Spanish Wells, a unique, quirky, beautiful island right off the northern tip of Eleuthera, Bahamas. This place is genuinely one of the most special places I have ever visited. Spanish Wells is surrounded by stunning beaches, sandbanks, epic fishing, mind-blowing reefs and diving, and some of the most delicious food I have had in The Bahamas.
If Spanish Wells is not on your bucket list, I hope this post makes you reconsider. You won’t be disappointed after you visit this little gem of a place!
How to Get to Spanish Wells in Eleuthera, Bahamas
Spanish Wells is easily accessible. The best way to get there is via the North Eleuthera airport. If you are coming from the U.S, there are daily flights direct to North Eleuthera from Atlanta (3 hours), Fort Lauderdale (40 min), and Miami (40 min).
If you are coming from Nassau, daily flights are provided by Pineapple Air & Southern Air (20 min). You also have the option of taking the Bahamas Fast Ferry (2 hours) which drops you right into Spanish wells. Convenience at its finest!
Because Spanish Wells is an island, you will have to take a few more modes of transportation before reaching your destination. From the airport, you will take a 10-minute taxi ride to Genes Bay Dock. This taxi ride will cost $15 per person. Upon reaching the dock, you will await a ferry to go to Spanish Wells, which will be another $5 per person and will take about 6 minutes to reach Spanish Wells. The ferries come every 5-10 minutes and are easy to find.
Getting around Spanish Wells, Eleuthera
Once you arrive in Spanish Wells you will notice golf carts are the main mode of transportation, which I highly recommend for you as well. When you hop off the Ferry you will be standing in front of Harborside Rentals, the perfect place to rent your golf cart and head to your vacation rental! A 4-seater golf cart will run you about $250 for the week, you can contact Harborside to reserve your cart prior to arrival.
In addition to a golf cart, your feet or a bike would be your second-best bet for getting around the island. Spanish Wells is about 4-5 miles long, including Russel Island, which is just over the bridge. If you are just in the town area, your feet are fine, however, going anywhere else would require a golf cart or bike just for pure convenience, but highly recommend going with the golf cart.
Where to Stay in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera
There are many amazing vacation rentals in Spanish Wells. Since the island is so small, no matter your choice, you won’t be farther than 1 minute from the beach. Despite this fun fact, I still suggest staying on the beach, there is nothing better than waking up and enjoying a cup of coffee as you enjoy the beautiful ocean view!
With so many options to choose from, why not narrow it down to the best ones?! I have listed below my favorite oceanfront rentals from 1-2 bedrooms to 5+ bedrooms. You won’t be disappointed when renting any of these beachy, cute, clean homes on the water!
1-2 Bedrooms under $250/Night
Quaint Cottage 2 Bed, 1 Bath Ocean Front $147/Nightly
Beachfront Cottage 2 Bed, 2 Bath $225/Nightly
3 Bedroom homes between $295-$450/Night
“Palm 22 Beach Cottage” 3 Bed, 3 Bath $295/Nightly
“Cozy Cove” Beachfront 3 Bed, 3 Bath, $310/Nightly
“My Happy Place” 3 Bed, 3 Bath Beachfront $325/Nightly
Beach Front 3 Bed, 3 Bath $385/Nightly
“Palmetto Cottage” Beachfront 3 Bed, 4 Bath $432/Nightly
4+ Bedrooms starting at $300/Night
Waterfront Bungalow 4 Bed, 4 Bath $305/Nightly
“Palm House” Beachfront 4 Beds, 3 Baths $650/Nightly
“This is it” 5 Bed, 4 Bath, Beach Front $850/Nightly
Luxury Beachfront Villa 5 Beds, 5 Baths $995/Nightly
Things to do in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera
The best thing to do in Spanish Wells is to enjoy the beautiful beaches, however, there are so many activities you should do additionally to really enjoy everything Spanish Wells & Eleuthera has to offer.
Take a leisurely boat tour
Spanish Wells is an island, which means there is tons to explore all around you by boat! This is one of my favorite ways to see the island and if you can, you should absolutely do our Eleuthera tour. This tour includes:
- Snorkel a Shipwreck
- Explore Sandbars
- Cliff Diving
- Swim With the Turtles
- Rope Swings
- Snorkel the Devils Backbone
- Meeks Patch Pigs
Go bonefishing
If you are tired of just lounging around all day, you should book a trip to do some badass fishing. Not only are you being active but you’ll be learning a new skill or refining an old one! Nothing like a good activity on vacation! There are few places in the world where you can expect to find trophy-size bonefish. The Bahamas is arguably the best, and in Spanish Wells, you’ll find the “best bonefishing there is”. Captain Shaw is the best captain around for this, contact him today to book a tour.
Have a sandbar party
If you are only doing one activity, this should be your choice. It’s free, it’s epic, it’s beautiful and you will remember it forever! Head down 10th Street on the northside of the Island to a beach called “Spanish Wells Beach”, make sure you go at low tide (google it to time it right). When you arrive, right in front of you and to your left you will see a large sandbar extending out maybe 400-500 m (or farther). It’s massive, it is beautiful. You can set up a volleyball court there, you can set up a picnic, whatever you want! The key is to go at low tide and you will have an absolutely epic experience!
Do an excursion on the mainland of Eleuthera
So, this is a tour off of Spanish Wells, on the mainland of Eleuthera. This is something that shouldn’t be missed. Here’s what you should do:
- Take the ferry over to Genes Bay dock on the mainland in the morning (10 am is a good start time)
- Coordinate a rental car to be dropped off there for your arrival (Contact Johnson’s Car Rental 242-470-8235 or Neymour Car Rental 242-470-8716)
- Drive the car to see the Sapphire Blue Hole & Preachers Cave
- Then head south to the Glass Window Bridge, where you can have a cocktail and enjoy the beautiful views at El Karaka Glass Window Bar & Grill.
- Head about 5 more minutes south, you will find the Queen’s Bath. Park your car, walk down to the beautiful tide pools, and enjoy the amazing views.
- Another 1-minute south you will find Daddy Joe’s, a delicious restaurant that you should have lunch at!
- Head back north (30–40-minute drive), drop the car back at Genes Bay and take the ferry back to Spanish Wells. An epic day for sure!!!
**Note: you can hire someone to drive you as well if you don’t feel comfortable driving. It will cost you around $200 for the day. If you rent a car it will cost you around $75.
Where to eat in Spanish Wells, Eleuthera
Buddha’s Snack Shack
The food section has always been my favorite section of all my guides. I’m drooling as I write this because my actual favorite Bahamian food of all time is in Spanish Wells. Buddha’s Snack Shack, a hidden hole-in-the-wall restaurant, where the kitchen is in an old school bus and the decor screams “Bahamas” has the BEST FRIED CHICKEN EVER. I have taken many people here and they back me up every time when I say BEST FRIED CHICKEN EVER. It’s not a lie, it’s not an over-dramatization, it is the absolute truth, and even if you don’t like fried chicken you have to go and try it. Not only is their fried chicken delicious, literally everything on the menu is. Their mac & cheese, their ribs, burgers, anything, and everything is great, and they pour a heavy cocktail, no complaints there. 🙂
Sandbar
In addition to the best restaurant in The Bahamas (I am super biased), there are many other delicious restaurants in Spanish Wells, one of which I would consider the fried chicken runner-up! This would be the Sandbar, located on a beautiful beach, and serving up delicious Bahamian classics. This is a great spot to spend the day and enjoy great food with a beautiful view.
Wreckers
Wreckers is the place you go to have a few cocktails, hang with friends, and have a pizza or a snack. The food is all decent, but I would say you go for the vibes. There is a good mixture of locals and tourists, and everyone is having a good time. It’s usually busy and has high energy.
Shipyard
Serving up delicious locally caught fish and Bahamian dishes, this is another great spot with an epic view. You can’t go wrong here!
Put Spanish Wells on your bucket list, contact me if you need more suggestions or help with planning. I am always happy to share the best parts of The Bahamas with people willing to explore! Enjoy!