eleuthera island tours

THE 10 BEST Eleuthera Tours & Excursions

Eleuthera tours.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Private Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Pink Sand Beach and Swimming Pigs Adventure from Nassau

2. Be Your Own Captain Adventure: Bimini, Nassau, Exuma or Eleuthera

3. Bahamas Famous Pink Sand and Pig Experience with Snorkeling

4. Bahamas Pink Sand Beaches and Snorkeling to Spanish Wells

5. Eleuthera Day Trip with Swimming Pigs and Turtles from Nassau

6. Swim with the Turtles! Harbour Island Luxury Private Boat Tour

7. Visit the Ocean Swings! Full Day Harbour Island Private Boat Tour

8. Private Eleuthera Swimming Pigs, Turtles and Pink Sand Beach

9. Half Day Eleuthera Private Land Tour

10. Fishing charters, and wildlife tours and merchandise

11. Escape to Eleuthera

12. Full Day Eleuthera Private Land Tour

13. Bahamas Airport (ELH) to Bahamas - Arrival Private Transfer

14. Hotels/ferry to Bahamas North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) Transfer

15. Private Transfer from Bahamas Eleuthera Airport (ELH) to city hotels or ferry

16. Bahamas Airport to Hotels or Ferry Private Round Trip Transfer

17. Bahamas North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) to hotels/ferry Transfer

18. Bahamas North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) to hotels or ferry

19. Bahamas Airport ELH to Hotels or Ferry - Round Trip Transfer

20. Harbour Island Swimming Pigs and Beaches Boat Tour with Lunch

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Harbour Island Bahamas Sunset Cruise

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Eleuthera in the Bahamas

Eleuthera might just be the most beautiful island in the Bahamas.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Best things to do, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, how to get around.

Courtesy of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

With 16 major islands cast across 100,000 square miles of sapphire sea, the Bahamas is a popular retreat for travelers. On the more remote island of Eleuthera, seclusion reigns supreme. A best-kept secret in the region, the island is home to luxury boutique resorts, welcoming family-owned restaurants, stretches of blush-colored sand, and a teal-colored ocean that’s home to sparkling blue holes and coral reefs. Popular miles of coastline include Preacher’s Cave, where grassy paths dotted with sea grapes set the scene for a perfect picnic, and Lighthouse Beach, where pink sand sits below a lighthouse perched above the ocean.

“The name Eleuthera is a Greek word that means freedom. Eleuthera is not for your average tourist. This is a place where you have to wander, explore, and adventure on your own. It’s an island that invites you to find your own piece of paradise,” said Kaché Knowles , content creator and Bahamian founder of lifestyle brand iisaBahamianBey. Eleuthera is also well-known for its pineapple farms (there's even an annual festival every June to celebrate its harvest) and its people, whose strong sense of community can be felt all around the island.

“What’s not in the textbook is that the Bahamas is more than the sun, sea, and sand. In order to experience what’s beyond that, you must be willing to speak to the people, learn from and listen to Bahamians, and be curious about our culture, heritage, and history” said Knowles. “The thing that makes the Bahamas is not the beaches; it’s the Bahamians — they are the true jewels of the Bahamas.”  

Read on to learn more about what to do, where to eat, and when to visit Eleuthera.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• At Glass Window Bridge, you can witness the stunning contrast of blue ocean waters and a 30-foot-wide strip of rock, located on the narrowest part of Eleuthera. 
• A quiet retreat along 40 acres, The Cove, Eleuthera is a newly upgraded boutique hotel tucked between two coves. 
• Enjoy Bahamian cuisine with panoramic views of the town below at The Buccaneer Club, a 19th-century farmhouse restaurant. 
• Learn more about Eleuthera’s most common produce on Diane “Lady Di” Thompson’s pineapple farm, Lady Di’s Pineapple Farm.
• An Eleuthera institution, Tippy’s Restaurant and Beachside Bar offers live music and great seafood and bar bites on the pink sands of Governor's Harbour.

Courtesy of The Cove Eleuthera

The Cove, Eleuthera 

Tucked between two white-sand coves located on the narrowest point of the island, The Cove is a 29-room boutique property best suited for travelers seeking a tranquil hideaway. Recent renovations include a complete transformation of the on-site dining space, Freedom Restaurant & Sushi Bar, and an array of ecological and culinary tours. 

Pineapple Fields Resort

Located on one of the longest and most striking white-sand beaches on Eleuthera, this laid-back resort’s appeal lies in its welcoming staff and comfortable villa accommodations. Situated on five lush garden acres, Pineapple Fields Resort is just a 15-minute drive from Governor’s Harbour Airport — ideal for island hoppers flying in from Nassau.

French Leave Resort

At French Leave Resort , 20 villas situated on a 270-acre preserve provide splendid views of crystalline waters from a prime hillside location in Governor’s Harbour. Minimal crowds, an attentive staff, and spacious rooms with ocean-view balconies are just a few of the property's many perks.

Visit Lady Di’s Pineapple Farm.

Eleuthera’s sweet-as-candy pineapple is a beloved produce around the island. Get a taste during a farm-to-table experience and guided tour with one of Eleuthera's finest pineapple farmers, Lady Di . You’ll learn more about the indigenous agricultural practices and may even be enticed to return for the annual Pineapple Festival held every June. 

See the Glass Window Bridge.

A 30-foot sliver of land that connects North and South Eleuthera, the Glass Window Bridge is a testimony to the depth of color the ocean holds. “The Glass Window Bridge is a must-visit attraction. The narrow strip of land that separates the dark blue churning waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the tranquil turquoise waters of the Bight of Eleuthera is one of the most photographed sites on the island,” said Prescott Young , Bahamas Ministry of Tourism general manager. For lunch, consider Glass Window Bar & Grill , located right next to the bridge. 

Make a splash in Queen’s Bath.

Located about half a mile south of Glass Window Bridge, the Queen’s Bath is a large set of soaking pools bordered by natural rock formations. Filled daily with crashing waves from the Atlantic Ocean, the bath-like temperature is ideal for taking a dip. Note that it’s safest to visit during low and medium tide as the waves can be quite strong otherwise. 

Explore the island’s blue holes.

Sparkling, water-filled cenotes abound in Eleuthera, with popular spots including Ocean Hole and Sapphire Blue Hole. The former is home to rich marine life. Both are accessible by boat and have platform ladders and ropes to go cliff jumping.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch at this casual cafe, helmed by chef Horatio Smith , co-founder of Eleuthera-based Island Hospitality Group . Located on a waterfront in Governor’s Harbour, visitors can dine on the patio and people-watch. “I love to cook with the freshest ingredients found here in the Bahamas. Local fish is my favorite, like snapper for roasting, grouper for frying, or lionfish for ceviche,” said Smith.

Tippy's Restaurant and Beachside Bar

An open–air bistro with a loyal following, Tippy’s has been open for more than 20 years. It's located at Pineapple Fields Resort, and menu items include lobster salad, Bahamian stone crab, and a variety of pizzas. Expect crowds on the weekend and live music.

Unca Gene's Seafood Restaurant & Bar 

For a taste of Bahamian cuisine and views of Gregory Town’s harbor, head to Unca Gene's . Favorites include conch salad and fried lobster. Order a cocktail at the bar and chat with a lively bartender. 

The Buccaneer Club 

Located in a 19th-century farmhouse, The Buccaneer Club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a garden oasis draped in bougainvillea and coconut palms. Outdoor dining includes candlelit tables and live music on the weekends, with a menu that focuses on seafood dishes like grilled grouper and conch bites. 

The Front Porch 

This waterfront restaurant in Hatchet Bay offers some of the freshest stone crab on the island. Other menu items include curried lobster, asparagus ravioli, and a Chantilly cream lobster mousse for dessert. Reservations are recommended.

The most popular time to visit Eleuthera is December through April. The summer months of July and August, in particular, can reach very high temperatures. Visitors should also be mindful of hurricane season, which falls between June and November.

There are three airports spread throughout the island: North Eleuthera Airport, Governor’s Harbour Airport, and Rock Sound International Airport. 

Choosing an airport depends on your departure location, as well as where you'll be staying upon arrival. If traveling directly from the U.S., visitors will fly into North Eleuthera Airport. American and Delta offer routes from major cities, including Atlanta, Miami, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Many choose to island hop for a few days from the capital, Nassau, which is easy to plan thanks to several inter-island operators, like BahamasAir and Western Air, offering daily and weekly services. When possible, it’s best to coordinate your flights to arrive and depart from the airport closest to your accommodations.

Eleuthera is a sprawling 110-mile island with a rural landscape. Travelers should consider arranging a car service and/or exploring tour operators to get between must-see attractions. Rental cars are also available for those familiar with maneuvering island roads. Two popular car rental companies are J R Car Rental and Butch Johnson's Car Rentals . Rates for taxi services vary depending on your departure and arrival points. Note that most vendors throughout the Bahamas only accept cash.

Taxis are available at ferry docks and airports. Bike, scooter, and golf cart rentals are affordable options as well. It’s most cost effective to rent a car when traveling to Eleuthera for a longer period because of the long distances between various towns.

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BOOKING EXCURSIONS:

Eleuthera day excursion, adventurers paradise.

Explore Sandbars

Rope Swings

Swim With the Turtles

Snorkel Beautiful Reefs

Meeks Patch Pigs

Local Lunch Stop

Take a quick 1-hour private boat ride from Nassau to Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. One of the most adventurous spots you can explore when visiting The Bahamas. From cliff diving to some beautiful snorkeling, and the swimming pigs, this is the ideal place to plan your adventure! Remember that all our tours are unique to your experience, you can choose what you do and don’t want to do, or DO IT ALL!

INCLUDED IN TOUR

Private boat excursion & captain

Transportation to & from accomadation

Swimming pig landing fees

Soft drinks, water, and chips

Your captain as your photographer

ITINERARY (8-HOUR TOTAL)

Depart from Nassau at 9 AM

1-hour boat ride to Spanish Wells

Explore sandbars

Swim with the Meek’s Patch Pigs

Local Lunch Stop (the price of lunch not included)

Snorkel Stop

Swim with the turtles

Arrive back in Nassau at 5 PM

WHAT TO BRING

Towels, hats, sunscreen

Change of clothes for the ride back

Tip for Captain (optional)

Cash for lunch

Beers, drinks, and any extra snacks you wish to bring

STARTING AT:

Price for up to 4 pax* continue with booking to get pricing for your group*, 8 hour excursion.

If we have to cancel due to weather and are unable to accommodate you on another day, we offer a 100% refund. All other cancellations will receive a 50% refund.

CONTACT FLOAT YOUR BOAT BAHAMAS

Float your boat bahamas.

Allow Bahamas Ocean Safaris to be the first to welcome you to Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, or Harbour Island Bahamas

James Dunnam, owner and Safari guide, was born in and spent his entire life in Spanish Wells, The Bahamas. He is a Licensed Captain with over 30 years experience in Lobster diving and 20 + years in deep-sea fishing. His life experiences, knowledge of the sea, and unique perspectives are now applied to help others have the vacation of a lifetime.

Let Bahamas Ocean Safaris be the first to welcome you to Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas and introduce itself. James Dunnam, owner and Safari guide, was born in and spent his entire life in Spanish Wells, The Bahamas. He is a Licensed Captain with 30 years experience in Lobster diving and 20 years in deep sea fishing. His life experiences, knowledge of the sea, and unique perspectives are now applied to help others have the vacation of a lifetime.

REEF EXPLORATION, SNORKELING & SCUBA DIVING

We can take you and your family to explore the hundreds of unspoiled reefs around our islands.  If the weather’s good, there is no better place to be on this earth than Cloe’s Garden, home of untouched coral and abundant marine life.  This location is pristine, entrusted to our care, and unknown to other residents of our island , so we insist that no evidence of our presence be left behind and nothing touched or removed from its environs.

Your Safari could be on a remote and deserted beach where you become your own Robinson Crusoe, combing the beach for shells and treasure, or exploring, or simply seeking peace and solitude. Your Safari Guide can stay within reach or, if you choose, ask him to drop you off and pick you up later, whatever you like!

Or it could be exploration, crossing through the treacherous waters of The Devil’s Backbone. You’ll land ashore on a deserted white-sand beach and cross through the dunes to find Preacher’s Cave, home place to our ancestors who lived in a natural cave for years after a disastrous shipwreck in 1648.

Hover over any of the photos below to see what other vacationers have to say!

Sea Turtles

Swim with Pigs

WOW! Couldn’t have been more pleased! James was great and very personable. We went spear fishing and it was great! He was great at explaining the gear even jumped in with us to show us! He pointed out star fish, took us to sand dollar island, a place where sea biscuits were! And then we got to swim with the pigs. So much fun! Can’t wait to come back! – Kelly T., Houston Texas

Coral Reefs

 – Julie K., Stafford VA

Cpt. James Dunnam picked us up from Harbour Island and our first stop was Preacher’s Cave. We then went for a walk on Sand Dollar Beach where we played with some giant starfish. Then we went reef fishing and caught some yellowtail, mutton snapper, and lost some big ones! After that we went to the island where you can swim with the pigs! Cpt Dunnam showed us an awesome time and was always smiling and laughing. He is a great guy who loves what he does and where he lives. Book with James! – Mark D., Dover Florida

WOW! Couldn’t have been more pleased! James was great and very personable. He was great at explaining the gear even jumped in with us to show us! He pointed out star fish, took us to sand dollar island, a place where sea biscuits were! And then we got to swim with the pigs. – Kelly T., Houston Texas

Cpt. James Dunnam picked us up from Harbour Island and our first stop was Preacher’s Cave. We then went for a walk on Sand Dollar Beach where we played with some giant starfish. Then we went reef fishing and caught some yellowtail, mutton snapper, and lost some big ones! – Mark D., Dover Florida

SPANISH WELLS & ISLANDS

Spanish Wells (St Georges Cay) is an island of extraordinary natural beauty and tranquility. Lying just 200 miles off the East Florida coast, it lies near the Continental Shelf in the Gulf Stream giving fantastic game fishing opportunities just offshore. Being only 2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide, Spanish Wells lies just off the north end of Eleuthera island central Bahamas. Our beautiful crystal clear turquoise waters have an abundance of marine life, just off of our pristine white, slightly pink, soft sandy beaches.

There are few people on earth who have spent as much time on–and under–the seas seeking lobster and fish than Safari Guide James Dunnam. One area of worldwide renown is the Dutch Bar, just 5 miles off the coast of Spanish Wells, where the ocean floor descends from approximately 200 feet over a cliff that drops thousands of feet deep. Tuna, Wahoo, Sail Fish, Marlin, and Mahi Mahi, just to mention a few, compete with sharks and barracuda for food. It is nature at it’s rawest and pristine, where man seeks to harvest the sea’s bounty in competition with its natural residents.

• James Dunnam
• Bahamas Ocean Safaris
• 1.242.470.1930

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NORTH ELEUTHERA LAND ADVENTURE

Explore north eleuthera's most beautiful spots.

Queen’s Bath

Glass window bridge

Sapphire blue hole

PREACHERS CAVE

LOCAL LUNCH STOP

This is the ultimate Eleuthera Experience! Explore all the beautiful sights and adventures Eleuthera has to offer with a private guide and driver. Take a dip in the tide pools at Queen Anne’s Bath, capture amazing photos of the Glass Window Bridge, the thinnest part of the island! Venture to the Sapphire Blue Hole where you can jump in or enjoy the beautiful turquoise water from above. Explore Preacher’s Cave, a shelter and place of worship back in the day for the Eleutheran Adventurers. After all that exploring, you’ll be ready for a delicious local lunch!

INCLUDED IN TOUR

Private transportation

guide for adventure

Your driver as your photographer

ITINERARY (4-HOURS TOTAL)

Pick up at Three Island dock or Gene’s bay

(You can choose pick up time)

queen’s bath

glass window bridge

sapphire blue hole

Preachers cave

local lunch stop

WHAT TO BRING

cash for lunch

Snorkels/masks (for blue hole) Optional

Sneakers or sturdy water shoes

Beers, drinks

any snacks you wish to bring

Tip for driver (optional)

starting at:

If we have to cancel due to weather and are unable to accommodate you on another day, we offer a 100% refund. All other cancellations will receive a 50% refund.

WE CAN HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP! + A PORTION OF OUR PROCEEDS GOES TO EDUCATION ON HARBOUR ISLAND.

• Briland By Sea
• Harbour Island Sunset Cruise
• Bonefishing
• Deep Sea Fishing
• Spearfishing
• Bottom Fishing

Eleuthera Adventure Experience

• Golf Cart Rentals
• Polaris UTV Rentals
• Moke Rentals
• VIP Airport Transfer
• Babysitting Service
• Hire a Captain
• Hire a Fishing Guide
• Hire a Mate
• Hire Musicians
• Hire a Private Chef
• Live Bait Service
• Nightlife Guide/Chaperone
• Private Air Charters
• Provisioning Service
• VIP Club Reservations
• Yacht & Boat Repositioning
• Harbour Island Rental Homes
• Beach Bonfire
• Beach Picnic
• Corporate Retreats
• Plan Your Trip
• How to Get Here
• Where to Stay
• Where to Eat
• Where to Shop
• Health & Fitness
• About Harbour Island
• Why Conch & Coconut
• Giving Back
• The Good Life Blog
• Events Calendar
• 1 (242) 805-2626 1 (888) 994-9494
• 1 (242) 805-2626

or Call us to Book: 1 (888) 994-9494

Private Guided Luxury Van & Adventure Tour.

Each of our Vans accommodate up to 6 guests max.

For Groups Larger than 12 please email us at [email protected] or call us at +1 (242) 805-2626.

Enjoy the best of North Eleuthera all from the comfort of our Luxury Mercedes Van

Experience the island from the comfort of our luxury Mercedes Van and explore the natural and historic beauty of Eleuthera. Our historian guides pass along their passion and knowledge of local history, culture, flora & fauna. Look for panoramic vistas as you sit back and breathe in the fresh island air!

Tour Highlights

Glass window bridge, queen’s bath, sapphire blue hole cenote, preacher’s cave and beach.

Eleuthera Adventure Experience FAQ

• Closed Toe Shoes (water shoes recommended)
• Bathing Suit
• Dry Change of Clothes
• Reef Safe Sunscreen
• Small backpack
• Local Historian Tour Guide
• Bottled Water
• Pink Sand Seltzers

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Contact Info

[email protected]

+1 786-289-8977

Mon – Sun 9.00 – 17.00

4300 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL

Fla. Seller of Travel Ref No. ST41785

Bahamas Day Trips

Staniel Cay Tours Miami to Bahamas Day Trips Nassau to Exuma Day Trips Swimming Pigs Excursions Harbour Island Day Trips

Visiting Eleuthera Bahamas will introduce you to an exciting world of mesmerising coastal sunsets, unique beaches and immersive cultural experiences.

Eleuthera Bahamas is also packed with the world’s sweetest pineapples, so if you have a sweet tooth, then there is no better tour for you. Yacht races, paradisaic islands and some of the world’s very best scuba diving sites await you on your Bahamas tour of Eleuthera.

The Bahamas Out Islands are a string of islands which make up 84% of Bahamian land mass. This means that there is an endless supply of gorgeous sights, exciting attractions and engaging activities that you can enjoy on your day trip to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale. The island known as Eleuthera Bahamas is an excellent stop while you Island Hop Bahamas, because of its central location, convenience and proximity to some of the most popular Out Islands. This island is actually split into two separate areas, known as North and South Eleuthera Bahamas.

Founded in 1648, Eleuthera Bahamas has grown to become one of the most well-known Bahamian Islands. Not only is it an excellent stop for the famous scenic vistas of the Bahamas, but it is also the agricultural centre for the Bahamas, with pineapples being the most popular crop. Visiting the pineapple farms is just one of the many things to do in Eleuthera Bahamas, particularly if the majesty of the ocean calls to you. Scuba diving and snorkelling are popular pastimes on Eleuthera Bahamas, but the crown jewel of ocean-related activities is the Glass Window Bridge Eleuthera. The Island forms a border between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Ocean, and on the Glass Window Bridge Eleuthera Bahamas you will have the chance to view the thin line of land between the dark blue Atlantic waters and the turquoise waters of the Bahamas.

If you plan to enjoy a 5 day cruise to Bahamas, then you’ll surely be looking for some good accommodation. Fortunately, the Eleuthera Bahamas Resorts are exemplary, as well as them providing you with a great base from which to discover what to do in Eleuthera Bahamas. What’s more is that you will be able to organize a trip to the nearby Harbour Island Eleuthera, where you can visit the famous Pink Sands Beach and the historic Dunmore Town. If, however, you would like to visit a beach of pink sand without having to travel to Harbour Island, Eleuthera is home to French Leave Beach, which boasts this amazing colour tint as well.

Exploring the Out Islands and enjoying a Bahamas Island Hopping experience is what Bahamas Air Tours is all about. There is no better base for discovering the Out Islands than the island of Eleuthera Bahamas. The trip from Miami to Eleuthera Bahamas is a short one, making a day trip to Bahamas not only easy, but downright convenient. Eleuthera Bahamas even has its own international airport, which means that you can book direct flights to Eleuthera on a Miami to Bahamas day trip.

Gregory Town

Named after Governor John Gregory, the Governor of the Bahamas in the 1950’s, Gregory Town boasts a range of interesting attractions to discover on your Bahamas tour. Having been compared to the Italian Riviera, this small town, with no more than 400 residents, displays an undeniable charm from the moment you arrive.

A little known fact about the Bahamas is that they were the first country to produce pineapples on a commercial scale. A trip to Gregory Town Bahamas will give you the chance to visit the pineapple fields , and taste what is said to be the world’s sweetest pineapple.

During your entire stay on Eleuthera you will find evidence of the immense popularity of this fruit, from the delicious desserts and meals that they make with it, to the resort and festival that are named after it. In fact, on your Miami to Eleuthera day trip to Bahamas you may hear Gregory Town Bahamas being referred to as “ Pineapple City ”.

Preacher’s Cave is another natural feature that you simply must visit on your tour of Gregory Town Eleuthera Bahamas. This cave’s name was given to it because of the religious significance of the site. William Sayle and a group of Christians in search of religious freedom discovered this cave having been shipwrecked on the Devil’s Backbone reef , they washed ashore and found this cave, where they built an altar and conducted a religious service. The name carried over to the nearby beach, which is now known as Preacher’s Beach, and is an exceptional spot to stop for some sightseeing, sunbathing and perhaps even a picnic.

That is not, however, where the Eleutheran beaches end, Surfer’s Beach is another popular destination for anyone with a board and a thirst for the waves. Idyllic island breaks roll onto the shore, giving surfers from all over the world something to do during their stay on Eleuthera Bahamas. If, however, you’re looking for a peaceful place to work on your tan, then Ten Bay Beach is for you, but be sure to visit during the afternoon, because the beach is in the shade of the nearby casuarina trees in the mornings.

Glass Window Bridge

Your Miami to Eleuthera day trip to Bahamas would not be complete without a visit to the Glass Window Bridge off the coast of Gregory Town Eleuthera Bahamas. There is something truly fascinating about observing the line that separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean, particularly when viewed from the Glass Window Bridge Eleuthera. Contrary to what the name suggests, the bridge is, in fact, an open air road leading along the most narrow point of Eleuthera. On the eastern side you will have a clear view of the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, and on the western side you will be able to enjoy the immense beauty of the light turquoise Caribbean Sea. This site displays the heavy contrast between these two oceans in a marvellous way.

After viewing the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean, you may want to warm yourself up, fortunately, on the list of what to do in Eleuthera, one of the most popular stops is known as the Queen’s Baths. Less than a mile south of the Glass Window Bridge Eleuthera on the eastern coast you will find these natural pools. Formed by erosion and warmed by the blazing Bahamian sun, these pools are an excellent place to lie back and enjoy the bath-like temperature while enjoying the stunning scenery that surrounds you.

Governor’s Harbour

Governor’s Harbour is Eleuthera’s capital , and a bustling and interesting destination for you to visit. The first seat of Government in the Bahamas was established in this location, which is where it got its name from. Governor’s Harbour Bahamas also holds historical significance because the settlement was established by William Sayle, the same man who discovered Preacher’s Cave. During your day trip to Bahamas you will undoubtedly want to make the most of your time, and a visit to Governor’s Harbour will do just that for you. There are countless things to do here, including coastal horseback riding, sailing, surfing, cliff jumping, amazing restaurants, and of course some excellent Eleuthera Bahamas resorts. A trip from Miami to Eleuthera with Bahamas Air Tours will transport you to some wonderful destinations.

Even though there is time to experience a bit of everything on your day trip to Bahamas, particularly when flying from Miami to Bahamas, you will certainly want to spend a lot of time on one of the famous Bahamian beaches. A trip to Governor’s Harbour Bahamas will grant you easy access to some of the island’s very best beaches. French Leave Beach is among the most popular to visit because of its unique colour. Much like Pink Sands Beach on Harbour Island Eleuthera, French Leave Beach has pink sand bordering the water. This unique phenomenon is due to the millions of microscopic mollusc shells which litter the sand, their vibrant red colour blending with the white sand granules to create this marvellous pink hue.

If you’re hoping to spend some more time at this exceptional beach, then you can book a night or two at one of the best Eleuthera Bahamas Resorts, French Leave Resort . From kayaking, snorkelling and swimming in the beautiful turquoise water, to a fitness centre and events pavilion, there will be no shortage of things to do at these Eleuthera Bahamas Resorts.

If the world of plants and nature excite you, then you will enjoy a trip to the Leon Levy Native Plant Reserve . This is an excellent stop in Governor’s Harbour for all the nature-lovers of the world. Operated by the Bahamas National Trust, this reserve serves as an environmental education centre and, being the the only reserve on the island of Eleuthera Bahamas, it helps to preserve native Bahamian plants and trees. The reserve was named after Leon Levy by his wife, Shelby White, in honour of him after his death.

16 miles east of Governor’s Harbour Bahamas, you will come across the settlement known as Savannah Sound . This name was given to the settlement because of the large savannah-like landscape found on its eastern side. Not only will a visit to Savannah Sound give you an interesting insight into the local culture and traditions, but it will also give you access to the small island nearby known as Windermere. This island is joined to Savannah Sound by a bridge, and provides you with a glorious expanse of private beach to enjoy.

Hatchet Bay

While it may be known as Hatchet Bay, this location is actually named Alice Town. The name Hatchet Bay came, quite simply, from the fact that the harbour is shaped just like the head of a hatchet. This harbour saw a lot of traffic after the 1940’s when a channel was cut out to allow for boats to enter the sheltered bay. Flights to North Eleuthera island and travelling from Miami to Eleuthera will allow you to visit this interesting destination.

Hatchet Bay, however, is not all about the harbour. Located on the western side of the Queen’s Highway which runs the length of Eleuthera, you will find the Hatchet Bay Caves. While it may not be the largest cave system in the Bahamas, it is certainly the most extensive, with over a mile of twisting passages to explore. Geologists will undoubtedly love the visit, particularly when you come across the impressive stalactites and stalagmites. But history-lovers will also get a kick out of viewing some of the coal drawings on the walls which are centuries old.

Originally named New Portsmouth, Rock Sound Eleuthera was also once known as Wreck Sound because of the treacherous waters surrounding this settlement. On a Miami to Eleuthera day trip to Bahamas, you should make time to go and visit Rock Sound, where you will find a plethora of things to do. Not only are there a number of great activities, but you can also book direct flights to Eleuthera, and arrive at the Rock Sound International Airport.

Like many other destinations in the Bahamas, most of the attractions in Rock Sound Eleuthera revolve around the ocean. One of the most popular events to take place here is the Rock Sound Sailing Regatta , which is essentially a series of races for all the boating enthusiasts from around the world. Lighthouse Beach is another great coastal attraction worth a visit during your day trip to Bahamas Rock Sound. Much like Harbour Island Eleuthera’s Pink Sands Beach, Lighthouse Beach has a distinctive pink colour to it. If you are on a one day trip to Bahamas from Miami, be sure to add a visit to Lighthouse Beach to your schedule!

Rock Sound is also an excellent place for nature lovers to explore because of the incredible natural attractions that it hosts. Boiling Hole is the perfect place to begin your exploration. You will start by climbing down a wooden ladder into a cave known as The Cathedral, it is here that you will find Boiling Hole, which is a small, water-filled hole in the ground which bubbles due to the release of gasses beneath the surface. After marvelling at this fascinating attraction and perhaps exploring the cave a little more, you can set out for Ocean Hole. Further inland, this “bottomless” blue hole is home to a rich eco-system. While it may be inland, this body of water is linked to the ocean underground, this can be seen as Ocean Hole rises and recedes with the tides. A visit to Ocean Hole on your Miami to Bahamas day trip will also give you a chance to visit the protected Ocean Hole Park that it’s a part of to discover more of this beautiful and verdant area.

Spanish Wells

While it may not be part of Mainland Eleuthera, Spanish Wells Bahamas on St George’s Cay is a fantastic destination for you to visit while Bahamas Island Hopping. Though it may be small, Spanish Wells Bahamas has a great deal of charm. One of the best parts about this island is the fact that all transportation is golf carts, which means you can explore the island while relaxing in this open-air vehicle. At only two miles long and half a mile wide, Spanish Wells can be explored reasonably quickly while you Island Hop Bahamas. However, your visit here will also allow you to travel over the bridge to the nearby Russell Island .

Spanish Wells also boasts an exceptionally beautiful white sandy beach for a relaxing stroll. While the beach may be a great attraction for all who visit Spanish Wells while Bahamas Island on your one day trip to Bahamas from Miami, but the nearby ocean holds far more excitement. Just 1.4 miles northeast of Spanish Wells you will find the Devils Backbone reef. For snorkel and diving enthusiasts, there are few better places to visit in the Bahamas than here on your day trip to Bahamas from Fort Lauderdale.

Harbour Island

Flights to North Eleuthera would almost not be worth it without visiting the nearby Harbour Island Day Trip . It is here that you will find the famous Pink Sands Beach , some of the very best Eleuthera Bahamas Resorts and a host of other exciting attractions. What’s more is that you will have the chance to explore Dunmore Town , complete with colourful, colonial architecture, small, quiet lanes and a range of different restaurants at which to try some local cuisine. If you’re wondering how to get to Eleuthera Bahamas and travel to Harbour Island, you can book North Eleuthera flights, and from the airport book a water taxi to take you over to Harbour Island.

If you are on a 5 day Cruise to Bahamas and you’re visiting Harbour Island, then be sure to have a look at some of the Eleuthera Bahamas Resorts on Harbour Island, including Valentines Resort . If you’re simply planning on exploring the island, then you will have no shortage of attractions, with lone tree, the photographer’s dream, in the north and the perfectly preserved loyalist cottage in Dunmore Town to the local fish fry and even a haunted house to visit. Travelling to Harbour Island on your one day Bahamas cruise is an excellent way to make the most of your time.

Discover more in our Harbour Island destination guide.

Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays

At the southern end of Eleuthera Island you will find Princess Cays, which is one of the top Eleuthera Bahamas resorts. It is a great stop if you’re planning on booking a cruise to Bahamas, because it is owned by Princess Cruises and is used as a port of call for cruises around the Caribbean. This means that the beaches are constantly abuzz with new people from a number of different cruise lines who come to visit Eleuthera. If you’re looking for Eleuthera Bahamas resorts on your trip from Miami to Eleuthera, then be sure to take a look at Princess Cays!

Staying at one of the southern Eleuthera Bahamas resorts will also give you access to Half Moon Cay, which is also known as Little San Salvador. While it may be a private island, if you’re planning on travelling from Miami to Eleuthera on a Bahamas cruise, then you will likely also stop off at Half Moon Cay, which is owned by Holland America Cruise line and is another nearby port of call. Visiting Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay will allow you to take part in a range of water activities, including swimming, jet-skiing, snorkelling and scuba diving. You’ll even be able to rent a number of different vessels to make the most of your time here. If you’d prefer to stay on the beach, then you can go for a horseback ride along the shore, a truly authentic Bahamian experience.

Booking with Bahamas Air Tours will undoubtedly provide you with a better and more immersive experience than these crowded cruises. Not only will you have far fewer people to experience the tour with, but you will also find that Island Hopping Bahamas is far quicker and more convenient by air. This is also not even to mention the unparalleled aerial views you will get of this magnificent archipelago. Book your place with Bahamas Air Tours to ensure that you don’t miss out on this unforgettable opportunity to explore the Bahamas.

Eleuthera Bahamas Resorts

There is certainly no shortage of Eleuthera Bahamas Resorts to choose from to ensure that your Miami to Eleuthera trip is a comfortable one. Eleuthera Bahamas hotels and Eleuthera resorts can be found throughout the island, and it’s a matter of preference when it comes to deciding where you would like to stay.

French Leave Resort gives you direct access to the island’s most beautiful beach. With 12 different beachside villas to choose from, your time at this resort will be private and luxurious. If your sweet tooth tends to get the better of you, then Pineapple Fields should be more to your liking. With sleek condos to choose from, each fully equipped with kitchen verandahs and comfortable bedrooms. The sweet scent of pineapples in the air and irresistible sweet treats for you to try make Pineapple Fields resort one of the most popular of the Eleuthera Bahamas Resorts. If, however, you are hoping to lie back in the lap of luxury, then the luscious accommodation of The Cove resort is for you. This award-winning resort features a range of rooms, suites and villas to allow for a vacation customized to your exact wishes.

If you’re also planning on spending some time on Harbour Island, and not just booking a day trip to Bahamas, then you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. If all you want to do during your stay is enjoy the glorious Pink Sands Beach, then Pink Sands resort should suit you better than anywhere else. If, however, you are hoping to do some boating, then Valentines Resort and Marina is what you’re looking for. Whichever Eleuthera Bahamas Resort you decide to stay in on your Miami to Eleuthera trip, you will undoubtedly be satisfied with the world-class service.

Flights to Eleuthera

Fortunately, travelling direct from Miami to Eleuthera is incredibly easy, due to the fact that the island is home to three international airports. If you’re wondering how to get to Eleuthera Bahamas, then be sure to take a look at the different trips offered by Bahamas Air Tours and book your North Eleuthera flights.

If you’re planning on going to Harbour Island and exploring the northern tip of Eleuthera, then a flight to the North Eleuthera Airport is your best option. If, however, you hope to travel from Miami to Eleuthera on a day trip to Bahamas and visit either Rock Sound or Governor’s Harbour, then you can fly directly to these destinations thanks to their international airports.

Eleuthera Island

There is small wonder in why people love to visit Eleuthera Island so much. Not only is it a phenomenal destination in its own right, it also serves as an outstanding hub from which to explore the nearby Out Islands. Flying from Miami to Eleuthera and booking a day trip to Bahamas has never been so easy. Bahamas Air Tours ensures that you have an unforgettable Island hopping experience in this tropical Paradise.

Select images courtesy of the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism.

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Majestic Tours

Harbour island pink sands experience with swimming pigs and turtles tour.

This full day powerboat tour is sure not to disappoint if you are looking to check off your Bahamas bucket list! Visit Harbour Island, Eleuthera, home of the 'Pink Sands Beach' and swim with pigs all in a one-day adventure.

• Hotel transfer: optional
• Pricing: from $427.90 per Adult, $328.90 per Child (under 6 years)
• Taxes included in the prices.
• TO BOOK: +1 242 677 2600 or EMAIL .

Book Now! Please contact our Tour Consultant to book at [email protected] Please enable JavaScript to book tours!

Full Details

Depart Paradise Island and set off for the island of Meeks Patch, Eleuthera to swim with the pigs. Ride time is approximately ninety minutes. Here you will have the chance to swim with and feed the pigs of various sizes that call this island home. Back on the boat for a thirty-five-minute ride around the most northern point of Eleuthera island and into a shallow cove where you can feed, and touch wild sea turtles as they swim around. The next stop on your tour will take you to Harbour Island, Eleuthera. Harbour Island is one of The Bahamas' most well-known islands thanks to 'Pink Sands Beach'. This beach so aptly named for its light pink hue stretches almost three miles on the Atlantic side of the island. Travel and Leisure has ranked this beach #4 of 11 stunning pink sand beaches around the world. Here you will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before jumping into golf carts for a quick ride to the beach. Spend time exploring, swimming, and relaxing. The last stop will take you to a shallow sandbar complete with wooden swings that make for an amazing photo opportunity. The last leg of your journey will be approximately ninety minutes back to Paradise Island.

- Ninety minute speed boat ride to the first stop in Eleuthera - Swim with and feed the pigs at Meeks Patch, Eleuthera - Interact with wild green turtles in a shallow cove - Enjoy lunch at a restaurant on Harbour Island, Eleuthera - Visit the famous Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island for swimming and sunning - Spend time on a sandbar with wooden swings and stingrays for the perfect photo opportunity

Tour Inclusions:

- Lunch at a restaurant - Local beer, bottled, water, sodas, and light snacks while on the boat - Food for the animals - All landing fees - Transportation to the Pink Sands Beach

Important Details:

- This is a shared tour and can accommodate up to 22 guests - The tour is not suitable for women who are pregnant at any stage - The tour is not wheelchair accessible and does require the ability to climb a vertical ladder - Not recommended for anyone with chronic neck or back issues - Children under the age of two are not permitted - Guests should bring and are responsible for applying sunscreen as needed due to extended sun exposure - There is a 48 hour cancellation policy. Any changes or cancellations must be made prior to avoid penalties

Tour Times:

- Check in time: 8:00am - Departure time: 8:30am - Return time: 5:00pm - Check-in location: Paradise Island Ferry Terminal

Transportation Pickup Times:

- Sandyport: 6:45am - Cable Beach: 7:00am - Downtown: 7:15am

Scheduling information for this excursion is available on the booking form.

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These Lesser-Known Caribbean Destinations Are True Island Paradises

Posted: June 6, 2023 | Last updated: February 20, 2024

Get off the beaten track in the Caribbean

Harbour Island and Eleuthera, The Bahamas

Harbour Island in The Bahamas has been touted as the best place for a tropical escape , and sister island Eleuthera is every bit as enticing. The twin islands are only separated by a narrow stretch of water and a five-minute ferry ride, but both offer something entirely unique. While Harbour Island is a charming seaside town decorated with New England-style architecture, Eleuthera is a wild and beautiful stretch of land, home to pristine beaches and rocky alcoves.

Both islands have dreamy stretches of sand, in the form of Twin Coves Beach on Eleuthera and Pink Sand Beach on Harbour Island. The latter was even named the second-best beach in the world by Alpha Travel Insurance in 2019. Looking at a range of factors, including visitor ratings, average water temperatures and average number of sunny days, the company declared Pink Sand Beach a must-visit.

Aside from stunning shorelines, the twin islands have plenty to offer. Stroll through the streets of Harbour Island's Dunmore Town, soaking up its colorful clapboard houses; take a short boat ride to St. George's Cay, off the northern tip of Eleuthera, where the charming fishing village of Spanish Wells can be explored; and don't miss Queen's Bath and Glass Window Bridge, two of Eleuthera's greatest treasures.

Three airports service Eleuthera, and Harbour Island is a mere ferry trip away, making it an easy alternative option for those seeking sun, sea and seclusion. Plus, each spring Eleuthera usually hosts the All That Jazz Festival, while January is The Bahamas International Film Festival – both of which are well worth making the trip for. If you're looking for picture-perfect views and total tranquillity, book yourself into French Leave Resort in Governor's Harbour on Eleuthera.

Saba, Lesser Antilles, Dutch Caribbean

Just a 12-minute flight south of Sint Maarten, this forested five-square-mile (13sq km) island oozes low-key tropical charm. Rising dramatically out of the ocean, Saba is a dormant volcano that's worlds away from the flashy resorts and mass tourism of many other Caribbean isles. A vacation here is all about hiking, diving and, most importantly, chilling out.

These are the world's most jaw-dropping active volcanoes

The Dutch, Spanish, French and English all squabbled over Saba, and it was finally colonized by the Dutch in 1816. It's now part of a special municipality of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with Sint Eustatius and Bonaire. You can delve into the island’s history and hear stories about its past life as a haunt of pirates at the Dutch Museum of Saba.

You won't find sandy beaches on this island, but it does have some of the region’s best snorkeling and diving opportunities. In Saba Marine Park, you can duck beneath the water's surface to spot hawksbill turtles, barracuda, colorful sponges and coral ridges. Above ground, hikers can pass through beautiful cloud forests and enjoy panoramic views from the top of Mount Scenery, the island’s highest point.

Check into the  Cottage Club Hotel , a serene spot with a stunning location on the outskirts of Windwardside. With Mount Scenery as a backdrop, the hotel's fragrant tropical gardens house a string of charming little cottages, built in traditional Saban style, and a lovely swimming pool with dreamy sea views.

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Sint Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean

Those who have discovered this little jewel don’t like to share it. Sint Eustatius in the Dutch Caribbean – known locally as Statia – is just six-miles (10km) long and three-miles (5km) wide, with a population of just over 3,000. It’s dominated by the Quill, a dormant volcano that looms over the isle, and is a favorite with hikers. The walk up the peak, which rises to around 2,000 feet (601m), and the descent into its semi-tropical rainforest-filled crater, is nothing short of spectacular.

Landed upon by Christopher Columbus in 1493, Statia changed hands 22 times between the French, Dutch and the English, until the Dutch eventually won out in 1816. The teeny isle is still peppered with forts, including the restored Fort Oranje, which dates from the 17th century. The island's diminutive capital Oranjestad, split by a cliff into an upper and lower town, is well worth exploring too.

Many ships met their fate around these waters and wreck dives are one of Statia’s big attractions. The island's marine park has 36 dive sites, including huge anchors, walls, pristine coral reef and volcanic pinnacles. Keep a look out for blue beads as you dive: they were used as trading currency by the Dutch West India Company and can still be found in the waters around Statia whenever a storm stirs up the sand. Local legend has it that if you find one you’ll be sure to return.

Big resorts are not a thing here, and the island is all the better for it. Rent an apartment in Oranjestad , or book in to The Old Gin House (pictured), a quaint hotel just a short walk from town and near the beach. Surrounded by bougainvillea and swaying palm trees, the idyllic property boasts oceanfront suites with superb views – be sure to head to the beachside restaurant for a sundowner too.

Carriacou, Grenadines

Carriacou has a distinct culture, with its music and vibrant festivals stemming from the islanders' African and European heritage – one to look out for is the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival, usually held every April. Be sure to visit the fascinating village of Windward too, which was once home to a group of Scottish boat builders, who settled here in the 19th century. Boat building and launching ceremonies remain a tradition and the island also normally hosts an annual regatta.

Much like those of its big sister Grenada, Carriacou’s beaches are white-sand stunning. Paradise Beach, a gorgeous stretch of sand in the village of L’Esterre, is a particularly lovely spot. It’s not all about lazing on the sand, though. Snorkelers and divers love the shallow reefs just off shore here, and hikers can enjoy some lovely walks such as the High North Nature Trail, a coastal woodland path hemming the High North National Park. Follow it to get to the idyllic secluded beach of Anse La Roche (pictured).

Here's what to do in Carriacou's big sister, Grenada

Another must is zipping over to sister island Petite Martinique (pictured) by speedboat – you can walk or hike around the tiny isle in around an hour, or ascend the 750-foot (230m) Piton for incredible views. There are several hotels on Carriacou as well as some lovely Airbnb properties such as  pastel-colored Green Cottage at Bayaleau Point Cottages , overlooking Windward Bay.

Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

Overshadowed by glitzy big sister Grand Cayman and bijou baby sister Little Cayman, this rugged isle is the most down to earth of the three. This is where the locals say you’ll find the real Caymanian culture and where they come to get away from it all.

Tourism is not a big thing here – instead the residents tend to work in quarries or fish for a living. There are, however, a couple of lovely places to stay, including  Le Soleil d’Or , a 4-star hotel with a 20-acre organic farm.

This trio of islands, which lie around halfway between Cuba and Honduras, are renowned for diving, with over 300 marked sites, high visibility and an array of marine life. Cayman Brac is no exception and has some world-class diving on offer, and some great wreck dives in particular. The wreck of MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, a Russian-built Cuban naval frigate, which sunk off the island's northwest coast in 1996, is one of the most popular spots. There’s also easy access to shallow underwater scenery for snorkelers.

Hiking is another highlight of a vacation on this craggy isle, and visitors can enjoy cliff walks around the 140-foot (43m) bluff or "brac" (from which it takes its name) that drops dramatically into the sea. There are also caves to explore and trails that slice into the island's green center. Cayman Brac is a favorite with birdwatchers too, and there are over 200 species to spot – don’t miss the National Trust Parrot Reserve, which is home to the endangered Brac parrot.

Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe Islands, French Antilles

Known as Les Saintes, this quiet French archipelago, located around 10 miles (16km) southwest of Guadeloupe, is made up of seven islets and two inhabited islands, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas. Originally inhabited by fishermen from Brittany and Normandy, the French-speaking isles are fairly well-known in France but little-visited by other tourists. Larger cruise ships don’t come by these isles and, as a result, they ooze more seaside village charm than they do chic Caribbean resort luxury.

Slip into the slow-paced way of life by chartering a boat to sail around the isles. When the mood strikes, drop an anchor at one of the little bays for a snorkel, or to stretch out on the sands. You can even venture into the verdant inland. The two-hour hike from sparsely-populated Terre-de-Bas’ Grande Anse beach to the top of the Morne Abymes bluff is a very rewarding trail. Look out for iguanas scuttling in the bushes.

Meanwhile, Terre-de-Haut, the most populous island, is home to some great beaches, a ruined fort and a good few laid-back bars and bistros. Hire a scooter or electric car (there are very few cars on the island) to wind your way up to Fort Napoléon, which is perched on a bluff nearly 400 feet (122m) above the bay. It has staggering views across the island and Les Saintes Bay, an UNESCO-listed beauty. 

There are some gorgeous places to stay here, including charming antique-filled  Les Petits Saintes . Set above Les Saintes Bay, it has lush tropical gardens, a fabulous pool and a French chef dishing up sophisticated cuisine – as you’d expect in a French outpost, the food here is a highlight.

Take a look at the world's beautiful beaches from above

Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Bequia is the second-largest of the 32 islands and cays that make up the island state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after the capital island of St. Vincent. But it's still bijou by anyone’s standards at just seven square miles (18sq km). This pretty-as-a-picture isle has a lot going for it: long golden stretches of sand, colorful little villages dotting the lush green hillsides and a strong sense of its own cultural identity.

Port Elizabeth is the entry point for passengers coming by ferry from St. Vincent and the other Grenadines, so it’s not quite as sleepy as some other spots on this list. But this does mean there's a fairly lively restaurant and nightlife scene here, should you want it – the local rum punch is a must-try! Elsewhere on the isle, though, the pace is much more relaxed.

There’s a cluster of small hotels, including luxury boutique  Firefly Plantation Bequia , which is set on a centuries-old sugar plantation, plus a good range of self-catering options on the beach, in the hills or in villages. Rent a car to pootle about the island’s attractions (the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary is a must), stopping to explore wildly beautiful little bays, or to follow one of the many walking trails.

Unsurprisingly the diving here is excellent, so head out by boat to get acquainted with the local marine life. Alternatively, stay above the surface on a sailing trip – a picnic and swim on the nearby deserted island of Isle de Quatre makes for a wonderful excursion. If you'd rather simply embrace the island’s unhurried lifestyle, slip into a hammock and gaze out at the seriously gorgeous Grenadine views.

Nevis, St Kitts and Nevis

A lack of cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts has ensured that lush little Nevis has retained its old-fashioned Leeward Islands charm. But there's still plenty going on. Here, travelers can partake in everything from horseback riding to yoga retreats, watersports and lavish spas – there are also a wealth of historic sites well worth exploring.

For one, the historic capital of Charlestown is a wonderful place for a wander, thanks to its handsome 18th and 19th-century buildings and laid-back vibe. Inland, there are many gratifying trails into the isle's thickly forested interior, which is home to hummingbirds and monkeys.

The ascent to Nevis Peak, the green dormant volcano that dominates the island, beckons serious hikers, but if it’s lounging you’re after then Pinney’s Beach is the place to go. Nevis’ lovely long stretch of sand has none of the crowds of big sister St Kitts, but it does have shacks serving up delicious cocktails...

These are the world's most remote inhabited islands

Once you've watched the sunset, you can retreat to one of Nevis' gorgeous hotels. Many of the island's old plantations have been converted into small and stylish inns, including  The Hermitage , a family-run inn in the oldest wooden house on Nevis. Meals here are something else – served on the veranda of the 17th-century house, which overlooks mango and palm trees, the menu is full of local specialties and produce grown on site, as well as locally-caught seafood and a mammoth rum catalog.

Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica lies between Guadeloupe and Martinique. Known as 'Nature Island', it doesn't have stretches of vanilla-white sands – but it does have forest trails, wildlife adventures, boutique hotels and Boiling Lake, the world's second-largest hot spring.

Along with your bikini you’ll need to pack your walking boots as Dominica has plenty of hiking trails, including the Caribbean's longest, the Waitukubuli National Trail. A boat tour along the Indian River will take you through the rainforest with the chance to see native frogs and birds too.

Of course, the lush tropical isle is also home to its fair share of breathtaking waterfalls, natural hot pools and National Parks, making it a fantastic option for outdoor explorers. While the island was badly damaged during Hurricane Irma in September 2017, it has recovered well over the past couple of years and welcomes tourists with open arms.

If big 5-star, all-inclusive resorts are what you’re after, this isn’t the island for you. Here, you’ll find a smattering of boutique and independently-owned hotels, such as Secret Bay . Located near Portsmouth on the northwest coast, this rainforest resort boasts secluded clifftop villas, on-call chefs and secret beaches. Not too shabby then...

Check out the coolest hotels on Earth

Anguilla, Eastern Caribbean, British Overseas Territory

This squiggle of an island might be a mere 35 square miles (91sq km), but it has 33 pristine beaches and luxurious hotels aplenty. In fact, it's a favorite haunt for celebs such as Kevin Bacon, Beyoncé and Mariah Carey. But the island, some seven miles (11km) north of Sint Maarten, is more than just a celebrity hot spot – it also retains a gloriously independent Caribbean spirit and a burgeoning food scene.

As you’d expect, the main activities on the island center around the beaches, with the many shipwrecks making it popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. Yet those who prefer to take a load off can simply unwind on the sand and take a dip in the island's crystal clear, bathwater-temperature waters whenever they feel the need...

Anguilla has only really seen tourism take off in the past two decades, but the island was sadly devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The good news is that it's now recovered and back open for business, and there's everything from more rustic small holdings to sleek resorts, such as Zemi Beach House (pictured), to stay at. Luckily, you won’t find cruise ships packed with tourists – getting here usually involves an hour’s propeller plane from neighboring Antigua.

Music fans should head here in March for the annual Moonsplash festival – it's been taking place since the 1990s, featuring a line-up of local reggae artists. August's Anguilla Summer Festival (pictured), with its colorful parades and all-day beach party, is another reason to make the trip.

Now discover the incredible private islands that are surprisingly affordable to rent

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Travel | Course of nature: On Eleuthera in the Bahamas,…

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Travel | course of nature: on eleuthera in the bahamas, a golfer’s paradise is taking shape.

All the birds in the sky are singing

You got to understand.”

– Eleutheria by Lenny Kravitz

Tommy Turnquest turns the engine off at Mystery Lake.

“This is my favorite place, right here,’’ the former member of the Bahamian Parliament and cabinet minister says, stepping out of the 4 x 4 Ford and quietly closing the door. “Listen.’’

All the birds really are singing here this morning, just like Lenny Kravitz sang about the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Red-legged thrushes, semipalmated plovers, Cuban pewees. Sea breezes sigh through the shrubby forest reflected in the blue-hole waters of the lake. The ocean on the far side of the island sounds the way it does when you hold a seashell to your ear. Distant, hushed, calming.

And after a few moments at Mystery Lake you begin to understand what Kravitz was trying to say about this place.

That we’ve stopped the car in paradise.

Jack’s Bay

Down on the pink sands of Jack’s Bay, Patrick Cerjan is spin casting his favorite yellow and red fishing lure into the surf. He’s the only other person I can see on this four-mile stretch of beach, horizon to horizon.

“I catch everything here,” he says of the turquoise bay, glistening with fish and bobbing today with sea turtles. “Every kind of snapper, jacks – big ones, like you wouldn’t believe.”

He fishes a photo of one of his catches from his phone. And I believe.

Just then a black-tip shark about half as long as his fishing pole cruises past. A loggerhead turtle head pops up farther from shore. Then another, closer. Pretty soon there are sea turtle heads popping up everywhere. The way people described scenes of pristine nature in accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries along the coasts of Florida.

“The turtles come here because they’re protected from predators in the Atlantic beyond the reef,’’ says Cerjan, on a fishing break from his job as director of sales at Jack’s Bay. “I was standing here the other day and a sea turtle swam right between my feet.”

Just like that.

The way it was when the world was new.

Tiger and The Bear

Up on the terrace of Salt Spray, the exclusive golf clubhouse overlooking Tiger Woods’ 10-hole course, the Atlantic and Jack’s Bay, I settle into a deck chair and read headlines in magazines about this idyllic place. I didn’t know any of this existed — 260 miles from Fort Lauderdale, 75 from Nassau — possibly because I’m no golfer and possibly because it’s only recently becoming known as a paradise of another sort.

“If money were no object, what would the ultimate golfer’s paradise look like?” a story in Forbes asks. “Exactly like Jack’s Bay.”

“How do you make golf in paradise even better?” Golf magazine asks. “Add a goat. Or rather, the GOAT.”

So, yes, Jack Nicklaus is coming here, putting his illustrious name on a seaside, 18-hole Heritage championship course scheduled to be completed in 2025. Tiger Woods beat him to it in 2020, with the 10-hole, par 3 “Playground.”

And there’s a 1,200-acre resort club and Nicklaus-branded residential community in the works. And 33 “ready-to-build” beachfront and ocean view lots, already sold at an average of $1.4 million a piece. And a 7,000-square-foot spa village on the way. And a “world-class” beach club, a freeform pool, comprehensive fitness and wellness program, a family-friendly Sports Pavilion, a boating lagoon with cabanas and a conch-fritter shack. And tennis, kayaking, diving, hiking trails, cave exploring, giant chess board …

And I think back to my quiet morning at Mystery Lake with Tommy Turnquest, the former Bahamian minister who’s now executive deputy chairman and chief executive officer of Jack’s Bay Eleuthera.

“This is one of the nicest properties in the Bahamas,” he says. “We got to make sure we don’t mess it up.”

90-minute flight

It’s a bit of an adventure to get to Jack’s Bay. Makers Air flies Cessna Caravans direct the 260 miles from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport to Rock Sound International, the tiny airport nearest to the property on the southeast coast of Eleuthera. How that goes may depend on your tolerance for travel in small, single-engine aircraft, seated with up to 14 of your fellow passengers immediately behind the pilot and co-pilot.

You may see storms building between you and the islands ahead, for example, and wonder, how’s that going to work? You may see the hard rain splattering the cockpit windshield at 1,500 feet as the pilot aligns the Cessna with the skinny strip of runway cut into the shrubby forest below. And you may begin to see your pilots – often invisible on commercial flights – in a new light. You may thank them when you’re on the ground more than you’ve ever thanked a pilot on a commercial flight. And not just because there’s no bathroom aboard a Cessna Caravan on the hour and a half flight from Fort Lauderdale.

You’ll also see wonders on the way over. Savannahs of turquoise dunes beneath the shallow clear waters of the Bahama Banks, between the big island of Andros and the coral-crusted archipelago of the Abacos. A Rorschach test of shapes out the Cessna’s windows in the white sandy bottoms that shift and swirl in the currents below. See that dune in the shape of a bird? Or maybe a dolphin? Assuming you open your eyes on a small plane coming in for a landing on a strip of asphalt in a storm over shallow water.

“Get any shut-eye on the way over?’’ our pilot grins at the end of the smooth landing at Rock Sound International. “I know I did.”

We all laugh.

“Imagine if you’d had your eyes open,’’ I say. And he laughs – a big, reassuring laugh that makes you want to go right back up and go through another adventure with him.

‘Oasis of the soul’

It’s a bit of an adventure to get to Jack’s Bay from Rock Sound International, too. Don’t forget, for starters, they drive on the “wrong’’ side of the road in the Bahamas – which said no to British rule in 1973, but held fast to the Queen’s rules of the road.

The Queen’s Highway south from the airport to the gate of Jack’s Bay is potholed and crumbling, which nonetheless doesn’t seem to slow anyone from driving fast. The views of Caribbean-clear waters on one side and the staggering – at least compared with the rest of the mostly flat Bahamas – 40- to 90-foot hills and cliffs along the Atlantic side are also distractions from driving at full attention.

After all of that, it’s a bit of an adventure to stay at Jack’s Bay, too. At least for now. It’s not really ready for visitors yet, the developers say. Check back in November, maybe sometime after Thanksgiving. No homes have even been built. The master plan on display in the Salt Spray clubhouse is dotted with the words “future residential” because a lot of it’s still months away. Much of the infrastructure is still going in – electrical, water, fiber-optic cables – all being excavated and trenched from Eleuthera’s limestone crust.

But back in the 4 x 4 Ford, which comes in handy because many of the roads are uphill and as yet unpaved, Tommy Turnquest points out the trailer that houses the 1.25 megawatt backup generator, enough to run the whole property if local power fails, he says. He pauses by the new reverse osmosis plant that will convert briny well water to supply the resort and its two thirsty golf courses, and the big new tank that will store it. They’re working on waste disposal systems for the 395 residential homes, too, mindful of how precious water resources and renewables are in the islands.

“There’ll never be more than 395 residences here,’’ Turnquest says. That’s the way he and his investment partners, on-site developers and staff have planned it from the beginning. Low density.

“Everything we’ve done here we’ve done very deliberately,” says Turnquest, who served as the Bahamas’ minister of tourism and national security, among other posts, until he left government in 2012.

“We’ve looked at it and thought about it for the past 12 years. So you can weave into the golf and residential and homes around that golf course the whole aspect of nature and hiking and biking and recreation.”

As for marketing the property to a jet-setting, golf-tourism world, “it’s very golf forward, the ‘Tiger and the Bear,’” says Robi Das, portfolio manager and strategy advisor to Sir Franklyn Wilson, chairman of Eleuthera Properties Ltd. “But as you go around the property, you’ll see there’s a lot of stuff for everyone to do here. They can go out on the water, they can get a spa treatment, they can do hikes.”

On one of those hikes, Turnquest points out some rare red Cuban cave shrimp, swimming in the clear waters of a protected blue hole lake along the trail.

“This place,” he says, happy to see them, “is an oasis of the soul.’’

Golfers and more

And as they’ve built it, to borrow a baseball metaphor for a golf resort, they have come. And not just the golfers. And not just to Jack’s Bay on the southeast coast of Eleuthera.

Ritz-Carlton is renovating the venerable Cotton Bay Club resort next door. Disney is scheduled to begin landing cruise passengers for day fun at Lookout Cay on Lighthouse Point further down the coast in June. The morning I left Jack’s Bay, I spotted a big three-masted ship against the rising sun and wondered … Jeff Bezos’ yacht, Koru? Maybe.

Or maybe not.

“I don’t know,’’ Turnquest said, studying the blurry photo I shot on my iPhone. “Could be. Could be a freighter, too.’’

“It’s been crazy,” says Cerjan, the director of sales, sipping a bottle of the local Sands beer after catching nothing all afternoon in the surf on the bay. Most buyers and prospective buyers have been coming from the eastern seaboard of the United States, Florida and a few Bahamians, he says, most looking for a second (or third or fourth) residence.

“But once Golf magazine picked up on the whole Tiger/Nicklaus thing, omigosh, I had 200 sales leads by 11 a.m. the next morning,” Cerjan says. “From Monaco, the U.K., Switzerland, California, Vancouver. You name it.”

And you begin to understand something else about Jack’s Bay on Eleuthera. That for a director of sales, it’s a beautiful feeling, too.

‘It’s time to share’

Everybody had said the stars were especially bright here, so I stepped out the door one night to have a look.

It was like stepping into space. Or at least how I imagine it would be like stepping into space.

On a moonless night, without light pollution from any source, the pale constellations and stars we can barely see from South Florida blazed against the sparkling backdrop of the Milky Way. Orion, the Pleiades, the Big Dipper – bigger than I’d ever seen it.

Beautiful. Especially with a soundtrack of the sea. Or Lenny Kravitz.

In the morning, on the way back to Rock Sound International, I asked Tommy Turnquest – the former Bahamian minister – if he really wanted word to get out about this place of beautiful feelings.

He thought for a moment.

“Yes,’’ he said. “It’s time to share.’’

Upon completion, homeowners will be allowed to rent their homes through Jack’s Bay’s rental management program. Information, 800-320-6281.

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