I have a secret.
Actually I vacillate from wanting to shout if from the rooftops, to not telling a soul. It’s our favorite vacation spot, Eleuthera. (Although we haven’t been since 2007.)
I hesitate to tell about it for 3 reasons:
1) We don’t want it to change.
2) I don’t want to sound snooty.
3) Everyone’s ideal of what makes a vacation great is different.
But I’m forging ahead.
(And for the record, I’m not snooty.)
Eleuthera is one of the out islands of The Bahamas. While it’s the next island east of Nassau, Eleuthera is worlds apart from the bustling, loud, touristy, cruise ship docking neighbor to the west.
Quiet and laid back you’ll find no amusement parts, little to no nightlife or mini golf on Eleuthera. Eleuthera is all about being in and around beautiful, crystal blue water that’s teeming with colorful sea life.
This is a giant starfish. Starfish, sea turtles and other creatures can be discovered all over the island.
Eleuthera is Greek for freedom – which is certainly what you feel when you’re there. We like to drive around and explore different beaches. For a small island Eleuthera offers quite a variety of things to see.
There are gorgeous coral and rock formations to explore on the windward side of the island.
A few minutes away by car you can be on the super calm leeward side with a completely different undersea vibe.
There’s everything from soft pink sand bottoms, to grass flats to pretty rock formations.
The people are wonderful too – friendly and eager to help you find those special fishing or snorkeling spots.
These gorgeous girls were friendly. Love those uniforms – they match the sea!
There’s very little crime on Eleuthera. The place has a real small town feel.
The crazy thing is for such a lovely place there are very few tourists.
You can drive your rental to one of the island’s most popular beaches, and if you see more than 10 people on a one mile stretch of pink sand, it’s a busy day.
Eleuthera is surprisingly affordable. We’ve found it to be less expensive or comparable to many vacation destinations in the U.S. And if you can redeem some of those airline miles like we did, all the better.
We’re hoping to get back to Eleuthera this summer. We’ll see.
And maybe I’ll run into you there as well. Hey, you never know, it’s a small world.
Do you have any favorite vacations destinations you can share? Do blue waters do it for you? Or do you like snow capped mountains? Maybe you like bustling city full of life?
Out of your questions I dont know what I like more. I am all about adventure though.
You dont sound snooty at all. Just blessed.
I feel calm. The photos were beyond words. Thanks.
I would love to visit there. Don’t see it happening, but the pictures make it feel like I’ve been there already. You know this state – Love the beaches most, mountains next. I would love to visit the Grand Canyon and see the Great Tetons someday. But my dream vacation would be Italy and Greece especially the Blue Grotto of Capri.
What kind of camera do you use? I love the crispness of your photos!
That just went on my list of places I have to go. How incredibly gorgeous! Those blue waters are so breathtaking, I just know we would love it there. I hope you go this summer, I’d like to see more pictures!
Where did you stay? The photos are beautiful.
Hey Brandi!
We’ve stayed at Pineapple Fields for both of our trips to Eleuthera (they have a pool which is a must for my kids – I know, crazy kids), although there are some wonderful beach front homes for rent on vrbo.com – Governors Harbour is the location I would recommend. It’s central which makes for a good home base to explore the whole island from. There are a few homes (about 4?) on Club Med beach (where Club Med used to be) that are very nice – I hope to persuade ours to forgo the pool for beach front.
~ Amy
We spent a week in Eleuthera about 12 years ago..(wow, time flies). We were at Club Med and spent the days on the beach and in town. Absolutely loved every minute of it! We brought back a jar of sand and still marvel at the pink softness. Great memories were made in Eleuthera!
Oh my..I didn’t know anyone else knew about it! We too love Eleuthera. We have stayed at Sunrise Villa with a beach to die for. It’s heaven on earth.
Your pictures are fantastic. Please take them down now. We don’t want too many people finding out about Eleuthera!
Hope you make it back this summer while your kids are still living at home and have the time to get away! Before you know it they’ll be grown and gone and finding the time to get away to your family vacation spot will be a thing of the past. Y’all know how to pick ‘em! I don’t think I ever seen a more beautiful beach and we’ve always thought the Outer Banks was pretty special! You don’t happen to work a little majic with that camera of yours now do you? Those pictures are INCREDIBLE!
I love Seacrest Beach, Fl. Last summer was our first time there, and I can’t wait to go back. A wonderful, family vacation spot. Gorgeous, beaches, as well a paths for biking for miles. A mile downt he rod is Rosemary Beach, with a great small outdoor shopping mall. WE stayed for 7 days, and loved every minute of it!
Gorgeous! A nice, warm beach escape from life would be heaven on earth right now.
We have yet to go on a tropical trip…or really any vacation together since we’ve been married. But you should see the huge travel bucket list I have. I’m glad you’re going. What a treat!
Gorgeous! I love quiet places. I’ll add it to my ever-growing list of places I’d like to visit. Someday. Thanks for sharing!
What a lovely place that looks like! Our favorite place is Kauai. It’s a little off the beaten path when it comes to the Hawaiian islands. It’s rural, not as touristy. The national tropical botanical gardens are there. I could spend days just walking around those gardens.
We vacationed in Eleuthera when our children were young. I think my son was about 7 and it was the first time he saw topless sunbathers! Quite an eyeful for him. We love Mexico, every part of Mexico. In the States our favorite destination is the Outer Banks. We have such fond memories of vacationing there.
Hey Cakegirl!
Ooooh. I bet that was educational.
We’ve never seen nude sunbathers anywhere in Eleuthera. It’s quite frowned upon as, from what we have learned, Eleuthera is a very family focused cover your privates kind of island.
~ Amy
What outstanding photos! it makes me want to go back. Conch Fritters, azure waters and lazy warm days are going to haunt me all day
Looks like a fabulous place to take a vacation. Any suggestions for beachfront hotel and/or resort in Governors Harbour (or elsewhere) for a mom and her two 20-something daughters? This would be a get-away, probably late July or early August, without the boys and a congrats on graduation from college!
P.S. I love your site!
oh how lovely … wish i were there right now! i still dream about my vacation to Harbour Island years ago … some of the shots look very similar.
p.s. if you care to share your secret for an affordable place to stay i’d love to hear it!
What a gem of a place. I’m ready to book my trip now!
Wow. Gorgeous! There are so many places I’d like to vacation to, I don’t know if I could narrow it down. My husband and I always say we’d like to visit Maine. Other places at the top of the list are Hawaii and Ireland. But for now I’m nestled into our Minnesota farm and that’s o.k. too.
Thanks for sharing the beauty!!!
beautiful!
I am realizing more and more that I am drawn to places with water – the beach, lakes, anything.
Places I have loved: Ocracoke Island, NC (similar to some of the things you mentioned, peaceful, laid back); Monterey/Carmel, CA; Chicago at Christmas time (real pine branches everywhere); NC mountains
HI THERE! GORGEOUS PICS! WE, LIKE YOU, HAVE NOT BEEN TO “LUTRA” SINCE 2007- MARCH ACTUALLY. WE ARE RETURNING IN JUNE FOR OUR HONEYMOON FOR 2 WEEKS AND ARE ECSTATIC!!! I KNOW THIS IS AWFUL, BUT I LIKE TO KEEP ELEUTEHRA A SECRET ALSO!TO ME IT IS THE MOST RELAXING SPOT IN THE WORLD WITH THE FRIENDLIEST PEOPLE YOU HAVE EVER MET! I FEEL LIKE AFTER LEAVING THERE- YOU MAKE FRIENDS FOR LIFE! HOPE YOUR NEXT TRIP IS ENJOYABLE. ALSO, RANDOM QUESTION, WHAT CAMERA IS THAT YOU USE- IT TAKES WODNERFUL PICTURES! WE JUST PURCHASED A NIKON DSLR FOR OUR TRIP AND ARE HOPING TO GET ASTOUNDING PICTURES LIKE YOURS!
~*HULA GIRL*~
Such incredible pics, really.
For our honeymoon last April, my husband and I visited a small island in Mexico called Isla Holbox. It sounds a lot like Eleuthera: very few tourists, affordable and just beautiful. They don’t allow cars on the island so to get around, we walked or took a golf cart. I wasn’t a huge tropical/beach type of girl until we visited Holbox.
…aaand now I need to start planning a vacation.
Oh my–I have never heard of Eleuthera! How very fortunate you are to be able to travel like this and take such lovely pictures!
I hope, and I’m sure you do, appreciate every single moment!
Trudy
(Bluebird49 at Tasty Kitchen)
Have been to Eleuthera twice. 1st time to Pineapple Fields (ocean side) the 2nd to Cocodimama’s (leeward side). Both places are beautiful but I prefer Coco’s because of the beach and calm water. It’s a “charming”, forgive the pun, place and Sammy the bartender is fabulous. I agree it’s best near Gov Harbor that way you can travel both north and south and see the whole island. Thanks for sharing your photos…..I cant wait to go back.
Its so nice there. The beaches and snorkeling is very nice
I know you posted this awhile ago but I never forgot it. Because of your website, my husband and I along with our three children and two dear friends are going to Eleuthera in March. Thank you so much for exposing me to this wonderful place. I think I will absolutely fall in love. Maybe I can talk my husband into buying a place there someday. I will let you know how it goes after we get back. Thank you for not keeping it all to yourself. (I won’t tell anyone else, I promise.
Hey Renee!
Oooh! Can’t wait to hear all about it. I hope it’s the adventure of a lifetime. Enjoy!
~ Amy
Blue sky with beautiful beach. Very good combination.
Fresh and clean beach water.
Take a deep breath!
Let’s go to the beach!!!
I love the out islands of the Bahamas. I was on Harbour Island back in January. So small and cute and of course the water is to die for. I’d have to my favorite so far is the Exumas. Great people, amazing water and secluded perfectness. I’m longing to go back right now.
Cheers!
Well, we went to Eleuthera and we have been back for almost a week. Words cannot express how thankful I am for your site and telling me about Eleuthera. It was the best vacation we have ever had and we WILL go back. I am definitely not the photographer that you are, but I did get some amazing pictures. My kids cried and did not want to come home. My husband and I didn’t either. I want to plan our next vacation there now. We stayed in Gregory Town. Tell your kids to definitely stay on the beach next time. The house we rented was right on the beach and my 3 kids had a blast. We snorkeled a lot and the water was shallow for quite a ways out and was very safe. Thanks again for putting the pics on your site. My youngest daughter who is 7 told us that she wants to move there some day and become Bahamian. We were all in love.
Our new found friends down in Eleuthera let us know the economy has finally caught up with them, so I think you can tell a few more people.
Hey Renee!
Yay! I’m so happy for y’all! We can’t wait to return to Eleuthera someday. It truly is a special place. You never know, maybe one day we’ll be neighbors there?
~ Amy
I spent a few minutes on this island going from here to Harbour Island. A tiny island that is a boat ride from this one. I love Harbour Island and can’t wait to visit again.