Island Information and Links

ISLAND INFORMATION AND LINKS

Local Information

Night life - There is wonderful night life within walking distance at Elvina's. On Tuesday and Friday nights, the locals, the surfers and other tourists gather to join in singing karaoke or a musical jam session at the many instruments on stage.

Bakeries and Restaurants - Gregory Town has wonderful bakeries such as that owned by the Thompson sisters and the "lady in the yellow house on the hill", and some small restaurants serving island dishes such as grouper fingers and burgers, cracked conch, scorched conch, peas and rice, lobster salad... The Cove (In Gregory Town), the Rainbow Inn (just south of Alice Town), Tippy's (in Governor's Harbour), and Unique (in Palmetto Point) are upscale local choices for fine dining. In town there is the reliable Cambridge villas and Ida's Take Away.

	Tourist Shops - There are a few great tourist shops in Gregory Town - check out Pam's Island Made or Surfer Pete's shop.
	Pineapple Festival - This street festival takes place by the waterfront in Gregory Town and is usually the first weekend in June.
	Sightseeing - Philip Thompson is a close friend and our caretaker. He will meet you at the house with the key. He also has information on sports rentals, fishing charters, and he can give tours to all the local points of interest. Ask him for his fee.

Points of interest - The Glass Window Bridge - the narrowest part of the island where the raging deep blue ocean practically meets the tranquil turquoise blue sea; the Cliffs - there are 2 sets of these - the smaller, yet still impressive Rainbow Bay Cliffs, and the 100 foot tall jagged cliffs surrounding the Glass Window; Windermere, a private island where Princess Diane and Prince Charles honeymooned; old Club Med beach with its powdery pink sand; the wreck at James Point; the quaint colonial homes of Governor's Harbour, the capital settlement; the blue hole at Rock Sound, where the fish swarm to be fed bread by the locals and tourists; and Lighthouse Beach, arguably one of the prettiest pink sand beaches on the island, with interesting rock formations topped by an old lighthouse. A short trip north, and a quick water taxi ride will bring you to Harbour Island with historic Dunmore town, a colonial village dating back to 1792, and its famous pink sand beaches. At Harbour Island you can also rent a golf cart to explore the island, catch a charter boat for fishing or snorkeling, walk the mini straw market, or dance the night away at one of the local clubs.

Water sports - Around every corner there are wonderful reefs to snorkel on, or, for you certified divers, arrange for a boat to take you diving. Arthur Nixon - 332-1006 - will take you up and down the island on a boat and snorkeling tour for about 4 hours for $175. Call, fax, or see him at the airport for details. For SCUBA enthusiasts, the closest rental shop is Clear Water Dive Shop, located in Governor's Harbour. Call Mrs. Sands at 242-332-2146, or fax them for your needs at 242-332-3409. If they do not have what you need, try Tracey Brown at Half Moon Cay at 242-334-0107 - they can provide a dive master with a boat. Advanced divers can also go south to Cape Eleuthera, about an hour south of Ten Bay, and dive the Great Exuma Wall - a 1000 drop off! For instructions for beginners, contact dive master Darryl Miller at Island School - 242-359-7625. Valentines, at Harbour Island, is another excellent choice for organized, dive master led trips.

Taxis and Car Rental - You can get a taxi to the house from the airport - it will cost you around $35. Or you can rent a car. Car rental is a very easy and informal affair on Eleuthera. Several locals have dependable cars - you can check out Angelo from Big Rock - 335-6008 - he will drop off the car at the house and pick it up. Rates run about $40-$60 per day, depending on the vehicle - weekly rates may be cheaper. Remember, in the Bahamas we drive on the left. We also recommend Tommy Pinder for car rental - he can be reached at 242-332-2216 or 242-359-7089 (cell). Please let them know Tommi Bahama sent you.

Medical - there is a medical clinic in Gregory Town and a doctor in Spanish Wells and Governors Harbour

Cell phones - If you have a cell phone and want to use it please check with your carrier if you can use it in the Bahamas. You also can buy a Batelco phone card

Weather - The Bahamas are sub-tropical. June to September, the temperatures range from 70-90. October to May temperatures range 60-80's. You can have sporadic showers that come and go. In the winter it is a good idea to bring a sweater and warm pants.

Language - English is the official language of the Bahamas

Money - cash or credit cards .. the currency of the Bahamas is the Bahamian Dollar which is equal in value to the American Dollar. Only some of the major hotels take credit cards - Bring CASH! If you need extra cash you can go into several banks in Governor's Harbour but don't depend on this. You cannot use credit cards to purchase gasoline. You can use your credit card at the banks to get cash.

Electric current - The Bahamas has the same current as the US.

Travel - TommiBahama is equally accessible from both North Eleuthera and Governor's Harbour. There are commercial flights available daily from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA), FL. Flight time is approximately an hour to an hour and a half. The following airlines fly into Governor's Harbor (GHB) or North Eleuthera (ELH) from either Miami (MIA) or Ft. Lauderdale. Check with them to confirm schedules. Flight prices are generally around $300 to $350 roundtrip.

US Airways (1-800-622-1015) Flies direct from MIA to GHB

Bahamasair (1-800-222-4262) FLL to Nassau (NAS) then on to GHB

Lynx Air (1-888-596-9247) Direct flight from FLL to GHB and ELH

Twin Air (1-954-359-8266) Direct flight from FLL to GHB and ELH - 7 passenger plane

Continental/Gulfstream (1-800-992-8532) Every day from MIA & FLL to GHB and ELH.

Bahamas entry - To enter the Bahamas, a US citizen has to have proof of citizenship (passport) or a birth certificate (with raised seal) AND a picture ID. As of January 2007 - a passport will be required. Leaving the Bahamas, visitors must pay a departure tax of $15 per person.

Eleuthera Links

EleutheraLiving.com - A tourism, news, and yellow pages site for Eleuthera, Bahamas.

Eleuthera.com - Directory and tourist guide.

For more information or rental availability contact:
Tom Devany at 305.861.5001 or email at tommibahama@wmconnect.com