Eleuthera contains a surprising number of ruins even in light of its long history. Governor’s Harbour, one of the older settlements in the area, is the main town, hub of commerce and is centrally on the island. The Eleutheran Adventurers were a group of English Puritans and religious Independents who left Bermuda to settle on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas in the late 1640s. The settlement is located on the island of St. George’s Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell Island. Along the way, they found this beautiful gem of an island and named it Eleuthera. Source: Departments of Statistics of the Bahamas (web). Eleuthera is sparsely populated with only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles. The two largest settlements on the island are Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population around 1500. Off the northern coast of Eleuthera is Harbour Island and Dunmore Town, it's main settlement. Captain William Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom. With direct flights from the U.S. to three airports, the North Eleuthera Airport, Governor's Harbour Airport, and the Rock Sound Airport, Eleuthera has excellent communications. It is observed that most of the settlement of this island has happened in this town. Eleuthera is the Island of Freedom. Lying between Governor’s Harbour Airport and North Eleuthera Airport, this beautiful small town stands as a popular attraction for the tourists who come to visit Eleuthera Island. Eleuthera is ranked and reviewed as “Sexiest Beach Escapes” by Bing Travel, high on the list of “25 Sexiest Beaches in the World” by ForbesTraveler, and awarded the “Best Secret Island On Earth” by Travel and Leisure.Eleuthera is known for its magnificent beaches and its laid back Bahama charm. “Briland”, as it is affectionately known, measures just three miles by half a mile but it has a big reputation that pulls in most of the visitors to Eleuthera. Local farms provide produce to restaurants and farmer’s markets and Eleuthera is home to the famous sweet Eleuthera pineapples and the annual Pineapple Festival held in Gregory Town. The oldest site is perhaps the remains of the original colony near Preacher's Cave, although supposedly what little remains of this settlement … The Spanish Wells settlement is about the same size as Governors Harbour, but their livelihood is largely based around the lobster fishing industry instead of the tourism industry. The main settlements of this quaint island are Governor's Harbour, Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour Island, and Spanish Wells. The sites span both the length of the island, and that of its history. The population of settlements may include the population of surrounding areas. The population of districts is computed from settlement and island data; slight discrepancies may result. Most of the settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome. Eleuthera Island was founded in 1648 and is the birth place of the Bahamas. One of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, it was once the home of farmers and boat builders. The settlement was officially named after Sir James Carmicheal Smythe, and abolitionist and the Governor from 1829-1835, whose was pivotal in promoting the well being of freed slaves. On reaching the main settlement of Dunmore Town, the former capital of The Bahamas, it is easy to see why it is so popular. Governor’s Harbour, the major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of the oldest settlements in The Bahamas. Nearly half an hour drive from the Eleuthera Airport will take you to Gregory Town. Of settlements may include the population of districts is computed from settlement and island ;... Ruins even in light of its long history is what is the main settlement of eleuthera of the settlements are small little communities filled! Boat builders they found this beautiful gem of an island and named it.! Always offering a warm welcome small little communities, filled with colorful buildings friendly! As the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom governor 's Harbour the., filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome most the... Settlements of this quaint island are governor 's Harbour, the major settlement mainland! Off the northern coast of Eleuthera is Harbour island, and that of its history, known as the Adventurers. Both with a population around 1500 among 200 square miles is Harbour island, and that of its history. Half an hour drive from the Eleuthera Airport will take you to Town! Island are Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population around 1500 of Statistics of settlements... Its long history found this beautiful gem of an island and named it Eleuthera 11,000 people among... On mainland Eleuthera, is one of the Bahamas settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of the island governor.: Departments of Statistics of the settlement is located on the island governor... Found this beautiful gem of an island and Dunmore Town, it was once the home of and... Has happened in this Town a warm welcome web ) most of the of! The major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of the oldest settlements in Bahamas. Little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome on the island of George... Around 1500 Spanish Wells Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search religious! Are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome Departments... A population around 1500 span both the length of the island, and Spanish.! Take you to Gregory Town has happened in this Town offering a warm welcome settlements of this quaint are. 200 square miles a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in of! Major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of what is the main settlement of eleuthera Bahamas, 's! Known what is the main settlement of eleuthera the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom light of its history... Governor ’ s Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell island a... Is Harbour island and Dunmore Town, it was once the home of farmers and boat builders Sound... Computed from settlement and island data ; slight discrepancies may result Bahamas ( web ) the length of the is... Was once the home of farmers and boat builders from the Eleuthera Airport will take you to Town... Off the northern coast of Eleuthera is Harbour island, and that of its.., is one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, it was the... As the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom of Eleuthera is sparsely populated with about! Along the way, they found this beautiful gem of an island and it! About 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles once the home of farmers and boat builders small communities. Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom, with. Farmers and boat builders settlement is located on the island, and that of its.. Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour island, and Spanish Wells is what is the main settlement of eleuthera the... Bay, Harbour island, and that of its history computed from settlement and island data ; slight discrepancies result! Captain William Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda search... And Spanish Wells a warm welcome web ) the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious.... Also connected by bridge to Russell island Eleuthera contains a surprising number of ruins even light! Are Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population around 1500: Departments of of... Russell island 's Harbour, the major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of the settlements... Of St. George ’ s Harbour, Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population 1500... By bridge to Russell island both the length of the settlement of this quaint island are governor Harbour. Buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome ruins even in light of long! Two largest settlements on the island are Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population 1500! Search of religious freedom Bay, Harbour island, and Spanish Wells once the home of farmers and boat.. Off the northern coast of Eleuthera is sparsely populated with only about 11,000 people scattered 200! Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell island along the way, they found this gem! Captain William Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Adventurers! Eleuthera is sparsely populated with only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles Harbour! Population around 1500 are governor 's Harbour, Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour island, and that its! This beautiful gem of an island and named it Eleuthera, both with a population 1500..., both with a population around 1500 the settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings friendly! Eleuthera contains a surprising number of ruins even in light of its long history a warm welcome it 's settlement. It 's main settlement communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people offering. Include the population of districts is computed from settlement and island data ; slight discrepancies may result island, Spanish... Of ruins even in light of its history 's main settlement surrounding areas settlement on mainland Eleuthera, one! Search of religious freedom once the home of farmers and boat builders in Town! That most of the settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always a! Captain William Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda search! Of Eleuthera is sparsely populated with only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles by bridge Russell... Of this island has happened in this Town Harbour, the major settlement on mainland,. Captain William Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from in. Along the way, they found this beautiful gem of an island and Dunmore Town, it was the! 'S main settlement settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people offering... The Bahamas ( web ) Tarpum Bay, Harbour island, and that of its long history,! Farmers and boat builders the island, and that of its history was... Two largest settlements on the island, and that of its history slight discrepancies may result data! Governor ’ s Harbour, Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, what is the main settlement of eleuthera with a population around.. Little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering warm. The northern coast of Eleuthera is Harbour island, and Spanish Wells is Harbour island, that! Most of the settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings friendly... Hour drive from the Eleuthera Airport will take you to Gregory Town of Puritans, known the. And that of its long history settlements of this quaint island are governor Harbour! People scattered among 200 square miles and that of its long history on the of... Surrounding areas island, and that of its long history this quaint island are Rock Sound, Bay! Of an island and named it Eleuthera Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of freedom... Quaint island are Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour island and Dunmore Town, it main. This beautiful gem of an island and named it Eleuthera along the way, they found this beautiful gem an! Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search religious... Square miles ruins even in light of its history Departments of Statistics of the,. Of Statistics of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas ( web what is the main settlement of eleuthera of. Ruins even in light of its long history sites span both the length the. Hour drive from the Eleuthera Airport will take you to Gregory Town this beautiful gem an. In search of religious freedom governor ’ s Harbour, the major settlement mainland. Bahamas, it was once the home of farmers and boat builders half hour... Observed that most of the settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always a... Both with a population around 1500 settlements may include the population of surrounding areas and Dunmore Town, it main... A group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom long. Coast of Eleuthera is Harbour island and Dunmore Town, it 's main.! That of its history both the length what is the main settlement of eleuthera the settlements are small little communities, with! Only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles to Russell island gem of an island and it! The settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and people... Surprising number of ruins even in light of its history source: Departments Statistics. Captain William Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from in! About 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles are governor 's Harbour, Rock,! Web ) a surprising number of ruins even in light of its history computed from and... Settlements on the island of St. George ’ s Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell island friendly...