Plan a CruiseEleuthera Cruise Port Guide
Cruise ships tender passengers to Princess Cays, also known as The Love Boat Marina, which serves as the primary hub of activity for most visitors. This private beach resort, developed by Princess Cruises in 1992 and also utilized by affiliated lines like Cunard, offers an island band, a water sports desk, and a large map of local attractions. While Eleuthera is a long, slender island, stretching 100-110 miles but only two miles wide, most cruise passengers typically choose to relax and enjoy the facilities offered directly at Princess Cays. The island is known for its pink and white sand beaches, colonial villages, and pineapple plantations, along with its satellite islands of Harbour Island and Spanish Wells.
Getting Around from the Port
There is no public transportation available on Eleuthera. Taxis are plentiful, but it is advisable to always confirm the fare with the driver before beginning your journey.
For independent exploration, consider renting a car. Be aware that Eleuthera does not have major car rental chain companies; vehicles are typically rented from local entrepreneurs, sometimes operating from their yards and occasionally combined with a gas station or taxi service. You might not be required to sign papers, but it's important to remember that driving is on the LEFT-HAND side of the road. Gas prices on Eleuthera are usually $1-2 higher than in the U.S. Rental costs are on a per-day basis with no additional fees. A good map is essential for navigating the island.
To visit Harbour Island (also known as Briland), a 10-minute water taxi ride is available. This is the primary way to access Dunmore Town and its attractions.
Attractions and Activities
- Enjoy Princess Cays: Many passengers opt to stay at the private resort, enjoying the beach, water sports, and amenities offered directly at the tender drop-off point.
- Explore Harbour Island (Briland): Take a 10-minute water taxi to Harbour Island to visit Dunmore Town. Here you can admire 200-year-old New England-style clapboard houses, framed by picket fences and vibrant flowers. While there, try a local "Goombay Smash" cocktail, made with pineapple, coconut, light and dark rum, pineapple juice, lime, grenadine, and bitters.
- Snorkeling and Diving: Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, and Harbour Island are renowned for superb snorkeling and diving opportunities amidst rich coral gardens, reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and various shipwrecks.
- Fishing Expeditions: The waters around Eleuthera attract anglers for bottom, bone, and deep-sea fishing, with chances to catch dolphin fish, wahoo, blue and white marlin, Allison tuna, and amberjack. Charter boats are available from Powell Point, Rock Sound, Spanish Wells, and Harbour Island. You can also rent smaller vessels like Sunfish, sailboats, and Boston Whalers for reef fishing.
- Visit Club Med Beach: Located near Governor’s Harbour, this long, curved expanse of powdery pink sand is still a fantastic destination, even though the resort itself is no longer active.
- Discover Governor’s Harbour: Explore this charming area with its daintily painted wooden cottages, surrounded by stone walls overflowing with hibiscus and oleander, lining the steep lanes leading up from the harbor.
- See Tarpum Bay: This picturesque fishing village is home to St Columba’s Anglican Church, a whitewashed structure standing prominently in front of the sea, making it one of the most photographed sights on the island.
- Compare Tour Options: It's worth comparing the excursions offered by your cruise line with independent tours available through platforms like GetYourGuide and Viator.
Dining & Shopping
While at Harbour Island, consider sampling a Goombay Smash, a local specialty cocktail. For shopping, look for Androsian batik fabrics, which are handcrafted on Andros Town and available at various outlets across Eleuthera, as well as in major Bahamian cities like Nassau and Freeport.
Keep in mind that most Bahamian stores rarely open on Sundays, making it a very quiet day for commerce. For the best shopping experience, try to go in the morning when there are fewer crowds and the temperature is milder.
Currency and Language
The local currency is the Bahamian Dollar (B$), which is pegged to and on par with the U.S. Dollar. Both Bahamian Dollars and U.S. Dollars are widely accepted throughout the country. English is the official language and is widely spoken.