Spanish Wells Guide
Daniel Mode
Daniel Mode
Laura Schulthies
Laura SchulthiesSpanish Wells is a charming small island hidden among the uninhabited cays on the archipelago of the Bahamas. Set among the swaying palms of St. George’s Cay just off the northern tip of Eleuthera, this hidden gem is the commercial fishing capital of the Bahamas. The close neighbor of Harbour Island, Spanish Wells is best known for its quiet island lifestyle. The idyllic coastline offers several stunning sandbars and beaches just waiting to be explored. The island is also known for its friendly locals, lack of large resorts and cars, and more authentic experiences. Our Spanish Wells visitors guide provides everything you need to know to have an incredible island getaway.
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Contents
A Bit Of History
The tiny island of Spanish Wells was settled by English Puritans in the 1600s who were fleeing religious persecution. Eventually, the island became a stopping place for Spanish sailors who renewed their water supply, and among them was the legendary explorer who searched for the Fountain of Youth, Ponce de Leon. The Spanish began using the island to renew their water supplies during the 16th century, which is when it became known as Spanish Wells.
Spanish Wells Today
Imagine streets lined with colorful homes and front yards that showcase quirky landscapes filled with conch shells and fun baubles. Today, Spanish Wells is known for its fantastic fishing experiences, vibrant culture, and pristine beaches on the island. This is an island where the simple pleasures in life abound. You’ll find plenty of farmer’s markets with fresh produce, a local art gallery, and delicious island-made baked goods as you explore. What you won’t find here are large resorts, rental cars everywhere, or tons of tourists. Somehow, this hidden gem has remained essentially unchanged over time.
Is Spanish Wells Safe?
Due to its small size, Spanish Wells is very safe in terms of crime compared to other areas in the Bahamas. Most crimes reported in Spanish Wells are minor incidents such as petty thefts. Violent crimes are incredibly rare on the island. However, we always recommend that you use caution and avoid non-tourist areas when alone or after dark.
Where are The Bahamas?
click map to enlarge
The Bahamas are an archipelago of more than 3,000 islands, cays, and islets that stretch over 500 miles in the West Indies area of the Atlantic Ocean.
The island nation is located north of Cuba, northwest of the Dominican Republic and the Turks & Caicos, and southeast of Florida.
Bahamas Map
When Is Spanish Wells Hurricane Season?
Spanish Wells hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak months being August, September, and October. The risk of hurricanes hitting Spanish Wells has increased in the past few years, but they are unpredictable and not a guarantee even during peak season. Hurricanes are infrequent in Spanish Wells, and when one does come, satellite forecasts generally give adequate advance warning. Be sure to check weather reports before your trip, and we always recommend getting travel insurance during these months just in case of inclement weather.
How To Get To Spanish Wells
The easy accessibility of Spanish Wells may surprise you!
By Air
The closest airport to Spanish Wells is North Eleuthera (ELH). The airport offers flights daily from Miami and Nassau. You can also fly into Nassau (NAS), which provides more options in terms of flight times and is a bit more convenient since it’s a larger airport.
You’ll need to take a short taxi ride from either airport and hop on a ferry to reach Spanish Wells, but it’s worth the journey!
We recommend searching for flight deals on Kayak which now includes Southwest Airlines pricing, so you can compare ALL airlines in one place!
By Ferry
Getting to Spanish Wells requires a ferry ride on the Bahamas Ferries. Ferry rides depart from Nassau and take around 2 hours. You can find the ferry schedules here. Generally, it costs about $135 USD per person if you aren’t taking a car with you. Keep in mind that the ferry operated on weekends only from Friday through Sunday.
Be advised that the ferry schedule is subject to change due to adverse weather, which happens a bit more often during the warmer summer months.
By Water Taxi
If you’re flying into North Eleuthera Airport, the water taxi is the easiest and most affordable way to reach Spanish Wells, and it’s how the locals do it!
After landing at North Eleuthera Airport (ELH), you’ll take a short taxi ride to Gene’s Bay Dock, where water taxis make the quick hop across to Spanish Wells throughout the day. The whole journey takes just 20 to 30 minutes.
At Gene’s Bay Dock, water taxis depart every 15 to 30 minutes or whenever there are enough passengers. The ride to Spanish Wells costs around $5 to $8 per person each way. No reservations needed, just show up and hop on!
Golf Cart Rental
Spanish Wells is small enough to walk or bike to most destinations easily. However, the most popular mode of transportation on the island is golf carts. You can easily rent a cart from Harbourside Rental and Gift Shop for $40 per day or $225 per week for a two-seater golf cart. There are a variety of options in golf carts ranging from two-seaters to eight-seaters and everything in between.
Things To Do In Spanish Wells
Spanish Wells's Top Highlights
Here are just a few of the activities to enjoy on Spanish Wells.
1. Relax On The Stunning Beaches
Spanish Wells is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Bahamas. The powdery white sand gives way to turquoise waters and stunning Bahamian sunshine.
Of course, Spanish Wells Beach is magnificent, with smooth dunes and a peaceful vibe. It’s the perfect place for families to explore and splash in the calm waters. It’s also a great place to learn to surf!
Russell Island Beach is on nearby Russell Island, and its pristine dusty pink sands, crystal clear, calm waters make this beach an excellent snorkeling spot.
2. Check Out The Spanish Wells Museum
Head to the Spanish Wells Museum on Leo Pinder Street to learn more about the island’s exciting history. This museum pays tribute to the Bahamas and features ancient relics from pre-Columbian history including Lucayan tools and pottery representing the ancient civilization. The entry fee is $10, but learning more about Spanish Wells and Bahamian culture is well worth it.
3. Try Your Hand At Fishing
One of the most popular activities on Spanish Wells is fishing. Whether you’re looking for deep-sea, bonefishing, or lobster fishing, the island has it all!
Bonefishing is particularly exciting in Spanish Wells, as it’s one of the few places you’ll find trophy-size bonefish. The average fish is around 4 to 6 pounds, but you’ll quickly see bonefish topping 10 to 15 pounds off the coast of Spanish Wells. Check out this epic Spanish Wells bonefishing tour guided by Captain Experiences.
With the highly regarded Spanish Wells Fishing, you’ll find everything from offshore fishing to boat tours. You can deep-sea fish for blue marlin and yellowfin tuna, or try your hand reef fishing for triggerfish, barracuda, and yellowtail snapper.
4. Enjoy The Water
Spanish Wells offers various water adventures that are perfect for any skill level. Whether you want to explore sandbars at low tide, go cliff diving, swim with turtles, or relax on an overwater rope swing, Spanish Wells has a water activity for everyone.
If you don’t want to go it alone, you can use companies like top-rated Spanish Wells SeaVentures Excursions to have an excellent water adventure. Choose from several fun day trips on the water, including snorkeling at the colorful coral reefs, looking for sea turtles, beach hopping, or lobstering, available from August 1 through March 31.
5. Explore The Devil's Backbone
The Devil’s Backbone is a beautiful barrier reef that stretches from Spanish Wells to the northeast portion of Eleuthera. It has ripped the bottom out of more vessels than any other reef in the country, leaving them to settle atop the stunningly sharp coral. Known as a snorkeler’s paradise, the Devil’s Backbone is just waiting to be explored. While diving or snorkeling the devil’s backbone, you’ll encounter vibrant snapper, parrotfish, angelfish, stingrays, and moray eels among the colorful coral formations.
6. Swim With The Spanish Wells Pigs
The newly introduced pigs of Spanish Wells are more easily accessible than their neighboring cousins in The Exumas of the Bahama. Pig Beach is home to a herd of pigs who enjoy swimming in the crystal blue waters off the coast of Spanish Wells, and who can blame them? You’ll often find them sunning themselves on the beach.
Spanish Wells Fishing offers a Swim With The Pigs package that provides the perfect morning or afternoon adventure with the pigs.
Or you can take this Swimming With The Pigs adventure with Bahamas Ocean Safaris, where you can spend an hour or an afternoon swimming with your new friends.
Where To Stay In Spanish Wells
The Best Hotels & Resorts In Spanish Wells Bahamas
Spanish Wells Yacht Haven & Resort
Price: $$$ Average Reviews: 4/5
Located right on the harbor, the Spanish Wells Yacht Haven & Resort offers stunning views and easy access to the beach. This boutique hotel provides various accommodation options, including standard guest rooms, a villa, and a 30-slip all-weather marina. Each room offers Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy down pillows, and a terrace overlooking the pool and marina. Enjoy the swimming pool, Wreckers Restaurant & Bar, and laundry facilities. The front desk can even arrange your golf cart rental during your stay.
Howard Beach House
Price: $$$$ Average Reviews: 5/5
Howard Beach House is right on Northside Beach, a serene stretch of sand you’ll need to see to believe. With plenty of privacy, this vacation rental allows you to be lulled to sleep by the sound of ocean waves. Does it get any better? If you’re looking for more space, this 4-bedroom and 4-bathroom beach rental can comfortably sleep 6 to 8, which is fantastic for larger families or groups. Additional amenities include a 2 person kayak, snorkeling gear, and a charcoal grill.
Where To Eat In Spanish Wells
The Best Restaurants In Spanish Wells Bahamas
Eagle's Landing
For a quick bite, head to Eagle’s Landing! You’ll love the homey feel as you dine on American favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Try the Johnny Cakes for breakfast, or grab a quick lunch of conch fritters and a prime rib sub. Dinner offerings change, but try the Prime Rib with Bahamian Peas and Rice if available. Leave room for their fantastic ice cream for dessert; Baja Chocolate and Coconut Pineapple are a few favorite flavors.
Buddha's Snack Shack
Buddha’s Snack Shack is a hidden hole-in-the-wall restaurant where the kitchen is in an old school bus. It’s known for having some of the best fried chicken on the island, phenomenal mac & cheese, and tasty burgers. The shack is in a great location to grab a a quick bite before or after a boat ride. Try the conch fritters or fried chicken, and wash it down with a Bahamian favorite, the Goombay Smash or the restaurant’s signature Dizzy Buddha!
Wreckers Restaurant & Bar
Wreckers is the place you go on Spanish Wells to have a few cocktails, hang out with friends, and have a light snack or savory pizza. Dine with a scenic view of the harbor and a great mix of locals and tourists thanks to the location in Spanish Wells Yacht Haven & Marina. The restaurant serves Mediterranean and Bahamian cuisine, like crushed conch and a grilled mahi-mahi tacos. Try the Devil’s Backbone cocktail, a frozen pina colada, or Wrecker’s ice-cold beer, and enjoy the stunning views!
Sandbar Bar & Grill
You won’t find a better spot to sip cocktails on a beautiful beach while dining on classic Bahamian fare. Often touted as one of the best restaurants on the island, you can’t beat the atmosphere at Sandbar Bar & Grill. Make sure to try the fish tacos and tuna banh mi burger. Sandbar also has some of the best cocktails on the island, so grab a frozen drink and relax in paradise. Keep in mind that Sandbar is located on the far side of the connected Russell Island.
The Shipyard Restaurant & Bar
If you’re looking for fine waterfront dining on Spanish Wells, you can’t miss the dining experience at The Shipyard. Serving up delicious locally caught fish and Bahamian dishes with a twist, The Shipyard offers an epic view to go with your delicious food. Popular dishes include sticky cracked conch and traditional Bahamian stew fish. Make sure to leave room for the delectable homemade key lime pie. Check out The Shipyard in the evening, when you’ll often find fantastic local bands and live DJs.
What To Pack For Your Trip!
The Caribbean is an enchanting wonderland of relaxation and adventure, one can easily have the trip of a lifetime here. Packing for such a vacation shouldn’t be hard, so we’ve put together a checklist to help you pack and included some of our favorites as well. Check out our What To Pack For Your Trip Guide.
Check out our guide for what to bring on your Caribbean vacation!
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