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.
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.
I would love to run into you there because that would mean we were at the Bahamas too…and because it would be great to see you of course! Love these photos and thanks for sharing. I love the thought of traveling there some day with my family…hopefully soon!
we are on Eleuthera now for our week vacation and have seen a few women topless on different beaches. It truly is a beautiful island. we drove through Tarpum Bay today and i would say it was absolutely beautiful. we got a pic of a solid white church right on the beach with the blue water behind it. its my new desktop pic. just stunning! we are checking out the old club med beach tomorrow.
Hey CarlsJr
Old Club Med Beach is one of our favorites! Have fun!
Love your photos of my home home Eleuthera! 😉
I loved reading about Eleuthera. My husband and I are planning to go there May 17th to Pineapple Fields. Please tell me about it. Is the beach far, are there other places to eat, do you suggest a rental car? Trip not booked yet so we can change anything. Is Pineapple Fields awesome. I have read great reviews. Thanks Laura
Hello Laura,
We’ve always enjoyed staying there. The beach is a short stroll across the street. I would definitely recommend renting a car. As far as restaurants, there are restaurants throughout the island. We enjoy exploring and checking out the island while hunting down a new restaurant. We also bought groceries for cooking some meals. I have contacts for rental cars, restaurant suggestions, as well as a great grocery store we just discovered this past summer that had the best prices. Let me know if you’d like for me to compile a short list and I will send it your way.
Amy – I’m going to ‘Lutra so soon I can almost taste it. We depart June 7 for our third trip in 4 years. We stay just north of Governor’s Harbor – 2 miles north of Old Club Med beach on Banks Rd. Looking at your photos makes me SO excited! I’ve never been able to capture the amazing colors of the ocean there. Your photos are fantastic.
I’d love for you to share with me your grocery store find. We usually go to the store in GH (next to the liquor store) and to the bakery there in town. What restaurants do you recommend too? Hope to get a quick email from you. Thanks, Martha
YAY! So jealous! I don’t recall the name of the grocery store in North Eleuthera. It may be called North Eleuthera Shopping Center? I think if you ask anyone they will know the exact name. It’s a bit of a drive, but worth a trip to stock up early in your trip. Y’all have fun!!!
Thanks, Amy. We have been to that store before. It is a long drive, but it’s the Walmart of Eleuthera!
Have you ever been to Tippy’s or the Beach House? Are they worth the hype? We’ve been to the Fish Fry (and will go again this year) and the Sky Beach Club.
We have been to Tippy’s a few times. It’s good with a nice atmosphere. We haven’t been to Beach House yet. Let us know how you like it if you go!
Beautiful photos. We will visit this summer, have rented a beach house near Governor’s Harbour. I’m returning for the first time after living there for 6 months while working for Club Med. I know my son will love it. Many former Club Med staffers (XGOs) call Eleuthera their favourite.
Oh, how fun, Laurie! I hope y’all enjoy it.
Going to Eleuthera in July. Where did you rent a car? We got the name of a man named Arthur…which we haven’t called yet, but will. We are also staying in Pineapple Fields. I cannot wait. First trip in years without 4 kids…I don’t know what we’ll do! Ha….enjoy, we are going to enjoy every minute and can’t wait for the alone, adult time!
We’ve rented from two different people. Our last trip we used Kean Stubbs. Love the Stubbs family!
I like the pics and the post! Heard so much about traveling , but never got to visit. I have a feeling I would totally fall in love with it there, once I visited.
Hey Amy!
I know this post is from a while back now, but we’re planning a trip to Eleuthera and I would love any recommendations that you have. I did read the previous comments and I would honestly love it if you could send me a little list or even just the contact you have for a rental car. Thanks so much for posting! It’s a great article and got me really excited! We were thinking of going in February or March. Would you recommend a different time of the year?
Hello Cody! For our last trip we used Kean Stubbs for rental car. I do not have his info but if he is still in the business you should be able to do a google search to find him. We’ve never been in February or March so I could not say for sure. Do you use Trip Advisor? We usually find a bunch of detailed tips there. Good luck! And happy travels!
We are heading there this week, our fourth time there. It is a fabulous place, but don’t tell anyone!