22 Best Sights in Eleuthera and Harbour Island, Bahamas

The horseshoe-shape Ben Bay Beach is mostly accessed via boats, but it is one of the top beaches for swimming in Eleuthera. The turquoise waters are clear and almost always calm, with rosy pink sand along its shores. The beach is somewhat hard to find, so don't expect to ever encounter crowds of people here. Take advantage of the seclusion and nap under the palm trees, or go snorkeling along the rocky areas of the cove. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; snorkeling; swimming.

At a narrow point of the island a few miles north of Gregory Town, a slender concrete bridge links two sea-battered bluffs that separate the island's Central and North Districts. Sailors going south in the waters between New Providence and Eleuthera supposedly named this area the Glass Window because they could see through the natural limestone arch to the Atlantic on the other side. Stop to watch the northeasterly deep-azure Atlantic swirl together under the bridge with the southwesterly turquoise Bight of Eleuthera, producing a brilliant aquamarine froth. Artist Winslow Homer found the site stunning and painted Glass Window in 1885. The original stone arch, created by Mother Nature, was destroyed by a combination of storms in the 1940s. Subsequent concrete bridges were destroyed by hurricanes in 1992 and 1999. Drive carefully because there is frequent maintenance work going on.

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 is the fairest pink beach of them all: three miles of pale pink sand behind some of the most expensive and posh inns in The Bahamas. Its sand is of such a fine consistency that it's almost as soft as talcum powder, and the gentle slope of the shore makes small waves break hundreds of yards offshore; you have to walk out quite a distance to get past your waist. This is the place to see the rich and famous in designer resort wear or to ride a horse bareback across the sand and into the sea. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; showers. Best for: partiers; sunrise; swimming; walking.

Located at Rainbow Cay to the south of Hatchet Bay, this small, pristine beach with miles of powdery, baby-pink sand is one of the most visited in the area. The water is calm and clear, with an abundance of marine life that make the beach a great snorkeling or fishing spot. Relax under the deck or one of the many thatch umbrellas with picnic tables along the beach, or take advantage of the kayaks that are available for use. Amenities: water sports; parking. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

This natural sinkhole located at the northern tip of Eleuthera is a popular spot for divers in the know. The water is an unbelievably bright turquoise but clear enough that you can see straight to the bottom. Though the hole doesn't look deep, it's about 30 feet. Note that because this is a natural attraction, Sapphire Blue Hole is surrounded by rocks, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. There's no ladder to climb out of the water (only a rope), so this isn't recommended for young children or those who aren't physically fit.

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.

This 43-acre, deep-blue saltwater lake is the perfect place to see much of The Bahamas' beautiful marine life up close. The marine reserve was established in 1954 by the Burrows Family to protect the endangered green sea turtles and the other various kinds of fish, lobster, and other marine life that call the lake home. One-hour guided kayak tours are available. You can also rent kayaks and canoes for off-property use. Call to book reservations before visiting.

This stretch of pink sand is home to French Leave Resort. The gorgeous Atlantic-side beach is anchored by fantastic bistros like The Buccaneer Club and Tippy's. The wide expanse, ringed by casuarina trees, is often deserted and makes a great outpost for romantics. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Snorkelers and divers will want to spend time at this beach, three miles north of Gregory Town. You'll most likely have the long stretch of white sand and shallow aqua water all to yourself, and it's great for shelling. At low tide, you can walk or swim to Gaulding's Cay, a tiny rock island with a few casuarina trees. There's great snorkeling around the island; you'll see a concentration of sea anemones so spectacular it dazzled even Jacques Cousteau's biologists. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; sunset.

North of Hatchet Bay lies a subterranean, bat-populated tunnel complete with stalagmites and stalactites. Pirates supposedly once used it to hide their loot. An underground path leads for more than a mile to the sea, ending in a lofty, cathedral-like cavern. Within its depths, fish swim in total darkness. The adventurous may wish to explore this area with a flashlight (follow the length of guide string along the cavern's floor), but it's best to inquire first at one of the local stores or The Rainbow Inn for a guide.

According to local tales, this huge mansion was built by newlyweds in 1945. After an argument one night, both the wife and husband left the house and were never seen again. The table was set for dinner; the food on the stove and all of their clothing and wedding gifts were left behind. The property has been damaged over the years but is still open for visitors. It's a great place to let your imagination run wild.

The heart of the community, this 19th-century building has a local book club and offers art classes and Tuesday-morning coffee hours for visitors and residents. The library has a wide selection of books and computers, with gorgeous views of the harbor.

Walk miles of scenic trails in this 25-acre nature preserve located on Banks Road. Funded by the Leon Levy Foundation and operated by the Bahamas National Trust, the preserve serves as an environmental education center with a focus on traditional bush medicine. Follow the boardwalk over a small waterfall and take the path to the Observation Tower to see hundreds of indigenous trees, plants, and wildlife, such as mangroves, five-finger plants, and bullfinches. Group tours are available, or if you'd prefer to tour the preserve on your own, the welcome center will provide you with a map and a plant identification guide.

If you stroll to the end of Bay Street and follow the curve to the western edge of the island, you'll find the Lone Tree, one of the most photographed sights on Harbour Island. This enormous piece of driftwood is said to have washed up on shore after a bad storm and anchored itself on the shallow sandbar in a picturesque upright position, providing the perfect photo op for countless tourists.

At the island's northern tip, this cave is where the Eleutheran Adventurers (the island's founders) took refuge and held services when their ship wrecked in 1648. Note the original stone altar inside the cave, built by Captain William Sayle in the 1600s. Across from the cave is a long succession of deserted pink-sand beaches.

This is Gregory Town's claim to fame and one of the few beaches in The Bahamas known for surfing. Serious surfers have gathered here since the 1960s for decent waves from December to April. If you don't have a jeep, you can walk the ¾ mile to this Atlantic-side beach—take a right onto the paved road past the Hatchet Bay silos, just south of Gregory Town. Look for a young crowd sitting around bonfires at night. Amenities: water sports. Best for: surfing.

Steps from historical Preacher's Cave, this beach offers a long expanse of powdery white sand. The area is remote, so you're likely to have the beach to yourself. There are plenty of palmetto trees to relax underneath for a quiet afternoon. Just offshore is Devil's Backbone, where the Eleutheran Adventurers shipwrecked and sought shelter in the cave. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; walking.

Much like natural hot tubs or "moon pools" (as the locals call them), the Queen's Baths are a warm collection of tidal pools that were formed from the erosion of nearby rocks. The clear, dark-blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which fill the pools, are warmed by the Bahamian sun, providing a warm and calming alternative to a crowded and sometimes chilly beach. The best time to visit the pools is during low and medium tides, so be sure to check before going to take a dip. Wear hard-bottom shoes to avoid slipping on rocks.

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.

This unique beach got its name because of its interesting geography: being split into two coves by a narrow sand bridge. Frequent sightings of nurse sharks, lobster, various kinds of fish, rays, and other marine life are what you'll find on either side of the beach. Not many people visit here during the week, so it's the perfect place to relax and go swimming or snorkeling. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: swimming; snorkeling; solitude.

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.