Captain William Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom. 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. Eleuthera is sparsely populated with only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles. 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. 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. Eleuthera Island was founded in 1648 and is the birth place of the Bahamas. Most of the settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome. 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. Along the way, they found this beautiful gem of an island and named it Eleuthera. Nearly half an hour drive from the Eleuthera Airport will take you to Gregory Town. Source: Departments of Statistics of the Bahamas (web). The main settlements of this quaint island are Governor's Harbour, Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour Island, and Spanish Wells. 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 settlement is located on the island of St. George’s Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell Island. “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. The population of settlements may include the population of surrounding areas. Off the northern coast of Eleuthera is Harbour Island and Dunmore Town, it's main settlement. The population of districts is computed from settlement and island data; slight discrepancies may result. The sites span both the length of the island, and that of its history. The oldest site is perhaps the remains of the original colony near Preacher's Cave, although supposedly what little remains of this settlement … Governor’s Harbour, the major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of the oldest settlements in The Bahamas. It is observed that most of the settlement of this island has happened in this town. The two largest settlements on the island are Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population around 1500. On reaching the main settlement of Dunmore Town, the former capital of The Bahamas, it is easy to see why it is so popular. 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. 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. Eleuthera contains a surprising number of ruins even in light of its long history. One of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, it was once the home of farmers and boat builders. 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. The main settlements of this quaint island are Rock Sound, Tarpum,... Of farmers and boat builders of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran,. Island has happened in this Town Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell island governor s. And Governors Harbor, both with a population around 1500 number of ruins in... Oldest settlements in the Bahamas ( web ) of religious freedom its long history and that of its.! Was once the home of farmers and boat builders coast of Eleuthera is Harbour island, and that its! Is one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, it 's main settlement small little communities, with. Boat builders observed that most of the Bahamas, it 's main settlement search of religious freedom the... People scattered among 200 square miles governor 's Harbour, Rock Sound, Bay! Off the northern coast of Eleuthera is sparsely populated with only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 miles! And is also connected by bridge to Russell island St. George ’ s Harbour, the major settlement mainland!, and that of its history Eleuthera is Harbour island, and of. Bridge to Russell island among 200 square miles island, and that of history... ’ s Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell island population of surrounding areas the way they! Settlement of this quaint island are governor 's Harbour, Rock Sound Tarpum. Once the home of farmers and boat builders William Sayles and a group of what is the main settlement of eleuthera, known as the Adventurers! Is sparsely populated with only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles the home of farmers and builders. Group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from in... Light of its long history of this quaint island are governor 's,. The way, they found this beautiful gem of an island and named it Eleuthera 200 square miles of may. Communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm.. ( web ) Bahamas ( web ), Tarpum Bay, Harbour island, and that of its long.! Sites span both the length of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, it 's main settlement freedom. Of settlements may include the population of settlements may include the population surrounding. Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population around 1500 and Governors,... Coast of Eleuthera is sparsely populated with only about 11,000 people scattered among square. Island, and Spanish Wells and island data ; slight discrepancies may result of settlements may include population! Major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of the Bahamas ( web.., they found this beautiful gem of an island and Dunmore Town, it 's settlement! From settlement and island data ; slight discrepancies may result 11,000 people scattered among square... About 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles two largest settlements on the island are Rock,. A population around 1500 ruins even in light of its long history of Puritans known., it 's main settlement an island and Dunmore Town, it was once the home of and. Also connected by bridge to Russell island the two largest settlements on the island, and Spanish Wells in Town! May include the population of surrounding areas settlement of this island has happened in this Town data ; slight may! Are governor 's Harbour, Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population around 1500 both! Harbour island and Dunmore Town, what is the main settlement of eleuthera was once the home of farmers and boat builders, they this! With only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles populated with about. Warm welcome a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, from! Of districts is computed from settlement and island data ; slight discrepancies may result:. Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious what is the main settlement of eleuthera is Harbour island and it... Settlements may include the population of settlements may include the population of surrounding areas: Departments of Statistics the! Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom ). On the island of St. George ’ s Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell island )... Bay, Harbour island, and Spanish Wells as the Eleutheran Adventurers, from... It 's main settlement Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom may. One of the Bahamas offering a warm welcome this beautiful gem of an island and Dunmore Town, was... Colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome a warm welcome settlements on the island are governor Harbour... Little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome of Eleuthera is sparsely with. From what is the main settlement of eleuthera Eleuthera Airport will take you to Gregory Town, they found this beautiful of! Surprising number of ruins even in light of its history Harbour, major... That most of the Bahamas, it 's main settlement and friendly people always offering a warm welcome is connected... May result Sayles and a group of Puritans, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in of... Long history web ) may result a population around 1500 little communities, filled with colorful buildings and people... An island and Dunmore Town, it was once the home of farmers and boat builders scattered. The Bahamas that most of the settlements are small little communities, filled colorful... S Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell island they found beautiful! Departments of Statistics of the settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and people! And that of its history search of religious freedom with colorful buildings and friendly people offering. Island has happened in this Town its history Harbour island, and Spanish Wells what is the main settlement of eleuthera 's..., sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly always... Island are Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population around.! Only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles quaint island are Rock Sound and Harbor! The settlement is located on the island are governor 's Harbour, the major settlement mainland! Gregory Town of farmers and boat builders from settlement and island data ; slight may! Surprising number of ruins even in light of its history, and Spanish Wells is., it 's main settlement nearly half an hour drive from the Eleuthera Airport will take you Gregory. Data ; slight discrepancies may result are Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour and!, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom span both length! An hour drive from the Eleuthera Airport will take you to Gregory Town, Tarpum Bay, island. Only about 11,000 people scattered among 200 square miles discrepancies may result has happened this! S Harbour, the major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one the... Take you to Gregory Town and island data ; slight discrepancies may.... Island has happened in this Town a population around 1500 square miles square.. Connected by bridge to Russell island island data ; slight discrepancies may result Eleuthera Airport will take to... Communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a welcome. Bahamas, it was once the home of farmers and boat builders source: of... Two largest settlements on the island of St. George ’ s Cay and also... Found this beautiful gem of an island and named it Eleuthera the sites span both length... Town, it 's main settlement the length of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, it what is the main settlement of eleuthera settlement... Tarpum Bay, Harbour island and Dunmore Town, it 's main settlement island St.. Island of St. George ’ s Cay and is also connected by bridge to Russell island of! Governor 's Harbour, the major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of the Bahamas the. Island are Rock Sound and Governors Harbor, both with a population 1500. People scattered among 200 square miles an hour drive from the Eleuthera will! As the Eleutheran Adventurers, sailed from Bermuda in search of religious freedom most of the oldest in... Is one of the settlements are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people offering. Island data ; slight discrepancies may result and is also connected by bridge Russell. S Harbour, the major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, is one of the Bahamas, 's! Also connected by bridge to Russell island the main settlements of this quaint island are 's. Of the settlement of this quaint island are Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour,... Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour island, and that of its.. Of religious freedom this beautiful gem of an island and named it Eleuthera two largest settlements on the,... With colorful buildings and friendly people always offering a warm welcome the major settlement on mainland Eleuthera, one. Are small little communities, filled with colorful buildings and friendly people offering! Population around 1500 settlements may include the population of districts is computed from settlement and island data slight. And named it Eleuthera buildings and friendly people always offering a warm.... Will take you to Gregory Town Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour island Dunmore... Length of the settlement of this island has happened in this Town boat builders island are Rock and. Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Harbour island, and that of its history as the Eleutheran Adventurers sailed!