Lighthouse Beach is known for its endless miles of unspoiled, soft, powdery, blush-rose sand beach, considered to be one of the most magnificent beaches in The Islands of The Bahamas, and some say it even rivals Harbour Island’s Pink Sand Beach. This hidden gem teeters at the southernmost point of Eleuthera, on the Atlantic side of the island. It is nestled in the bosom of a massive rock structure behind some sand dunes. It is very unique because you can play in two bodies of water almost simultaneously, the Exuma Sound (Caribbean Sea) and the Atlantic Ocean. The beach on the Caribbean Sea has several hidden caves and offers good shelling and great snorkeling just a walk off the beach. The Atlantic beach offers great vistas, including Half Moon Cay.

The Queen’s Baths or the Hot Tubs, are located 0.6 miles south of the Glass-window Bridge on the rugged Atlantic side of the island. These natural pools (carved by centuries of waves pounding the rock) are filled with dramatic crashing waves, shells, and small sea life that wash over from the Atlantic Ocean. Once settled, this crystal clear water is warmed by the sun, creating a bath like temperature tidal pool that’s perfect for soaking. The best time to visit the hot tubs is during low or medium tide. When visiting, it is best to wear water or tennis shoes.

One of nature’s true wonders, The Glass Window Bridge will certainly leave you breathless as you drink in the magnificent panoramic view. It is one of the few places on earth where you can compare the rich blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side of the road and the calm Bight of Eleuthera (often incorrectly called the Caribbean Sea) on the other side, separated by a strip of rock just 30 feet wide. The ‘Bridge’ is about two miles east of Upper Bogue and connects the Northern and Southern points of Eleuthera by a paved road. The land here is high on both sides, falling away abruptly to nearly sea level, and is the narrowest point on the island.

Eleuthera is famous for bonefishing and deep-sea fishing. Reef fishing and spear-fishing are also popular. The Caribbean side of the island is usually free of heavy surf, providing excellent conditions for sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. Powerboat, sailboat, and jet ski rentals are available. The Atlantic side of the island north of James Cistern offers several excellent beaches for surfing, with Surfer’s Beach and Holiday Beach being the most famous. Surfing lessons are available.

Eleuthera is accompanied by several smaller islands with inhabitants. Take a day trip to explore the vibrant island cultures. Harbour Island, a five-minute water- taxi ride from North Eleuthera, offers five-star hotels, shopping, and celebrity sightings. No private cars are permitted on the streets of Harbour Island, so plan on renting a golf cart. Spanish Wells is predominantly a fishing village, and is rightly referred to as the fishing capital of The Bahamas. By and large, the town has a very charming and colorful appeal. It is this that not only keeps the residents from leaving, but also keeps the visitors coming back for more.

There are a number of ocean holes to explore as well. The Rock Sound Ocean Hole, said to be bottomless, is an inland salt lake connected by subterranean passages to the sea. Feed the tame saltwater fish miles from the ocean. The Sapphire Ocean Hole, located on the northern end of the island, offers a 20 ft jump into breathtaking crystal clear water.

The Hatchet Bay Cave extends for a mile underground. At The Cliffs, giant ocean swells crash into a coral precipice.. The cavernous Preacher’s Cave provided shelter for the first European settlers of Eleuthera, and served as their first church

Eleuthera is surrounded by coral reefs that offer exceptional diving and snorkeling. Devil’s Backbone, the most famous Eleuthera dive, is a large coral formation off North Eleuthera, notorious for wrecking ships. The Current Cut, a narrow channel with currents that regularly reach 10 knots, has been rated one of the ten best dives in the world. Buttonwood Beach has a shipwreck, and there is even a sunken train wreck off the north coast of the island. Shark dives and other guided adventure dives are also available.

This 25acre sanctuary, created jointly by the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) and the Leon Levy Foundation, is the first National Park on Eleuthera, and is said to be the first of its kind in the region. The preserve celebrates the plants of The Bahamas, protects the woodland coppice, mangrove forest, and wetlands, and has the goal of conserving indigenous species. It promotes education, conservation, preservation and research.