Island Hopping in Eleuthera

Winter weather getting the best of you? Let’s go island hopping in Eleuthera.

Eleuthera and Harbour Island are surrounded by a handful of islands and cays: perfect for an island hopping adventure. Blue waters connect them, unique animal encounters fill them, and the many secrets of low tide lay between them.

With seemingly endless pineapple fields to pink beaches to secluded coves and coasts, Eleuthera and Harbour Island define The Bahamas. The architecture and lifestyle on the island show the influence of the original settlers, British Loyalists from the 1700s.

This style has since been adopted by the other Bahamian islands, making Eleuthera and Harbour Island some of the most popular in the entire country. The islands continue to charm visitors with a tropical flair and a luxe vibe.

Comfort Cay

Comfort Cay is a rocky outcropping in North Eleuthera, the fourth most populated island of The Bahamas. Approximately 11,000 residents either fish or farm the rolling acres of pineapple plantations. Eleuthera is a mixed bag of isolated communities, well-developed resorts. The landscape is quite varied with rocky bluffs, low-lying wetlands, and massive coral reefs.

Pink Sands Beach

The almost indescribable pale pink color of the sand comes from microscopic coral insects, known as Foraminifera, which has a bright pink or red shell. Easily snorkel or swim near outlying reefs, which provide large areas of calm, shallow water.

Royal Island

Royal Island is a 430-acre island estate in the Bahamas, offering families and groups a unique and exquisitely private experience of this Caribbean paradise. The island features five stand-alone villas and a central beach club with resort amenities for guests of all ages, set amid pristine beaches and crystalline waters stretching as far as the eye can see.

Harbour Island

Harbour Island is chock-full of history and natural wonders. For a little bit of history, visit Loyalist Cottage, a wonderful example of loyalist architecture, Commissioner’s Residence built in 1913, St. John’s Anglican Church built in 1768, as well as the Chapel Street cemetery containing ancient graves. Or see a hidden overgrown 17t17th-century battery built by the English to defend the island at the southern end of Bay Street.

By Erin Brennan, Southern Boating January 2019

Monterey 385SE

Monterey developed a keeper in the outboard cruiser market with their Monterey 385SE (Super Express). The cockpit has plenty of space for entertaining and relaxing with wraparound, L-shape lounge seating (the transom seat can adjust into a sun lounger) and a fold-out seat in the starboard coaming.

A SureShade canopy is available that extends and stows electrically over the cockpit. A cupboard counter behind the helm seat has room for an optional grill, and a sink is set in the starboard passenger console with a refrigerator below. Under the passenger seat is a slide-out compartment for a cooler. The helm is well equipped and the split seat, each with a flip-up bolster, electrically adjusts fore and aft for legroom. A comfortable, double-wide berth and flat-panel TV is below deck on the starboard side, and a full head with shower is on the port side.

37’ LOA, 11’ beam

montereyboats.com

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Pursuit OS 385

The Pursuit OS 385 is the flagship model of the Pursuit’s offshore fleet. The OS 385 has all the comforts of home with a 360-degree view and is able to satisfy the serious fisherman. There are two different floor plans for below deck accommodations that feature a forward V-berth and double mid-berth, galley, full head with shower, and plenty of seating. Up top, the fully integrated hardtop and windshield are engineered to support an optional factory-built tower.

The 13-foot beam provides an expansive cockpit that has folding transom seats, molded entertainment center with sink and hot/cold mixing faucet, 64-quart refrigerator/freezer, air conditioning with reverse-cycle heat, grill, JBL Bluetooth-compatible audio system, and plenty of rod holders. The OS 385 is powered by triple Yamaha Digital F300 or F350 outboards with a Helm Master steering system.

39’2” LOA, 13’ beam

pursuitboats.com

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Sea Ray SLX 400 OB

From their award-winning SLX 400 comes Sea Ray’s SLX 400 OB. Moving the engines to an outboard version, the SLX 400 OB has triple 350-hp Mercury Verado engines with Joystick Piloting and plenty of open deck space, especially with the ingenious fold-down patio wing. There’s abundant seating from the bow to the salon to the transom’s forward/aft-facing lounge.

The starboard side power actuated fold-down terrace expands the swim platform. The hardtop on the Sea Ray SLX 400 OB has enclosed ceiling and courtesy lights as well as a retractable sunroof and canopy. The wet bar with a stainless-steel sink, faucet, and refrigerator along with the Fusion stereo system will help keep guests entertained. Accommodations include an aft queen berth and a V-berth along with a salon and enclosed head. Air conditioning and heating are powered by a low-emission 120V/60 cycle with remote start generator.

41’11 LOA 12’1 beam

searay.com

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MJM 53Z

The “largest outboard express cruiser ever” is set to launch in 2019. The MJM 53z is powered by quad Mercury Verados that can push the cruiser to 50 mph, and the Doug Zurn-designed hull keeps the boat stable at those higher speeds. The design offers the benefits of smaller sport boats—shallow draft, easy maintenance and easy handling around the docks—but has spacious living spaces on deck and below.

A spacious, two-cabin dual master suite layout with ensuite heads are standard and include large glass wall showers with seats. The flush bridge deck has an open feel with large, cushioned settees and moveable chairs, sliding safety glass side windows and powered windshields that open fully for fresh air or when closed, allow for a climate-controlled environment. The optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizer will keep guests stable at sea, and Joystick Piloting makes landings a breeze.

56’3” LOA, 15’ beam

mjmyachts.com