ABOUT THE ISLAND.....
Stretching for 100 miles across the Great Bahama Bank, Eleuthera harbours a dark past - a history written in blood by Spanish invaders. Yet the time of trials here has long passed and this paradise of crystal air, warm sunshine and sugar-soft sandy beaches now rightly enjoys its reputation as a haven of peace and tranquillity.
Eleuthera is different from its neighbours. Just off the tourist map, it's a little more relaxed, a little friendlier. That doesn't mean there's nothing to do. Quite the opposite in fact. You can stalk schools of bonefish across the sand flats, take a boat out to the reef or catch a wave at Surfer's Beach.
Eleuthera is a special place. Derived from the Greek eleutheria, meaning freedom or liberty, that's just what this island offers. It's a world away from the stresses of civilisation - yet has all the comforts of home.
If you'd rather be under the water than on it, then the reefs and wrecks just offshore offer some of the finest dive sites in the world. Prefer to keep your feet on terra firma? Then drive up through the old colonial villages and pineapple plantations and take in the breathtaking views. And if you see people waving to you on the road, that's ok - wave back, they're just saying hello.
Come evening-time, the choice of restaurants on the island covers just about every taste,
from the incredible local-caught seafood to beachfront grills and pizza restaurants, even gourmet á la carte.
You won't find any neon-nightclubs or shopping malls on Eleuthera. In fact, just as it managed to escape the attentions of marauding pirates 300 years ago, so it continues to keep invaders at bay today.
THE CLIMATE
You will find the trade winds that blow almost continually throughout the Bahamas give the islands a warm, agreeable climate which hardly varies all year round with a temperate climate ranging from 27 to 32°C (80 - 90°F). Night-time temperatures are generally 5 - 7 degrees cooler.
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The official Bahamas' hurricane season is between June and November. The Bahamas' official rainy season is between May and October. You will find that the Islands Of The Bahamas can experience rain year-round but they are often very brief showers that clear quickly. The northern islands normally receive twice as much rain as the southern islands.
You will find that hitch-hiking is an accepted custom on Eleuthera, if you are comfortable in participating, it's a great way to meet the locals, sip-sip and blend into local life!
TINGS TO SEE AND DO.....
If you are looking for "tings to do" during your stay you will find that Eleuthera has plenty, whether it is dining out, listening and dancing to local live music, places to see or activities to do!
ATTRACTIONS
If you are looking to explore during your stay you will find Eleuthera has plenty of attractions to visit from one end of the island to the other such as Glass Window Bridge and Queen's Baths, Sapphire Blue Hole and Ocean Hole, The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve which is a 30-acre botanical garden located in Governor's Harbour and is. managed by The Bahamas National Trust, it is a living part of Bahamian history and was the first National Park on the island of Eleuthera. You will also find Sweetings Pond which has recently been declared a National Park and is now called Seahorse National Park due to its unique seahorse population.
EXPLORE beaches
There are lots of stunning beaches to explore from one end of the island to the other and Rainbow Bay Beach is one of them right on your doorstep!
Eleuthera also has some great caves to explore, a couple are Hatchet Bay Caves, one of the longest dry cave systems in The Bahamas and once a haunt of pirates and buccaneers, is a towering mile-long chamber rich in stalactites and stalagmites; and Preacher's Cave which is down North, has both a natural and historical appeal. It was in this large blue-shadowed cave that the Eleutheran Adventurers sought shelter after shipwrecking nearby. They had fled Bermuda in search of religious freedom, and it was in this cave that they held their first services in what would become their permanent home. It is advisable to go caving with someone experienced.
ACTIVITIES
There are plenty of tours and charters to choose from if you want to experience the local flora and fauna. Local to Rainbow Bay is Eleuthera Fishing Charters based out of James Cistern, Jeremy Lewis can "Make it Happen" for you!
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
You will find plenty of places to eat and drink on the island, some with live music on certain nights.
The nearest restaurant is The Sunset Cove & Rainbow Room (formerly and fondly known as The Rainbow Inn) and is a 5 minute drive along the Queen's Highway from our cottage heading North.
Heading into the settlement of James Cistern, a 10 minute drive away heading South, you will find Delish Lifestyle Beach Sports Bar and Restaurant, LeoRose Sunset Beach Bar & Grill, Mel's Snack Shack, D'Jay's Cafe, Da Conch Hut, Juice City and the infamous and oh so delicious Stubbs BBQ (Under the Tamarind Tree Grill). Delish Lifestyle and LeoRose both have live music on certain days.
Heading North into the settlement of Hatchet Bay you will find The Front Porch, Twin Brothers, Rednip Sports Lounge & Grill, Boaters Haven Bar, Grill & Convenience Store.
For a full list of Restaurants please click here!
Note that you drive on the left hand side of the road here! Please drive safely!
GETTING HERE.....
Just 55 minutes from the Florida coast and just 20 minutes from Nassau makes getting here easy, there are direct flights from Florida and Nassau plus a ferry service from Nassau. Eleuthera has 3 airports - Rock Sound, Governor's Harbour International Airport (which is the nearest to our cottage in Rainbow Bay) and North Eleuthera Airport.
Taxi's are available on the island, they are usually waiting at the airports so you can pick one up easily on arrival. If you need one for a special night out arrangements can be made by Your Hosts with advance notice. See Our Services for information.
We would highly recommend you hire a vehicle for the duration of your stay to enable you to explore the island and shop for groceries as you will find there is no public transport. The nearest store is 3.1km away and the nearest restaurant, The Rainbow Inn, is 2.6km away.
For local vehicle hire recommendations please see below.
rolle's auto rentals
Naaman and Indira Rolle
Rainbow Bay
Cell: 242-359-7166 (Naaman)
Cell: 242-470-4812 (Indira)
Email: banro2@batelnet.bs
Email: banro235@gmail.com
J&A car rental services
Jeremy and Anna Lewis
James Cistern
Cell: 242-422-9055
Cell: 242-812-4399
Email: jeremybiglewis@yahoo.com
solutions rent a car
STUBBS CAR RENTAL
Kean Stubbs
James Cistern
Cell: 242-422-9611