ELEUTHERA BAHAMAS

Eleuthera

Eleuthera is 110 miles long, two miles at its widest point, and its highest elevation is 168 feet. It is the fourth most populated island of The Bahamas, with approximately 8,000 residents, most of whom either fish in the miles of deep blue sea or farm the rolling acres of pineapple plantations. Much of the island’s architecture and way of life were influenced by Loyalist settlers in the late 1700s.

Eleuthera is an island of casual sophistication. Quiet, isolated communities and well-developed resorts, tall rocky bluffs and low-lying wetlands, blue holes and caves, massive coral reefs and sweeping pink sand beaches combine to create a fascinating picture.

The island is administratively divided into three divisions. North, Central and South. The capital of Eleuthera is Governor’s Harbour and Rock Sound is the second major township. The two are the primary business centers of Eleuthera and serve as your major shopping areas, although there is shopping in all of the other townships.

Harbour Island

Harbour Island was ranked "The Best Island in the Caribbean" by Travel & Leisure magazine in 2005. In its 10th annual poll, readers of the elite travel magazine rated Harbour Island number one among the islands of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda on its World’s Best Cities and Islands list.

Briland, as it is known to residents, is approximately 3.5 miles long by 1.5 miles wide and is located approximately two miles east of mainland Eleuthera. Once the capital of the Bahamas and the second largest city to Nassau in the 1900s, the current population is estimated between 1500 to 2000.

The island’s tropical greenery stretches out to meet the warm, pink-hued sand beaches it is famous for. Its resorts and the warm Briland hospitality housed in the quaint New England architecture of the island’s Loyalist history add to nature’s palette. Rows of century-old trees border narrow flower-lined streets. It’s a sight not to be missed.

Spanish Wells

A short water taxi ride from North Eleuthera is St. George's Cay and Spanish Wells, a beautiful 1½ mile fishing village set among groves of palms and trees. The residents are very industrious and were never slave owners. Many of them can claim that their heritage goes back to the early Loyalist pioneers, and for centuries they have been making their living from the bounty in the miles of sea around the island. In fact, this small community provides 75% of all the crawfish caught in The Bahamas during the season. They also make excellent fishing guides and diving instructors. Those who are not employed in the fishing industry are involved in farming.

• Home
• Eleuthera
• Harbour Island
• Spanish Wells
• Contact