Hi <BR> <BR>Has anyone here stayed in Governor's Harbour proper? I thought maybe I would take the Bahamas Fast Ferries over from Nassau and spend a few days at an accommodation in town. It sounds like a delightful place to kick back and relax...go for strolls around town, on the beach, read a good book. I gather there are a few restaurants (Ronnie D's, etc...), a bank and a grocery store in town...I picture this being a friendly place where one can walk around to run errands. Thoughts?

Daniel, I really think that Harbour Island would be better suited to you. There's not much around Governor's Harbour however, Harbour Island is very friendly, walkable and relaxing.

Thanks Belinda-- <BR> <BR>I had thought about Harbour Island/Dunmore Town as well; from what I'd read, they seem to be more popular destinations with tourists (also with the rich & famous apparently), which made me want to try Governor's Harbour instead. <BR> <BR>I don't care if there's tons to do in Governor's Harbour or vicinity; a homey spartan accommodation, one or two places to eat and one place to buy groceries would be fine by me. Relaxation would be my main goal with nearby ocean. GH looks relatively compact on the Lonely Planet map, which appealed to me. <BR> <BR>Just out of curiosity, do you feel that G.H. is a place to be avoided or somewhat quaint just somewhat dull for your tastes? <BR> <BR>DAN <BR> <BR>

Daniel, <BR>I've flown into GH and rented a villa in nearby Palmetto Point twice. I recommend you do that -- you will have to rent a car, though. ...you could use it to explore the beaches if you felt like it. You would have the ocean at your doorstep this way. When you exit the tiny airport, there will be somebody there with rental cars...very easy (no credit cards!), and you can reserve ahead through a man named Arthur Nixon if you like. GH is on the "bay side" and it's true, it's quaint and rustic, but I'd prefer to stay in a nearby oceanfront home. They're not too expensive, we rented Calypso, via www.vacationspot.com. It was cute, oceanfront with our own "palapa" for the sun, came with beach bikes and two-man kayak, and a big vegetable garden for the pickin'! Check it out on the web. One night we drove down to GH and they were setting up a for a local party. We stuck around and it was lots of fun. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps

Thanks Joan for your words-- <BR> <BR>It was your words about Governor's Harbour that were exactly what I was hoping to hear. A quaint rustic town where local parties are thrown (that you enjoyed). Palmetto Point sounds simply delightful, but possibly a bit too isolated for me...I like the idea of possibly interacting with Eleutherans. Being on the bay side does not particularly bother me; for me, the Bight of Eleuthera (that bay) really is an ocean (water as far as one can see, the only thing separating it from the ocean being the narrow wisp of Eleuthera itself). <BR> <BR>I love all this feedback I'm getting!

Daniel there is not much to Govenours Harbour, as others have pointed out and there is not much of a beach on the bay side. <BR> <BR>I would agree that Harbour Island would be a better option and there are lots of places to stay in every price range and it is very laid back. <BR> <BR>I just heard the Fast Ferry is in dry dock right now, and there are VERY few tourists in the area. You can check that part out on the www.bahamasfastferries.com board. There may be more info on it there. <BR> <BR>Govenours Harbour is not much and everything is very spread out on Eleutehra. So you will need to have a car. <BR> <BR>Another option is to try Tarpun Bay which is further down the island and another small community. <BR> <BR>GH, really is not much to see, my suggestion would be to go to Harbour Island and then take a day, rent a car and explore Eleuthera. I think you would be happier on Harbour Island, there are several cute places like Orange Hill. <BR> <BR>If you are still interested in GH, try the Cigatoo Inn, which is just off the main road in GH, close to the bay, nice restaurant, pool and priced right. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>tweedy

Hi Daniel, Governor's Harbour is one of the busier settlements in Eleuthera. The fast ferry will be in operation real soon once again for the holiday season offering Friday and Sunday departures from the Potters Cay Dock in Nassau. Tarpum Bay (28 miles south of Governor's Harbour) is a quiet community filled with artisans including the castle of the late Lord Macmillan Hughes. Cartwright's Ocean Front Cottages offers fully furnished cottages with a full kitchen a/c etc and a realxing atmosphere located on the Caribbean Sea. The water is just 50ft away from your doorstep.You can email them at [email protected] for more info. Local markets(BERTS for THE BEST) and resturants(Berthas GOGO RIBS and BARBIE'S) are within walking distance. Local seafood is caught daily and sold just minutes away at the Tarpum Bay Dock daily.There are over 110 miles of roads, beaches and caves to explore on Eleuthera. Some points of interest inlcude the Hatchett Bay Caves, the Rock Sound Ocean Hole, the Glass Window Bridge near Gregory Town, Ten Bay Beach(Personal Favorite Beach in Eleuthera)in Palmetto Point, Light House Point in Bannermantown, Princess Cays Dock in Bannermantown, fish fry Fridays on Cupids Cay in Governor's Harbour, the Island School at Cape Eleuthera. The list goes on. There is plenty to see and do on Eleuthera's main land but a day trip over to Harbour Island is a must see. There are a few good resturants in Eleuthera, Runaway Bay in Palmetto Point is one of the Best. you can also dine at the Buccaneerr Club in Governor's, Unique Village in Palmetto Point,and the Bottom Harbour Resturant near the Glass Window Bridge offers a great Sunday buffet.One new addition to Eleuthera is the Dock Side Daquiri Bar,located on the Cupid's Cay dock in Governor's Harbour.Feel free to email me if you need anymore details about Eleuthera.Enjoy Eleuthera wherever you choose to stay,,,Doug

As always Tweedy, I take your advice seriously as you were very helpful for my trip to Orange Hill last year. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. I'll give Harbour Island heavy consideration. <BR> <BR>Thank you Doug also for your thoughts. That Fish Fry Fridays I must say has whetted my appetite. <BR> <BR>DAN <BR> <BR>

Doug, sad to hear that Lord Macmillan Hughes has passed away! We remember fondly visiting his "castle" several years ago and enjoying his eccentric personality and interesting artwork. Is the castle still open for tours?

Joan, I asked the same question of George Major a regular on the www.briland.com board and he said much the same thing. The family is said not to be opening the gallery or the castle to guests. I have not heard if his art is going to be sold on the island, and if I hear I will let you know. <BR> <BR>I bought one of his pieces a few years ago and it hangs in our second bedroom with lots of other Bahamian art. Mal Flanders is still painting in the area so find his gallery next time you are down. <BR> <BR>tweedy

Thanks, Doug and Tweedy. And yes, Tweedy, I shall make a point of finding Mal Flanders next time!

Not sure if this thread is still being read... BUT, I absolutely love everything about Eleuthera, including Governors Harbour. I lived there for 8 months while working for Club Med Eleuthera. What a great place! Yes, it is small town. Not too much to do. But, the most beautiful beaches can be found there, this fish fry's are not to be missed and of course a visit to Ronnies for some Goombay Smash. I wonder if it is still open. Wow, I miss that place! Unfortunately, Club Med Eleuthera is closed indefinitey. I will definitely make a visit back to my favorite place sometime in future with my husband. It's where we met!!!

My wife and I spent 8 nights on harbour island at the coral sands. You have to see Dunmore Town. It is like New England tranplanted to the tropics. Great little shops, places to eat/drink. Go down to the fisherman's warf and pick up as many conch shells you want for free!!