While pumpkin concoctions are still in full force, invading restaurant menus across the U.S., it’s not too early to dream of a sunny escape from the throes of winter, is it?

Here at Travel Off Path, we certainly don’t think so. We’re huge fans of traversing the globe each and every season, and even embrace winter wonderlands.

But there’s no denying most travelers are looking to escape scraping ice off their windshields and having to bundle up every day, and there’s no better place for a reliable sunny escape than The Bahamas.

So close, yet so far, this Caribbean island nation is the perfect vacation spot to make use of your passport come wintertime.

With the addition of a new flight to perhaps the Bahamas’ most underrated island this holiday season, Americans can now fly nonstop from 4 major U.S. cities.

100+ Miles Of Overlooked Coastline

When you hear friends or family say they’re jetting off to The Bahamas, chances are they haven’t mentioned Eleuthera.

More often, you hear of Nassau, the vibrant capital city and the most accessible gateway to this Caribbean country of over 700 individual islands.

Slowly but surely, Eleuthera is gaining steam. If more travelers knew it existed, it would become a success overnight faster than Twista could rap about it.

Located roughly 60 miles east of Nassau, it’s too far for a day trip, hence the “hidden gem” status.

But if you fly here directly, you won’t regret passing Nassau by. You’ll find a sliver of paradise with unbelievably pristine beaches ranging from gleaming white sand to seemingly untouched coves with a rush of turquoise waves.

Better yet, you won’t be sacrificing luxury. There are ample beachside stays lining the tip-top of this barrier known as North Eleuthera and more seclusion on the south side, where Cape Eleuthera Resort & Marina is the ultimate hideaway.

More Than Meets The Eye: Don’t Skip Harbour Island!

Not that lounging at glamorous resorts gets old, especially if you splurge on yourself, but adventure awaits no matter where you are in the Caribbean

If you do want to tap into your adventurous side, Eleuthera is also known for being an easy gateway by ferry to its pint-sized neighbor Harbour Island, where you’ll find pin sand beaches.

Perfect for a weekend getaway add-on or even an epic day trip, there are plenty of thrilling excursions to book while here, or you can opt to make your base here as there are even more resorts here than the island of Eleuthera.

We’ve all seen it, so it’s no surprise the famous swimming pigs are the top-rated must-do attraction on TripAdvisor‘s latest rankings.

As for the best place to stay, Harbour Island isn’t lacking luxury with nightly rates commonly touching 4 figures, whether it be the 5-star Dunmore Hotel, Pink Sands Resort, among others.

Bahamasair’s Launching New Flight To North Eleuthera (ELH)

If you’re looking for the best excuse to not make Thanksgiving dinner to hear your crazy uncle’s same recycled story again, let them know Bahamasair had other plans for you.

Set to launch November 23rd (4 days before Thanksgiving this year), the flagship carrier of The Bahamas is welcoming a new U.S. route for an easy hop across the Caribbean.

Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is the big winner for the new journey to Eleuthera, but Americans have a few other options as well.

Though since this is the latest route, Bahamasair is giving its passengers an early Christmas present with very reasonably priced promotional fares of just $316 (round-trip).

You’ll want to score these while you can, as this will be a seasonal route only offered every Wednesday and Sunday just past the turn of the calendar, ending January 4th.

According to FlightConnections, Americans can now fly nonstop to North Eleuthera (ELH) from 4 U.S. cities:

• Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – Bahamasair
• Atlanta (ATL) – Delta Air Lines
• Charlotte (CLT) – American Airlines
• Miami (MIA) – American Airlines

For what it’s worth, those unfamiliar with Bahamasair may like to know it’s a certified 3-star airline and holds a perfect 7/7 safety rating on AirlineRatings.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.