Eleuthera
A long, thin island east of Nassau with pink sand beaches, Harbour Island and the Glass Window Bridge, where the island is narrowest.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Eleuthera is a long, thin island in the Bahamas, about 80 km (50 miles) east of Nassau. It runs roughly 180 km (110 miles) from end to end and is little more than 1.6 km (1 mile) wide at its narrowest point, where the Glass Window Bridge crosses. The Atlantic Ocean lies along the east coast and the Great Bahama Bank along the west, so the two shores differ.
People go for wide pink sand beaches, coral reef rock formations and caves, including the Hatchet Bay caves. Harbour Island, just offshore, is known for its own pink sand beaches. Governor's Harbour is the administrative capital, and Rock Sound and Tarpum Bay sit along Queens Highway, which runs the length of the island. Three airports serve the island: North Eleuthera Airport, Governor's Harbour Airport and Rock Sound Airport. Because Queens Highway links the settlements, a rental car is the practical way to reach beaches at both ends.
Eleuthera in five
- Fly into the right airportNorth Eleuthera serves Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, Governor's Harbour the middle and Rock Sound the south. The island is about 180 km long.
- Take the fast ferry from NassauFast ferries run from Nassau to Harbour Island and Spanish Wells in about 2 hours. Seas can be rough, so book a day of slack before an onward flight.
- Rent a car on the main islandThere is no useful public transport. Drive on the left, and watch for potholes and unmarked turns to beaches.
- Rent a golf cart on Harbour IslandHarbour Island is small and cars are few; golf carts and bikes are the way to reach the beach and town.
Things to do in Eleuthera
See all attractions in EleutheraNeed to know
- Airport
- North Eleuthera (ELH), Governor's Harbour (GHB), Rock Sound (RSD)
- Getting there
- Flights from Nassau and the US; fast ferry from Nassau
- Getting around
- Rental car; golf carts on Harbour Island
- Best base
- Governor's Harbour for the island, Harbour Island for beaches
- Time needed
- 4–7 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low21°Dry, breezyJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh24°Low22°Dry, busyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh24°Low22°Dry, warmMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 47 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh25°Low23°Warm, calmAprilRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Hot, showersMayRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 110 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AugustRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low28°Hurricane riskAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 107 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Peak hurricanesSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 201 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak hurricanes
- OctoberRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hurricane riskOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 214 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane risk
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°DrierNovemberRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low23°Dry, holidaysDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Governor's Harbour, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Eleuthera
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 23 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 29%
Eleuthera
03:06 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°22°29%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Tue28°25°36%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 36%.
- Wed27°26°28%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Thu27°26°20%Thursday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Fri26°26°11%Friday: Clear. High 26°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sat26°25°5%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 26°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun26°25°22%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 26°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 11:43 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1 BSD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Nassauabout 40 min by airThe capital of the Bahamas, and the city Governor's Harbour Airport has air services to.Read the guide
- Harbour Islandabout 30 min by boatKnown for its unusual pink sand beaches, and a further tourism base alongside Spanish Wells.Read the guide
- Spanish Wellsabout 1 hour by boatA settlement and tourism base in the island group, with a port and marina for visitors.Read the guide
Before you go to Eleuthera
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Eleuthera, checked
- Check the entry requirements for the Bahamas for your nationality before you book, as they can change.
- Dial 919 or 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in the Bahamas.
- Drive on the left. Queens Highway runs the length of the island, so plan rental car pick-up and drop-off at the airport you arrive at.
- Check whether a service charge is already on the bill before you add a tip.
Plan around Eleuthera
Islands, flights, entry rules and money
Read the guideNassauThe usual gateway, with fast ferries and flights
Read the guideThe ExumasCays and sandbars, a boat-led alternative
Read the guideMiamiFlorida departure point for flights to the islands
Read the guideHurricane-season insuranceCancellation terms to check
Read the guideMoney and cardsCash habits on the Out Islands
Read the guideEleuthera FAQ
Is Harbour Island part of Eleuthera?
It is a separate small island just off North Eleuthera, reached by a short water taxi from the dock near North Eleuthera airport.
Do I need a car on Eleuthera?
Yes, on the main island. Beaches and settlements are spread along a single long road, and taxis are costly for long trips.
What is the Glass Window Bridge?
A narrow point where the island almost splits, with the dark Atlantic on one side and the calm, pale Bight on the other. Stay back from the edge when waves are high.
When is the best time to visit Eleuthera?
December to April is dry and breezy, with the best beach weather and the highest prices. May and early June are calm and cheaper. August to October is peak hurricane season, so check cancellation terms.
Eleuthera or the Exumas: which is better?
Eleuthera suits a slow road trip with long pink-sand beaches and Harbour Island. The Exumas suit boat days to sandbars and swimming pigs. Add a day for ferry or flight timing between them and Nassau.