Eleuthera - Harbour Island
Eleuthera is misspelled in so many ways: Eleutra, Eluthra, Eleuthra, Eluthera, Eluthera or Eluethra. Some of the local inhabitants call it "Citagoo". The word "Eleuthera" means "Freedom" in Greek. Whatever you wish to call it, Eleuthera Island is one of the real jewels of the Bahamas.
Eleuthera
The island of Eleuthera is divided into two regions, North Eleuthera and South Eleuthera. The North encompasses Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, Upper & Lower Bogue, The Bluff, The Current & Current Island, Gregory Town, Hatchet Bay and James’ Cistern. The South encompasses Governor’s Harbour, Palmetto Point, Savannah Sound, Tarpum Bay, Rock Sound, Green Castle, Deep Creek, Waterford, Wemyss Bight and Bannerman Town.
Places to visit:
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 was 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 is located approximately 200 miles from Miami, 60 miles from Nassau/Paradise Island and two miles East of Eleuthera.
Dunmore Town, the main and only town on Harbour Island, is one of the oldest settlements in The Bahamas. When the Revolutionary War broke out in the United States, the Loyalist Governor of Virginia fled to The Bahamas where he was awarded the title of Lord Dunmore, Governor of The Bahamas. He laid out what is today Dunmore Town, at the center of Harbour Island, giving shape to the village you see today.
The island’s popularity is founded on its tropical greenery stretching 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. Glass Window Bridge about two miles east of Upper Bouge, at the narrowest part of the island (30 feet), there is a striking rock formation known as the Glass Window Bridge. The land here, which is high on either side, falls away abruptly to nearly sea level almost dividing the island in two.
While your in Eleuthra here are some other places to see;
Hatchet Bay Cave
Any visitor passing through Hatchet Bay should not fail to visit this nearby cave. It is a mile long and filled with stalagmites and stalactites which will take on the appearance of underground Cathedrals in your torch light. (A cave guide is recommended.)
Ocean Hole
Despite its brackish water, people used to drink and bathe in Ocean Hole for medicinal purposes, rumored to be bottomless.
The Lone Tree
Located on the eastern shore of Harbour Island, "Lone Tree" is one of the more famous photo images in The Bahamas.
The Narrows
As the name implies “The Narrows” is a narrow strip of land, where a number of foreigners who of foreigners who fell in love with Harbour Island have built second homes. Super Model Elle McPherson, Wayne Huizinga, The Duke of Windsor and many other celebrities have residences there. They contribute to the island's economy by employing locals as cooks maids, gardeners and caretakers.
Day Time Fun and Night Life:
Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells present every traveler with several experiences to choose from. Of course the best thing for any traveler is to put his feet to work, exploring the land, sea and cultural allure of this playfully charming island group.
Here you will find miles of magnificent pink-white beaches, coves, cliffs and incredible blue-green water. You can swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy some of the finest diving anywhere, with exceptional dive facilities and unusual wrecks; admire and feed the fish or take a dip in the inland “Ocean Hole,” over 100 fathoms deep; explore fascinating sights and enjoy tasting the sweet and uniquely delicious Bahamian pineapples grown in Gregory Town.
