Luxury in the Bahamas

Inside The Cove, Eleuthera’s secluded paradise  

As someone who travels for a living, it’s not always easy to find a location that still feels undiscovered. While I love getting to rub shoulders with other jetsetters during happy hour, there’s something to be said for really getting away and enjoying a secluded shore. Enter The Cove, set in Eleuthera, one of the Bahamas’ most underrated islands.  

Named by English colonists, Eleuthera takes its name from the Greek word eleutheros, signifying “freedom or liberty.” Situated away from the crowded tourist hubs of the Bahamas, Eleuthera is still a little unrefined around the edges, but in all the best ways. Missing are the high-rise resorts and mega cruise-ship ports you may see on other islands, and Eleuthera’s calling cards are its white sand beaches, pineapple fields, and unhurried pace.

If you’d like to wander off the resort, there are several ways to explore the rest of Eleuthera.

How to get here 
Travelers have two main entry points into Eleuthera: North Eleuthera Airport or Governor’s Harbour Airport. Direct daily flights are available from major U.S. hubs, including Miami, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale, primarily via American Airlines and Delta. You could also make Eleuthera a stopover from Nassau and take a short connecting flight with a regional carrier like Bahamas Air. Regardless of your arrival point, expect most accommodations, including The Cove in my case, to be less than a 30-minute drive from the airport.

Where to stay 
The Cove lies in the heart of Eleuthera and redefines secluded luxury. Upon arrival, I was met by resort managers Nick and Sally Copper, who made me feel like I was coming home and not just a first-time visitor. I was quickly settled into a king-sized suite with a direct view of the South Beach, one of the resort’s two secluded coves. The suite’s coastal details were a masterclass in contemporary coastal design: crisp navy-and-white bed linens, soaring cathedral ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling shutters that opened to the palm-framed cove. 

After unpacking, my next stops were the casual, poolside Gregory Town Grill for a roasted butternut squash salad and a dip in the resort’s cliffside infinity pool. The rest of my weekend was mostly spent alternating between the two coves, reading on a beach lounger, and meandering through the property’s mile-long nature walk. Afternoons ushered in happy hour drinks at the Point Bar, which led into dinner at the Freedom Restaurant and Sushi Bar, where I enjoyed a sumptuous Caribbean curry red snapper entree. 

It was just a few days, but it would have been easy to spend another week (or more) to continue my languid island routine: rising for coffee on my private patio and leisurely puttering around the resort. I did, though, manage to pull myself away from the resort for some local exploration. 

What to do
If you’d like to wander off the resort, there are several ways to explore the rest of Elethuera. This 110-mile island is only a mile wide, so you’re never far from the beach. To explore by land, The Cove offers curated excursions, such as off-road biking through nearby pineapple fields or exploring natural attractions like Hatchet Bay Cave and the sunken craters of the Queen’s Bath. On the water, the resort can arrange excursions to explore Eleuthera’s best fishing holes or visit the island’s famed Surfer’s Beach.

Another can’t-miss excursion is visiting next-door Harbour Island. One of the Bahamas’ most charming islands is only a five-minute boat ride away. Rent a golf cart and spend the afternoon careening past the pastel colored cottages and million-dollar second homes. Then, enjoy a scenic lunch at the Blue Bar & Kitchen Restaurant at Pink Sands Resort, known for its Bahamian lobster sandwich and stunning views of the coral-hued beach. For a different atmosphere, try The Dunmore. This exclusive resort, styled like a 1960s country club, features The Clubhouse restaurant, famous for serving spicy local ceviche.

The Bahamas, A Different Way 
I’ve been to the Bahamas nearly a dozen times, and each island offers something a little different, depending on your travel style. For those days when you crave nothing short of sophisticated silence and luxury, Eleuthera and its private retreat, The Cove, delivers restorative bliss.

Photos: The Cove Eleuthera