The Bo-Hengy fast ferry entering Spanish Wells Harbor

Boat with shredded sail anchoring near Spanish Wells

Spanish Wells

Spanish Wells

Harbor entrance at Spanish Wells

Spanish Wells Harbor entrance

Fishing boats

Fuel dock in Spanish Wells

Fishing boat

Harborside in Spanish Wells

Spanish Wells

By Jennifer

Spanish Wells, unlike most of the Bahamas, has its own unique history. This is evident when you come upon the island and, by stark contrast to most of the Bahamas, it is highly developed. The people who live on Spanish Wells are direct descendents of English Puritans called Eleutheran Adventurers. They set out from England in 1648 seeking religious freedom. One hundred and fifty seven Eleutheran Adventurers came ashore after wrecking their ship on the “Devil’s Backbone,” a stretch of ragged coral reefs. They lived in caves on the northern tip of Eleuthera for two years before 57 of them left to Spanish Wells and another 100 left to nearby Harbor Island.

Today, Spanish Wells is a thriving commercial fishing ground, the Bahamian capital of lobster fishing. The Spanish Wellsians have an unusual accent — sounds sometimes British and sometimes Bahamian.