Island Tips | bahamabeachvillas

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TRANSPORTATION

Plan for a whole day of travel. Part of the charm of Spanish Wells is the remoteness of this Bahamian out island. Here are some of our options that easily carry us to paradise:

Once we get your travel plans to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH), we can set a pickup and drop off for the return of your travel. Pinders Taxi/Ferry Service will carry you from the airport to the island of Spanish Wells for a one way flat rate of $15 USD per person.

If you fly directly to Nassau there are a few choices to get to Eleuthera, you can fly Pineapple Air, Southern Air, or Bahamas Air, a 15-minute flight or take the BAHAMAS FAST FERRY (find info online) which is an early start. Be at the dock near Paradise Island at 7:15 am for an 8 am departure. The ride is a pleasant 2 hrs, sitting inside the cabin or outside to view the islands. On your return, the boat leaves Spanish Wells at 4 pm.

The most effective way to traverse the island is via golf cart, we can arrange a rental of 2, 4 or 6 seater 'buggy' for your convenience. A 2 seater is $225/week, 4 seater $250/week and a 6 seater $350/week. You just can fill in the rental paperwork on arrival and leave the golf cart full of gas when you depart.

DINING

Spanish Wells is home to a handful of snack shops and restaurants, a liquor store with a karaoke bar and restaurant, and a gourmet grocery store (by island standards). Here are our favorite places to feel the breeze and enjoy locally caught fish: THE SHIPYARD, WRECKERS AT YACHT HAVEN, BUDDA'S, SANDBAR on Russell Island, SALT N PEPPA, THE SNACK BAR, THE GAP, EAGLE'S LANDING.

Pinders Supermarket is located dockside and Food Fair is on Leo Pinder Street in the middle of the island, supplies come in twice a week, from Nassau on Tuesday and from the US on Wednesday, put out on the shelves on Thursday. Food fair hours are 8am-5pm, Wednesday closed at 12 pm, Saturday opens until 6 pm. Everything is closed except the restaurants on Sunday.

Fish and lobster can be bought at Ronalds Service Center at the beginning of the island and at Bernard's fish dock along the creek side (south side) not to far from the bridge connecting Russell Island to Spanish Wells. Bernard fishes each day and comes in to his dock around 3:00pm, it is best to be there at that time because the fish goes quickly.

* Note: Food Fair is closed on Sundays and closes early on Wednesdays at 12 pm.

EXPERIENCE

North Eleuthera is an archipelago unlike any in the Bahamas, situated on the Dutch Bar, deep sea fishing is world famous! Find untouched beaches on uninhabited islands that fulfill your shelling and sunbathing needs. Or take the fast ferry 25 mins to Harbour Island and discover the candy-colored colonial homes and famed pink sand beaches. Here are some of our suggestions to get the most of your out island experience

Discover what lies beneath the waves with deep sea fishing, spearing, or bone fishing. Spanish Wells is the bone fishing capital of the Caribbean, but bring your own gear.

FINAL TIPS

By far, the best way to become familiar to the beauty of the Bahamas is via boat. Renting boats is easily done with Andre Sands at Harbourside Rentals.

A safer way is to hire one of our many Captains to take you out in their boat for a day or half day of sightseeing other beaches, feeding the swimming pigs, snorkeling, diving (tanks are available on the island) but snorkel equipment is better to be brought with you.

Spanish Wells is generally a cash island. ATM's are available. Many restaurants will accept MC or Visa but not AMEX.

Electricity is quite expensive on the island even though we have our own power plant. We suggest you leave off the AC as much as possible and use the windows and fans when not in the house. Sleeping is a good time to have it on during the summer months.