Top Five Free Things to Do on Eleuthera
/Nestled a short hop over from South Florida, the Out Island of Eleuthera is just 260 miles from Miami but a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here you will find a rich culture of friendly locals more than willing to share a warm smile, where everyone still waves to each other and says hello. The culture of the Bahamas is by far its greatest charm. Life moves at its own pace here and locals are genuinely friendly. There are hundreds of miles of pristine reefs and untouched remote beaches, but did you know there is so much more? We love Eleuthera and want to share some of our local spots with all those looking to find free things to do and places to go. Starting off are the top five free things to do on Eleuthera.
5. Swing in the Water
Located on the beach in Tarpum Bay is a swing set in the water. Come take a photo on the swings in this picturesque settlement. Home to Eleuthera Outdoor Center, Tarpum Bay is a fishing village located on the Caribbean Ocean where the fisherman still bring in their catch every afternoon. After frolicking in the shallow clear waters rest on our beach and enjoy the locals playing Dominos at Seaside Breeze, located right across from the beach.
Tarpum Bay Beach Swing
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pCRScpzJEYNyfSe37
4. Find a Sand Dollars at Receivers Beach
Best to visit at low tide, this beach is located just south of Governors Harbour Airport. We like to make a day of it at this beach and watch the difference the tides can make. This is a quintessential Caribbean beach with fifty shades of blue and white sandbars that stretch out hundreds of feet on low tide. Finding the sand dollars is easy! Just walk out to the thirds set of sandbars and drag your toes slightly under the surface of the sand. You will feel them right below the surface or see them sticking out of the sand. The brown ones are still alive so after a picture please put them back. The white ones make great souvenirs as do the shells along the shoreline.
Receiver's Beach
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EPweqFxwj1hUDG7PA
3. Swim in a Blue Hole
The Bahamas has over 2,000 blue holes and National Geographic has only mapped 10% of them. Eleuthera is home to Ocean Hole, the most famous inland blue hole, and located minutes from Cathedral Cave (see below). This blue hole is large and has a ladder. Make sure to bring bread to feed the fish or cliff jump off the rocks. Sapphire Blue Hole was found a couple of years ago by a drone and as the name suggest is crystal blue. A platform and ladder rope have been put in and now is the place to go to cliff jump. There are more blue holes in ocean but only accessible by boat. Check out our boat tour that takes you to the blue holes in the ocean around Eleuthera.
Ocean Hole
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2yT3vcHCwQFjGhe86
Sapphire Blue Hole
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RSbk4ZRYyHyfzSik7apphire
2. The Caves of Eleuthera
Eleuthera is home to three cave systems, all completely different, and definitely worth checking out. Cathedral Caves in South Eleuthera has a trail leading to steps that take you down into the caves. The caves are open at the top and have 60 ft root systems from the trees on top that hang to the floor. Truly a spectacular site! Central Eleuthera has the Hatchet Bay Caves. It is the longest and deepest cave system. You will want a guide if you plan on venturing into this cave system as it is over a mile long and pitch black. The opening is well lit with stalagmites hanging down that are easily and safely visible. Preachers Cave is located in North Eleuthera and is an open cave system used by the Eleuthera Adventurers who found the cave in the 1600’s. Also worth seeing is the pink sand beach out front of Preachers Cave, it is a spectacular beach!
Cathedral Cave
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TG1RBMR7tB6QAZVn6
Hatchet Bay Cave
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dTHQjATRKKLkpDDS7
Preacher's Cave
https://maps.google.com/?q=Preacher%27s+Cave&ftid=0x89253bb1afb1b8c3:0x9590567ffa9a3caa&entry=gps
1. Snorkel the Pristine Reefs on Eleuthera
Not only are the beaches remote but also have hundreds of miles of world coral reef systems steps from your towel. The reefs are not overfished so seeing elkhorn, stag, and brain coral is normal. Soft corals and fan corals in vibrant colors are plentiful as are the tropical fish that call this glorious place home. When the wind is down or blowing from the south or west the Atlantic side turns incredibly smooth. Best visibility is on low tide. As a free diver that has traveled far and wide to find the best reefs in the world, Eleuthera’s world class pristine reefs systems kept me coming back. South Eleuthera, south of Palmetto Point all the way to Lighthouse Point, is my personal favorite as it is not overfished, and the reef systems are shallow.
Here are a few of my favorite.
Islandia
https://goo.gl/maps/VwJbnGVDLfEyker68
White Sand Road Beach
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G4U6kDiaGZXmTNdx8
Double Bay Snorkeling Spot
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RzjRjRy7UQT6vaCM8
Contact us for free trip plans so you can navigate the wind and tides to find the flattest calmest water for the many adventures that await for you. The east side of Eleuthera’s tides run two hours behind the west side and the tides change by an hour each day. Contact us for our free link to 30 Things to Do and Places to Go on Eleuthera. For over 30 years we have been loving Eleuthera and look forward to sharing this love with you! We also offer kayaking and paddleboarding on our Turtle Tours and Cathedral Cave and Blue Hole Tours. For boating options check out our 4 Island Epic Exuma Adventure or our boat tours that leave from North, Central, and South Eleuthera. Come join us as we swim with the pigs and turtles, explore sandbars, deep sea, reef, and spearfish. Looking for a land-based option? Our private land tour stops in historic sites and take you to the breathtaking picturesque blue holes, caves, tide pools, beaches, and reefs. Come see that makes this place such a treasure! Adventure travel packages available at www.eleutheraoutdoorcenter.com WhatsApp or call 242-470-6171. Our mission is simple, to share our love and knowledge of Eleuthera through exceptional experiences hosted by local guides. It’s what we do!
Author, Sharon French, Manager of Eleuthera Outdoor Center and Lover of Eleuthera.
Snorkeling Pristine Coral Reefs
Snorkel with the locals!