthera Governor’s Harbour (GBH) from Miami. Twin Air flies from Ft. Lauderdale into all 3 airports on Eleuthera. You can fly from Nassau to Eleuthera on Southern Air or Bahamas Air; the flight is less than 30 minutes.
Get in by boat
Bahamas Ferries. The ferry docks on Eleuthera at Governor’s Harbour, Spanish Wells and neighboring Harbour Island. To get to and from Eleuthera and Harbour Island or Spanish Wells, you take a water taxi and a cab ride to reach your destination.
Regions
Harbour Island To reach Harbour Island, one can take a water taxi (~$5) from the main island of Eleuthera. Harbour Island has the highest concentration of hotels; many of them upscale. Harbour Island is more densely populated than Eleuthera. The 3 mile beach on Harbour Island features pink sand and clear waters and has often been cited by various travel magazines as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Get around
Eleuthera has no public transport system. There are taxis and car rentals. It’s generally best to rent a car to explore Eleuthera. Hitchhiking is popular and locals are generally helpful and friendly. Bicycling is increasingly popular, but see notes below.
Eleuthera is 110 miles long, and delightful to explore. Be prepared: Eleuthera’s gas prices are $1-2 higher than the U.S. Car rental costs are based on a per day basis and never involve extra fees. In most cases, you don’t sign papers. No car rental chain companies exist on Eleuthera — you rent from locals who may keep a fleet of rental cars in their yards. Some entrepreneurs combine their car rental companies with a gas station or with a taxi company. As you drive around (on the LEFT-HAND side of the road), you will need a good map or good local knowledge.
By bike
Eleuthera with its rolling hills (and three killers around Gregory Town) is the most challenging island of the Bahamas. The main road, Queen’s Highway, the only option for road bikes) should not be ridden by beginners. For more casual riders, mountain bikes are fine; a hybrid is an ideal compromise. There are no bike shops and serious riders usually bring their own, but several resorts and individuals rent mountain bikes or hybrids. Refer to other pages on Eleuthera for details.
Bicycling is a growing sport and Eleuthera hosts the Cancer Society “Ride for Hope,” with 50-75-100 mile competitions, every April. The Queen’s Highway is well paved (watch out for road repairs north of Governor’s Harbour airport). Drivers are generally courteous, giving bikes a wide berth, but use a rearview mirror and wear a helmet. The greater danger lies ahead: cars pulling out to pass who may not see you coming at them. Be alert when you see an oncoming car closely following another. Another problem: being chased local dogs (“pot-cakes”). Lately there haven’t been many, but be on the lookout south of Tarpum Bay and around Gregory Town.