4 Best Sights in Rock Sound and South Eleuthera, Eleuthera and Harbour Island

A small inland saltwater lake a mile southeast of Rock Sound is connected by tunnels to the sea. Steps have been cut into the coral on the shore so visitors can climb down to the lake's edge. Bring a piece of bread or some fries and watch the fish emerge for their hors d'oeuvres, swimming their way in from the sea. A local diver estimates the hole is about 75 feet deep. He reports that there are a couple of cars at the bottom, too. Local children learn to swim here.

This short but impressive cave is one of South Eleuthera's most unique hidden gems, located behind the ocean hole just south of Rock Sound. A wooden staircase leads down to the relatively small cave formed by karst. Despite the nickname, "spider cave," you won't find many spiders here (even though there are plenty of spider webs). The cave also has high, open ceilings, so there isn't a need for a flashlight.

A superb example of a historic Bahamian colonial building, The South Eleuthera Mission, also called Mission House, sits on the Rock Sound waterfront and is open to visitors during regular business hours. Originally built in the 1850s, the reconstruction of a Methodist manse was overseen by volunteer Patricia Rose Maclean, a British designer highly experienced in period restoration. The facility now houses a library and Internet café and offers free tours to visitors who want to view the historical house. They also offer after-school programs for kids, a summer youth program, and other community-based programs.

The long, bumpy road is worth driving on just to get to this beautiful secluded beach located on the Atlantic side of the island. Whiteland Beach features an incredible stretch of clear, white sands with beautiful blue waters. The beach is never crowded, so it's a great place to relax privately. There are also reef and rock formations close to the shore, which make it a great place for snorkeling. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; snorkeling; walking.