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ELEUTHERA
First settled in 1648, is perhaps the best known of
the Out Islands of The Bahamas. Shaped like a praying mantis, the island
is just under five miles wide and 110 miles long. The magnificent glass
window bridge to the north of the island affords spectacular views of the deep
blue Atlantic on one side and the turquoise Caribbean Sea on the other.
Eleuthera attracts those who wish to explore, either by bicycle or car, the land
and nature in its undisturbed state. The island's scattered settlements,
grottos, and hidden caves combine to create a remote and truly laid back
atmosphere.
Despite its forbidding coral and limestone surface
Eleuthera is one of the agricultural hubs of The Bahamas. The island's
hilly center, with its rich, red soil is ideal for producing pineapples,
tomatoes and a variety of vegetables. In the late 1800's Eleuthera
dominated the world's pineapple market.
In 1648 British Puritans seeking religious freedom
settled here. Taking shelter in a limestone cave they faced hardship but
persevered on the island that they named Eleuthera after the Greek word for
"freedom".
Led by William Sayle, a former governor of Bermuda,
the Puritan group called themselves the Eleutheran Adventurers. They gave
The Bahamas its first written constitution which called for the establishment of
a republic. The group eventually divided and later also settled Harbor
Island and Spanish Wells. They were able to survive on the island with the
help of their generous relative in the newly formed colonies of Massachusetts
and Virginia. The New Englanders sent supplies, and the Eleutherans
thanked them with rare and valuable wood which was used to help build Harvard
College.
Today, many visitors are attracted to Eleuthera for
its abundance of water related activities - there are plenty of great fishing
holes and dive spots. The Devil's Backbone, just north of Spanish Wells,
is a long stretch of fringe reef that is a vast playground for a variety of reef
and deep sea fish, attracted to the many shipwrecks. The Current Cut,
located between Eleuthera and the small island of Current is exciting for
experienced divers, where changing tides send a tricky rip though a 100 yard
wide channel.
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