Eleuthera is the fourth most populated island of The Bahamas, with approximately 11,000 residents. Most who live here either fish for bounty or farm the rolling acres of pineapple plantations. Eleuthera is an island of casual sophistication, housing isolated communities, well-developed resorts, rocky bluffs, low-lying wetlands and massive coral reefs that create magnificent backdrops.
Eleuthera boasts of having some of the sweetest pineapples in the world. Pineapple farming began here in the mid 18th century, a tradition honored by the annual Pineapple Festival held each June in Gregory Town.
Definitely, Eleuthera is a nature lover’s paradise, offering many fascinating ecological sites to explore: the famous Glass Window Bridge, the world-renowned ‘Ocean Hole’ blue hole, the ‘Boiling Hole’ blue hole, the natural pools at ‘The Queen’s Bath’, and interesting caves like Boiling Hole Cave, Hatchet Bay Cave, and Preacher’s Cave. You’ll see a variety of Bahamian specialty and migratory birds throughout the islands, including the Bahama Mockingbird.
Beautiful places
HARBOR ISLAND
It is only a short journey that gives us images of a tropical escape, the island is about 3 miles long and not very wide. The main streets are filled with quaint 18th-century houses that provides the feeling of being in the middle of a tropical paradise.
THE GLASS WINDOW BRIDGE
One of nature’s true wonders, The Glass Window Bridge will certainly leave you breathless as you take in the magnificent panoramic view. It is one of the few places on Earth where you can compare the rich blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side of the road and the calm Bight of Eleuthera (often incorrectly called the Caribbean Sea) on the other side, separated by a strip of rock just 30 feet wide.
The ‘Bridge’ is about two miles east of Upper Bogue and connects the northern and southern points of Eleuthera by a paved road. The land here is high on both sides, falling away abruptly to nearly sea level, and is the narrowest point on the island.
THE QUEEN’S BATHS
The Queen’s Baths or the Hot Tubs are located 0.6 miles south of the Glass Window Bridge on the rugged Atlantic side of the island. These natural pools (carved by centuries of waves pounding the rock) are filled with dramatic crashing waves, shells, and small sea life that wash over from the Atlantic Ocean. Once settled, this crystal clear water is warmed by the sun, creating a bath like a temperature tidal pool that’s perfect for soaking.
SEA FARM ELEUTHERA
It is located near the port of Governors on the Atlantic side. It is the new attraction that has been introduced in Eleuthera. The farm offers horseback riding along the beachside. It is a different experience and an obligate visit in Eleuthera.
LIGHTHOUSE BEACH
The lighthouse near the Bannerman Town is an important tower in the southern part of Eleuthera. The building is an old lighthouse that is on a hill that offers a spectacular view of the southern cays. There are brackish ponds, forest lands, beaches, mangroves, marine life, birds nesting areas and crabs near it.
LEON LEVY NATIVE PLANT PRESERVE
Located in Governor’s Harbour, it is the first national park on the island of Eleuthera. This 25-acre preserve has been designed as a research center for traditional bush medicine, a facility for the propagation of indigenous plants and trees, and an educational center focusing on the importance of native vegetation to the biodiversity of The Bahamas. It is worth a visit and can be a treat for the eyes.
THE COW AND THE BULL
The “Cow” and the “Bull” weigh 1,000 and 2,000 tons respectively and are each over 20 feet tall. Some scientists believe the massive boulders may have been lifted to the clifftop millennia ago by a powerful tsunami caused by the changing climate. These two giant boulders mysteriously perched on a 60-foot cliff have been named as such due to similarities in appearance to the actual animals they were named after.
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