Best Things To Do On Eleuthera
Gaulding Cay Beach is close to many popular tourist attractions and North Eleuthera Airport (ELH.) It's a perfect spot for a perfect vacation!
Here's a list of our favorite things to do on Eleuthera, moving from north island to south:
Day trip to Spanish Wells
Spanish Wells is a fishing village just off the northern tip of Eleuthera. It features beautiful beaches, great restaurants and shopping. Favorite restaurants include Shipyard, Wreckers, Budda's Snack Shack. Be sure to cross the bridge to Russell Island and check out the Sand Bar! Shop at the Food Fair for great groceries and homemade breads/desserts. A favorite is the banana bread!
From Gene’s Bay, take the water taxi to the island ($6/each way, they run every 15 minutes, it’s a 10-minute ride.) The water taxi drops you off directly in front of the golf cart rental place. Rent a golf cart for $11 an hour. Check out the gift shop while you’re there, they’ve got a fantastic selection! The Shipyard, Wreckers, Buddha's and the Sand Bar (across on the bridge on Russell Island are favorite restaurants/bars and the beaches are glorious
Directions from Gaulding Cay:
Head north on Queens Hwy. Stay left at Rubis gas station. Take a left when the road ends at the T intersection. Follow road to dock. Park to the right of the docks for $10 (parking is hard to find otherwise.) An attendant will come out and collect the $10.
Day trip to Harbour Island
Harbour Island is just off the northeastern tip of Eleuthera. It is a small island, approximately .5 miles wide and 3.25 miles long. It is most famous for its 2.5 miles of picture perfect pink sand beach. Playground to the rich and famous, you will find yachts in the marina and slick resorts and restaurants dotted throughout the island. Favorites include Pink Sands Resort, Coral Sands, Valentine's, The Dunmore and Romora Bay.
To get there from Gaulding Cay:
Head north on Queens Hwy. Stay right at Rubis gas station. Drive past the airport Take right when the road ends at the T intersection. Follow road to 3 Island dock, parking is on the right (no charge.) Take the water taxi from ($5-6 each way) and rent a golf cart to explore the island (people will be on the dock offering golf carts, $50/day or $20/hour.)
Preachers Cave, Tay Bay Beach
The first settlers to Eleuthera sought refuge at Preachers Cave. The cave was discovered in the 1600s by Captain William Sayles and the Eleuthera Adventurers after being shipwrecked by the Devil's Backbone. Sermons were held on a rock alter. The cave is located approximately 10 miles from North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) and is on the north shores of Eleuthera adjoining a beautiful beach called Tay Bay Beach.
Once you're done exploring the cave, walk directly across the parking area to check out the pink sands of Tay Bay Beach.
Sapphire Blue Hole
On the way back, about 2 miles heading back, look for a sign on the left for Sapphire Blue Hole. This ocean hole features a 30+ foot dive platform and a rope ladder for climbing back out. Not for the faint of heart! You must be in good shape in order to climb up the rope ladder, as there is no other option. These three spots are within proximity to each other and make a perfect day trip.
To get there from Gaulding Cay:
Head north on Queens Highway. Stay left of Rubis gas station, then turn right at the T intersection (you'll see a sign for Preachers Cave.) The beach is directly across from the cave. Sapphire Blue Hole is on the way back out on the left.
Glass Window Bridge
Just north of Gregory Town you will find the Glass window Bridge. Known as the "narrowest place on earth" this is where the dark blue, turbulent waters of the Atlantic meet the turquoise, tranquil waters of the Eleuthera Bight (aka "Caribbean Side.") The man-made bridge is just 30 feet across and was once a natural bridge, then a wooden bridge, before storms washed it away. This is a beautiful spot for breath-taking photos but be mindful of traffic and jagged rocks.
CAUTION: Do not go near the bridge when it is closed or when waves are crashing over the top of the bridge from the Atlantic side (called a "rage.") People have lost their lives going over or hanging around the bridge in these conditions. Be sure to pull off completely to the side in the parking area just north of the bridge to take pictures. Watch for traffic coming from both directions.
Queen's Baths
Just south of the Glass Window Bridge on the Atlantic cliffside you will find the Queen's Baths. These are natural limestone pools formed by years of Atlantic wave action. The pools fill up at high tide and the sun warms the water to a relaxing temperature, perfect for soaking. The best time to go is at low tide when the sea is calm. Do not go when the tide is hide and the wind is blowing from the east, causing waves to come over the cliffs. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes as the rock is sharp.
CAUTION: The climb is not for the faint-hearted and is not suitable for young children. Watch out for sea urchins on the walls of the pools. Do not go when the Atlantic is turbulent and the waves are high. People have lost their lives here by being swept out by a rogue wave.
Gregory Town:
Stop at Daddy Joe's for lunch or dinner on the way back home from your day trips. Daddy Joe's is located right across the street from the entrance to Gaulding Cay Beach, just south of the Glass Window Bridge. Favorite dishes include the creamy conch chowder, Daddy Joe's Burger, Coconut Curry Shrimp... there so many delicious dishes it's hard to choose!
The Cove is a beautiful resort just one mile south of our location. You can enjoy lunch or dinner in their beautiful restaurant. Call ahead for reservations: 1-844-210-8539 https://thecoveeleuthera.com/
Another fun and fantastic option is Unca Gene's in Gregory Town and don't forget to try a conch salad at David's Conch Stand right by the harbour! Pam's Island Made gift shop in downtown GT is one of the best gift shops on the island.
More favorites south of Gregory Town:
As you approach Hatchet Bay there’s a sign on Queen's Highway for Hatchet Bay Cave on the right.
The Front Porch is a nice restaurant in Hatchet Bay with excellent food. Perfect for a special night out. A bit pricey but worth the money. Francis and wife Gina are wonderful chefs/hosts! Reservations required.
James Cistern:
Great bakery at Cravings on the left.
James Cistern Beach is a great spot for shelling and sea glass. You can also find beautiful conch shells along the docks!
Leorose and Delish Lifestyle are two nice beach bars on the Eleuthera Bight side in JC; music on Thursdays (check website for schedules.) Good food, great fun and beautiful sunsets! Watch sports and enjoy Karaoke nights at Delish!
As you’re traveling along to Governors Harbour you’ll see signs for “The Deck” it’s on the left on the Atlantic side. It’s a nice beach bar with good food and the owner Mark is very colorful and entertaining. The cheeseburgers are excellent!
Sky Beach Club is just before Governors Harbour on left; look for their sign. Here you will find Pascal's, another great beach bar with a pool. Sammy is an excellent bartender and very funny.
French Leave/1648 is on the right just before Governors Harbour. Beautiful resort and good food.
Governors Harbour:
There are several great restaurants in Eleuthera's largest settlement. As you come into town, take a left just before the fabric shop, drive up the hill then on the right you'll find a restaurant called Buccaneers. Great food and drinks!
Check out the famous fish fry, every Friday night (most of the year.) Good food (fish, ribs, chicken) strong drinks, music, dancing and people watching. Don't miss it.
If you continue up that hill and take a right at the stop sign, that’s Banks Road.
Bacchus Fine Foods is a wonderful deli/restaurant on Banks road on the right. Pricey but oh-so-good.
You will also find Leon Levy Preserve on Banks Road, a natural preserve with miles of walking trails.
About 2 miles further you’ll find another wonderful restaurant called Tippy’s. Popular spot with great music on some nights. Good food, drinks, fun atmosphere and beautiful beach with excellent snorkeling!
Just before Tippy's you'll find The Potlatch Club, once a popular stop for the rich and famous in the 1940s-1960s. This space has been completely remodeled and brought back to its former glory. Call ahead for lunch and dinner reservations. Do not miss this stunning resort! 1-242-699-7001 https://www.thepotlatchclub.com
Another 3-4 miles down Banks Road you come to La Bougainvillea which is our favorite spot. It’s a beautiful little resort with a gorgeous beach and pool and wonderful food. They have a great pizza night and music on Thursdays and Sundays (check website for current schedule.)
Palmetto Point:
Look for Island Farm which is on the right hand side in Palmetto Point it has wonderful produce, great liquor and beer, hummus and cheeses and salsas. On Tuesdays and Fridays (during season) or Monday/Thursday (off season) they have fresh homemade artisan breads as well as wonderful cinnamon buns. Get there early because they run out quickly!
Boiling Hole and Cathedral Caves in Rock Sound
Lighthouse Beach is worth the drive and long walk. Disney has purchased this land but you can still access it by walking 2 miles to the beach.
Below are some of our favorite sites to help you plan your adventures on Eleuthera!
The 15 Best Things To Do In Eleuthera - TripAdvisor
Recommendations and reviews from unbiased travelers who have experienced the island.
Comprehensive Guide of Things to do in Eleuthera - Erika's Travels
A sailing couple who explored Eleuthera's top sites blog about their adventures.
The Ultimate Eleuthera Travel Guide - Bohemian Vagabond
Everything you need to know to make your vacation memorable!
All About Eleuthera - Official Bahamas Tourism site
Get comprehensive Eleuthera information from the official Bahamas Tourism agency.
Eleuthera Beach Book - Eleuthera Beach Book by Bret Sigillo
Insider Bret describes this book best: "The ultimate guide to ALL of Eleuthera, Bahamas 135 beaches. The book is complete with maps, detailed directions, stunning photos, and important tidbits of information that can only be obtained by someone who has been there, seen that, and told all." Buy direct from his website and save $$.
Eleuthera History, Geography, Demography, Settlements - Eleuthera Wikipedia
Interesting history and background information of the island of Eleuthera.
Please note we are not affiliated with any of the above sites, we just like them!