The dirt path between rows of raised beds on Eleuthera cuts through 203 planting plots — bok choi, chard, beet, watermelon, starfruit, tomato, banana, and mamey — before opening onto a view of the Atlantic. This is The Farm, part of Ben Simmons’s Little Island Hotels, and it’s the kind of place that rewires how you think about a Bahamas morning. Ben and his wife Charlie developed the farm on an 11-acre site inherited through his Bahamian father, under a commonage plan available to descendants of those who fought the Spanish in the early 17th century.
This article covers what a morning here actually looks like — how the farm tour works, where to eat afterward, and what to know before you go. It’s suited for anyone staying on Eleuthera or Harbour Island who wants a real, hands-on experience that goes beyond the beach.
203 raised beds grow bok choi, chard, beet, watermelon, starfruit, tomato, banana, mamey, and avocado — all within sight of the Atlantic.
A morning at The Farm is one of the most grounded things you can do in the Out Islands — but it’s designed for hotel guests first, so non-guests need to book lunch to get onto the property. Worth the effort, but plan ahead.
Families with kids who like animals and plants
Couples wanting a low-key, non-touristy morning
Solo travellers interested in regenerative travel
| Activity | Skill Level | Cost | Duration | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Farm Tour at The Farm, Eleuthera | Easy — walking on level ground | Free for guests; lunch for non-guests from ~$30–50 | 1–2 hours for the tour | Arrive by 9 a.m. to catch the coolest part of the day and see the chickens before they retreat to shade |
The Farm Tour: Where Breakfast Learns Your Name
Ben Simmons meets guests near the line of Tabebuia trees that leads to the ice-blue swimming pool. The tour starts at the chicken coop — where a handful of recuperating hens (who once attacked a duck) produce the eggs served at breakfast a few yards away. From there, the path winds through the 203 beds, each one marked with whatever is in season.
If you’re staying at The Farm or The Other Side, the tour is included. Non-guests can book lunch at littleislandhotels.com — the only way to access the property without a room reservation. Lunch is popular with neighbouring resort owners, so slots fill a few days out.
The farm sits on Eleuthera, about five minutes by speedboat from Harbour Island. Aim for a 9 a.m. start — the heat builds fast, and the raised beds offer limited shade. The property runs on solar power, so mornings feel quiet and unhurried.
Ben points out the 53 fruit trees and 143 planted beds — mango, banana, avocado, cherry, starfruit, plus vegetables like bok choi, chard, and beet. The tour takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Kids can help pickcherry tomatoes or spot the ducks. Lily and Ethan spent most of the time crouched over the strawberry patch, checking for ripe ones.
After the tour, breakfast is served at a long table near the kitchen. The eggs come from those recuperating chickens, paired with tomato, rocket pesto, and garden greens. The menu changes daily based on what’s ripe. Half the cocktail list is alcohol-free, including a Dark But Not So Stormy that Lily asked for seconds of.
Ask Ben to show you the mamey tree — it looks like a large green avocado and tastes like a sweet potato crossed with a pumpkin. Most visitors walk right past it.
Lunch at The Other Side: Farm-to-Fork, Literally
After the tour, the natural next stop is The Other Side, Ben’s 12-room property on Eleuthera that opened in 2016. It’s a five-minute walk from the farm, and the waterfront restaurant is open to non-guests for lunch by reservation. Chef Tiara Cash leads the kitchen, pulling microgreens and herbs from the same beds you just walked through.
For a heartier option, dinner at The Other Side includes an Asparagus Tart with Tomato Salsa Microgreens & Pesto, Cauliflower and Mango Roasted Chickpea Salad, Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb, and Rum BBQ Ribs with Bahamian Mac & Cheese. All vegetable dishes are available as alternatives. On Sundays, a long table for 50–60 guests draws locals, visitors, and the occasional celebrity — fish and grits is the regional specialty that day.
Reserve lunch at least two days ahead — the restaurant is small and word has spread. Non-guests are welcome, but the lunch slot is the only way to access the property without a room key.
Beyond the Farm: Harbour Island and the Pink Sand Coast
If you have the afternoon free, Guest Experience Concierge Allie Saunders can arrange a boat transfer to Harbour Island — five minutes by speedboat — for bone fishing, horseback riding, or a stroll through Dunmore Town. The island’s pink sand beaches are a short walk from the dock, and the tidal pools at the north end are worth a look at low tide.
For guests who prefer to stay on Eleuthera, SUVs are available for self-guided exploration of the island’s secret swimming holes and cliff-jumping spots, or a drive to Gregory Town for the island’s famous pineapple stands. If you’re interested in picking up a piece of the island to take home, shopping for authentic Bahamian art is a solid afternoon plan.
The boat to Harbour Island can be cancelled at short notice if wind picks up. Have a backup plan — the farm’s pool and a book are a pretty good consolation prize.
Planning Your Farm Visit on Eleuthera
Getting to Eleuthera means flying into North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) from Nassau or Miami, then a short taxi or shuttle to the property. The Farm is about 15 minutes from the airport by road. If you’re coming from Harbour Island, the speedboat transfer is arranged through the hotel.
What to bring
Lightweight long sleeves and a hat for the morning sun — the raised beds have no shade cover. Closed-toe shoes are fine for the farm path, but sandals work too if you don’t mind a little dust. A camera is worth carrying: the contrast between the green beds and the blue Atlantic is striking. If you’re planning to capture the farm from above, a compact drone like the DJI Mini 3 is light enough to pack in a day bag and quiet enough not to disturb the chickens.
Booking windows
Lunch for non-guests should be booked at least two days ahead through the Little Island Hotels website. If you’re staying at The Farm or The Other Side, the tour is included and no separate booking is needed — just show up at the farm after breakfast. The Sunday long table dinner is open to guests and sometimes to non-guests if space allows; ask at check-in.
Where to stay
The Farm has 12 simple rooms set among the beds, with Tabebuia trees lining the central avenue. The Other Side offers canvas-and-wood rooms — four categories, from 800 to 400 square feet, with ocean views. If you’re still weighing which side of the island to sleep on, this interactive map of Eleuthera’s hotels and rentals makes it easier to compare against the beach or the trailhead.
| Option | Setting | Room Count | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Farm | Among the raised beds, poolside | 12 | Guests who want to wake up steps from the garden |
| The Other Side | Oceanfront, five minutes from the farm | 12 | Guests who want beach access plus farm access |
| Ocean View Club | Harbour Island, five minutes by speedboat | 13 | Guests who want village life with farm day trips |
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Before You Go: Eleuthera Farm Visit Questions Answered
Can you visit the farm without staying at the hotel?
Yes, but only by booking lunch at The Other Side. The property isn’t open for drop-in visits. Lunch reservations are your entry ticket, and they include access to the farm and the pool area.
Non-guests should book at least two days ahead through the Little Island Hotels website. Walk-ins aren’t accepted, and the kitchen can only accommodate about 20–25 covers per lunch service.
Is the farm tour suitable for young children?
Yes — the paths are flat, the pace is slow, and kids can touch the plants and feed the chickens. Lily and Ethan spent most of the time picking things rather than just looking, which held their attention far longer than a standard garden tour.
The only watch-out is the sun: there’s no shade over the beds, so bring hats and sunscreen for little ones. A 9 a.m. start keeps the worst of the heat at bay.
What happens if it rains?
The farm tour runs in light rain — the paths are dirt, so they get muddy but not impassable. In heavier tropical downpours, Ben usually switches to a covered walk-through of the greenhouse and then heads straight to breakfast.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in late summer, which is another reason to book a morning slot. If you’re staying at the property, the ice-blue pool is a fine backup.
Is the food really farm-to-table?
Yes — the kitchen pulls from the 203 beds directly. Eggs from the chickens, herbs from the greenhouse, fruit from the 53 trees. The menu changes daily based on what’s ripe, so you won’t see a printed menu until you sit down.
The only exception is seafood, which comes from local fishermen. The grouper with microgreens and coriander aioli is a standout if it’s on the board when you visit.
One Morning That Shifts Your Whole Trip
What makes a morning at The Farm stick is not the novelty of seeing vegetables grow — it’s the way the place slows you down without trying. You walk the beds, you eat what was picked an hour ago, and you realize that the rest of your Bahamas trip suddenly feels different. For anyone looking to balance beach time with something that feels rooted, this is the kind of detour that redefines a vacation. If you’re planning a broader Out Islands trip, exploring Nassau’s coastline on horseback pairs well with the quiet rhythm of Eleuthera.
References
CN Traveller. “This family-run farm stay is showing guests the best of the Bahamas.” CN Traveller, 2025. ↗
Forbes. “2 Hidden Gem Small Hotels to Discover on the Bahamas Island Eleuthera.” Forbes, 2025. ↗
If you’re still building your Bahamas itinerary, a few of our other guides fill in the gaps around this trip. The secret swimming holes and cliff-jumping adventures article maps out some of the best off-grid spots on Eleuthera and beyond. For anyone who wants to try fishing the flats, the bonefishing bootcamp guide covers gear, tides, and guides. And if you’re deciding between islands, the Royal Caribbean Beach Club overview gives a sense of what Nassau offers for a quicker stopover.
Explore Places to Stay in the Bahamas
Feel free to zoom in and out of the map to explore the area and find the best place to stay for your trip.