Glass Windows, Baths, Navy and Blue Holes

One of the things we enjoy about cruising on a sailboat in the Bahamas is the unusual sights we see as we travel from island to island. Four examples from the Eleuthera include:

Glass Window Bridge

(1)  The Glass Window Bridge is one of Eleuthera's more popular attractions.  It is one of nature's true wonders. It is one of the few places on earth where you can compare the rich blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean on one side of the road and the calm turquoise-green waters of the Exuma Sound on the other side, separated by a strip of land just 30 feet wide. The land here is high on both sides, falling away abruptly to nearly sea level, almost dividing the island in two. A bridge on its topside connects the northern and southern points of Eleuthera by a paved road. The bridge is man-made, which took the place of a natural rock bridge that was destroyed in years past by a hurricane.  We found it both fascinating and beautiful, but we were careful as we made our way out onto the bridge knowing that rogue waves have been know to unexpectedly sweep cars off the bridge, down the cliffs, and out to sea.

The Queen's Baths

(2) The Queen’s Baths or the Hot Tubs, is located a short distance south of the Glass Window Bridge on the rugged Atlantic side of Eleuthera.  These naturally formed pools were carved over the centuries by waves crashing over the rocks.  We found the pools filled with shells and small sea life that are washed in from the Atlantic Ocean.  Once settled, the crystal clear water is warmed by the sun, creating a bath like temperature tidal pool that’s perfect for soaking.  We arrived in the early morning hours of the day, so the waters felt cool, and not conducive to soaking. However, we did find the pools of water interesting and the nearby rock formations fascinatingly rugged.

Peggy in the Brig

(3) The history of the United States Naval Facility on Eleuthera began in November 1950 when Western Electric built a Sound Surveillance System to track Soviet submarines in the Atlantic Ocean. Originally, the only buildings on the site were a wooden Western Electric Laboratory, a wooden generator building, and a tent that was the communications center. By December 1950, five Quonset huts were constructed. Then in February 1952, the Navy became interested in setting up a guided missile range and tracking program on the island -- think Cuban Missile Crisis. Between 1952 and 1953, a SeaBee crew set up five “green huts,” so a Galley, a Mess Deck, and an Administration Building shortly followed. The communications equipment was also upgraded. In September of 1957, the base was officially opened. 

Navy Enlisted Men's Barracks

By then, the facility was much larger accommodating 150 officers and enlisted men. The base was designated the United States Naval Facility, Eleuthera, or NAVFAC. During this time, the Eleuthera Auxilliary Air Force Base (AAFB) began operations and was the location of the United States Air Force Eastern Test Range (ETR), or Atlantic Missile Range. The AAFB was used for long-range monitoring of rocket and guided missile launches, controlled targets, drones, satellites, and lunar probes for the Navy, Air Force, and Army -- all "hush, hush. top secret stuff".  On March 31, 1980, the base was decommissioned by the United States government because they were unable to agree to favorable lease renewal terms for the land the base was located on with the Bahamian government. And so it sits, quietly going decrepit for all of these years, just waiting for Peggy and me to show up to rummage through and explore these old buildings.

Rock Sound Ocean Hole

(4) The world-renowned blue hole is an inland ocean hole located on the southern end of Rock

Rock Sound Ocean Hole

Sound, Eleuthera. People often drink and bathe in its brackish water, as it is rumored to have healing powers. A seemingly bottomless 600 foot deep natural limestone formation, it is said to have been explored by Jacques Cousteau. Ocean Hole is filled with tropical fish and turtles who sidle up and greeted us as we fed them bread and swam around. 

But, we continually looked down into the darkness wondering what was lurking far below us.  The fish that live in Ocean Hole were caught and put there by local residents. You can also see a variety of local bird species nesting in the surrounding hardwood trees.


We found Eleuthera to be an interesting place to visit and are glad we were able to spend time here.

Until net time, fair winds

Check out this sign we found posted at the Base's Chapel