Eleuthera Honeymoon, the Bahamas

Eleuthera is known as the jewel of the Bahamas’ Out Islands – a pristine and undeveloped pencil-thin island (3km wide by 160km long) that offers verdant pineapple plantations, rolling green hills, dramatic cliffs and quaint pastel-coloured colonial villages – the perfect honeymoon destination for a romantic holiday.

Here you can unwind at a choice of secluded villas and upmarket resorts flanked by sheltered coves and stunning unspoiled pink- and white-sand beaches that gently shelve into crystal clear turquoise waters, including the famous Pink Sand Beach on nearby Harbour Island.

Eleuthera (pronounced Ah-leu-thra) is Greek for ‘freedom’, an appropriate name for a Caribbean island that is free from casinos, cruise ships and crowds. The island is divided into North Eleuthera and South Eleuthera: soaring wave-lashed cliffs edge the eastern coast facing the Atlantic Ocean; while the western side is lapped by the calm waters of the Caribbean. You can see both at Glass Window, where the island is only wide enough for one car to pass at a time.

Things to do and see
For some of the best diving in this part of the Bahamas, head to Current Cut Dive, one of the world's fastest (9 knots) drift dives. Located in the waters between Eleuthera and Current Island, the water races between an underwater chasm, sweeping along schools of stingrays, mako sharks and various colourful reef fish. Hook up a fishing charter for tuna, amberjack, dolphin fish, wahoo and marlin: the islands are perfect for reef, bottom-, bone- and deep-sea fishing.

Hire a car and drive the length of the island, stopping off for a swim and picnic at a choice of casuarina-fringed, pink-hued and white-sand beaches. Or pop across to one of the nearby satellite islands such as Spanish Wells and Harbour Island, where you can experience excellent snorkelling and diving among coral gardens, reefs, drop-offs and wrecks teeming with rainbow-hued fish.

Don’t miss peering into the 180m-deep Ocean Hole: this saltwater lake is one of Eleuthera's most ecologically unusual spots and brims with fish and birdlife.

Accommodation
Eleuthera offers the largest concentration of resorts outside of Nassau and Paradise Island. Try the plush Powell Pointe at Cape Eleuthera Resort at Rock Sound on the southwest tip of the island, a mega-resort that is flanked by three gorgeous white-sand beaches and boasts a championship 18-hole golf course and a marina. Or try the quirky but secluded Rainbow Inn facing Hatchet Bay at Governor’s Harbour.

Best time to visit Eleuthera?
Any time of the year is good for Eleuthera honeymoon holidays. Temperatures average a balmy 24°C in winter (September to May) with refreshing gentle trade winds.

The temperature averages 28°C during the rest of the year. You can typically swim and enjoy water sports year round, with water temperatures rarely dipping below 22°C. The rainy season (May through November) brings short tropical rainstorms. For more climate info: Bahamas Weather Guide

Location – Eleuthera is located in the Out Islands, around 96km east of Nassau and 320km southeast of Florida.

Getting there – By air, Eleuthera’s three airports receive daily flights from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Nassau. How to get to Eleuthera . . .