Hi. In your opinion, what are the best off-beach snorkeling spots on Eleuthera, both in terms of day trips to explore by car or villas/resorts where you can hit the ocean right after breakfast? Also, if we take a side trip to Harbour Island, should we bring our gear, or is off-beach snorkeling not so great there? Thanks!

Hi. When are you going? Have you purchased "The Elusive Beaches of Eleuthera"? It's a much recommended guide book with directions to the beaches and places to snorkel. We're going next weekend for the first time so I obviously can't give you any first-hand account of great snorkeling spots.
If you go after we're back, look for my trip report here. We plan to go snorkeling.
Hopefully, someone else will give you the answers you need.
Enjoy your trip.

Hi DCTraveler, hoping you have a great time in Eleuthera! We have always enjoyed off-beach snorkeling in Eleuthera, but the snorkel quality changes with storms etc, you may just have to discover the best place for yourself. We've rented houses about three times, and all three had great offbeach snorkeling (assuming calm weather) right in front of the home (these were in the Governor's Harbour vicinity, Palmetto etc). Nothing like waking in the morning, seeing that glassy ocean, and diving in with mask and snorkel, followed by a hearty breakfast back at the house...mmmm! I remember in particular the beach at the Lighthouse (south end) having wonderful sights, also the Cove Resort, where we enjoyed a nice lunch after snorkeling their beach. Follow that book that caribtraveler recommends! (And when you get to a road that you think MUST be a driveway because it is so overgrown and narrow, remember - it's really a road LOL!)

I would not bother with gear on HI - the offshore snorkeling was nonexistent in our experience. This is your shopping and dining spot!

Where are you staying?

Thanks much for the replies. True to form, we've changed our minds last minute are are going to Long Island instead (in 10 days, yay!). I'll do a report upon our return. Then, maybe between my report and caribtraveler's eleuthera summary, we'll add more fodder to the eternal "which out island" question!

We love Long Island and want to take our kids back! My husband's family went there numerous times during his childhood, staying at Stella Maria Resort, and we've gone once in our married life. I hope you're divers, because there is some fantastic diving! Take a chance on sharks reef - I have quite a story to tell, but it was worth it!