Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Gregory Town to Governor's Harbour
In the 25 miles between Gregory Town and Governor's Harbour there are only three towns
of any size, from north to south:
Hatchet Bay
,
Alice Town
, and
James Cistern
. Hatchet
Bay is a sleepy hamlet on a delicious stretch of oceanfront, Alice Town is the now-desolate
former home of a cattle operation, and James Cistern is a picturesque waterfront hamlet, 3
miles north of the Governor's Harbour Airport.
The
Hatchet Bay Fest
in Alice Town each August features dinghy races and partying.
SIGHTS & ACTIVITIES
Surfer 's Beach
BEACH
Calling all surfers! This beach, 2 miles south of Gregory Town, has some killer breaks
rolling in from the Atlantic. It's reachable only by an apocalyptically rutted and potholed
'road,' one of the worst we've seen, which keeps the casual day-trippers away.
JUICY & SWEET: ELEUTHERA'S PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL
Throughout the 18th century, pineapple production blossomed in Eleuthera, and
a local variety - the Eleutheran sugar loaf - earned recognition for Eleuthera
and Gregory Town as an especially succulent fruit. In 1900 production peaked,
and 7 million pineapples were exported, many heading for London's Convent
Garden Market. Alas, they were eventually supplanted by fruit from Cuba, Ja-
maica and Hawaii. Eleuthera's pineapple farmers are now a dying breed. Some
pineapples are still grown here, but raising pineapples is labor-intensive, requir-
ing backbreaking work that has little appeal for young people.
In early June the town hosts the three-day
Annual Eleuthera Pineapple
Festival
, highlighted by the Miss Teen Pineapple Princess Pageant and the
Pineathelon, which is a swim-bike-run competition. There's also the Pineapple-
on-a-Rope Eating Contest in which participants with hands tied behind their
backs attempt to nibble a dangling pineapple; a basketball shootout; a kayak
race; and the Saturday-night Junkanoo Rush, a street party offering music, dan-
cing and some easy fun. Look out for nonalcoholic pineapple smoothies, locally
made pineapple rum and fragrant, juicy pineapple tarts. If you're not in town for
the festival, pick up a jar of tangy pineapple jam at the Island Made Gift Shop in
Gregory Town.
Bahamas Out-Island Adventures
DIVING, SNORKELING
