Places not to miss in Eluthera, Cat?

[teneicm]

Hi All-

We have somewhat unexpectedly found ourselves in Eluthera and plan to sail down the island and then over to Cat before heading to Georgetown in the Exumas. We didn't really have a chance to plan or research these two islands so does anyone have some "must see" places that we should be aware of? The one bit of info we received is that the Friday Fish Fry at Govenors Harbor is not to be missed!

We'd love to hear about some great snorkeling/ fishing spots!

Cheers- Matt

[jcknox]

Cherri and I spent two weeks there in September. The fish fry is awesome! The caves at Hatchet Bay, Harbor Island is touristy but interesting and the Glass Window for the contrast between the deep blue of the Atlantic and the shallow hues of the straights. The coffee shop at Governors Harbor across from the police station is owned by the folks that own Curly Tails in Marsh Harbor. Excellent coffee and food!

[2Ripples]

The Cat Island Monastery (or Hermitage) is definitely worth visiting, on Mt. Alvernia, the highest point in the Bahamas.

A 20-25 minute walk up a road, then rocky trail, from the Bight Settlement. We just anchored in front of Bight Settlement.

2Ripples

[2Ripples]

And if you can, stop by Little San Salvador (Half Moon Cay) off Half Moon Bay, as you make your way from Eleuthera to Cat Island. This is one beautiful beach.

Just off the west point of Half Moon Bay beach, I was able to swim with wild dolphins for about 15min in 20' of water over sand - something I will never forget.

It is a CruiseShip stop, so best to time your stop there when there are no cruiseships and anchor away from the base (all sand anchorage). I dinghied to the base and asked permission to anchor for a couple of nights, and that was OK as there were no cruise ships scheduled to stop.

Snorkeling off the rocks at the east part of the beach (besides the channel for the cruise ship base) was OK. (best when no cruise ships in port )

You do want to make sure weather is OK for this.

[the_alpine]

The snorkeling off of egg island is UNREAL. Glass window bridge and the water geyser there are not to be missed. The caves, as mentioned, are very cool. The surfing and rock climbing is awesome as well.

[teneicm]

Very cool! Thanks and keep them coming! We're currently anchored off Comfort Cay, 3 miles south of Spanish Wells, picking up wifi from somewhere and loving the fact that we can get advice from y'all while in the middle of nowhere.

the alpine: Where is that rock cliff that has the person jumping off?

[the_alpine]

That cliff line runs down the west coast of Eleuthera from glass window bridge past hatchet bay. We would climb up as high as we could and then jump. There are other places with easy access to the top. Check out a little bay(Annie bight) just north of the main Gregory town bay(Pittman cove). That spot has good access to cliff jumps as well as good snorkeling and friendly residents.




Here's where we were climbing the taller stuff:

[teneicm]

FYI, for anyone else stumbling across this in the future, we went to the caves (caverns really) at Rock Sound. It's a really neat place that has a prehistoric feel and shouldn't be missed! Go just south of town about .75 of a mile and the entrance is across from the big white church. Look at the sinkhole, but continue on the small overgrown path another 200 yards to get to the caverns.

Also, the cliff jumping at Annie Bight was a no-go. The rocky point with the ladder access is owned by the house on the hill and we were waved off and yelled at when we tried to use the ladder.

[the_alpine]

Sooty to hear that about Annie Bight. They cooked me dinner when I was there.

[teneicm]

Originally Posted by the_alpine

Sooty to hear that about Annie Bight. They cooked me dinner when I was there.

Must have just been us then!

Did the property around her house (near the little road, not near the point) have a bunch of "Private- Keep Out!" signs when you were there? Perhaps there's a new owner??