In Eleuthera, you can unwind at a choice of secluded villas and upmarket resorts flanked by sheltered coves and stunning unspoiled pink- and white-sand beaches that gently shelve into crystal clear turquoise waters, including the famous Pink Sand Beach on nearby Harbour Island.
Eleuthera (pronounced Ah-leu-thra) is Greek for ‘freedom’, an appropriate name for a Caribbean island that is free from casinos, cruise ships and crowds.
The island is divided into North Eleuthera and South Eleuthera: soaring wave-lashed cliffs edge the eastern coast facing the Atlantic Ocean; while the western side is lapped by the calm waters of the Caribbean. You can see both at Glass Window, where the island is only wide enough for one car to pass at a time.
Best beaches in Eleuthera
Eleuthera is fringed with countless named and unnamed white-sand beaches, sometimes separated by soaring cliffs, often edged by shady casuarina trees and typically lapped by shimmering turquoise waters.
South of Moray Pond on the eastern side of Eleuthera, a fringing coral reef offers protection from Atlantic Ocean waves.
Ten Bay Beach
Pick your own spot to sunbathe and swim on this wide crescent of casuarina-fringed, soft white sand that shelves into calm turquoise waters.
There are no facilities at this secluded and picture-perfect beach, so it’s probably best to pack a picnic.
Ten Bay Beach is a 10-minute drive south of Palmetto Point and just north of Savannah Sound.
Whiteland Beach
Dig your toes into the soft, pick-hued sand of this reef-protected beach that is framed by towering bush-clad cliffs, edged by shady casuarina trees and lapped by calm, turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling in nearby rocky flanked coves.
There are no facilities on this pristine and secluded beach, which is located in South Eleuthera.
Winding Bay Beach
Unwind on the stunning pink sand of this pristine beach located on the Atlantic side of South Eleuthera.
There are no facilities here, so you may wish to bring a picnic.
Go swimming in calm, crystalline waters that are protected by an offshore reef. Sunbathe on the soft sands, relax in the shade of palm trees or stroll along the unspoiled wide sands.
Surfer’s Beach
Catch some waves at this legendary Atlantic-facing white-sand beach located a few kilometres south of Gregory Town. The best time to surf is from December through to May.
What to do and see in Eleuthera
For some of the best diving in this part of the Bahamas, head to Current Cut Dive, one of the world’s fastest (9 knots) drift dives – simply ideal for active honeymoon couples.
Located in the waters between Eleuthera and Current Island, the water races between an underwater chasm, sweeping along schools of stingrays, mako sharks and various colourful reef fish.
Hook up a fishing charter for tuna, amberjack, dolphin fish, wahoo and marlin: the islands are perfect for reef, bottom-, bone- and deep-sea fishing.
Hire a car and drive the length of the island, stopping off for a swim and picnic at a choice of casuarina-fringed, pink-hued and white-sand beaches.
Or pop across to one of the nearby satellite islands such as Spanish Wells and Harbour Island, where you can experience excellent snorkelling and diving among coral gardens, reefs, drop-offs and wrecks teeming with rainbow-hued fish.
Don’t miss peering into the 180m-deep Ocean Hole: this saltwater lake is one of Eleuthera’s most ecologically unusual spots and brims with fish and birdlife.
Where to stay
For honeymoon couples, Eleuthera offers the largest concentration of resorts outside of Nassau and Paradise Island.
Try the plush Cape Eleuthera Resort at Rock Sound on the southwest tip of the island, a mega-resort that is flanked by three gorgeous white-sand beaches and boasts a championship 18-hole golf course and a marina.
