Attractions in Eleuthera/Harbour Island

Eleuthera Island

Glass Window Bridge

About two miles east of Upper Bogue and north of Gregory Town at the narrowest part of Eleuthera Island, which is just 30 feet wide, is the Glass Window Bridge. Striking rock formations make up the Glass Window Bridge. The land here is high on either side and abruptly falls away to nearly sea level almost dividing the island in two. You can stand in one spot and see the gray Atlantic Ocean to the west and Exuma Sound to the east.

The Cow & The Bull

Another interesting land formation on Eleuthera Island is The Cow & The Bull about a mile south of the Glass Window Bridge. There are two large boulders, on one side, the boulder looks like a bull with two cows and on the other side, a bull with one cow. Both sets of boulders overlook the sea on both side, and when the weather is inclement and the wind passes through, the result is a roar that sounds like bulls.

Preachers Cave

Preachers Cave is a large unique cave about two miles east of Gene’s Bay. Founders who landed and were sheltered here made an altar and held vigils in the cave, giving it its namesake.

Surfer’s Beach

If riding waves is your bag, then bring your gear and head out to Surfer’s Beach, just two miles south of Gregory Town, where southwest winds blow breaks in from the Atlantic. Even if you just want to watch, the two-mile beach has some of the best sugary-soft white sand in The Bahamas.

Hatchet Bay Cave

Just south of Surfer’s Beach is Hatchet Bay Cave. The cave is a mile long and filled with stalagmites and stalactites which will take on the appearance of underground cathedrals in your torch light. Centuries-old graffiti of charcoal signatures line the walls. It’s recommended to tour with a cave guide.

James Cistern Beach

The waves at James Cistern Beach sometimes reach 10 feet due to a brisk southerly wind making this another great surfing site at Eleuthera. There is also a shipwreck just off shore, great for snorkeling when the water is calm.

Ocean Hole

People often sought out the healing powers of Ocean Hole, rumored to be a bottomless, natural limestone wonder on the south edge of Rock Sound in Eleuthera. Filled with tropical fish and turtles who greet visitors, the brackish water is said to have medicinal purposes. Partake at your own risk.

Lighthouse Beach

One of the best beaches in Eleuthera, some say even better than Pink Sands, is a hidden gem called Lighthouse Beach. Located on the Atlantic side of Eleuthera Point behind some sand dunes is a fantastic secluded blush rose sand beach. With great snorkeling just a walk off the beach, it is a great place to pack a picnic basket and spend an entire romantic afternoon or sunset stroll with your better half.

Harbour Island

Pink Sands Beach

Famous Pink Sands Beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean side of Harbour Island. As for the beautiful pink hue, that comes from a simple single-celled animal called a foraminifera or foram for short. There are some 4,000 species of forams, and a few grow bright red shells.

Pick up a handful of sand on most Out Island beaches and chances are you’ll be able to find something that looks like the smallest strawberry ever grown: that’s a red foram. Beaches that are fortunate enough to have a large population of these growing offshore, and just the right currents, will wind up with bits of red shell mixed in with its white sand. Put enough red into the white and, voila, you get pink. Horseback riding on Pink Sands Beach is a popular activity for honeymooners.
 

Roundheads

A hidden overgrown 17th century battery built by the English to defend the island can be found at the southern end of Bay Street. Cannons, called Roundheads, can still be seen at this site.

Loyalist Cottage

For a little bit of history, visit Loyalist Cottage, a wonderful example of loyalist architecture, Commissioner’s Residence built in 1913, St. John’s Anglican Church built in 1768, as well as the Chapel Street cemetery containing ancient graves.

Lone Tree

If you’re interested in mysteries, you should visit the Lone Tree. Some say it was once an almond tree, while others say it’s a species of pine. Regardless, everyone seems to agree that it arrived in Harbour Island after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. How it arrived is up for debate though. Some say it slid down a nearby hill while others say it was blown over from a nearby island. Curiously enough, the tree arrived upright and during high tides, it even moves around a bit.