Although Eleuthera, one of the family islands of the Bahamas, does not have a very large population (11,165 according to the 2000 census), it is a fairly large island. It stretches, from north to south, for almost 110 miles. So if you want to get around the many beaches and other attractions, a rental car is an essential part of your vacation.
The many beaches of Eleuthera
With over 200 miles of coastline, it goes without saying that Eleuthera has an abundance of beaches. If you want to visit several of these beaches, you will need a vehicle.
For example, if you plan to visit Lighthouse Beach and your accommodation is near Governor’s Harbour, that’s at least a 45 mile drive. And it’s a drive well worth doing.
Many fabulous beaches are scattered along the Eleuthera coast. And there are plenty of them you’ll want to spend time on.
Ben Bay, at the northern end of the island, is a tropical cove like you see in the movies. Once again we will assume a Governor’s Harbor starting point. The distance to Ben Bay is also about 45 miles, in the opposite direction.
Other things to see and do in Eleuthera
There are other attractions worthy of your attention that you can also visit.
If you’re in Ben Bay, it’s an easy side trip to Preacher’s Cave.
The Ocean Hole in Rock Sound is a good place to stop as you drive south to Lighthouse Beach. Take a picnic lunch with you and plan to feed the fish that live in Ocean Hole.
Distances in Eleuthera
Due to the length of Eleuthera, a long, thin outer island in the Bahamas chain of islands, the distances between settlements can be significant.
Traveling from one settlement to another can be quite challenging without a vehicle. You will often see people hitchhiking along the Queen’s Highway.
If you plan on taking taxis from one place to another, you can be sure that those fares will add up pretty quickly. If all you want to do is get to and from the airport to your hotel, a taxi is a good idea. But if you plan to explore Eleuthera, then you’ll need a rental car.
From Governor’s Harbor Airport (GHB) to the Governor’s Harbor settlement it is no more than ten miles. So if you don’t plan to go anywhere from there, it makes sense to take a taxi.
However, if you want to do some shopping on historic Harbor Island, the water taxi dock is almost 35 miles from Governor’s Harbour. That would be an expensive taxi fare, each way.
Such distances are just a fact of life on Eleuthera. Most things are pretty far apart.
You need to decide if you need to reserve a rental car for all or part of your vacation. If you just want to relax in your hotel or vacation rental, you may not need a vehicle. If you are going to explore something, there is no doubt that you will need one.
Rent a car in Eleuthera
Renting a car in Eleuthera is a little different. There are no national chains or regular rental offices here. If most circumstances you will be dealing directly with the owner.
Some of these tenants have formal rental agreements, others do not. Your car may come with a full tank of gas or you may need to fill it up right away.
Prices depend on a couple of factors: how long you plan to rent the car for, and the type of vehicle you want. You should be able to negotiate a better daily rate if you want the car for a week or more.
Eleuthera is a wonderful place to explore. Make sure you don’t miss out on all it has to offer.