City/Settlement: Governor’s Harbour, Gregory Town

Location: About 60 miles from Nassau at its nearest point, Current Island, and approximately 200 miles from Florida

Size: Two miles wide and 110 miles long

Population: Approximately 11,000

      Images Courtesy of: Bahamas Tourist Office Eleuthera became the first English settlement in The Bahamas when 70 Puritans in search of religious freedom shipwrecked on her shores. Led by Capt. William Sayle, these hardy souls, who came to be known as the Eleutherian (Eleuthera is taken from the Greek word for freedom) Adventurers, took refuge in an onshore cave. This site came to be known as Preacher’s Cave for its rock formation resembling a pulpit. The cave and nearby white sand beach are visited by modern day pilgrims in search of freedom on this laid-back island. Today, visitors are attracted to Eleuthera by miles of secluded (and often empty) pink and white sand beaches and water activities. Snorkelers explore reefs just offshore, while divers take a closer look at shipwrecks and wall dives. Eleuthera has two main airports. North Eleuthera Airport, serves the north along with the two major offshore cays, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells. Governor’s Harbour Airport serves the center of the island.
The following air carriers offer scheduled flights from South Florida:

• Continental/Gulf Stream International Airlines (800-231-0856)
• American Eagle (800-433-7300)
• Island Express (954-359-0380)
• Twin Air (954-359-8266)
• The following airlines service Eleuthera from Nassau:
• Bahamasair (800-222-4262)
• Southern Air (242-377-2014)
• PineApple Air (242-377-0140)

• The Cove Eleuthera (800-552-5960)
• Rainbow Inn (800-688-0047)
• Cape Eleuthera Resort and Yacht Club (242-334-8500)
• Pineapple Fields (877-677-9539)
• Sky Beach Club (800-605-9869)
• Cocodimama Eleuthera (877-666-9294)
• Hut Pointe (760-908-6700)

This historical landmark, built by Governor William Frederick Haynes Smith in 1897, is the oldest Government Complex on the island. The building was recently renovated and remains a Public Library, hosting weekly social events and an Internet cafe. 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 falls away abruptly to nearly sea level almost dividing the island in two. On the west side are stunning views of the turquoise-blue Caribbean waters, on the east, the deep blue Atlantic. This annual four-day celebration of the Eleuthera pineapple is held during the first weekend of June in Gregory Town. It features a Junkanoo parade, craft displays, dancing, a pineapple recipe contest, tours of pineapple farms and a pineathalon-half-mile swim, three-mile run and 4.5-mile bike ride. This large, blue-shadowed cave is located about 10 miles outside the settlement known as “Bluff.” In 1647, Captain William Sayle was shipwrecked at the Devil’s Backbone and found refuge here. In addition, survivors from the Eleutherian Adventurers made it their temporary home after being shipwrecked when they were fleeing religious persecution in Bermuda. They held what was said to be the first Christian religious service in The Bahamas in the cave utilizing a large boulder resembling a pulpit, which still exists. Today, the site is used by many visitors and locals for picnics and other outings because of the lovely white sandy beach nearby. U.S. currency is accepted and is interchangeable with the Bahamian dollar. In September through May, the temperature on the Island averages 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit; the rest of the year is warmer, with temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees. Nighttime temperatures are generally cooler by 5-7 degrees. All U.S. citizens and foreign nationals traveling to/from the United States to/from The Bahamas are required to present a valid passport, passport card or WHTI-compliant document to re-enter the United States. All Canadian citizens traveling to/from Canada to/from The Bahamas are required to present either a valid passport, an official birth certificate or an original naturalization/citizenship certificate. For more information please visit Bahamas.com.