©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd Eleuthera TELEPHONE CODE 242 / POPULATION 7800 / AREA 198 SQ MILES Why Go? North Eleuthera...........139 So what do you do in Eleuthera, a 100-mile-long wisp curv- Harbour Island ............139 ing east like an archer’s bow? According to literature, re- search and dependable local gossips, most people come here Preacher’s Cave ..........149 to do…absolutely nothing. That’s right. The beach bum is Current .......................149 the true royal here, their every do-nothing need met by mile Gregory Town ..............149 upon mile of obliging shores. These are the supermodels of Gregory Town to the beach world: pink sand, sunlight dancing on cerulean Governor’s Harbour .....150 waters, sheltered coves, dramatic cliff s. Governor’s Harbour .....152 For those looking for more than a suntan, Eleuthera of- South Eleuthera ..........153 fers a number of high energy distractions. Wreck divers can Windermere Island ......153 explore the Devil’s Backbone, fashionistas and foodies can Rock Sound ................155 salivate at the upscale boutiques and bistros of Harbour Cotton Bay to Eleuthera Island, and seasoned surfers can catch the waves of the Point ..........................155 eastern shore. While Harbour Island, a celebrity favorite, is developed and pricey (though fabulous), ‘mainland’ Eleuthera is ripe for off -the-beaten-path exploration. Best Places to Stay When to Go » Rock House (p143) Eleuthera » Pink Sands Resort (p143) °C/°F Te m p Rainfall inches/mm » Runaway Hill (p143) 40/104 12/300 » Edge of the World (p150) 30/86 8/200 Best Places to Eat 20/68 1/100 » Arthur’s Bakery & Café (p146) 10/50 0 » Landing Restaurant (p146) J FDNOSAJJMAM » Ma Ruby’s (p146) June Sleepy March–May Low December– » Rainbow Inn & Restaurant Gregory Town season means February High (p151) comes to life for you may actually season brings » Tippy’s Bar & Beach the Pineapple be able to get a pricier rates, Festival. same-day dinner bigger crowds Restaurant (p152) reservation on and better celeb- Harbour Island. spotting. History who brought their slaves and founded new 138 The name ‘Eleuthera’ comes from the settlements. Greek word eleutheros, meaning freedom Massive pineapple exports in the late (the Lucayans who originally settled the 1800s and early 1900s were replaced with island called their home ‘Cigatoo’). In 1648, less intensive farming crops. Abandoned English refugees fl eeing religious perse- silos recall the thriving cattle and chicken cution in Bermuda during the English industries that evolved in the 1950s. Alas, Civil War era landed in Eleuthera after the following independence the government Devil’s Backbone reef ripped open their bought out the farmers, and within a short boats. They were later joined by Loyalists, period of time the farms were derelict. ELEUTHERA ELEUTHERA Eleuthera Highlights 1 Browsing the chichi jaw-droppingly beautiful 6 Rocking out with a who’s boutiques of celeb-happy Lighthouse Beach (p154) who of island musicians at Harbour Island (opposite) 4 Snapping a picture at Elvina’s (p150) in Gregory 2 Strolling the ethereal the must-see-it-to-believe-it Town Pink Sands Beach (p142 Glass Window Bridge (p149) 7 Grooving the night away and p154) 5 Splashing in the sun- at the rumbustious Vic Hum 3 Braving the rutted warmed waters of the cliff - Club (p147) road to the secluded, top grottoes (p151).