Essentials
- City
- Eleuthera, Out Islands, Bahamas
- Population
- 11,000
- Internet Speed
- 25-50 Mbps stable (Starlink widely used; Aliv/BTC fiber in main towns)
- Currency & Banking
- Bahamian Dollar (BSD) pegged 1:1 with USD. USD is accepted everywhere.
- Tap Water
- Generally safe for showering, but bottled/filtered water (e.g., Caribbean Bottling) is recommended for drinking.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US standard)
- SIM Card
- Aliv or BTC; $30 for 10GB 'Liberty' prepaid plan
- Banking for Expats
- RBC Royal Bank (Governor's Harbour), Scotiabank (Rock Sound); Revolut works at ATMs.
- Accommodation
- Luxury villas, rental cottages, and boutique guesthouses via Airbnb and VRBO.
- Cashless Friendly
- No, many local food shacks and markets are cash-only; carry BSD or USD.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local agencies like Eleuthera Vacation Rentals ($1,500 - $4,000/month).
- Budget Accommodation
- Surfers Manor in Gregory Town (Approx. $120/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Harbour Island (chic, expensive) or Governor's Harbour (central, scenic).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Governor's Harbour (amenities) or Rock Sound (quiet, proximity to south sights).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No formal coworking spaces; One Eleuthera Foundation (Rock Sound) offers community space.
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Buccaneer Club (Governor's Harbour) or Da Perk (Governor's Harbour) with reliable Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Eleuthera Business Outlook (annual) and the Levy Preserve community lectures.
- Social Events for Expats
- Friday Night Fish Fry in Governor's Harbour; local island Facebook groups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; local taxi stand at ELH airport (e.g., Fine Threads Taxi - approximately $100 for long distances).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Conch & Coconut (Harbour Island) or local rentals in Governor's Harbour ($30-50/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- French Leave Beach (Pink Sands) or Lighthouse Point.
- Top Regional Airline
- Bahamasair and Southern Air (Flights from Nassau/Miami).
- Top International Airline
- American Airlines (Miami/Charlotte), Delta (Atlanta), Silver Airways.
- Highway Access
- Queen's Highway (the single main road running 110 miles north to south).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Three main airports: North Eleuthera (ELH), Governor's Harbour (GHB), Rock Sound (RSD).
- Public Transport Passes
- None; jitneys (mini-buses) exist but are irregular. Car rental is essential.
- Regional Travel
- Bahamas Ferries (Bohengy) connects Spanish Wells and Harbour Island to Nassau ($160 round trip).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Eleuthera Medical Center (Palmetto Point) - 24/7 emergency and dental.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Other Side (North Eleuthera) or wellness retreats at The Cove ($40-60/session).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Life Fitness Center (Governor's Harbour) - approx. $15 per day pass.
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Basket (Governor's Harbour) - Wash/Dry/Fold service available.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; contact local restaurants directly for pickup or private delivery.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Conch Salad from Queen of Tarts or local fish fry stalls.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Island Farm (Palmetto Point) for fresh produce and homemade vegan bread.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Arthur’s Bakery in Harbour Island (Famous Jalapeño Cheese Bread and Key Lime Tarts).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- The Market Supermarket (Rock Sound) or Eleuthera Supply (Governor's Harbour).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- No local giants; Amazon items shipped via freight forwarders like GWS in Nassau.
- Grocery Delivery
- Many villa management companies offer pre-stocking for a fee ($50 - $100 + groceries).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Governor's Harbour Friday Fish Fry or Tippy's Restaurant & Bar.
- Local Brewery
- Sands or Kalik (Brewed in Nassau, available everywhere).
- Wine Bars
- 1648 An Island Restaurant (Governor's Harbour) has an extensive wine list.
- Street Food Stalls
- Chicken Ed’s (Governor’s Harbour) for BBQ chicken and ribs.
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Dunmore (Harbour Island) - upscale French-Mediterranean / Island fusion.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Glass Window Bridge (where Atlantic meets Caribbean) and Queen's Bath.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Haynes Library (Governor's Harbour) or Princess Street Gallery (Harbour Island).
- Historical Sites
- Preacher's Cave (where the first settlers sought refuge in 1648).
- Religious Sites
- St. John's Anglican Church (Harbour Island) - late 1700s architecture.
- Annual Events
- Pineapple Festival in Gregory Town (June) and Heritage Day (November).
- Cultural Districts
- Dunmore Town (Harbour Island) for New England-style architecture.
- Theater Venues
- No dedicated theaters; local performances often held at the One Eleuthera campus.
- Local Markets
- Tarpum Bay Fish Market (fresh catch daily at the dock).
- Music Scene
- Live rake-and-scrape bands at Elvina’s Bar in Gregory Town (Tuesday/Friday).
- Street Art
- Hand-painted signs and colorful murals in Tarpum Bay; local artist 'Macmillan' Shervin Wilkinson.
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions can be arranged at The Island School (Cape Eleuthera).
- Art Galleries
- Fine Art Eleuthera (Palmetto Point) featuring local landscape painters.
- Historic Buildings
- Cupid's Cay Colonial homes in Governor's Harbour.
- Local Heritage
- The Loyalists heritage and Pineapple farming history (Gregory Town).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (Governor's Harbour) - $10 entry.
- National Parks Nearby
- Lighthouse Point (Southern tip), protected by the Bahamas National Trust.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The trails at the Levy Preserve or cycling the quiet roads of Spanish Wells.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The lookout over Ten Bay Beach at sunset.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Salt ponds near Governor's Harbour and Rock Sound for flamigos.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Alabaster Beach; widely allowed if no trace is left.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (at GHB airport) or GWS (Global Witness Services) for US imports.
- Tech Repair Services
- Limited; Island Tech in Rock Sound for basic mobile/PC repairs.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Resorts like French Leave Resort offer amenities for guests.
- Language Classes
- None; official language is English.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Haynes Library (Governor’s Harbour) - historic, quiet, and cool.
- Community Centers
- The Center for Training and Innovation (CTI) in Rock Sound.
- Gaming Lounges
- None available.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Bahamas 'Web Shops' (ASUE Draw) are the local gambling hubs for lotto.
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $240,000 for Harbour Island/Governor's Harbour).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000 for Tarpum Bay/Deep Creek).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $330,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $180,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $400,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $224,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 0% (The Bahamas is a tax-neutral jurisdiction).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- No income tax; revenue raised through VAT and Import Duties.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0%
- VAT
- 10% (Reduced from 12% in 2022).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None.
- Property Tax
- Yes, for foreigners; first $250k of owner-occupied property is tax-exempt.
- Property Transaction Tax
- VAT on property transfers (progressive up to 10% for values over $100k).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- BEATS (Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay) permit allows nomads to live/work for 1 year, tax-free.