Finiterre

Things Worth Knowing

Eleuthera is a 110 mile long stretch of paradise.  It is classified as a family or out-island and one that visitors enjoy because it is removed from the crowds and hectic pace of major tourist destinations.  There are no casinos, noisy nightclubs, crowded beaches, high end shops, or overpriced hotels.  It is a destination chosen for it's natural beauty, friendly people, laid back attitudes, and long empty stretches of sugary pink sand beaches.  If a good book, a puzzle or a daily nap isn't your idea of a vacation, then Eleuthera probably wouldn't be a good fit. 

Airline Travel

Flying to Eleuthera is fairly easy.  Ideally you will want to land at the Governors Harbour Airport (GHB) however you will find more flights into the North Eleuthera Airport (ELH).  As of June 2004 Continental Airlines flies 5 days a week to GHB from Ft. Lauderdale and 7 days a week to ELH from both Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.  Twin Air  flies into GHB from Ft. Lauderdale 5 days a week and into ELH 6 days a week. 

From Governors Harbour Airport (GHB) it is a 20 minute drive from the house.  A taxi ride one way is approximately $35.00 plus gratuity.    The North Eleuthera Airport is a 1 hour drive from Finiterre and an $85.00 (approx) taxi ride plus gratuity.  Travelling through Nassau is also an option where you can pick up a twice daily flight on BahamasAir or one of 3 daily flights on the very reliable Bahamian carrier Southern Air. 

Alternative Modes of Transportation

If your schedule permits, the Fast Ferry runs daily from Nassau to Harbour Island (located on the far north end of Eleuthera) and on Fridays and Sundays to Governors Harbour.  If time is not an object, hopping a mailboat between islands is an option.

Your view from the lower deck

      
  What to Bring/What to Know

• Passport or valid birth certificate with raised seal.  Non-US citizens need a passport.
• The Bahamian Dollar is on par with the U.S. dollar and either is accepted everywhere.
• More merchants are now accepting travellers checks but not all do.  Most charge a nominal fee (approximately 0.35) to cash EACH travellers checks.  The banks will also cash your travellers check for a small fee.
• The electricity is the same as in the U.S.
• Flashlight-hopefully you won't need it.
• Insect repellent - and use if necessary.
• Sunscreen - please use it, the sun is very strong in Eleuthera
• Cash/debit card - Slowly, more vendors are taking credit cards for purchases but cash is still king. Both banks in Governors Harbour have ATM machines with dispense Bahamian dollars.
• The house is non-smoking.
• Pets are not allowed.
• There is a departure tax of $15.00 per person which may be built into the price of your ticket.  Check with the carrier.  If it is not built into the price of your ticket it is collected when checking in at the airport on the day of departure.  Only cash is accepted so set money aside for departure.  Exact change is appreciated and will expedite the check-in process.
• Conservation of electricity and water is appreciated.  The only source of water for the island falls from the sky.  The cost of electricity is over 10 times that of the U.S. 
• Please do not run air conditioners if any windows are open.  Often it is not necessary to run them during the day as the breeze from the ocean is refreshing.
• The telephone is blocked against out going long distance calls.  You will need a Batelco phone card to make long distance calls.  You can pick these cards up at local stores and use from the telephone at the house. 
• If you are renting a car, please make sure you are covered to drive in a foreign country on your policy.
• If travelling during the stormy season of June-November you may consider purchasing travel insurance for a nominal fee.  Mother Nature can ground flights to and from the island stranding you for days.
• While not required, a small gratuity left for our caretaker is greatly appreciated.  Andrew will most definitely be a valuable resource during your stay.
• Remember DRIVE ON THE LEFT....and it is the RIGHT turns that are tricky.

See more detailed Eleuthera photos and maps!