The Cove Eleuthera - Island Information
The cool, laid back style of Eleutheran life and the dusty-yet-drenched colors of the island give it the feel of a giant illusion. Miles of glistening pink and white sand beaches, serene colonial villages and rolling acres of pineapple plantations make Eleuthera Island an island of the most casual sophistication. With its two companions, Harbour Island and the community of Spanish Wells, Eleuthera Island has long been a favored destination among smart travelers seeking a bit of quiet charm.
In addition to a 100-mile coastline decorated by secluded coves, dramatic cliffs and spectacular reefs beneath clear waters of iridescent turquoise and blue, Eleuthera/Harbour Island also have miles and miles of beaches; thirty-five miles of them in fact - some action-packed, some informal and relaxed, and some in between.
Water lovers won't be disappointed with the wide variety of water activities found on the island - from surfing and snorkeling to boating. Eleuthera is home to a rare scuba diving experience - an undersea train wreck.
And if you're a true fisherman, you won't want to miss the hunt for the Atlantic's most magnificent prey - the billfish. From bottom-fishing for grouper to fly-fishing for bonefish to trolling for blue marlin, the waters around Eleuthera offer every kind of saltwater fishing opportunity for the novice and pro alike.
Dining on Eleuthera/Harbour Island can take you on appetizing adventures that range from upscale resort restaurants with an international flair to local "peas 'n' rice" places famed for their unique touch with freshly caught seafood specialties. And the renowned sweet Eleutheran pineapple wine is available everywhere throughout the islands, as are the tempting selection of tropical drinks made from it.
A unique experience is the local fish fry sponsored by the Central Eleuthera Junkanoo Committee every Friday night on Anchor Beach just past Cupid's Cay. Fish and conch fritters cooked over wood fires have that just-caught flavor, crisp and brown. The whole evening is a fun and memorable experience.
Heading south, just before reaching Gregory Town, you'll see Eleuthera's most famous feature: Glass Window Bridge - a natural arch that once spanned the two rocky bluffs that separate the northern and southern sections of the island. Some time ago, a hurricane's heavy seas washed away the upper part of the arch, but the natural "bridge" has since been replaced (more than once!) by a man-made version.
Just south of Rock Sound, Eleuthera's largest town, plan to visit Ocean Hole, Eleuthera's very unique inland saltwater lake with its teeming population of fish that like to con the visitors into frequent free food handouts.
If you happen to be visiting the island on New Year's Day or Boxing Day (December 26), you're welcome to join in our most famous of festivities - the Junkanoo festival. If you're visiting in March, be sure to check out the Pineapple Art Festival which features fine art, crafts and work from amateur artists and local school children.
