I am a Bahamian living in the US. My mother and grandmother were from Rock Sound and Governors Harbor. I grew up on the island of New Providence. I have never been to the island of Eleuthera myself. Your presentation of Eleuthera was one of the best so far on YT. You have a new sub here.
Wow that means a lot! Thank you so much for your support. I hope you get to visit sometime, and experience it from your family’s footsteps. That would be very special. ❤️
My dad was born on Eleuthera and our family is from Rock Sound and Savannah Sound.... I did not visit until I was in my 20s. It’s amazing....so proud of my roots🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍
In my comment on your Saint Martin video I said that I hoped to see future videos on other Caribbean islands. This new presentation on Eleuthera is a delight. I had no idea that so many beautiful and unspoiled beaches still exist so close to eastern North America. The maps, titles, and accompanying narration were particularly excellent.
Gary, thanks soooo much for supporting our channel, we love getting your feedback. Glad you enjoyed the video. We’re hoping there’s even more Caribbean islands in our future travels as well!
I loved your video; thank you for posting it. I've been on Eleuthera briefly in the past, on the way to Russell Island/Spanish Wells, and I thought it was beautiful. I'm going to stay on Eleuthera for 8 nights this December and was just browsing RUclips videos of the area. I'll be staying about mid-island. Thank you again for your video--beautifully done!
Thanks so much for the compliments, so happy you enjoyed it. We ran out of time to visit Spanish Wells and hope to do so one day. Mid island is great as you can go north or south without too much driving. Enjoy your December trip!
Great video. My wife and I have been to Eleuthera 3 times in the past 18 months. Our favorite beaches so far are Gaulding Cay, and Current (North Beach). Both have amazing snorkeling.
I agree with the positive comments about your narration. Great job. I would recommend the three airbnb’s hosted by Kathy, a fellow Canadian, above the beach in Oleander Gardens, Gregory town. The newest one is beyond cool.
Thank you so much for those wonderful words and so glad you enjoyed it. It’s easy when you have that many beautiful beaches to visit 😂 The island has so much variety and beauty, we’ve been to 4 of the Bahamian islands and this one by far has the nicest beaches, which is incredible when they are all gorgeous to begin with.
It’s worth the effort to get there if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and take it slow. Glad you liked the video, thanks so much for your comment. ♥️
Great video ! Very much appreciated everything about it. We hv been to Eleuthera many times and always knew there is more new sites to explore. You highlighted these in your video . Thanks 🙏🏼
This is the best overview of Eleuthera I have seen. Thank you! I will be referencing this for my honeymoon in March. :) Length of clips, music, and speed/tone of narration are all 10/10. This is also the first I’ve heard of the Disney development being built.
I really enjoyed watching this video! It feels like a very comprehensive guide to beaches and local shops. I learned new things even after visiting the island myself
I really enjoyed your video of Eleuthera; it's so friendly and relaxed, your connection to nature. Just as is Eleuthera (Freedom!) is. Enjoy and keep sharing your travels! I was guided spiritually to Eleuthera when I asked myself where to go in the Bahamas in 2000. I felt the urge to go there, have a vacation again. Eleuthera came up, I had to look it up if this really existed and landed in Rock Sound from Nassau, first time in The Bahamas. In my experience, this family island is truly an amazing place. Especially Harbour Island. I ended up there because I wanted to see the Pink Sand beaches. This is one of my (two) paradise islands who I always keep in my heart and have fond memories 💙🐬☀😎❤ When you go there, keep in mind it's a small island so keep it clean. And when you decide to do scuba diving, that where I saw the big ones/fish instead of the coral fish.
Thanks for sharing your story, I wonder if Eleuthera has changed a lot since 2000. And agree, we have to be good visitors, reduce/minimize garbage especially if no facilities exist. It’s something we are more mindful of now that we’re travelling more.
You should! No place like it for surfing where you’ll probably have the beach to yourself. Make sure you have a jeep to get there 😂 also winter season generally has bigger waves. Appreciate the comment!!
Very much enjoyed your video - the info, music, and narration was good, and y'all made us chuckle with your funny antics and comments! Appreciated the cost breakdown and tips! I might just get my hubby to go somewhere now! I didn't yet find what time of year it was...
My husband likes to play that dumb shark trick on me and I fall for it every single time. Worth getting here if you like a laid back beach vacay away from the hussle. We were there in mid April this year, weather wasn’t too humid or too hot.
@@YYZWanderers yes, I admit, we had to back up the video to catch that shark trick again! And you were such a good sport, too! Thanks for the info and once again, y'all did a very nice, thorough, pleasant job with the video.
Glad you liked it! We met some folks sailing through and they loved the chain of islands - sailors paradise. You should check out ‘An Embarrasment of Mangoes’ book if you haven’t heard of it. Have fun!
This is an amazing footage, thank you so much for sharing your vacation with the entire world. I especially like the Kupcake Lady Bakery.😂 Love her guva duff . Please visit again.🇧🇸🏝
great video, even though it isn't a beach one of the hilites of our journeys is the queens baths close to the glass window. hope you got to experience that spot.
Great video. Your voice is really great. Very calming yet strong. Wondering how to get to Ed’s bay. Going in July and would like to see Ed’s bay. Second time in Eleuthera.
Wow, thanks for the kind words! Of course, I cringe when I hear my own voice. Ed’s Bay isn’t on the maps as its just a pull out on the main road and some guy made a beach sign and named it. We saw about 2 places that had nice beach spots that you can stop at on your way. Ed’s Bay is before these coordinates here as you drive toward Current which is where we swam for a bit and I only saved that pin. Have fun! maps.app.goo.gl/AC3i1N528vM3b7Mg7?g_st=ic
@@YYZWanderers Here is the story behind Ed's Bay: Ed Penniman , January 27, 2022 Hi, I’m Ed. I claimed this bay years ago for fun. Then I came back after the hurricane and found my makeshift sign in the rubble on the beach. Before I return I had a friend with a router make me a real sign like a public park. Anyway, I found a good-sized tree and mounted the sign. On the last turn of the bolt, the head snapped off and the sign is now upsidedown making the location unique. Ed’s Bay is located near the area of Current. I am a California painter and love the island of Eleuthera. I stayed many years with my friend Nurse Jean at the Laughing Bird.
A subsequent post by Ed Penniman, June 30, 2023: Hi Again, It’s Ed. It looks like I may never return to my beloved island of Eleuthera. As an artist and painter, I followed the painting trail of Winslow Homer to his painting locations throughout the island. I am 81 now and my mobility is getting worse as I am disabled and have been since 1984. I love my old photos of Jumkanoo, my “cousins” and all the friends I have made through the years. Winset Cooper, RIP, Mal Wethers the painter RIP, the Twins, Nurse Jean, Kevin Cooper, painter, JB Barry who gave me a signed Bahamas Flag (he was a hero who saved the lives of airline passengers on the tarmac during a hurricane, man, too many lovely souls to mention. On my last trip, I looked up a bunch of people I met as kids in Tarpum Bay. All grown up in their 30s now I’m not sure many remembered me but I loved giving them photos I had taken when they were just kids in their school uniforms.
Great video! We too have been a few times, stayed at Bird of Paradise next to Tippy's in Governor's Harbour. We love it there! Brining back the kids in 2025. Never did get to Lighthouse. 😔 We too wondered what those tubular snake skin things were in the ocean. Mainly Alabaster and Ten Bay. I came to see if anyone posted what they were...lol. Great video!!! ❤
Lol, we never made it to Tippy’s so will be something left to do for us on a return trip. I think the roads will be much better getting to Lighthouse as the development progresses, one benefit I guess. Thanks for the feedback!! ❤️
So happy it helped! We focused on beaches and bakeries on this trip but there still so much we haven’t done. Spanish Wells is on our return list (gottq leave some things to do so you can go back!)
Excellent video! I just came back from Eleuthera 2 days ago and amazingly, went to every beach you did except Harbor Island and Eds. (Plus another 14 more!) Current, Ten Bay, Navy and Twin Coves are on the top of my list. Hidden Beach was a 10 minute walk from our house. Tay Bay is up there too and as an FYI is quite a way away east of Preachers and not easy to get to but worth the hike. If you ever go back, Lovers Beach is absolutely stunning. We stayed in Tarpum Bay and even went to the same grocery store (Big Rock) you did. You captured the magic of Eleuthera very well. Too bad Disney has decided to ruin Lighthouse. I was there is 2015 and 2019 and feel blessed to have been able to experience it in its unspoiled state. Nice job.
@@stumblebassstumblebass3661 Disney built a large beach complex/cruise ship port in the undeveloped southern tip of the island. It was hotly contested for many reasons including environmental impact but it pushed forward. A couple locals we spoke to were more cautious/wait and see POV on how they contribute to the economy post-construction. As far as places to stay, it all depends on what you are looking for, budget etc. There are no big hotel chains, or all-inclusive and any luxury accommodations have a more understated elegance. For $$$$, you can look at French Leave resort, The Cove, or on Harbour Island which requires a short boat hop and is more contained where everything is close by. Hope that helps!
I enjoyed your video very much. I was stationed on the Naval Facility there on Eleuthera in the early 1960s. My wife and I went back again 30 years later on a vacation trip. Eleuthera is indeed a beautiful island and the people there are very welcoming and friendly.
Very cool! My overactive imagination is in overdrive, it must have been like the movies working at the facility! Thank you for your service and glad you were able to go back and see the island again! It’s a special place.
I spent a year there. I had an old BSA motorcycle helped me to really enjoy my time on that beautiful island. Receivers Beach was just down the hill from the Naval Facility. We had many great parties there...Great memories!
Thank you for sharing this great beautiful experience in Eleuthera Bahamas also Harbor Island which is where India Hicks the interior designer has her home. Did you guys stayed at a home rental or a air BNB? All the best for Summer 2024.
Yes! I got distracted and forgot to look for the store that sells some of her stuff. Oh well, something to go back for, right? We haven’t been to Spanish Wells either, also another reason to return. For this trip, we did an airbnb that was locally owned. Thanks so much for your great feedback.
Hey Nancy, I love collecting beach shells and glass too, Canada allows small quantities of sand and shells but I believe you can’t bring back harvested conch shells (with the hole at the top of the shell, only abandoned shells). I didn’t bring conch shells back as I wasn’t sure. Receiver beach had lots of baby conch shells, about 4-6 inches. I took a pic of my shell collecting and posted on my instagram channel so you can see them as I am not able to add pics here. The link is here but if it doesn’t work, just head to Instagram from the links in the ‘About’ section in our YT channel page or search for YYZWanderers. Happy shelling! instagram.com/p/CstVbFhg0oo/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
We have brought Conch shells back to the US. You have to put them in checked bags. Other than that, we have not had issues with bringing them in the US. Just be sure to check and make sure they are in fact empty. I felt horrible when I found out that a hermit crab had tucked deep in the shell.
@@YYZWanderers you have shown great skills narrating the story of your vacation. Perfectly delivered. I've watched it twice. Relaxing and informative video.
If you want a real vacation to escape this crazy hustle and bustle of life go on a vacation to any one of our islands. It is peaceful, no crime you can leave your door open. Beautiful Bahamas. Only thing I would tell you is that it could be expensive with food, but you can carry like some snacks with you and the mosquitoes, bring your spray, minor set backs for a Beautiful vacation, Beautiful People. Enjoy
When you visited French Leave Beach did you visit/see the ruins of the Club Med Eleuthera that was located there? Family vacationed there in the early 90's- employed a lot of people and had large chartered jets flying into the nearby airport, but resort was destroyed in a later hurricane and Club Med decided not to rebuild. All the club's water sports were at a facility on the harbour side. Interesting that you enjoyed Current Beach so much as the nearby Current Cut is nerve wracking for sailors and boaters with its fast moving dangerous currents. Those boats transiting the Devil's Backbone have a very specific twisting route to follow to avoid many coral obstacles just below the surface. Some boaters hire a local captain to drive the route.
We didn’t bother exploring the ruins but I’ve seen some videos on it, doesn’t look like much. Interesting about Current Cut, now I understand the name of it! We just waded in the water, not too far from shore. Come to think of it, the water was moving fast for the shallows. I think it was the combination of seeing the stingray, shallows and quietness of it that made it special for us. Wish I was back already! Thanks for your informative comment.
Enjoyed your video!! My family has been going to eleuthera since the 60's. I haven't been in years but my husband and I are planning a trip back. Are you able to share how you spent 2600$ usd on food? I know it's expensive there but that seemed really high. Just curious as we begin our budget. Thank you for sharing your trip! 😊
Hi, the budget we showed at the end of the video breaks it down (check the chapter links to go directly to it). It excludes food as that is variable for many people so $2600 was for accommodations, flight, car rental. The voiceover may not have been clear. Imported items are expensive eg 1lb ground beef was $16, a can of average tomato sauce was $9 but some items are reasonable eg basics, local produce. Thanks for asking and have a great trip! Always fun to see a place after a long time away.
@@YYZWanderers ohhh. Thank you for clarifying we totally read that wrong! Wow. Thats actually a great price! And at that price for beef we could go without. Thanks again for responding. 😁
We have gone several times in the past 2 years. The food averages around 100-150 a day for two if you go out. We found that it was easier to go out because we spend so much time in the sun. We literally make breakfast at home, and then pack our gear and go out snorkeling, swimming, or hiking. Since it is warmer, we tend to stay away from packing food. We also do not want to carry too much plastics, and garbage. There are obviously different price ranges of restaurants, these are mostly your typical drink/ food fair. For a nicer dinner, easily expect to pay $200 with tip or more for food. However, I am yet to find bad food on the island when they prepare it. Grocery store quality is far different though.
@@tyekeppler726 that's a great point about garbage - there is no recycling on the island so we were careful to use reusables and our airbnb had an ice cooler. We also took our used toiletries, empty plastic containers back with us to minimize the plastics on island. It's heartbreaking to see so much roadside garbage.
We didn’t snorkel too much but there are lots of calm beaches and sandy flats for easy shore entry. The water is also incredibly clear. We heard seeing turtles is common while snorkelling there as well.
Depends…if you have to take 2 planes to get to Nassau, a couple days there might be a nice stop enroute to Eleuthera. If you are looking for a couple days of busier beach experience, more nightlife etc then that’s Nassau. We haven’t been there in quite a few years so can’t speak to how it is now, other than government travel advisories for it on crime levels which can be avoided eg don’t stay out late in town, don’t wander down dark alleys, the usual. Eleuthera on the other hand is super quiet but if you like searching out beaches, getting away from crowds, then you won’t be bored. You can enjoy both if you have the time. If you have just a week, may not be worth splitting it up. Food for thought to help you decide.
This is an excellent video! Very well shot, and edited. We are planning our 2nd trip to Eleuthera for 2024. Could you tell me where you rented your vehicle from? The prices you list on your budget breakdown are about what I would expect, however the current quotes I'm getting are a lot higher. Also, what beach (or beaches) did you find some sea glass? I hope to be a beach comber when I retire =) Thanks.
Thanks for the compliments! Car rentals are a tricky one - I literally got quotes at every single one. We ended up using Justin Pinder car rental $80/day SUV and it was a very smooth process. He takes a $200 security deposit via paypal but returned it within an hour of returning the car. The jeep was in good shape as well. You may know that collision insurance is included and mandatory in the price everywhere in the Bahamas, so no need to use a cc for insurance reasons. Some cc may not cover Eleuthera, only North America. No liability coverage either (rentalcover.com may cover?) Kean Stubbs was also my other option and Taylor&Taylor had a deal for $70 /new ford explorer but had to book early and a bit big for us. These rates were April 2023. Just check the cancellation terms and fee to use cc or surcharge for pick ip location eg diff airports. Some take a fee to cancel. We paid cash. As for the fun stuff, not much glass but lots of tiny pink shells at Rainbow beach and small conch shells at Cocodemama. Just make sure there are no holes on the conch shell which means the snail left on its own (vs caught). Have fun!!!
We've used Kean the 3 times we've been. I just stumbled across this video, we're not fling back until 2025 and I'm so bummed now. Best place ever! Great video! Visit Tippy's!!! ❤
I used the Panasonic S5-II for Eleuthera for the first time and it’s a great camera for video. The best thing for me is the stabilization. All the videos prior to that were shot with a Fuji XT-3. I upgraded because the Fuji was damaged when hiking the Fitz Roy in Argentina.
hank you for your comeback. I want to invest to be able to film in good conditions (perhaps not as good as yours). What movie did you film with the Fuji? Sincerely Jerome@@YYZWanderers
The videos on this channel were all shot with the XT-3 except for Eleuthera and the one after it (Canadian National Exhibition). A newer Fuji XT-5 is out now. If you're looking for a camera that is more video centric, and want to consider Fuji, then there's the X-H2. The Panasonic S5-II is very video centric and as such won't be as good if you like taking lots of photos (same goes for the XH-2). And of course, there's Sony, which is outstanding for video but their price points seemed too high for me, especially when the Panasonic S5-II came our earlier this year. One thing to note is the sensor size is smaller on the Fuji (APS-C) vs. Panasonic (full-frame), but that doesn't mean one is better than the other. But it does have an impact on certain aspects such as weight. Full-frame lenses will always be heavier and bigger than smaller sensor camera lenses, so this could be an important consideration if you need to carry your gear all day or back pack/camp. Happy to nerd out on any questions you might have if you're looking at a new camera!
You’ll have to probably take a boat out because there aren’t any coral reefs close to shore. On the calm side, it’s mostly sandy bottom. There’s little fish here and there but not a lot. Rainbow beach has some rocky ledges at either end of the beach & easily accessible. Twin beach has a rocky area too for fish activity. Gaulding’s Cay at high tide around the little island. Waves are strong on the Atlantic side so didn’t see anyone snorkelling on those.
Of course! In the video description, we have a link to the airbnb. It’s priced as a good value since it isn’t oceanfront but you do get a distant view and it is well taken care of and clean. Have a great time!
I think I found the video you were referring to. It looks like they stayed in the heart of Current, which we didn’t get to see and where they saw the rusted cars and garbage washed up by the ocean. The areas we visited and I would say the majority of the island was not dirty with illegal dumping. Most communities have a central garbage collection area. Even Lighthouse beach had a public garbage bin at the parking area and yes you can see bits of debris washed up by the ocean but not in a big way. There are also volunteer groups who do garbage collection from the beaches. I hope you didn’t get the impression that the entire island was a dump because it is not at all. Thanks for your comment, I’ll be more aware of pointing out any potential concerns in general.
The Florida Keys was settled by Bahamians.... specifically white Bahamians. The infrastructure and buildings are modeled after the traditional homes in The Bahamas
Your best bet would be in Governor’s Harbor - try Da Perk on the main road, or Bacchus fine foods. I don’t recall any other places as we ate mostly in for breakfast.
Yes, as almost everything is imported, both restaurants and groceries are expensive especially for us when converted to Canadian $. Eg a can of ordinary spaghetti sauce of questionable expiry date can be $6-10 USD (ack!) We ate out for some lunches, average $50 for 2. Fish fry is fun, $25 for a fish dinner. Local fishermen can be a good option for fresh fish but we never made it at the right time. I heard on a facebook group that many folks pack their groceries. Some basics would be good to take if you have a kitchen. Beer is reasonable, about $4-5 a bottle at the liquor store - best one is in the Rock Sound plaza where the best grocery is also located but a long way to go if you’re not staying there. Didn’t make it out to dinners as we weren’t inclined to drive at night and none were close by.
I am a Bahamian living in the US. My mother and grandmother were from Rock Sound and Governors Harbor. I grew up on the island of New Providence. I have never been to the island of Eleuthera myself. Your presentation of Eleuthera was one of the best so far on YT. You have a new sub here.
Wow that means a lot! Thank you so much for your support. I hope you get to visit sometime, and experience it from your family’s footsteps. That would be very special. ❤️
My dad was born on Eleuthera and our family is from Rock Sound and Savannah Sound.... I did not visit until I was in my 20s. It’s amazing....so proud of my roots🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍
In my comment on your Saint Martin video I said that I hoped to see future videos on other Caribbean islands. This new presentation on Eleuthera is a delight. I had no idea that so many beautiful and unspoiled beaches still exist so close to eastern North America. The maps, titles, and accompanying narration were particularly excellent.
Gary, thanks soooo much for supporting our channel, we love getting your feedback. Glad you enjoyed the video. We’re hoping there’s even more Caribbean islands in our future travels as well!
Great music and calming narration. The perfect length to do some light chores around the house while learning about a beautiful island!
Thanks! Happy to have made your chores more enjoyable. Eleuthera is definitely the place to visit for some great R&R.
I loved your video; thank you for posting it. I've been on Eleuthera briefly in the past, on the way to Russell Island/Spanish Wells, and I thought it was beautiful. I'm going to stay on Eleuthera for 8 nights this December and was just browsing RUclips videos of the area. I'll be staying about mid-island. Thank you again for your video--beautifully done!
Thanks so much for the compliments, so happy you enjoyed it. We ran out of time to visit Spanish Wells and hope to do so one day. Mid island is great as you can go north or south without too much driving. Enjoy your December trip!
Lovely video. You really captured Eleuthera well. Look forward to watching your other videos. Well done.
that's amazing to hear!!! Thanks so much for your support! 🥰
Great video. My wife and I have been to Eleuthera 3 times in the past 18 months. Our favorite beaches so far are Gaulding Cay, and Current (North Beach). Both have amazing snorkeling.
Wow, so lucky! You must really love it too, it’s hard to find so many non-stop amazing beaches on one island.
Wonderful video and a lovely destination. Definitely, lots of beach for everyone.
Definitely no crowds on these beaches, even the ‘busiest’. Glad you liked it!
I agree with the positive comments about your narration. Great job.
I would recommend the three airbnb’s hosted by Kathy, a fellow Canadian, above the beach in Oleander Gardens, Gregory town. The newest one is beyond cool.
🙏 appreciate the feedback! We will check those places out if we make it back there.
This was Amazing! This has to be one of the best tour videos I have seen. Well done! I will share this with friends that are wanting to visit.
Thank you so much for those wonderful words and so glad you enjoyed it. It’s easy when you have that many beautiful beaches to visit 😂 The island has so much variety and beauty, we’ve been to 4 of the Bahamian islands and this one by far has the nicest beaches, which is incredible when they are all gorgeous to begin with.
awesome
Yeahhhh!!!!❤❤ thanks for the comment
Well done video with lots of great information.
Hey Mikey, thanks so much for that feedback! It is such a laidback island and so many beaches, we loved it. Glad it was helpful.
Didn’t know the island were islands and such peace and beauty. Beautiful video thank you 🙏
It’s worth the effort to get there if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle and take it slow. Glad you liked the video, thanks so much for your comment. ♥️
Great video ! Very much appreciated everything about it. We hv been to Eleuthera many times and always knew there is more new sites to explore. You highlighted these in your video . Thanks 🙏🏼
Glad it was helpful! For a small island, there is so much to do, we felt like we just scratched the surface. Hope to be back some day!
This is the best overview of Eleuthera I have seen. Thank you! I will be referencing this for my honeymoon in March. :) Length of clips, music, and speed/tone of narration are all 10/10. This is also the first I’ve heard of the Disney development being built.
Oh wow! Thanks so much for your kind words and support! Congrats on your marriage and enjoy the honeymoon! 🥂
Great video! Through and comprehensive! Just what I was looking for to learn more about this island thanks!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to give us some feedback. 🤙
I really enjoyed watching this video! It feels like a very comprehensive guide to beaches and local shops. I learned new things even after visiting the island myself
I'm so glad! Eleuthera has so much to see and do considering the small size, I know there’s much more for us to discover too.
I really enjoyed your video of Eleuthera; it's so friendly and relaxed, your connection to nature. Just as is Eleuthera (Freedom!) is. Enjoy and keep sharing your travels!
I was guided spiritually to Eleuthera when I asked myself where to go in the Bahamas in 2000. I felt the urge to go there, have a vacation again.
Eleuthera came up, I had to look it up if this really existed and landed in Rock Sound from Nassau, first time in The Bahamas.
In my experience, this family island is truly an amazing place. Especially Harbour Island. I ended up there because I wanted to see the Pink Sand beaches. This is one of my (two) paradise islands who I always keep in my heart and have fond memories 💙🐬☀😎❤
When you go there, keep in mind it's a small island so keep it clean. And when you decide to do scuba diving, that where I saw the big ones/fish instead of the coral fish.
Thanks for sharing your story, I wonder if Eleuthera has changed a lot since 2000. And agree, we have to be good visitors, reduce/minimize garbage especially if no facilities exist. It’s something we are more mindful of now that we’re travelling more.
Thank you for this video. I want to visit Eleuthera.
You should! Some of the best beaches we’ve been on. Thanks for your support on our channel.
us,too!!
This is fantastic! Please keep this going!
Thanks so much for your encouragement! ❤️
Thank you for the tour and great information
Our pleasure! Thanks for the feedback.
Very nice video, greetings from Argentina🙋♂
Thank you very much! We ❤️Argentina!!!
Nice video! I would like to try riding some waves at Surfer’s Beach.
You should! No place like it for surfing where you’ll probably have the beach to yourself. Make sure you have a jeep to get there 😂 also winter season generally has bigger waves. Appreciate the comment!!
Loved the relaxing pace and tone of this video. thanks!
That's how we roll, thanks for your support on the channel, much appreciated!
Very much enjoyed your video - the info, music, and narration was good, and y'all made us chuckle with your funny antics and comments! Appreciated the cost breakdown and tips! I might just get my hubby to go somewhere now! I didn't yet find what time of year it was...
My husband likes to play that dumb shark trick on me and I fall for it every single time. Worth getting here if you like a laid back beach vacay away from the hussle. We were there in mid April this year, weather wasn’t too humid or too hot.
@@YYZWanderers yes, I admit, we had to back up the video to catch that shark trick again! And you were such a good sport, too! Thanks for the info and once again, y'all did a very nice, thorough, pleasant job with the video.
Thank you for this! I enjoyed it very much. I hope to be heading to The Bahamas (via Sailboat) this coming winter/spring.
Glad you liked it! We met some folks sailing through and they loved the chain of islands - sailors paradise. You should check out ‘An Embarrasment of Mangoes’ book if you haven’t heard of it. Have fun!
This is an amazing footage, thank you so much for sharing your vacation with the entire world. I especially like the Kupcake Lady Bakery.😂 Love her guva duff .
Please visit again.🇧🇸🏝
Eleuthera is a treasure and so lucky we got to visit it. Oooh missed out on guava duff! Thanks for your feedback!
great video, even though it isn't a beach one of the hilites of our journeys is the queens baths close to the glass window. hope you got to experience that spot.
We were able to visit the Queens Baths but the pools weren’t filled much on the day we were there. Maybe next time!
I hit Island Farm every day I'm on the island! Love it☆
🏝
I would too if we stayed closer to it! Great place.
Great video. Your voice is really great. Very calming yet strong. Wondering how to get to Ed’s bay. Going in July and would like to see Ed’s bay. Second time in Eleuthera.
Wow, thanks for the kind words! Of course, I cringe when I hear my own voice. Ed’s Bay isn’t on the maps as its just a pull out on the main road and some guy made a beach sign and named it. We saw about 2 places that had nice beach spots that you can stop at on your way. Ed’s Bay is before these coordinates here as you drive toward Current which is where we swam for a bit and I only saved that pin. Have fun!
maps.app.goo.gl/AC3i1N528vM3b7Mg7?g_st=ic
@@YYZWanderers Here is the story behind Ed's Bay:
Ed Penniman , January 27, 2022
Hi, I’m Ed. I claimed this bay years ago for fun. Then I came back after the hurricane and found my makeshift sign in the rubble on the beach. Before I return I had a friend with a router make me a real sign like a public park. Anyway, I found a good-sized tree and mounted the sign. On the last turn of the bolt, the head snapped off and the sign is now upsidedown making the location unique. Ed’s Bay is located near the area of Current. I am a California painter and love the island of Eleuthera. I stayed many years with my friend Nurse Jean at the Laughing Bird.
A subsequent post by Ed Penniman, June 30, 2023:
Hi Again, It’s Ed. It looks like I may never return to my beloved island of Eleuthera. As an artist and painter, I followed the painting trail of Winslow Homer to his painting locations throughout the island. I am 81 now and my mobility is getting worse as I am disabled and have been since 1984. I love my old photos of Jumkanoo, my “cousins” and all the friends I have made through the years. Winset Cooper, RIP, Mal Wethers the painter RIP, the Twins, Nurse Jean, Kevin Cooper, painter, JB Barry who gave me a signed Bahamas Flag (he was a hero who saved the lives of airline passengers on the tarmac during a hurricane, man, too many lovely souls to mention. On my last trip, I looked up a bunch of people I met as kids in Tarpum Bay. All grown up in their 30s now I’m not sure many remembered me but I loved giving them photos I had taken when they were just kids in their school uniforms.
@@Blazerfan11Amazing that you found the story behind it!
Thank you for sharing! Very informational! My husband and I are excited to go next week!
Glad it was helpful, have a wonderful trip!
Great video! We too have been a few times, stayed at Bird of Paradise next to Tippy's in Governor's Harbour. We love it there! Brining back the kids in 2025. Never did get to Lighthouse. 😔
We too wondered what those tubular snake skin things were in the ocean. Mainly Alabaster and Ten Bay. I came to see if anyone posted what they were...lol.
Great video!!! ❤
Lol, we never made it to Tippy’s so will be something left to do for us on a return trip. I think the roads will be much better getting to Lighthouse as the development progresses, one benefit I guess. Thanks for the feedback!! ❤️
Excellent video!
Thank you so much! 🙏
Love it! You guys make really great quality videos!
Glad you like them! ❤️
Great job on your video
Appreciate the support!
Beautiful and informative video. Will help greatly in our planning! Thank you!
So happy it helped! We focused on beaches and bakeries on this trip but there still so much we haven’t done. Spanish Wells is on our return list (gottq leave some things to do so you can go back!)
Amazing!
It certainly is a special place! Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated. Cheers!
Excellent video! I just came back from Eleuthera 2 days ago and amazingly, went to every beach you did except Harbor Island and Eds. (Plus another 14 more!) Current, Ten Bay, Navy and Twin Coves are on the top of my list. Hidden Beach was a 10 minute walk from our house. Tay Bay is up there too and as an FYI is quite a way away east of Preachers and not easy to get to but worth the hike. If you ever go back, Lovers Beach is absolutely stunning. We stayed in Tarpum Bay and even went to the same grocery store (Big Rock) you did. You captured the magic of Eleuthera very well. Too bad Disney has decided to ruin Lighthouse. I was there is 2015 and 2019 and feel blessed to have been able to experience it in its unspoiled state. Nice job.
That’s amazing! Did you make it to Lighthouse on this trip? Curious what it’s like now. We’re dreaming about Abacos next…
Thanks for this information and what exactly did Disney do? Please share the best places to stay that has everything 🙏
@@stumblebassstumblebass3661 Disney built a large beach complex/cruise ship port in the undeveloped southern tip of the island. It was hotly contested for many reasons including environmental impact but it pushed forward. A couple locals we spoke to were more cautious/wait and see POV on how they contribute to the economy post-construction. As far as places to stay, it all depends on what you are looking for, budget etc. There are no big hotel chains, or all-inclusive and any luxury accommodations have a more understated elegance. For $$$$, you can look at French Leave resort, The Cove, or on Harbour Island which requires a short boat hop and is more contained where everything is close by. Hope that helps!
I enjoyed your video very much. I was stationed on the Naval Facility there on Eleuthera in the early 1960s. My wife and I went back again 30 years later on a vacation trip. Eleuthera is indeed a beautiful island and the people there are very welcoming and friendly.
Very cool! My overactive imagination is in overdrive, it must have been like the movies working at the facility! Thank you for your service and glad you were able to go back and see the island again! It’s a special place.
I spent a year there. I had an old BSA motorcycle helped me to really enjoy my time on that beautiful island. Receivers Beach was just down the hill from the Naval Facility. We had many great parties there...Great memories!
0k@@davidwilliams8589
Thank you for sharing this great beautiful experience in Eleuthera Bahamas also Harbor Island which is where India Hicks the interior designer has her home. Did you guys stayed at a home rental or a air BNB? All the best for Summer 2024.
Yes! I got distracted and forgot to look for the store that sells some of her stuff. Oh well, something to go back for, right? We haven’t been to Spanish Wells either, also another reason to return. For this trip, we did an airbnb that was locally owned. Thanks so much for your great feedback.
Please..show the Shells you collected. And were you able to take them off the island ?? Thx.
Hey Nancy, I love collecting beach shells and glass too, Canada allows small quantities of sand and shells but I believe you can’t bring back harvested conch shells (with the hole at the top of the shell, only abandoned shells). I didn’t bring conch shells back as I wasn’t sure. Receiver beach had lots of baby conch shells, about 4-6 inches. I took a pic of my shell collecting and posted on my instagram channel so you can see them as I am not able to add pics here. The link is here but if it doesn’t work, just head to Instagram from the links in the ‘About’ section in our YT channel page or search for YYZWanderers. Happy shelling!
instagram.com/p/CstVbFhg0oo/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
@YYZ Wanderers Thank you ! I Love traveling and visiting new beaches..part photography and part shelling.
We have brought Conch shells back to the US. You have to put them in checked bags. Other than that, we have not had issues with bringing them in the US. Just be sure to check and make sure they are in fact empty. I felt horrible when I found out that a hermit crab had tucked deep in the shell.
Thanks for sharing!
Our pleasure! Appreciate the comment!
This Video is AMAZING!!
Appreciate the kind words, helps when every beach is pretty amazing!
@@YYZWanderers haha, yeah. The whole windward side of the Bahamas from abaco the turks is outrageous
😇😇😇
🥰🥰🥰
Amazing video. Many thanlks!
Glad you liked it and appreciate the comment!
@@YYZWanderers you have shown great skills narrating the story of your vacation. Perfectly delivered. I've watched it twice. Relaxing and informative video.
@@freethinkerps9191 ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ wow, thank you.
If you want a real vacation to escape this crazy hustle and bustle of life go on a vacation to any one of our islands. It is peaceful, no crime you can leave your door open. Beautiful Bahamas. Only thing I would tell you is that it could be expensive with food, but you can carry like some snacks with you and the mosquitoes, bring your spray, minor set backs for a Beautiful vacation, Beautiful People. Enjoy
Very true words! I love the small community feel that Eleuthera has.
Lovely video, thanks! Which month did you go?
Mid April for 2 weeks, sunny skies, not too humid. In other words, perfect beach weather! Appreciate the feedback!
Thanks! I’m planning to go on February, I really hope it will be so peaceful as in your video ❤️
When you visited French Leave Beach did you visit/see the ruins of the Club Med Eleuthera that was located there? Family vacationed there in the early 90's- employed a lot of people and had large chartered jets flying into the nearby airport, but resort was destroyed in a later hurricane and Club Med decided not to rebuild. All the club's water sports were at a facility on the harbour side.
Interesting that you enjoyed Current Beach so much as the nearby Current Cut is nerve wracking for sailors and boaters with its fast moving dangerous currents.
Those boats transiting the Devil's Backbone have a very specific twisting route to follow to avoid many coral obstacles just below the surface. Some boaters hire a local captain to drive the route.
We didn’t bother exploring the ruins but I’ve seen some videos on it, doesn’t look like much. Interesting about Current Cut, now I understand the name of it! We just waded in the water, not too far from shore. Come to think of it, the water was moving fast for the shallows. I think it was the combination of seeing the stingray, shallows and quietness of it that made it special for us. Wish I was back already! Thanks for your informative comment.
Enjoyed your video!! My family has been going to eleuthera since the 60's. I haven't been in years but my husband and I are planning a trip back. Are you able to share how you spent 2600$ usd on food? I know it's expensive there but that seemed really high. Just curious as we begin our budget. Thank you for sharing your trip! 😊
Hi, the budget we showed at the end of the video breaks it down (check the chapter links to go directly to it). It excludes food as that is variable for many people so $2600 was for accommodations, flight, car rental. The voiceover may not have been clear. Imported items are expensive eg 1lb ground beef was $16, a can of average tomato sauce was $9 but some items are reasonable eg basics, local produce. Thanks for asking and have a great trip! Always fun to see a place after a long time away.
@@YYZWanderers ohhh. Thank you for clarifying we totally read that wrong! Wow. Thats actually a great price! And at that price for beef we could go without. Thanks again for responding. 😁
We have gone several times in the past 2 years. The food averages around 100-150 a day for two if you go out. We found that it was easier to go out because we spend so much time in the sun. We literally make breakfast at home, and then pack our gear and go out snorkeling, swimming, or hiking. Since it is warmer, we tend to stay away from packing food. We also do not want to carry too much plastics, and garbage. There are obviously different price ranges of restaurants, these are mostly your typical drink/ food fair. For a nicer dinner, easily expect to pay $200 with tip or more for food. However, I am yet to find bad food on the island when they prepare it. Grocery store quality is far different though.
@@tyekeppler726 that's a great point about garbage - there is no recycling on the island so we were careful to use reusables and our airbnb had an ice cooler. We also took our used toiletries, empty plastic containers back with us to minimize the plastics on island. It's heartbreaking to see so much roadside garbage.
I’m looking for a place to go in the Bahamas , this island could be it! How is the snorkeling?
We didn’t snorkel too much but there are lots of calm beaches and sandy flats for easy shore entry. The water is also incredibly clear. We heard seeing turtles is common while snorkelling there as well.
Hello!!do you recomend to stay just here in eleuthera or few days in nassau also?
Depends…if you have to take 2 planes to get to Nassau, a couple days there might be a nice stop enroute to Eleuthera. If you are looking for a couple days of busier beach experience, more nightlife etc then that’s Nassau. We haven’t been there in quite a few years so can’t speak to how it is now, other than government travel advisories for it on crime levels which can be avoided eg don’t stay out late in town, don’t wander down dark alleys, the usual. Eleuthera on the other hand is super quiet but if you like searching out beaches, getting away from crowds, then you won’t be bored. You can enjoy both if you have the time. If you have just a week, may not be worth splitting it up. Food for thought to help you decide.
This is an excellent video! Very well shot, and edited. We are planning our 2nd trip to Eleuthera for 2024. Could you tell me where you rented your vehicle from? The prices you list on your budget breakdown are about what I would expect, however the current quotes I'm getting are a lot higher.
Also, what beach (or beaches) did you find some sea glass? I hope to be a beach comber when I retire =)
Thanks.
Thanks for the compliments! Car rentals are a tricky one - I literally got quotes at every single one. We ended up using Justin Pinder car rental $80/day SUV and it was a very smooth process. He takes a $200 security deposit via paypal but returned it within an hour of returning the car. The jeep was in good shape as well. You may know that collision insurance is included and mandatory in the price everywhere in the Bahamas, so no need to use a cc for insurance reasons. Some cc may not cover Eleuthera, only North America. No liability coverage either (rentalcover.com may cover?) Kean Stubbs was also my other option and Taylor&Taylor had a deal for $70 /new ford explorer but had to book early and a bit big for us. These rates were April 2023. Just check the cancellation terms and fee to use cc or surcharge for pick ip location eg diff airports. Some take a fee to cancel. We paid cash. As for the fun stuff, not much glass but lots of tiny pink shells at Rainbow beach and small conch shells at Cocodemama. Just make sure there are no holes on the conch shell which means the snail left on its own (vs caught). Have fun!!!
We've used Kean the 3 times we've been.
I just stumbled across this video, we're not fling back until 2025 and I'm so bummed now. Best place ever! Great video! Visit Tippy's!!! ❤
Good morning; With which camera did you film your vacation? THANKS
I used the Panasonic S5-II for Eleuthera for the first time and it’s a great camera for video. The best thing for me is the stabilization. All the videos prior to that were shot with a Fuji XT-3. I upgraded because the Fuji was damaged when hiking the Fitz Roy in Argentina.
hank you for your comeback. I want to invest to be able to film in good conditions (perhaps not as good as yours). What movie did you film with the Fuji?
Sincerely
Jerome@@YYZWanderers
The videos on this channel were all shot with the XT-3 except for Eleuthera and the one after it (Canadian National Exhibition). A newer Fuji XT-5 is out now. If you're looking for a camera that is more video centric, and want to consider Fuji, then there's the X-H2. The Panasonic S5-II is very video centric and as such won't be as good if you like taking lots of photos (same goes for the XH-2). And of course, there's Sony, which is outstanding for video but their price points seemed too high for me, especially when the Panasonic S5-II came our earlier this year. One thing to note is the sensor size is smaller on the Fuji (APS-C) vs. Panasonic (full-frame), but that doesn't mean one is better than the other. But it does have an impact on certain aspects such as weight. Full-frame lenses will always be heavier and bigger than smaller sensor camera lenses, so this could be an important consideration if you need to carry your gear all day or back pack/camp. Happy to nerd out on any questions you might have if you're looking at a new camera!
which beaches best for snorkeling?
You’ll have to probably take a boat out because there aren’t any coral reefs close to shore. On the calm side, it’s mostly sandy bottom. There’s little fish here and there but not a lot. Rainbow beach has some rocky ledges at either end of the beach & easily accessible. Twin beach has a rocky area too for fish activity. Gaulding’s Cay at high tide around the little island. Waves are strong on the Atlantic side so didn’t see anyone snorkelling on those.
Can I ask where you stayed at during your time at Eleuthera? I’m planning a trip to the island :)
Of course! In the video description, we have a link to the airbnb. It’s priced as a good value since it isn’t oceanfront but you do get a distant view and it is well taken care of and clean. Have a great time!
I watched another video of the same island I guess you only show the good side the other video was an honest assessment of all the trash junk cars etc
I think I found the video you were referring to. It looks like they stayed in the heart of Current, which we didn’t get to see and where they saw the rusted cars and garbage washed up by the ocean. The areas we visited and I would say the majority of the island was not dirty with illegal dumping. Most communities have a central garbage collection area. Even Lighthouse beach had a public garbage bin at the parking area and yes you can see bits of debris washed up by the ocean but not in a big way. There are also volunteer groups who do garbage collection from the beaches. I hope you didn’t get the impression that the entire island was a dump because it is not at all. Thanks for your comment, I’ll be more aware of pointing out any potential concerns in general.
this is similar like the Florida Keys
You’re right in that the Bahamas is just east of the Keys. Eleuthera isn’t as developed as the Keys though. Key lime pie in FLA is the best!
The Florida Keys was settled by Bahamians.... specifically white Bahamians. The infrastructure and buildings are modeled after the traditional homes in The Bahamas
How bad were the mosquitoes 1 to 10?
Only at dusk and dawn - 10/10. But in the day, nada.
What time of year did u visit?
Last 2 weeks of April. It was quiet on the island, didn’t rain at all.
What a useful video! Wife and I are planning a trip. Starting off with a map is handy. Thank you!
Yes, figuring out where to stay is key to avoid driving distances for a long island. Thanks so much for the wonderful comment!
one more question, you came across any place that have American breakfast?
Your best bet would be in Governor’s Harbor - try Da Perk on the main road, or Bacchus fine foods. I don’t recall any other places as we ate mostly in for breakfast.
i heard food there expensive, not sure if you tried any restaurants and what you think of them?
Yes, as almost everything is imported, both restaurants and groceries are expensive especially for us when converted to Canadian $. Eg a can of ordinary spaghetti sauce of questionable expiry date can be $6-10 USD (ack!) We ate out for some lunches, average $50 for 2. Fish fry is fun, $25 for a fish dinner. Local fishermen can be a good option for fresh fish but we never made it at the right time. I heard on a facebook group that many folks pack their groceries. Some basics would be good to take if you have a kitchen. Beer is reasonable, about $4-5 a bottle at the liquor store - best one is in the Rock Sound plaza where the best grocery is also located but a long way to go if you’re not staying there. Didn’t make it out to dinners as we weren’t inclined to drive at night and none were close by.
Nice coverage. Eleuthera is a favorite. Did you make it to Spanish Wells?
We were going to stay there for a few days but didn’t work out. Saving something for next time so I have a reason to go back. Appreciate the feedback!