Dec 26 2011
How To Locate The Hidden Beaches Of Eleuthera In The Bahamas
Eleuthera is a Bahamian out-island, often referred to as a family island, located approximately sixty miles east of Nassau. While this beautiful island, one of many in the Bahamas chain, is barely two miles wide (and that’s at its widest point), it stretches for almost 110 miles, North to South. That blesses this island with more than 200 miles of shoreline. And much of that shoreline is sandy beaches. However, finding all the beaches of Eleuthera can be quite a challenge.
Some of the beaches can only be accessed by boat and rarely have any visitors. There’s a lot of beaches hiding at the end of nondescript dirt paths. There are, of course, a few beaches that can be seen and reached from the Queen’s Highway and a handful that are easily reached from a hotel or restaurant.
Pink Sand Beach, on Harbour Island, is probably the best known of Eleuthera’s beaches. That beach features estates of celebrities, a few exclusive resorts and a few lucky homeowners. A short walk from the water taxi dock, to the other side of this narrow island, will bring you to this beach. It’s easy to find many sandy paths leading to this amazing beach.
On Eleuthera itself you’ll find many beaches just as beautiful as Pink Sand Beach, however, you’ll likely find you’re the only ones on the beach! You may even get a lot of privacy on the better known beaches. Lighthouse Beach, our favorite beach at the southern tip of Eleuthera, is one of those beaches. It just seems to go on forever. One of the coolest things is that you can walk around the southern tip of the island while you’re in the water!
Also, at Lighthouse Beach, you’re not very far from Princess Cay. Princess Cay may ring a few bells with some people, and not surprisingly. It’s a stopping off place for Princess Cruise Lines. Just outside the gated area for the cruise ship passengers you’ll find a small village of local merchants that’s definitely worth the visit.
Be sure to visit Cape Eleuthera as well while you’re at the southern end of Eleuthera. It’s on the other part of the “whale tail” that forms the southern end of this amazing island. Cape Eleuthera Resort has created two fabulous beaches that shouldn’t be missed. While on your way to the Cape, stop by Cape Eleuthera Institute. It’s a research facility that promotes the connection between the land, the sea and people. Plan at stop at the Island School as well. You’ll find it right next to Cape Eleuthera Institute. This school offers exciting semesters to select students.
A few Eleuthera beaches are visible from the Queen’s Highway and include: Tarpum Bay Beach, Alabaster Beach (just south of Governor’s Harbour airport, James Cistern Beach, Rainbow Bay Beach and the beaches in the settlement of Current. A couple of other beaches that are off the main road but still easily accessible are Savannah Sound Beach and French Leave Beach.
However, the majority of the beaches, most of them deserted and spectacular, are much more difficult to find without specific directions. Surfers Beach, Ben Bay, Jacks Bay and more are some of these hidden, yet fabulous, beaches. Luckily there is a terrific guide book that gives directions to almost all of the beaches. It is aptly named The Elusive Beaches of Eleuthera It offers exact directions, GPS co-ordinates and ratings for each beach.
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