| Eleuthera Island of the Bahamas could be said to be | | | | formations and other interesting sights. |
| the first among many. While that phrase could | | | | The beaches of Eleuthera are simply superb, nature |
| certainly be used to describe its many watery | | | | at its best and most natural. Pink Sands Beach is a |
| charms, it is also a phrase to be used quite literally. | | | | favorite for diving and snorkeling, as well as wide |
| For, Eleuthera was the very first of the many islands | | | | open views of surf and sky. Gualding?s Cay is an |
| that make up the Bahamas to have a permanent | | | | isolated mile long beach with glistening white sand, |
| settlement. Those early colonizers arrived in 1648, | | | | surrounded by fragrant pines. The snorkeling is great, |
| pursuing their vision of religious freedom, a concept | | | | but its privacy lends a special enjoyment to |
| held within the name they gave the island. Eleuthera | | | | swimming and sunbathing. |
| is a Greek word meaning freedom. | | | | There are several resort communities on the island. |
| Those who enjoy nature?s many wonders will have a | | | | These include Bannerman Town, which boasts an |
| lot to admire on and around Eluthera Island. There are | | | | impressive view of Mt. Alvernia from its pristine |
| caves, and underwater geological formations and | | | | beach. Rock Sound is the classic picture-postcard |
| reefs that attract divers and snorkelers from all over. | | | | perfect seaside town, with well kept, richly hued |
| The beaches are beautiful and the fishing is | | | | cottages and homes, accented by very green |
| outstanding. | | | | gardens and very bright tropical flowers. |
| The caves draw many visitors. However, for | | | | The food is good on the island. Jack?s Outback |
| safety?s sake, it is better to use a guide in the mile | | | | serves Bahamian cuisine at its finest from a very |
| long Hatchet Bay Cave. In addition to a variety of | | | | clean little establishment. Prices are reasonable, and |
| other cave-dwelling wildlife, Hatchet Bay Cave is | | | | meals are served every day from 9am to 10pm. |
| home to many bats. Preacher?s Cave, which is found | | | | Sammy?s Place is a must experience eatery, as |
| on the northern part of the island, has a church-like | | | | much for the local crowd it attracts as the excellent |
| size. Other geological sites of interest include Glass | | | | food it serves. Located in Rock Sound on Albury?s |
| Window, which is a rock formation that frames a | | | | Lane, Sammy?s Place serves a variety of fare, some |
| spectacular marine view. | | | | Bahamian food, some Creole influenced dishes, some |
| The Current Cut is one of the more popular | | | | just plain good eatin? and is open daily, from 7:30am |
| snorkeling sites, due to the reef area, which serves | | | | to 10pm. |
| as a haven to a variety of marine life. The Devil?s | | | | As a vacation destination, Eleuthera Island is aptly |
| backbone is another favorite reef area, shallow | | | | named. This is a location in which visitors have the |
| enough for easy exploration. Divers favor Ocean?s | | | | freedom to be at peace and the freedom to enjoy |
| Hole, a diving site popularized by unique rock | | | | the perfect atmosphere for recreation and relaxation. |