Bahama Book

Tag: beach

  • A Quiet Morning on the Perfect Beach

    A Quiet Morning on the Perfect Beach

    This morning I found the kind of beach people daydream about.

    I wasn’t expecting much — just out exploring — when I came across this completely empty stretch of white sand. No crowds, no noise, no beach umbrellas in sight. Just soft, powdery sand underfoot and unbelievably clear, turquoise water stretching out in front of me. It looked like something off a screensaver, but real.

    The sun was already shining bright, but not in an overbearing way. It felt warm and welcoming, like the perfect kind of beach weather. A light breeze was blowing through some casuarina trees lining the edge of the beach, and the sound of their needles rustling was actually kind of relaxing. Between that and the waves gently lapping the sand, it was one of the most peaceful spots I’ve ever experienced.

    Every once in a while, a seagull would glide by overhead, maybe hoping to spot something in the shallows. It didn’t feel out of place — just part of the scene. Down by the shoreline, a little group of sandpipers was busy running back and forth. They were fun to watch, just doing their thing, moving fast along the edge of the water with those quick little legs. It gave the beach some life without breaking the calm vibe.

    I just stood there for a while, soaking it all in. No distractions, no schedule — just the sound of the ocean and the breeze. It was kind of crazy how quiet it was, but in the best way. The kind of quiet that helps you relax, clear your head, and be present.

    Normally it would be rare to find a beach like this with no one else around, especially one this beautiful. But this is actually the norm for Spanish Wells. There was something about being completely alone in a place like that that made it feel even more special. I didn’t even feel like I needed to swim or do anything — just being there was enough.

    This place reminded me how refreshing it can be to unplug and let nature do its thing. No notifications, no background noise — just fresh air, sunshine, and the ocean doing what it’s always done.

    If you ever get the chance to find a beach like this, take it. Sit, breathe, and just enjoy it. It’s not about doing a bunch of stuff — it’s about letting the moment be what it is. Peaceful, simple, and kind of perfect.

    Come visit Spanish Wells.

  • Winding Bay

    Winding Bay

    Winding Bay is the perfect get-a-way kind of place. There are few beach goers besides the local bird population. It’s one of those kinds of places that causes the rest of the world to melt into insignificance.

    A car is a must when staying in Winding Bay. I’d be willing to bet that when you make your reservations you can get the best info on who to rent a car from. If you’re in the mood to explore, I’d try to get an SUV type vehicle if possible.

    The Beach

    Is on the east side of the island of Eleuthera. It is a pretty deep cove that is protected from the surf by a barrier reef at it’s entrance. Even on days when the Atlantic is raging the waters of this cove remain relatively still. Toward the southern end of the beach is the remnants of an old canal that went through to a pretty large lagoon. The lagoon is easily reachable by kayak which are supplied by most of the rental homes on the beach.

    Places To Stay

    There are several rental homes on the beach. Many of them are designed for multiple couples to stay with all rooms being master suites. Click here

    Shopping and Restaurants

    This gorgeous beach is a little on the remote side, but not too far from Tarpum Bay and Rock Sound. Both villages offer pretty decent grocery shopping and a few local restaurants.

    On Front Street in Tarpum Bay there is a young lady making a local delicacy called “Conch Salad.” Which is said by the locals to have many healthy benefits. It is very tasty! Be sure to let the young lady know of your preference for heat (the spicy kind), and she will make the Conch Salad to your preference.

    Berthas Go Go Ribs is another stop you’ll need to make if you enjoy barbecue. The rids are smoked over a local hardwood and are served with Bahamian side dishes. Berthas is located on the hill entering Tarpum Bay from the south or Winding Bay direction.

    In Rock Sound Sammy’s place is a local staple. Located in the center of the village it draws a lot of local foot traffic. It’s also one of the places folks from the north of Eleuthera will stop to eat if they are “down south” for business.

    Things to do

    The noonday sun here in the Bahamas can be a bit brutal, so midday makes a good time to get off the beach to do something else.

    In Rock Sound there are two Blue Holes. The one called Ocean Hole, located dead center of Rock Sound is the local swimming hole. It is also a fun place to take some stale bread to feed to the fish in the Blue Hole. The fish are so used to being fed in this way that they gather round the steps as soon as your feet hit the steps. They feed quite aggressively and is fun to watch. It is not permitted to fish in Ocean Hole. The other Blue Hole is located on the southern end of Rock Sound. It is called Boiling Hole by the locals, probably due to the bubbles constantly breaking the surface of the water. The tidal flow in and out of this Blue Hole are not sufficient to keep the water from stagnating, which is probably the cause of the bubbling water.

    Winding Bay is tailor made for fly fishermen. While your travel companions are busy with the beach, grab your fly rod and go for a walk. There are Bones that run the bay and offer good opportunities for a cast. There are also predatory fish such a Jack that have the habit of forcing bait fish toward the beach while feeding on them. Back toward the lagoon mentioned earlier, there is a kind of back water place where a pretty large shoal of Bonefish run. There are some monsters in that group. Fishing from the kayak around the reef at the entrance of the cove is also exciting. Pulling a rattle bait behind the Kayak will get you some strikes from the predatory fish around that reef.

    Doing nothing is also another good option. It is not at all hard to just relax and accept the beauty of this idyllic cove.

    Getting to Winding Bay

    The best way to get here  is by air. The Airport code at Rock Sound is RSD. The most efficient way to get here is to book through the Bahamasair booking system. Here

  • Ten Bay

    Eleuthera while being a stunning island with beaches unmatched in beauty. Most of the island consists of small villages that don’t offer all that one needs. Most of the villages seem to have been left by time itself and much of the island can be remote.

    The remote nature of Eleuthera almost requires the rental of a vehicle. Ten Bay is one of these remote locations. Ten Bay is located I’d say about 3 miles from the nearest village. It is also one of the few places on the island where a good beach can be found on the west side of the island.

    I suppose if I were to spend less than 4 days in this location I would have no need of a vehicle. I’d arrange for a taxi to take me there, and retrieve me at the end of my stay. On the way to the cottage I’d have em take me by a grocery store and perhaps a Liquor store to gather supplies.

    For a stay of longer that 4 days I think I’d need a car. This would open up many opportunities for exploration. Most of the Best beaches on the island are located on the east side of the island. You will need to ask the locals how to access these beaches. The locals (Eleutherans) are usually friendly and warm, always ready to talk. You will be rewarded finding beaches that for the most part will be deserted except for you and your company.

    There are a variety of restaurants on Eleuthera. Restaurants range from being roadside holes in the wall to more formal type eateries. If you are in the mood to try what the locals like, the bakery in Governor’s Harbour offers a pastry called a Hot Patty. It is a meat filled pasty with it’s origins in Jamaica. It’s a bit spicy but very tasty. In Rock Sound the Liquor Store in the Market place sells them as well. I suggest a Hot Patty or two and a cold High Rock which is a local beer. On Tarpum Bay is a place called Bertha’s Go Go Ribs. They make pretty good ribs that are accompanied with the local Peas-n-rice.

    While there you have to try Conch Salad. Roadside stands scattered around make the salad to order. It is the Bahamian version of Ceviche and very tasty. Just ask the vendor about the benefits of eating conch.

    Getting to Ten Bay you can fly into the Rock Sound airport (RSD) or the Governor’s Harbour airport (GHB). The Rock Sound airport is the closer to Ten Bay. Good shopping is also available at the Rock Sound Market Place.

    Rental Cars are available Click Here.

    Rental Homes Here.

  • Must Have Items for Eleuthera

    While Eleuthera is incredibly beautiful and it’s people friendly, make no mistake it is also an adventure! Eleuthera is very rural as are most of it’s beaches. There are no amenities on most beaches, so you will need to provide them yourself.

    The first thing that I would suggest is having a cell phone with you while exploring the beaches more off the beaten track. The Island has pretty good cell coverage since it is so narrow. Bringing your everyday cell phone may prove not be the best idea because of roaming charges that can be extremely high. In stead go to amazon.com and look for a cheep Unlocked GSM cell phone. Be sure it is “Unlocked.” Once on the island of Eleuthera there are BTC offices in most of the settlements. You can go into one of these offices to purchase a SIM card that you’ll insert into the GSM phone you bought and you’ll have local coverage. You can expect to spend around $15 for a phone.

    Again the island is rural so there are lots of mosquitos and sand flies (no see ums). You will need to prepare for dealing with them. During the day the bugs are not that prevalent, but as the sun begins to set they come our with ferocity! My favorite device for keeping them at bay is the Thermocell Mosquito Repellent also available on Amazon. We would start this device up when we are outside and put it under the table we are sitting around, or upwind if the breeze is blowing a bit.

    I’d also take a camping hammock or two with me as the beaches have stands of trees that will support the hammocks offering for great relaxation in the shade of the trees. Don’t get the type that has the boards to spread the hammock out. They are really hard to pack.

    A swimmers towel is a great addition to the travel kit. The swimmers towel dries quickly and ads tremendous convenience over traditional towels that get wet and stay wet for a long time. The swimmers towel is also small and easy to carry. Before the swimmers towel was available we would use synthetic chamois, still an option in my mind.

    There are many other things that you can use on the beach. I’ll leave those things to your imaginations, but in my mind the items that I have listed above are not generally considered for travel. They will make your trip to an island like Eleuthera much easier. Have a great adventure!

  • Disconnect In Eleuthera

    Disconnect

    Need a break but can’t really disconnect? Want to get your kids off the couch and out of doors without a fight? Eleuthera is the perfect place to disconnect. Sun, sand, and crystal clear sea will draw the kids out side and away from the electronics.

     

    Eleuthera

    Is a great choice of a get-a-way. It is easy to get to. It is not overrun by people. It is gorgeous. The beaches of Eleuthera are consistently voted among the best in the world.  Not only are the beaches

    North Side Beach on Eleuthera, Bahamas.
    North Side Beach on Eleuthera, Bahamas.

    outstanding, you may see one or two other beach goers in a day. A beach feels crowded if there are more than 10 people on it!

    Homes

    The best way hands down to take advantage of Eleuthera is to rent a beach front home. There are a number of homes that have been purpose built as vacation rentals. Many of them are built with on suit rooms so that couples or families can share a house for the week while keeping privacy. The homes are generally designed around large living rooms and kitchens to make passing what little time you will spend indoors in comfort. Click here for Vacation Homes.

    Things To Bring

    Normally there is a list of fishing gear etc., but I am going to give a few tips that you may not get elsewhere but will definitely improve the vacation experience on the island.

    Meat is probably the most difficult thing to buy on the island. I would suggest that you take any beef, chicken or pork that you intend to consume while on here. Most experienced Eleuthera travelers will buy and freeze the meat they intend to eat while here. Buy a 30 quart cooler from your favorite home store and pack your meat in the cooler before going to the airport. Duck-tape the lid shut and keep the roll of tape in your carry on incase someone needs to look in the cooler. The cooler will come in handy while on the beach or driving around Eleuthera. Seafood is not something you want to bring, as there are places that you can get fresh fish daily, or you can catch your own.

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    The next thing that I definitely recommend is a bug repellant device Like the one pictured below. The bugs on the island near and after sundown make life miserable out side. Pack the devise and the butane cartridges in your checked baggage. We will take this device and put it up wind or under a table we may be sitting around. These devices will clear out the bugs for twenty feet around them. Being on Eleuthera on cloudless nights is totally breath taking, not to be missed.

  • Beaches Overview

    Beaches Overview

    There are a few beaches on the Island of New Providence. Most of the beaches consist of the typical powdery white sand that the Bahamas is famous for.

    The sea in the Bahamas is almost pool clear and the ocean temperatures vary from 73 – 85 degrees f.

    Cabbage Beach

    Located on Paradise Island. Cabbage Beach is about a mile and a half long. For most of the year it is calm and great for swimming. At the centre of the beach the water gets deep rather quickly so for young children or people not to comfortable swimming it is best to avoid the middle part of the beach and swim on either end.

    More on Cabbage Beach.

    Junkanoo Beach

    Junkanoo Beach is sheltered inside the harbour entrance so it is almost always calm. Junkanoo Beach is also an easy walk from the cruise ship terminal on Bay Street. There are vendors of food and drink in Tiki Hut type places on the high side of the beach. There is also a volleyball net.

    Saunders Beach

    Saunders Beach is a favourite among bahamians. It is easy to get to and sheltered for easy swimming. Across the street are a few fast food restaurants, and a gas station that sells refreshments. There is a small park located at the western end of the beach and seating along the roadway.

    Goodman’s Bay

    Another bahamian favourite! There is a park between the road and the beach that attracts runners and others looking for a quiet place to workout. There is good parking at the eastern end of the beach.

    Cable Beach

    Cable Beach is a nice stretch of beach occupied by a few hotels. It is a few miles of powdery white sand, and almost always calm for swimming due to the barrier reef that runs along it’s length. There are generally water sports operators there for Para Sailing and other fun water activities.

    Caves Beach

    This is a beautiful small cove just off the side of the road. Bring your snorkelling gear. There are small coral reefs just off the beach. Usually calm and good for swimming. There is a lunch and open air bar across the street so it would be easy to make a day of it.

    Orange Hill

    White sand beach just over the dune from the main road. Parking is a bit dicy but the beach is good for swimming and possibly snorkelling.

  • Top Hotel Value

    The Hilton BC
    HIlton, on historical Bay St. Nassau Bahamas.

    In my travels I have come to realise that a diversity of activities on a vacation are important. I’m not sure if it’s the rebel in me, or just the need to see what a country or state is really about. The thing that bothers me most about travel today is the drive of resorts to keep us on their properties. They can be at times remote, or at other times made to seem remote thus causing us to stay in the boundaries of the resort.

    I am always looking for the local experience, or the history of a location, or local specialities. The challenge in finding these things is two fold. 1. actually getting the information about them. 2. Getting to them.

    To see the best of Nassau, the British Colonial Hilton in my opinion is the best of the hotel/resorts to do this from. It is located on historical Bay Street. It actually stands on the location of what was Nassau’s largest fort, Fort Nassau. Fort Nassau being long gone, the BC Hilton has risen in it’s place.

    The amenities of the hotel include a private beach a pool and a few restaurants and bars. The real treat though is it’s location. When one needs a break from beaching, simply step out the from door of the Hilton and you’ll be standing on Bay St. Just a few steps from the Hilton’s front door are most of the attractions of Nassau, including, shopping, site seeing, great restaurants, even a Rum Distillery.

    Click here for hotel details.

  • Cabbage Beach

    Cabbage Beach

    beach framed cedar
    Cabbage Beach

    The beach that runs along the Northern coast of Paradise Island. As you can see in the photo at the left Cabbage Beach is a beautiful white sand beach. The sand is very loose and so almost impossible to drive any kind of vehicle on.

    Seeing this view always manages to take my breath away, it never gets old. As you can see the beach is not over crowded. The first time I saw a beach with people strewn on every square inch I almost could not believe my eyes. We do not have overcrowded beaches in the Bahamas!

    Beach Details

    As noted already the sand is very loose. It doesn’t do well for sand castle building. The extreme ends of the beach are very good for young children. The ends of the beach are shallow for a good ways out. The middle part of the beach can be a bit unnerving for young children as the water gains dept very quickly.

    There are a few cabana type structures in front of the Atlantis resort, but for the most part there is not much protection from the sun. Plan for this. We locals tend to swim on this beach early morning or evening time. The midday sun is brutal on Cabbage Beach.

    The sun on any beach in the Bahamas can be unforgiving due to the reflective properties of both the water and sand. Be sure to use sun block and drink lots of water.

    Mos of the year the water is calm and clear. There are a few times of year when it can get a bit rough. the end of the summer tends to bring in large swells that can make swimming here very difficult if not impossible. About the same period there can be sea thimbles as well. These are small jelly fish that sting. At times late spring can be a bit choppy too. There may be pretty high winds that stir up the sea.

    Happy Swimming!

  • Life’s a Beach

    In the Bahamas it can be said that life is a “beach.” Some of my favourite memories growing up were in the summer vacation. We would all meet at a friends house pretty early in the morning in anticipation of what we may do for the day.

    There were always those in the group who slept late, or got going really slow, so we’d busy ourselves what ever came to hand. Life was good!

    Most of the time we’d end up finally making our collective minds up to go to PI (Paradise Island). P I beach was easy to get to and not too far from where we were gathered. Quickly we’d eat a sandwich or scarf down whatever else was available, jump on our bikes, and take off like wild things.

    We had many adventures on the bridge, most of which my mom cringes at when she hears the stories. At that time there was one bridge on and off PI. We’d go directly to a dirt road that led to Cabbage Beach. I can still see the magnificent blue water in my mind’s eye as we approached the dune. It still leaves me in awe to see this gorgeous beach, the stark white sand and cool blue inviting waters are forever etched in my mind.

    There are many great things about beaching at Cabbage Beach. One that I really like is the depth of the water. A few steps into the sea, and you’re at neck depth. Perfect for cooling down. The water of the Bahamas is at just about the perfect temperature for relaxing. In the winter it can get as cool as 73 degrees, much too cool for us bahamians, but in the summer it can go into the mid 80s, perfect! One can stay in the water the whole day if desired. The hands and feet get a bit wrinkly but that’s okay.

    There are a few hotels built on Cabbage Beach. The Rio, Atlantis to name two.

    Take a visit to Cabbage Beach. I’m sure your mind and body will thank you for it. That is living!