You don’t visit Spanish Wells for the raging nightlife or crowded beaches, but for the tranquility and full relaxation of being on a small island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. This two mile long by half a mile wide haven off the eastern coast of North Eleuthera hosts nearly 1800 year-round inhabitants and long stretches of secluded, white sand beaches.
We recently visited on a family trip and after seven days were already planning our trip back to the island for the the remote beaches, friendly locals, and pleasant year-round weather.
HOW TO GET TO SPANISH WELLS
On a map, you could easily miss Spanish Wells. It sits off the eastern coast of the long and skinny, sliver-of-a-moon island called Eleuthera.
If you’re traveling from anywhere other than the Gulf Coast, plan for a whole day of travel. We connected from Montana, Utah, and Spain, each flying through Florida or Georgia to get to Nassua.
It’s possible to fly directly to North Eleuthera Airport (the closest option), but you’ll pay quite a bit more for the direct option. After factoring in the ferry coast, or the additional flight on Pineapple Air, it might be worth it to spring for a direct flight. Less hassle, and generally about $100 more.
From Nassau there are two options to Spanish Wells: take the once-a-day ferry at 8:00am, or book a hopper flight from Nassau to North Eleuthera on Pineapple Air. Tickets will likely be around $150 roundtrip. Make sure you flight times line up!
The last flight of the day for Pineapple Air leaves at 3:45pm, which means your flight must land in the Bahamas in time to deplane, go through customs, collect your bags, and change terminals. My brother and sister-in-law flew in around 12pm and it took them an hour and a half to get to their next gate.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SPANISH WELLS
We were in Spanish Wells towards the end of December and had low luck with weather. Although the temperatures were much higher than Salt Lake (upwards of 70-degrees), we experienced high winds and breezy, overcast days.
This isn’t typical of Spanish Wells! The day after we left, the forecast changed to 10-days of 80-degrees and full sun.
In the Bahamas, visitors have the best weather from November-April with temperate warm days and low rain.
From May-October, they experience the rainy season, which is also when most tropical storms batter the island. Other than bad weather, those months are also the hottest and most humid, so if possible, try to plan your vacation for late fall, winter, or early spring.
WHERE TO STAY IN SPANISH WELLS
Since Spanish Wells isn’t a hopping tourist destination, there’s only one hotel on the island: Spanish Wells Yacht Haven. The rooms here are nice and spacious, plus there’s a restaurant on site (with a Starbucks if that’s your thing).
We decided to rent an AirBnb for our time on the island, and it’s by far one of the most adorable places I’ve ever stayed.
Tippy’s Cottage By The Sea has more than enough room for the six of us to play games, eat, and relax. Other than the entryway, the house is spacious, and if you open all six french doors onto the balcony the space doubles.
If you don’t need a space that large, there are plenty of other options on Airbnb for Spanish Wells and Russell Island. You can use this link to save $30 on your first booking of $75 or more.
As Spanish Wells doesn’t have much in terms of tourist attractions, it’s worth it to book an Airbnb and have a place to call “home” for the week. Relaxation really is the priority here.
Transportation Around Spanish Wells and Russell Island
It’s a little goofy, but golf carts are the go-to mode of transportation in Spanish Wells. We drove past quite a few souped-up golf carts bumping club music and shuttling friends around.
There are two golf cart rental agencies:
Harbourside Rentals
242-333-5022
Rentals@harboursidebahamas.com
JJ’s Golf Cart Rentals
(242) 333-4575
rdt@coralwave.com
We rented through JJ’s Golf Cart Rentals, and I’d highly recommend. They met us at the ferry dock, and when we dropped off the cart at the end of our week, we were instructed to leave the keys in the ignition and they’d take care of the rest.
It seemed like the most common golf cart rentals were for two or four people, but we were able to rent a six-seater, and saw an eight-seater twice. So if you’re looking to rent one cart for the entire family, you have options.
With only 4 square miles of island, it’s possible to walk or bike to the grocery store, restaurants, liquor store, and the multiple fish charter guiding companies on the island.
Finding Food in Spanish Wells and Russell Island
Grocery stores (and most other businesses) are closed on Sunday, so keep that in mind as you make plans for the week.
If you’re staying in Spanish Wells for a week or more, you’ll likely want to make your own meals. The dining options are expensive, and often offer the same or very similar menus. After a while, fried fish can taste a little, well, fried.
Grocery Stores & Liquor in Spanish Wells
There’s one grocery store on the island called Food Fair. It generally has everything you need, but be prepared for escalated prices. If you’re on a budget, bring basic pantry items from home by making a meal plan ahead of time to see what you can take with you (like bread, tortillas, rice, etc).
There’s a mini-mart a few blocks down from Food Fair that has basic essentials if you’re in a pinch. The mini-mart is open seven days a week and will hold you over if you’ve run out of toilet paper, milk, pasta, and the like.
Budda’s Liquor has a quality selection of booze from hard liquor to beer to a pretty wide selection of wine. The prices aren’t too far off from the mainland: we bought a bottle of mango rum for $18 (and it was delicious!).
There’s another liquor store just down the street from Budda’s called Discount Liquor. We didn’t go in, but good to know if you’re looking for something Budda’s doesn’t have, you might be able to find it there.
Eating Out in Spanish Wells
The Sandbar
I recommend going for drinks and appetizers for sunset. The private beach just beyond the tables (and hammocks) feels so special, especially as the sky changes color from blue to pink and purple, orange and yellow.
The food you’ll find at The Sandbar mirrors the food options across the islands: fried fish, fried conch, fried pickles (delicious, especially the sauce), and a few beef options if you’ve had fish too many meals in a row. If that’s possible.
Shipyard
We ate dinner one night at Shipyard, right on the eastern tip of the island. Our waiter sat us on the patio, next to the seemingly endless expanse of the Caribbean Sea and star speckled sky. Try the lobster mac–it’ll make your mouth water as you eat it.
Wreckers Restaurant at Yacht Haven
If you have a Starbucks addiction, this is the only place on the island to satisfy it! They don’t offer all flavor or milk options, but they blend frappuccinos, and serve espresso, which is all I’m ever after.
Wreckers offers a decent food selection. We went for drinks and lunch one afternoon, and the salmon patties were the perfect consistency as an appetizer. On our last morning in Spanish Wells, we came for breakfast. Try the salmon eggs benedict or the egg and cheese sandwich on Johnny Cakes–a popular thick pancake like english muffin.
Plan Your Trip Now
If you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation, Spanish Wells is the quiet, relaxing respite you seek. Bookend your vacation with a few nights in Nassau (we toured the Atlantis which is like it’s own beach resort, and if you have the budget, I’d highly recommend!), for more beaches and little more nightlife.
Freedom in Motion 