Eleuthera Bahamas – Freedom!
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Eleuthera Bahamas is an island destination perfect for a quiet vacation with family or friends.
I have a secret.
Sorta.
Actually, I hesitate. On one hand I want to shout if from the rooftops. On the other hand, I don’t want to tell a soul. It’s our favorite vacation spot, Eleuthera Bahamas.
Eleuthera is one of the out islands of The Bahamas. Even though it’s the next island over east of Nassau, Eleuthera is worlds apart from the bustling, loud, touristy, cruise ship pit stop neighbor to the west.
Quiet and laid back, you’ll find no amusement parks, mini golf and little to no nightlife on Eleuthera. Eleuthera is all about being in and around beautiful, crystal blue water teeming with colorful sea life and warming your feet in pink sand.
Our children were amazed watching starfish in their habitat. Starfish, sea turtles and other creatures can be discovered all over the island.
The word “Eleuthera” is Greek and means freedom, which is certainly what you feel when you visit the island.
We rent a car for our stay and drive all over the island exploring different beaches. We like to call it “beach hopping.”
For a small island with no night life, Eleuthera offers quite a variety of things to see.
Gorgeous coral and rock formations can be found on the windward side of the island to explore.
A few minutes away by car is the calm leeward side with wonderful spots to snorkel right off the shore.
You will find everything from soft pink sand bottoms, to grass flats, to pretty rock formations.
The people of Eleuthera are wonderful too. They’re friendly and eager to help find the perfect fishing or snorkeling spot.
These precious girls were so friendly. Love those colorful uniforms. They match the sea!
One of the most important things we like about Eleuthera is that there is very little crime. The island has a real small town feel.
It’s always surprising that for such a lovely place, there are very few tourists. Visit one of the island’s most popular beaches, and if you see more than 10 people on a 1/2 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’ve enjoyed three vacations on Eleuthera so far and hope to visit again. Our children are just as fond of the island and always look forward to returning. It’s holds a bit of our hearts.
For more information about Eleuthera, here’s the official Bahamas tourism link:
Eleuthera, Bahamas: The Official Site of the Bahamas
Do you have any favorite vacations destinations you can share? Do aqua blue waters call your name? Do you like fluffy snow capped mountains? Or maybe the bustling city full of life is your thing?
Originally posted February 17, 2010. Updated May 7, 2015.
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