Posts for Travel Category

The best way to dive the Superior Producer, Curacao, Netherland Antilles

adventures, diving, lodging, scuba, tips, Travel - Bret S. - November 7, 2022

dive superior producer curacao willemstad

How to dive the Superior Producer, Willemstad, Curacao,

On my last dive trip to Curacao my buddy and I decided to venture back to the Superior Producer, a large wreck just west of the capital of Willemstad, that starts at around 65′ at the top and drops to 110′ in the sand. We both had dived this wreck several times before on previous trips, however, there is now a cruise ship port and dock fronting the dive site. The wreck is no longer easily accessible from shore. We knew that the wreck could still be reached, but finding information on the logistics of knowing when to dive, entering the cruise ship port, entering the water from and navigating to the wreck were nearly impossible to find online. We received several tips, but nothing concrete enough to allow us to form a plan. We were told that to dive the site we would need to hire a guide. Well, I wasn’t about to pay a guide to take me to a wreck that I know how to reach. But, I didn’t want to simply wing it. We gathered as much information as we could beforehand and then gathered a bit more at the dive site. Finding the wreck was a breeze. I’m creating this blog to aid other advanced divers on how to perform this dive without the need for a guide. I’m also recommending that if you aren’t familiar with compass navigation, entering the water from a tall platform, and managing your air consumption below 100′ that you consider hiring a guide. You’ll enjoy the wreck more and be able to dive it more safely. For the rest of you, here goes!

Mega Pier 2 Cruise Ship Schedule and entering security area

The first thing you have to do is find out the cruise ship schedule. If there are cruise ships in port then visitors are not allowed into the secured area and I wouldn’t recommend diving the Superior Producer without gaining access. It can be done, but it would be a very long swim and a considerably more difficult water entry. You’ll find the Mega Pier 2 just about two blocks west of the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort. The port you are going to dive off of is Mega Cruise Pier 2. Make sure there are no cruise ships scheduled to be in port on the day that you plan to dive. Click here for the Cruise Ship Schedule. You’ll need both Mega Pier and Mega Pier 2 to have no cruise ships in port. Pictured below is the secure area that you will drive through to enter and park.

mega pier 2 port superior producer dive site

The secured entry area for Mega Pier 2.

Gearing up to dive the Superior Producer

After driving through the gates you will park and go to the security guard where you will provide identification. The security guard will copy your information into their records to “check you in”. Be sure each diver has suitable picture id such as a passport or driver’s license. You’ll also need to check-out with security when you are leaving. Return to your car and head to the right towards the covered tent area pictured below. This picture is from the Mega Pier 2 dock looking back at the covered tent and parking area.

superior producer parking and tent willemstad curacao

Walkway off of Mega Pier 2 – water entry and exit point for diving the Superior Producer

Either gear up at your vehicle or use the benches under the tents to don your gear. You are going to walk towards the end of the pier, but will go onto a lower platform on your right that can be used to giant stride into the ocean. There is also a short 6′ ladder at the end of the walkway if you prefer to step down into the water, however, be aware that the ladder is hard, thin and uncomfortable on the feet. You ARE going to use that ladder to get out of the water and back onto the dock, but I wouldn’t recommend using it to enter. It’s much easier to giant stride off of the side of the platform. Pictured below is the lower walkway with it’s ladder at the end.

End of Mega Pier 2 – how to find the Superior Producer from land

I took a few photos from the end of the Mega Pier 2 dock so you can understand the direction you are going to swim. There happened to be a few divers already in the water when we were there so we took a compass heading from land towards their bubbles. In general, you are going to swim, either above or below depending on surface conditions, towards the last stanchion on the left side of the Mega Pier 2. You will do this by swimming under that portion of the dock. Just remember – forward and left all the way to the end of the dock from where you enter the water.

Compass headings and GPS coordinates for Superior Producer

I took a compass heading while on land and it was roughly 170 degrees towards the direction of the wreck. In reality, though, once we reached the front left post of the dock, we didn’t even bother to use the compass as the ship was quite visible and less than 100′ away. Using Google Earth towards the GPS coordinates I set to check the compass heading, it looks like anything between 150 degrees and 180 degrees will be good to use to navigate, but given the clarity of the water you will likely not need to use a compass at all. I recorded the following GPS coordinates also using Google Earth, but these are just estimates as I didn’t have a GPS device with me. Superior Producer GPS coordinates: 12° 6.292’N, 68° 56.653’W.

Photos of Superior Producer

Below are some photos and some videos of the wreck. As I mentioned already, the top of the wreck starts around 65′ and you are below 100′ in the sand. The wreck hull can be penetrated as well as the wheelhouse and one other deck above the wheelhouse. The wreck is covered in fire coral so make sure to wear good protective neoprene if you are going to penetrate as it is really easy to brush up against that stuff. The day we visited there were quite a few large Tarpon and lots of other small tropicals. Lots of soft and hard corals grow all over the wreck. Since the wreck is large and intact it’s easy to navigate. You’ll likely start on the port side at the stern and then make your way forward around the bow and onto its starboard side. Just watch your bottom time and air consumption. It’s really easy to slip into deco especially if you drop down into the hull for even a short period of time. If you aren’t familiar with deco diving then stay towards the upper parts of the wreck and limit any hull penetrations.

Videos of diving Superior Producer, Willemstad, Curacao

Approaching wreck video

Jacob approaching stern of wreck

Port side of the Superior Producer

Inside hull of Superior Producer

Above wreck of Superior Producer

Exiting the water

To return back to the dock swim back to the stern of the boat and go back the way you came following the wall back to that dock post. You can surface there or go back towards the ladder and do your safety stop approximately where you entered the water from the walkway. Climb up the ladder at the end of the walkway and you’re done!

Curacao Vacation Rental for Rent

I own a villa in Coral Estate that I rent out to vacationers. If you ever want to visit this enchanting island and need a place to stay then please consider Villa 19, our 3 bedroom 2.5 bath vacation home towards the west end of the island and only 30 minutes from the Superior Producer. Here is a link to our website.

 

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The best Eleuthera vacation rental listing site

list with us, tips, Travel - Bret S. - October 1, 2022

eleutheradirect.com listing site homepage

Are you looking for the best listing site to advertise your vacation rental property on Eleuthera, Harbour Island or Spanish Wells in the Bahamas? Are you sick and fed up with VRBO and AirBnB, two former listing sites that have now turned into online travel agencies (OTAs)? Then, look no further than Eleutheradirect.com, the premier vacation advertising site for Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells vacation rental homes.

eleuthera harbour-island spanish-wells vacation listing site

Owner fees

Vacation property owners who rent their homes out want to maximize their profits while better serving their clientele. One of the primary benefits of listing with Eleutheradirect.com is that you are trading variable costs, commissions charged by VRBO and AirBnB, for a low fixed cost to advertise your property. Online travel agencies like VRBO and AirBnB charge 5% plus 3%  payment processing for each booking, which often results in thousands of dollars in annual fees. A flat-fee listing site like Eleutheradirect.com only charges $99 or $199 annually, depending on subscription level, regardless of how many bookings you take. That’s a huge savings!

VRBO and AirBnB charge excessive fees and commissions

Fees, fees and more fees

And, if the fees taken out of your owner’s profits weren’t enough, the OTAs also have the audacity to charge renters a reservation fee. Guests are charged anywhere from 6% – 15% in addition to the fees the owners are charged. Talk about double dipping! On some rentals the combined fees for a single rental are 30%. Can you imagine if a hotel charged you an additional 15% fee just for booking through their website??!! Most hotel chains charge less to use their online booking system because it reduces their manual labor cost, but not VRBO and AirBnB. They charge more to use their software.

Use of working capital

Another advantage of using Eleutheradirect.com is that you set the payment collection rules, which means you can collect a deposit when the guest reserves. That not only reduces your risk by ensuring the guest has made a commitment to complete the booking, but it frees up working capital so that you can run your business. As we all know, vacationers often book 6 to 12 months in advance. It’s nice to have deposits in hand to manage your cash flow leading up to the booking. With the OTAs you don’t receive any money until the booking is complete. That means THEY are holding YOUR money all that time. Shouldn’t your money be yours? If you are going to take your property off the market for a period of time before the rental takes place then you should at least be the holder of that capital rather than some 3rd party middleman.

Regional listing sites like Eleutheradirect.com just make sense

Using a site like Eleutheradirect.com to list your vacaiton rental property simply makes good financial sense because it helps maximize your profit. There are no commissions for owners or renters and by charging a simple flat rate advertising fee you know what your costs are going to be. The variability is taken out of the equation.eleutheradirect.com listing site homepage

You also get acceess to your working capital when you take the booking. Why let an OTA hold your working capital? It’s your business. You should have access to rental deposits when guests book, not when OTAs decide to release funds. Renters know that the OTAs don’t release funds right away and will often dispute charges during or after their stay knowing that the OTAs will most often side with them and return your rents without you even seeing a dime.

Listing sites like Eleutheradirect.com complement your direct marketing efforts. They refer guests directly to you and your website while also offering inquiry and booking features right on the Eleutheradirect.com website. Do you think the OTAs will let you communicate with a guest directly before a booking has been taken? Absolutely not! They must ensure that their software and payment systems take the booking. To that end they don’t allow communication except screened emails through their system, which eliminates your opportunity to properly screen your potential guests.

The bottom line is that working with Eleutheradirect.com is an excellent way to maximize your vacation rental profits. We offer all the same features as the OTAs, other than payment processing, while providing a better, more owner-friendly service. Give us a try. Click this link to get started and list your vacation rental property with Eleutheradirect.com today! We offer a 3 month trial subscription and do not require a credit card to sign up.

listing site eleutheradirect.comWant to Earn More Rental Income? 11 Keys to Create Great Vacation Rental Listings

eleutheradirect.com benefits

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9 great ways to a killer Eleuthera vacation

Travel - Bret S. - May 30, 2022

9 killer ways to a great Eleuthera vacation

I was looking for ideas for a new article and embarked on finding out whether there was actually a way to have a better vacation. And, if there was, could I offer some pointers on how to have a killer vacation in Eleuthera. In doing some research, I found an interesting article on what they describe as “scientifically proven ways to have a better vacation”. Here’s the original article. I thought it might be a neat idea to apply these concepts to our beloved Bahamian islands so you can have your best Eleuthera vacation experience. Here’s my take on that.

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Covid crisis at Moon Palace Resort, Cancun, Mexico – improper testing leads to false sense of security

Travel - Bret S. - January 23, 2022

What was to be a dream vacation at Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico turned into a Covid nightmare. Twelve nights in a Mexican paradise were to be shared, the first week with my wife and the second with one of my best buddies. We had plans to watch the music I love plus do some golfing, diving and maybe some sightseeing. We were a little leery of attending a series of concerts with Covid raging, but the venue, resort, management company and band had made numerous promises about their Covid protocols that made us comfortable that if we were just cautious we could enjoy the shows and still not catch Covid. If we did catch Covid then the resort had procedures in place to isolate anyone who might get sick in our party and make sure that we did not bring Covid home with us. This was advertised on the Moon Palace website and touted by the concert producer CID. They even branded it Purely Palace. Clearly they are trying to sell and promote this as an advantage of theirs. Additionally, every concert goer had to be fully vaccinated, PCR tested within 24 hours of arrival and antigen tested upon check-in. Moon Palace would test on our departure and would isolate and quarantine anyone who became sick on the trip as part of Purely Palace. This all sounded good to us and would allow us to minimize our risk.

moon palace covid

The trouble started when the band canceled the night before the shows were to begin. However, CID and the band made a very generous offer to pay for our hotel stay for the first week and subsidize the majority of our stay on the second week. We would be responsible for any additional days before, in the middle, and after. After checking with my wife and friend we decided to make the best of it and have our vacation.

The first week went fine. My wife and I mostly kept to ourselves, ate in outdoor venues, and stayed away from any group encounters. Even though we are both fully vaxxed and boosted, it didn’t make sense to us to take chances needlessly. Since I was staying on for the second week when my buddy was to arrive, I didn’t have to do a check-out antigen test for my return to the US, but she did. We knew something was not right when she reported that Moon Palace was not testing properly. They weren’t collecting a correct sample. The swab was only inserted into one nostril, only part way, and the results were returned in a group setting within 5 minutes. Oh, well, what could we do? She was going home. I didn’t have Covid. It didn’t dawn on us that this was the norm and not an exception although we did muse that perhaps they were testing minimally so that they could give us a negative test and send us home rather than quarantine us. We could certainly understand why they would want to do that, but we were just speculating at that point. She went home on schedule.

Two days later my friend arrived. He was all full of energy. The folks who were arriving for Week 2 weren’t bummed like the folks from Week 1 who had their hearts cut out from them during check-in when the shows were canceled. We ate out, made some new friends, did some diving and were having a good time. But, then our worst nightmare struck. He started developing a ‘cold’ a few days after his arrival. He felt unwell, was tired and had an irritating and persistent cough. After dinner he decided to go back to the room and rest up. I had brought a number of home Covid antigen tests with me so told him he should take one to be sure he hadn’t come down with Covid. After dinner I went out. He texted me a little later that the test was negative and that he just had a cold. Whew! Thank goodness!

When we woke up the next day I took a look at his test kit, which he had left on the dresser. The test was positive. He had misinterpreted the results. I brought him out another antigen test. He took it and tested positive again. At this point I called the hotel, told them that my friend had tested positive for Covid and asked them for instructions. They told us to stay put. They would come to the room and test themselves to verify. About 30 minutes later a tester and a member from their Public Relations staff showed up to test both him and me. They did swab both of our nostrils, but they weren’t deep samples. After 15 minutes they declared us negative and told us to enjoy our vacation. Whew! Dodged a bullet! Our tests must have been wrong, or at least that’s what we initially thought.

covid moon palace

We spent some time at the beach and at the pool. He still didn’t feel well and his raspy cough continued. A few hours later he got a text from his wife back home that she, too, had tested positive. Could it be possible that she had given it to him (or vice versa), but symptoms didn’t show up for a few days? He was supposed to have been PCR and antigen tested before arrival, but his PCR results never showed up (that’s another story) and because the concerts were canceled they hadn’t tested him upon arrival. I did a little research and learned that it’s somewhat likely to get a negative antigen result, but extremely rare to get a false positive. We hadn’t just gotten one positive result, but two. Could they both have possibly been false positives? That scenario was highly unlikely, but we had to consider the possibility. I tracked down another home antigen test from a friend and tested him again. We got our third postive result.

Covid at Moon Palace

At this point I called the hotel again and told them that my friend was positive and needed to be quarantined. They refused stating that their test was negative. I told them we had three positive tests with our kits. They said there was nothing they could do for us. I told them that they couldn’t just force me to stay in a room with a Covid positive person. They said if I wanted to leave I could at my own expense, but they weren’t going to separate us nor were they going to quarantine my friend. I asked for a re-test. They said they couldn’t do it at that time, but if we wanted to pay for a test the next day we could. At this point I was extremely frustrated. I was going to be quarantined with someone who had Covid and if I didn’t want to do then I would have to shell out ~$1,000 for my own room for the rest of the stay, 4 more nights. I asked them where we could go at that time to get another test outside of the resort. They said they couldn’t tell us where to go or how to get there. By now my head was ready to explode. The resort seriously wouldn’t point us to a testing facility so we could verify whether our tests were correct or not? I called my wife at home and explained the situation. Since she is a native Spanish speaker I thought she would have a better time finding us a testing site in Cancun. We also both agreed that I should pay for my own room regardless of getting another test. I called the hotel to make those arrangements, but just then, our phone rang. It was the hotel telling my friend that he would be quarantined and to get his belongings together in the next hour. Thank goodness! I wasn’t happy that I was still being asked to stay in the room that he had been occupying for the past four days, but it was better than being in close quarters with him. An hour later he was moved into the quarantine area of the Grand.

Improper Covid testing at Moon Palace

Almost 6,000 fans of the band had joined a Facebook group in order to share stories and discuss topics relative to the fans. Upon reading a lot of these posts I started seeing a common thread. Folks who had been antigen tested for their departure were reporting minimal testing and poor sample collection. Many who had tested negative upon departure were getting sick and testing positive immediately upon returning home. The testing was described as ineffective. Swabs were only inserted into one nostril. The swabs were only inserted into the tip of the nose. They weren’t being swirled around as anyone who has administered a home test knows how to do. Basically, they were minimally swabbing so that they didn’t detect Covid. Results were returned in minutes, not the 15 that is necessary to confirm results. Very few people were reporting that they had tested positive and had been quarantined, although a few people did. Most were reporting minimal antigen samples being taken and then testing postive once they got home.

It became clear to me that Moon Palace was selling us a bill of goods. They wanted us to believe that they would perform an effective antigen test and quarantine us if we were positive. In reality, they were barely performing a test so that they could guarantee a negative test so that we didn’t have to be quarantined. They would only use their own testers so they could control this process. The process was being managed by their Public Relations department so they could perform damage control every step of the way. We were being duped into thinking they were looking out for us, when in actuality, they couldn’t care less if we got sick and took it back to the US or Canada. They wanted us out of there. They didn’t want to spend money quarantining us. They were lying through their teeth. The fact that they would send my friend, even after he tested positive three times, to use the resort, interact with staff and guests, and to keep having his vacation tells you everything you need to know about this place. In my opinion their testing is a scam. Their advertising is false. I will never stay at this so called palace again.

My friend who was quarantined did finally test positive with their antigen test when he tested to catch his original flight home. That was a full five days after we tested him positive and four days after we verified his positivity. He was quarantined for a few more days and was well taken care of. A few days later he asked for a re-test. He reported that it was the one nostril, barely insert the swab, return results in 5 minutes antigen test. He was released from quarantine and allowed to use the resort until his flight the next day. He was still symptomatic, of course, and tested postive upon his return to the US. Is it any surprise?

If you go to this resort just expect that if you contract Covid you are bringing it home with you. Make sure to bring your own tests because you can’t trust the results of their tests especially if they’re negative. I know a lot of people want to go to a place that doesn’t test properly and can almost guarantee a negative test result so that you aren’t quarantined in a foreign country. If you don’t mind bringing Covid home to your family, friends and co-workers then boy, do I have the palace for you.

how to get covid at moon palace

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How to Get to Eleuthera | 3 Best Ways

tips, Travel - Bret S. - November 25, 2021

how to get to eleuthera

Going to Eleuthera, Harbour Island or Spanish Wells: Travel tips for Bahamas Family Islands

Do you want to know how to get to Eleuthera? The Family Islands may not be on everybody’s bucket list. They don’t have crowds, casinos, non-stop partying, golf or motorized watersports. What they do have is peace, quiet, friendly people, beautiful natural attractions and hundreds of miles of deserted beaches. Some Bahamian islands cater to the tourist crowds, but what makes this trio of neighboring islands so special is that all of that pomp is mostly non-existent. Instead, you’ll find quaint vacation rentals, nostalgic settlements, tropical jungle, old fashioned pineapple farms and miles of untouched beaches. Here’s how to get to Eleuthera.

how to get to eleuthera

Lighthouse Beach is on the of the island’s best beaches

Arriving by commercial air

The easiest way to reach Eleuthera is aboard a commercial plane. There are three airports on the island, North Eleuthera (ELH), which caters to the northern settlements plus Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, Governor’s Harbour (GHB) in the center of the island, and Rock Sound (RSD), which caters to southern settlements plus Cape Eleuthera. Non-stop flights from the United States are available from Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Direct flights into all three Eleuthera airports are also available via Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, Bahamas.

American Airlines flies direct from Charlotte (CLT) on a limited basis and more frequently from Miami (MIA). Delta flies via Atlanta (ATL). United, via it’s Silver Airways subsidiary, and Aztec Air both fly from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) although Aztec leaves from the smaller Fort Lauderdale Executive airport located at 5151 E. Perimeter Road. Most of the US based flights land in North Eleuthera, but you can find some flights into Governor’s Harbour.

Flying on one of the Bahamian owned carriers offers the most flight options into all three airports. Bahamas Air flies out of Fort Lauderdale with a connection in Nassau while Pineapple Air, Southern Air Charter and Bahamas Air all fly out of Nassau on a daily basis.

Regardless of where you leave from you have plenty of options to choose. Eleuthera is a little more than 250 miles from Florida, which makes it possible to fly there in just over an hour while Nassau is a short 30 minute hop.

Choosing your airport

Eleuthera is a long, narrow island that stretches over 100 miles from north to south although it is only 2 miles wide in most spots. The island’s settlements are up to 15 miles apart, which makes it important to consider which airport is the most convenient to where you are staying on the island. Fear not, though! If you find better airfares into an alternate airport then by all means choose that airport. It just means you might have a longer and more scenic drive to your vacation rental.

  • North Eleuthera International Airport (ELH) is at the northernmost tip of Eleuthera island and has the most direct flights from the US. It’s the closest airport to Harbour Island and Spanish Wells both of which require a water taxi ride to reach. ELH is the closest airport for the settlements of Current, Upper and Lower Bogue, Whale Point, Gregory Town, Alice Town and Rainbow Bay.
  • Governor’s Harbour International Airport (GHB) is centrally located near the middle of the island and about eight miles north of Governor’s Harbour, the capital of Eleuthera. GHB is convenient for the settlements of Rainbow Bay, James Cistern, Governor’s Harbour, North and South Palmetto Point, Double Bay, Ten Bay, Savannah Sound and Windermere Island.
  • Rock Sound International Airport (RSD) is the southernmost airport on the island. Options for direct flights from the US don’t exist, but you can get a flight from Nassau. RSD is the nearest airport to Tarpum Bay, Rock Sound, Green Castle, Waterford, Deep Creek and Cape Eleuthera.

Using ferry service

High speed ferry service is available between Nassau and Harbour Island, Spanish Wells and several locations on Eleuthera as well as several other islands in the Bahamas. While this choice seems carefree and romantic, it often proves to be very inconvenient due to scheduling, which does not line up very nicely with the arrival of flights from the US. Plus, there is no cost savings as the cost is equivalent to that of a flight. For those reasons, unless you are already vacationing on Nassau and wish to have an excursion to one of the Family Islands, there is very little reason to choose the ferry.

In days of yore, the mail boat, a large freighter that carried mail between islands, was an option for passengers, too. However, the mailboat no longer transports passengers to Eleuthera, Harbour Island or Spanish Wells.

Water taxi service

To reach Harbour Island and Spanish Wells you must take a water taxi from mainland Eleuthera. This short boat ride takes about 5 minutes each way and costs approximatly $6 to $8 per passenger depending on where you are dropped off. The water taxi for Harbour Island can be found at Three Island Dock, which is 1 mile north of ELH. The water taxi for Spanish Wells departs from Gene’s Bay Dock, an 8 mile ride from ELH. The boats depart roughly every 15 to 30 minutes or when they fill up. Each boat can usually handle 10 to 15 passengers plus luggage. Reservations are not required. It’s simply first come, first served.

Arriving by private plane

Private pilots have always had an advantage when traveling to Eleuthera. The convenience of being able to come and go as one pleases is incentive enough to get a pilot’s license. If one is lucky enough to have their own plane then flying into one of the airports is a breeze. You will need to follow the procedures outlined by the Bahamas Civil Aviation authority, which can be found here.

If you are traveling with 4 or more people then the cost and convenience of a private charter may well be worth it especially if you can make it to Nassau on a commercial flight.

Here are some private charter companies. Contact them individually to find out the size of their planes and the cost of the flights.

how to get to harbour island

  1. Performance Air Charter 
  2. Bahamas Hoppers
  3. Makers Air
  4. Air Flight Charters
  5. Golden Wings
  6. Monarch Air

The FBO’s that serve Eleuthera are White Crown Aviation out of ELH (MYEH) and Odyssey Aviation out of Governor’s Harbour (MYEM) and Rock Sound (MYER).

Arriving by private boat

It is certainly possible to make the crossing from Florida or Nassau via boat if the conditions are right. There are some general rules that need to be followed to enter legally. There aren’t a lot of boat facilities on these islands so it’s important to plan properly. Dock, gas and/or repair services are limited especially on Eleuthera where Hatchet Bay, Governor’s Harbour, Davis Harbour and Cape Eleuthera are your options. Spanish Wells and Harbour Island cater to boaters and yachtsmen so offer a more complete set of services.

To operate in Bahamian waters, a cruising permit is required for all foreign, private, non-commercial pleasure boats and occupants. All visiting boaters must clear Customs and Immigration at the nearest designated Port of Entry. As you enter each port you must fly the yellow quarantine flag and notify Customs of your arrival. Only the captain is permitted to leave the boat until your vessel has been cleared. Customs and Immigration officials will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship. U.S. citizens must present a passport. Upon your arrival in the Bahamas, you will be asked to fill out an Immigration Arrival/Departure Card, which you will keep until your departure.

Boaters and sailors traveling to Eleuthera, Harbour Island or Spanish Wells can enter the country at numerous ports scattered throughout the islands. All boaters entering The Bahamas are required to pay an entry fee. Depending on the size of the boat and the duration of your stay that cost ranges from $300 to $2,000 annually.

Below is a list of docks and marinas on Harbour Island, Spanish Wells, and Eleuthera.

Harbour Island

  • Harbour Island Public Dock
  • Harbour Island Marina
  • Romora Bay Marina
  • Valentines Marina

Spanish Wells

  • R&B Boatyard
  • Spanish Wells Public Dock
  • Spanish Wells Yacht Haven Marina

Central Eleuthera

  • Hatchet Bay Inlet
  • French Leave Eleuthera Marina
  • Governor’s Harbour Public Dock

South Eleuthera

  • Cape Eleuthera Marina
  • Davis Harbor Marina

Customs and immigration

Whether you enter the Bahamas in Nassau or Eleuthera, that is where you will clear customs and immigration. Your passport will be checked and your luggage may be inspected to ensure that you are not bringing items into the country without paying import VAT (value added tax) on them. If you clear customs and immigration in Nassau then you will not have to do so again when entering Eleuthera. However, if you are flying directly from the United Stated into Eleuthera then you will clear customs and immigration there.

In Nassau, to speed up the process for those connecting to Family Islands flights, there is a line to the left of the main immigration line that can be used. It is much shorter and faster, and is often necessary to avoid missing your connecting flight. You will then go downstairs, collect your bags and clear customs. You will then need to walk to the domestic terminal, which is approximately 5 minutes away, to get your connecting flight. You will need to check in with the airline, check your bags and go through security screening. It’s important to allow enough time for all of that to happen and at least an hour and a half is suggested, especially if you are claiming and re-checking luggage.

If you arrive into Eleuthera from the US then you will follow the same process, but it will be a bit less chaotic because there will be fewer passengers. Be patient as it takes time to screen each arriving passenger and bag. If you have items that you are importing then please make sure to make note of them and bring receipts so that you can pay VAT and speed up your departure from the airport. Arriving passengers are allowed a $100 allowance on items that can be imported VAT free.

Getting around the island

Don’t let anyone tell you that a golf cart or scooter is a viable method of transport on Eleuthera. If you find an article that tells you that you can be assured that they have NEVER been to Eleuthera. If anyone tells you that a bicycle is a perfectly good way to get around then quickly close that article as it’s simply not true.

As previously mentioned, Eleuthera is a long island and the settlements are miles apart. The roads have few dividing lines and street lights. They can often be in disrepair in places with large potholes making night time driving treacherous. Bahamians tend to drive fast and use their high beams constantly at night. It’s simply not safe to drive in anything other than a car or SUV. You can expect to pay anywhere from $65 to $90 per day for a vehicle rental. There are no Hertz or Avis rentals on the island. All of the rentals are handled by local businessmen who own a fleet of vehicle rentals that are usually older in age. They prefer to receive cash as payment although some have started to take credit cards.

Taxi service is  an option, but one way fares can often exceed the cost of renting a vehicle for the day. Also, be aware that the taxi drivers generally operate out of one of the airports. If you are relying on taxis to get around then you will have to pre-arrange all of your trips to make sure that your driver is available. Otherwise, prepare for a long wait.

On Harbour Island and Spanish Wells golf carts are the only method of transport for visitors and that’s half the fun of staying on those islands. The carts are equipped with lights and storage areas for luggage.  Rental rates are equivalent to a car rental on Eleuthera and are dependent on the size of the golf cart and how long you will be renting it for.

Just always remember to DRIVE ON THE LEFT whichever island you are on!!!!

how to get to spanish wells

 

Summary

As you would expect of an island, plane or boat are the two methods to get there. The choice comes down to whether you take a private vessel or a commercial one. For the lowest rates, best schedules, and most options, commercial flights are your preferred choice. Coming by private plane or boat gives you the most convenience, but with some obvious added cost. Commercial ferries have the most difficult schedules without offering any real cost benefit. The best way to get to Eleuthera is commercial plane!

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Learn where to stay in Eleuthera, Bahamas to have 1 of your best vacations

tips, Travel - Bret S. - May 18, 2021

Not sure where to stay in Eleuthera, Bahamas? Let’s see if we can help you decide.

What makes Eleuthera a tricky place to choose what part of the island to stay on is because of its 100 mile length. There is a lot to see and do on Eleuthera and most first timers don’t want to miss a thing. Those of us who have been visiting for years know to take it slow because you can’t just cram it all in on one visit, but that doesn’t stop some folks from trying. Use this information to help you narrow down your selection.

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10 Essential Tips Packing for The Bahamas | What to wear and bring to Eleuthera for your #1 best vacation

LifeStyle, tips, Travel - Bret S. - April 1, 2021

packing for the bahamas

The most important advice I give to anyone who is packing for the Bahamas is to pack half as much as you think you’ll need. You’re going to spend the majority of your time on the beach or in the water. You don’t need much more than a swimsuit and what accompanies it for the majority of your island time, so pack a few items you can mix and match with swimwear.

When it comes to packing for Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells there are a few things to consider.  Here are some  things to know that form the basis of my packing-for-the-Bahamas recommendations.

    1. This is a tropical vacation. It’s likely going to be hot and you will be out in the sun most of the day.
    2. While it’s likely to be warm or hot you have to consider that it could also be windy or rainy depending on the time of year.
    3. The Family Islands are unfortunately home to biting insects including no-see-ums (sand flies) and mosquitoes (wings with teeth).
    4. The islands are very, very casual and you’ll be out of place dressing up too much, but dressing down is never a problem.
    5. ATMs are few and far between, and credit cards are not widely accepted.
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THE BEST 15 Things to Do on Eleuthera

adventures, beaches, happenings, tips, Travel - Bret S. - February 7, 2021

15 best things to do on eleuthera

Eleuthera has always been known for it beaches, but there are lots of other things to do on Eleuthera besides visiting beaches. What may have started as a beach vacation may very well end up being the adventure vacation you’ve been looking for and that is what I’ve always loved about the island and its surrounding neighbors. You’re never going to run out of things to do.

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eleutheradirect lodging and house rental

#thingstodoeleuthera #thingstodooneleuthera #15bestthingstodoeleuthera #eleutherabahamasthingstodo

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The 5 Best Tips to Choose a Vacation Rental Property on Eleuthera

lodging, tips, Travel - Bret S. - January 21, 2021

5 tips to choose a vacation rental

5 Tips to Choose a Vacation Rental Property

This is the third and final blog offering the 5 best tips to choose a vacation rental property on Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells. It will focus on what I consider one of the most significant factors in the quality of your overall vacation – HOUSE SELECTION! Click on this link to read the first blog in this series that discusses the 3 secrets for choosing the best island LOCATION for your vacation rental. Click on this link to read the second blog in the series that explains the importance of TRAVEL TIME as it relates to selecting a property on the islands.

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eleutheradirect lodging and house rental

#eleutheralodginghouserental #eleutheralodging #eleutherahouserental #howtochooseavacationrental #5tipstochooseavacationrental

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3 of the best Eleuthera Lodging House Rental options

lodging, tips, Travel - Bret S. - January 7, 2021

indigo seas rainbow bay eleuthera bahamas lodging house rental

Eleuthera Lodging House Rental Tips

When visiting Eleuthera you have several lodging options. Unlike many major tourist destinations the lodging choice of preference on Eleuthera is a house rental. While there are several small boutique hotels, motels and condo style resorts, there are just a few of them compared to the number of houses available for rent and they tend to be either high end or budget oriented limiting their appeal to many Eleuthera vacationers.

Most visitors choose house rentals on Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells due to their superior locations, abundance of amenities, added space and comfort, privacy and attractive pricing. Simply by cooking several meals at your house rental you will save enough money to do fun things on vacation or splurge a little more when you do eat out. The small resorts up and down the island are considered a good choice for those who prefer to vacation in a more social setting. You won’t find any large hotels nor household brands such as Hilton or Wyndham although one of the boutique resorts is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

Read on to see various lodging and house rental options or read this blog first, which will give you some ideas on how to pick your lodging on Eleuthera.

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Click to see Indigo Seas in Rainbow Bay, Eleuthera, Bahamas. This is the property featured in our cover image for this article.

#eleutheralodginghouserental #eleutheralodging #eleutherahouserental

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