Hi all,

I'm planning a 5-day vacation on Eleuthera, July 28th to August 2nd, and have a couple of questions. It's supposed to be a quiet, relaxing vaca with my girlfriend.

Right now we have a hard time choosing between the Cove, near gregory town, and Cape Eleuthera, south of Rock Sound.

The Cove seems "cozier", but we're scared that there's only one small restaurant. On the other hand, it's fairly close to harbour island and a day trip there would be nice.

Cape Eleuthera seems like a better, nicer resort, but I'm scared that with the Marina and yacht club, it won't be as quiet as I hope. Also far from harbour island.

We're not looking to rent a car, those resorts are fairly expensive and will eat most, if not all, of our budget.

Last thing: weather. End of july, I'm told by one persone, is hot and dry, and by another: rainy season, could rain a lot.
Too much rain would definitely ruin the vacation. 1 hour a day is fine, even half a day from time to time. but 3 straight days? That would be bad...

I hope travelbuff2 and debc are still around, you guys seem really knowledgeable!
Thanks a ton.

Have you considered Pineapple Fields Resort? It's in between both, closer to Governor's Harbour. Nice new property, with A/C, cable TV, small pool. Fronts a gorgeous beach, (you have to cross a road, but can see it from property) it's set up like condos with full kitchens, very comfortable. It's across from Tippy's, the best restaurant on the island. Centrally located, you can go to Cove for dinners, still day trip to Harbour Island, see Window Bridge on the way, and day trip South another day all the way to Lighthouse Beach and Cape Eluethera. I have not been through Cape Eluethera to comment, I have been through Cove, it's peaceful and quaint. You would also be close to Club Med Beach (aka as French Leaving Beach) which is one of the best in Eluethera.

As for weather, can't predict it. "Rainy season" in Caribbean in general, can mean typical tropical showers, followed by sun. Maybe a chance of hurricanes (although history seems to show around September more active.) I have been to Eluethera and Exumas and Harbour Island in July and August. I never had a complete washout day, sun would come out, but we did have some exciting flights in storms, or some overcast mornings with sun in afternoon, or overcast evenings with sun in morning.

Thanks Blamona,

Pineapple fields does look nice and centrally located, but we'd like a place with some more amenities, with diving packages/bike or scuba rentals, etc. which is why we're ready to pay a little more.

Anyone's been to cape eleuthera?

I'd also suggest staying the north end of the island, as there is more to see and do. Staying down at Cape Eleuthera, it's a 3 to 4 hour drive from the north end of the island. I would suggest heading to Tarpun Bay for one day, there are a few restaurants and some shops. IT is a bit of an artist colony, so you might pick up something to take home.

Harbour Island would be a nice day visit and there are several good restaurants onisland to make the trip fun.

If you want to see anything you really will have to have a car for at least a day or two, Eleuthera is 110 miles long and cab rides will be expensive. You can get a rental at your hotel or near the airport.

If you need a cab when you get to the airport, ask for Wendell at N. Eleuthera airport, he knows the island very well and can make alot of suggestions. On Harbour Island, you MUST find Reggie and his van and he will take you on a great tour of the island.

If you have any other questions, let us know.

Thanks to both of us! Still haven't reached a decision. Could you tell me a little more about the cove?
From some comments it seems like a very nice hotel with lots of amenities and comfort, from others more like an upscale motel.

Although I am looking for total peace and quiet, and understand this doesn't always come with luxury, I would be dissapointed if it was the later.

Thanks!
Ben.

Hi Ben,
I've stayed at all three places: The Cove, Pineapple Fields, and Cape Eleuthera. The Cove was definitely my favorite, and the place I would stay at again when I return to Eleuthera someday. My dream trip would be a couple days at the Cove, and then a night or two in Harbour Island. The Cove is definitely the best base if you want to go to Harbour Island.

The Cove was special because it was a nice, luxurious stay without it being over the top. The place definitely had a lived in, island feel, more like simple luxury, which is what I like. I don't like resorts that sacrifice character for luxury. The restaurant at the Cove was delicious, one of my best meals on the island. Wallace the bartender is a great treat, and I enjoyed just sitting at the bar and talking to him. He will have suggestions on where to go out in the area, although I wouldn't be expecting much action. There is one bar that is "lively" there, but that's about it. The Cove is for you if this sounds perfect: wake up, have breakfast, lay by the beach, pool, or in a hammock with a good book, have an afternoon cocktail at the bar while the sunsets, dinner, bed. Repeat. There are no alarm clocks, TVs, or phones in the rooms.

Pineapple Fields is also nice, and this would be the place to stay if you want to have several different dining options. Tippy's is fantastic. Cape Eleuthera is a gorgeous resort, but an entirely different feel than the Cove. You'll stay in a gigantic two-floor townhouse with state of the art everything. It is a beautiful complex and the staff is very nice, but this is definitely a resort experience. There isn't much to do off campus. I felt more isolated down there vs. at the Cove. As far as it being quiet, I was there when it just opened in 2007 and there weren't many people around. I don't think it's the type of place that would ever get packed, as it's some what exclusive.

Hope this helps! I love Eleuthera and can't wait to get back. Let us know what you decide!

Thank you so much Molly. You're definitely a BIG help (as is your fantastic guide)!
I had read in another guide that the cove could be compared to an upscale motel, and I have to say it scared me a bit. Now I'm more at ease.

My last problem concerns food. My gf and I don't eat meat or shellfish - we're semi-kosher, you could say (we do eat fish, of course, or wouldn't go to the bahamas) and we're scared that spending 5 days at the cove, we'll eat the same mahi-mahi at every meal. But with a kitchnette and a quick trip to gregory town for groceries, we might be set. (are we?)

We'll make a decision soon and let you all know. In the meantime, if someone would like to add to the debate, we'll gladly listen!

Thanks again.

MMM actually no kitchenette at the cove. Well. We'll see.

The Cove definitely is "rustic charm," but I wouldn't call it a motel. Each room is in a separate little building, and comes with a basically-furnished living room, bedroom, and large-ish bathroom. Don't expect gleaming, brand new facilities, but I found it to be very charming. The staff does a great job with service.

The restaurant is quite gourmet (as far as island food goes) and had several options, but you're right, I don't know how it would be if you have a strict diet. I would call ahead and ask what the normal options are. If I remember correctly, the menu changed nightly. There aren't kitchens in the suites, unfortunately, although both Pineapple Fields and The Cape Eleuthera have beautiful ones if that's important.

Just to let you know the large grocery store is in Govenours Harbour. There are a few smaller stores in the area, but not alot of choices. There will be fresh fruit and veggies, boxed pasta, frozen veggies. You will find island grown pineapples, mango, papaya, peppers (some of the hottest peppers in the world grow on Eleuthera).

You will also have some option on fresh fish, at the harbor and of course the conch, it is a shellfish, sort of and worth breaking your diet for. Cracked conch is wonderful.

Have a great time.

Hi all,

I want to report back on my trip.
First of all we stayed 2 days at The Landing, on Harbour Island, and it was fantastic. Thanks to all for suggesting staying on the northern side of Eleuthera, it made our HI stay possible, and what can I say? HI is now one of my favorite spot in the world. The beach is simply amazing, people are wonderful. Incredible!

As for Eleuthera, well... The island is gorgeous, the beaches to die for. I especially enjoyed club med beach and Tippy's, we rented a car and had one of our best day there.

But, I absolutely did not like the Cove. Yes, it was probably one of the most luxurious options (relatively speaking, of course), the grounds were beautiful, and Wallace the bartender a gem.

But, I have to disagree with you MollyM, "I don't like resorts that sacrifice character for luxury." That's exactly how I would describe The Cove. We did not feel comfortable at all there. I found people (other than Wallace) to be very cold and distant. When we arrived, the girl at the desk simply told us to fill in the check-in information, no "welcome at the cove" or anything you would expect from a small island resort.

Kirk, the GM, towers over his resort. He is the resort, in a way, and I didn't feel comfortable around him at all. To be clear, I'm not talking about bad service, I don't expect any kind of service at all, I'm talking about unwelcoming people.
Kirk was told us we should eat only at his restaurant, "the only safe place on the island if you don't want to be sick". Turned out to be false of course, and people we met accross the island told us Kirk tells this to everybody to make sure his business keeps working.


The lobby and restaurant is nice, but very cold as well. Not at all homey. More surprising, the food was completely average, not to say bad. I had a pan-fried grouper that was like a bad pub fish and chips. If you can fish fresh grouper every day, why on earth would you pan fry it? The rest wasn't much better. The rooms didn't impress us either. There are bugs everywhere inside the rooms, from roaches to caterpillar (we woke up one day with one of those in our sheets). Yes, this is a remote island, but it didn't happen to us on HI or any other island or nature-surrounded place I've visited before.
I'll add that the beaches, although beautiful, are not practical at all (rocks or weeds everywhere).

To his benefit, I told Kirk exactly how I felt, and he expressed how sorry he was (whether that was genuine... well). After that, he made every effort to accommodate us better.

However, on our day touring, we stopped by Cocodimama for an italian dinner. What a difference! This is exactly what we were looking for! Upon arriving (for dinner only), we were welcomed by the owner, a very charming italian man. We toured the grounds, which are much smaller than the Cove and maybe not as striking, but so much cosier! The beach is very nice. Then we met (by chance) the manager (or I think it was, a very young and friendaly american). We chatted a little bit, and he offered to show us a couple of rooms. Wow! Even though smaller than the cove's room, so much better! Beautifully decorated, lots of colors, mosquito nets. We felt so good there it actually pained us to leave for the long drive back to the cove after dinner. Dinner itself was fantastic, fresh pasta made daily by the owner's mom, and it was packed (at the cove, we were usually alone in the dining room).
Finally, the bartender there, Sammy, who used to work with Wallace at Club Med, could give him a run for his money. He kept us entertained for a few hours before our dinner.

Alright, rant over. I spent so much time planning and carefully picking hotels I just felt extremely frustrated by the cove. I'll try to remember that even when every looks good on paper, the feel and atmosphere of a place can't be foreseen...

As for everything else, as I said before, amazing island, amazing people, a really great time. I can't wait to go back and stay at Cocodimama!!!

Hi Benjh:
I'm sad you didn't enjoy the Cove as much as I did, and it's frustrating to hear things weren't up to par. I was there in late 2007, I wonder if there have personnel changes. I didn't meet Kirk when I was there. Or perhaps it could have something to do with it being low season, and the whole staff isn't there/is in relaxed mode? Not as many people around? Regardless, I am sorry you didn't enjoy the stay.

But I am glad you got out and explored. I'm really curious about Cocodimama, that just reopened this year. Perhaps it would be a place to consider staying at when I return, although it would be really hard for me not to go back to the Cove! It was truly one of my favorite hotels I've ever been to!

Being from New York, I kind of liked the nature feel. Obviously I wouldn't want any gross bugs in my room, but if a moth or something came through, I'd hate to admit I'd actually find that kind of charming. I like a little rustic-ness to my accommodations, call me crazy. But yeah, if I woke up with something in my bed, that wouldn't make me happy. Gross.

Sounds like you might also like Pineapple Fields if you return, across the street from Tippy's. Did you check out the property?

Thanks for posting your experience. Glad you enjoyed the island overall.