BeachGirl247

We will be on Harbour Island for 8 days. Would like to take a couple of day trips -- maybe the Exumas, if that's possible. First trip to Eleuthra so unfamiliar with other islands. We will definately rent a car and explore Eleuthra and thought it would be great to explore a little of the Exumas by boat.

Are there any day trip boats that go to other islands from Eleuthra? Or any charter companies that anyone is familiar with that I could contact ahead of time? Its over July 4th week so wanted to plan ahead! I did a search for 'sailing' but came up with a lot of fishing companies.

Thanks! Sheila

wantsomesun

Shelia,

You might want to do a day trip to Spanish Wells which is pretty close, you take a water ferry over to Eleuthera and a cab to the ferry over to Spanish Wells, REALLY interesting history there, and tourism is really just starting to happen for the island, it has always been a fishing community.

Eleuthera is VERY long, it will take you over 2 hours to get to Govenours Harbour, the nice spot in that trip will be the Glass Window Bridge, the bridge that connects the island North and South. The Carribean and the Atlantic come crashing together there.

Another idea would be a day by yourselves a picnic on a deserted cay, just ask any of the water taxis to take you out and arrange for a pickup later in the day.

Valentine's also does day snorkle and dive trips off Both islands, (ask about the sunken civil war train).

I hope you will be there over July 10th, it's the Bahamian Independence Day and there are lots of festivities planned.

Have a great time and let us know if you have any other questions.

katolb90

I'm interested in an Exuma day trip too. The only Exuma day trip I found is a powerboat trip. You can find it listed under: http://www.majesticholidays.com/tour...excursiont.htm

If that site name doesn't work, just use www.majesticholidays.com and navigate to the tour list. It costs 175.00. Eggspensive!

BeachGirl247

I'm so excited to hear of Bahamian Independence Day on the 10th! We leave the following morning on the 11th so that works out. My birthday is on the 4th and we always seem to be somewhere other than the states so an independence day celebration -- Bahamian style -- will be fantastic!!Anyplace inparticular we should be for the 10th? Staying at Runaway Hill.

I'm glad to hear we can get boats to cays around there. Are there any "sailing" companies anyone knows of? We would like someone to sail us around for a full day -- maybe even an overnight, too. Has anyone taken anything like this? We would like sailing instead of powerboating if given the choice.

I had no idea it would take 2 hours to get to Governors Harbour! Glad to know. All of your ideas sound great. We are going to have a GREAT time -- I can tell!

If only it were sooner........

wantsomesun

Not sure if there are any sailboats, but ask Carol and Roger if you have to call again. They will know.

You can ask any of the water taxis to take you around the island which will take a couple of hours and it's a nice ride.

Do plan on taking a trip over to Spanish Wells, you will be going back in history quite a few years there. Until very recently it was not open to tourism, a very close community and mainly known for fishing.

Funny story, I live in NYC and often stop to help tourists who look lost, easy to get lost here. I saw a couple near the Empire State Building, looking very lost and asked if I could help and they told me they were looking for the Empire State Building, lol, so I pointed up, lol. They said it in a Bahamian accent, specifically a Spanish Wells accent and I asked them what they were doing in NYC from Spanish Wells. They were SHOCKED to meet someone who knew the Bahamas but even moreso, that I recognized the accent as being from Spanish Wells. Just goes to show it really is a small world. It was a Dutch settlement originally so the speach pattern has some clipped words with a specific accent, you will notice it if you go there.

There are quite a few fishermen on island, so if you want to try your hand at deep sea fishing, ask Carol to put you in touch with Leon.

If you want a full day on Eleuthera, rent a car, and plan on driving long distances for the day. You can stop in Govenours Harbour to site see, eat pick up some great pasteries and then continue on "the road", (there is only 1 road that runs the length of the island).

If you want a great Pizza, stop at Mate&Jenny's in S. Palmetto Point. Ask Maitlin to make you a conch pizza.

Further down Eleuthera you will find Tarpun Bay, which is becoming a bit of an artist colony. Mal Flanders is probably the best known artist in the area, and we have a couple of his pieces. Ask anyone where he lives.

The water taxis go off duty at sundown so plan on getting back to the dock or arrange to have someone meet you on Eleuthera for the ride back to the island.

Again, hope this helps and you are going to have a great time.

mewmon

Beachgirl,
You may find additional information on Eleuthera at this forum - or post your questions there:
http://boardserver.superstats.com/li...ennett&f=1

or go to www.eleu.net

BeachGirl247

Mewmon: I checked out www.eleu.net and it had several companies for me to e-mail -- thank you!

wantsomesun: Thanks! You are a wealth of information. Sounds like you frequent Eleuthra quite often. The full day of driving sounds fun so that we can check out the island for our next trip!

Thanks again everyone,
Sheila