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Welcome to Eleuthera, Bahamas. We are so excited that in just a few short weeks we will all be gathering on the magical isle of Eleuthera to celebrate - A Wedding and A Swim. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for deciding to spend part of your summer with us. Below you will find a basic outline of the weeks activities. A little history on how this all came togther. Not sure there has ever been an event quit like this before. Many know that last summer Jamie was supposed to do a 70 mile swim in Lake Michigan to set the record for the longest marathon swim in history. Unfortunatley it did not happen. As Jamie went back to the drawing board a new record was set at 77 miles meaning he had to find a route that satisfied going farther. Working with his dad they came up with a route off the magical island of Eleuthera, Bahamas. Still not sure if it would happen Jamie got a call from his favorite sister, Wendy asking if he was really going to do it. After a few minutes of talking through the idea, Wendy suggested that she and Mark could get married at the same time. A Wedding and A Swim was born.

As of today, 65 plus people are coming to share these two journeys with our families. We feel extremely lucky to have such loving and supportive friends and family. We shall celebrate Mark and Wendy in what we beleive will be a magical event and if all goes well, celebrate a 78 mile swim.

With all this being said, we have decied to create this website to provide some details for these two events. First and foremost we want everyone to have an amazing time. The island of Eleuthera is unlike anywhere you have probably been.

To help get a bit more organized we are asking one person in each family traveling together to fill out the attached survey. Please click on the button below and fill it out - Thank You! If you have and comments or questions please post them at the end of this page.

June 20th - Saturday

Let the celebration begin!! For those that have arrived on island we will meet at Tippy's Bar for a welcome gathering. Plan to arrive around 6pm. Tippy's is an amazing bar/resturaunt on the Pacific side of the island directly across the street from the Pineapple Fields Resort and two miles from downtown Govenors Harbor. The views are incredible and the sand out front is amazing. Make sure the kids have their swimsuits. This will be a non-hosted event. Great place for dinner or just drinks. Live island music will start at 7pm. (Dress - beach casual)

July 21st - Sunday

Sunday will be a day of exploring and relaxation. Please feel free to explore this magical island. See below for the many things to do. Tentatively, we will be having a beach party at Jo and Jim's beach house (The Waterford) on Old Banks Road, a 10 minute walk from Tippy's (12 noon). Bring your swimsuit. Later that evening we will host a Welcome Party and Rehersal Dinner at 6:30 pm. This is open to all in attendance and will be held at The French Leave Resort. It is truly spectacular. It is located in the town of Goveneror's Harbor. Dress is island causual. Flip Flops required! If you do not plan to attend the rehersal dinner please email Wendy wendypatrick1@hotmail.com

July 22nd - Monday

Mark and Wendy's Wedding - Sunday will be a day of wedding preparation. At some point during the day the kids are welcome to help decorate the wedding ceramony area on the beach with shells and flowers. (Time to be determined). The weddiing will begin at 5:30pm at the Beach House Resturaunt located between the French Leave Resort and the Pineapple Fields Resort. See map for location. The Beach House is a beautiful location for the wedding. The ceramony will take place at the waters edge followed by the reception steps away. Dress - Beach Formal - no bathing suit

July 23rd - Tuesday

Time for more exploring. For those interested we will meet and caravan together to explore Eleutheras magical caves. This is on the southern portion of the island and is about an hour drive. We plan to have lunch at the resort at Cape Eleuthera. Jamie is planning to start his 78 mile swim at 3pm on a small beach on the southern tip. Lets send him off into the sunset with hugs and cheers.

July 24th - Wednesday

Meet mid morning and caravan to the Queens bath where there are natural hot tubs located a short distance from the Glass Window Bridge. Be prepared for a short but a bit rugged hike. After our soak will will have lunch at Daddy Joes Bar and Grill. For those interested we will head over to the world famous Surfers Beach for a dip in the ocean.

July 25th - Thursday

Is a day of relaxation and exploring on your own. We will plan a gathering in the evening TBD. Jamie plans to be finishing his swim in the early afternoon on the northern tip of the island. If you are interested we will be caravaning to the finish. Stay tuned.

Help Tips

1. Please understand that while driving on Eleuthera you drive on the left side of the road and most cars have the steering wheel on the right.

2. Make sure you contact your cell phone provider and get an international plan. You will be sorry if you don't.

3. Eleuthera is a remote island and does not have the services that other places have. If you require something unusual, make sure you bring it.

4. The roads are not the greatest, so be prepared for potholes.

5. There is no place to rent snokel gear unless you go on a paid trip. If you want to snorkel on your own please plan on bring your own equipment.

6. The people of Eleuthera are incredible nice. Do not hesitate to ask questions. They are very helpful.

7. Flight from the mainland are on very small planes - generally 20 seaters. They are a bit difficult to get on and there is very little headroom. if you need help please contact them in advance to let them know.

8. Although we will have a number of activities for all, you will have time to explore on your own. Some activites are hard to find so plan ahead and do some research. You will not be disappointed. See below for a list of adventures on the island.

9. Please do not bring gifts for the wedding. In lieu of gifts Mark and Wendy would like digital copies of your photos taken during the week.. If you would like to bring Jamie a gift please feel free. JK

10. Please see map of island below to get oriented to where everything is.

Tours:

Eleuthera Adventure Tours (Rock Sound): Guided island tours, focusing on the history, food and music of the Island of Eleuthera.

Eleuthera Tours (Deep Creek./Cape Eleuthera): 242-225-4408, 242-557-7381 or in the U.S. 407-442-6297. They offer a variety of water and land based tour options including a Lighthouse beach tour, snorkeling, fishing, conch diving, etc.
Fishbone Tours (Savannah Sound): Water based tours, including snorkeling, fishing, conch diving, turtle chasing, etc.
Bahamas Out-Island Adventures: Offers a variety of land and water based island tours including, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, exploring caves and ruins, etc.

Spa services:

The Lighthouse Center: They offer Yoga classes along with concierge massage and spa treatments. Based out of Governors Harbour. Call 242-426-9709 or email kalin@thelighthousecenter.biz.

Petting Zoo:

Hill Top Farms (Gregory town): Located in Gregory Town right next to Laughing Lizard Cafe. Take your first left immediately after Laughing Lizard (heading south). "Come join us to pet, feed, hug, learn, and play; our big Emu birds have much to say!" Vising hours are 10am-4pm Monday-Saturday. 242-335-5244 or emaileleutherahilltopfarms@hotmail.com.

Horseback Riding:

Ocean View Farm (Governors Harbour): Just opened spring 2013. The only horseback trail riding establishment on Eleuthera. Offer rides twice a day Monday through Saturday. 242-357-4258 or 242-332-3672 or emailoceanview242.el@gmail.com

Surfing:

Bahamas Adventures (Gregory Town): Offers surf lessons and board rentals. Contact Tom Glucksman at 242-551-9635 or 335-0349
Surfer Pete (Gregory Town): Surfer Pete rents surfboards, bikes and diving and fishing equipment. To reach him call Rebecca's Beach Shop in Gregory Town 242-335-5436.

Equipment Rentals:

Rodney Pinder Kayak Rentals: Rents a variety of Kayaks including one man, two man and clear bottom kayaks. You can pick up or he will deliver for a fee. rodneypinder@hotmail.com 242-470-4393 (c) and 242-332-1891 (w). He also rents vehicles.
CLOSED: Forty's Sporting Rentals (Governors Harbour): Forty's is based at the Pineapple fields resort. He rents kayaks, bikes and snorkeling equipment. Call 242-332-3720, or you can call or email the Pineapple fields resort office 242-332-2221 or info@pineapplefields.com

Diving:

Ocean Fox (Davis Harbor): Ocean Fox offers assorted dives for all skill levels including a PADI certification course They also offer fishing charters. Contact at 242-334-6300 or email daryl@oceanfox.com.
Valentine's Dive Center (Harbour Island): Valentines Dive Center offers diving experiences for all skill levels, open water certification courses, snorkeling excursions, private charters, kayak and paddle-board rentals and scuba and snorkeling equipment rentals. If you decide to go you should first call ahead to make arrangements. You can call them at 242-333-2080 or email dive@valentinesdive.com you can also reach the resort and marina at 1-888-462-0462.

Snorkeling:

Eleuthera Tours (Deep Creek./Cape Eleuthera): 242-225-4408, or in the U.S. 407-442-6297 or emailinfo@eleutheratours.com. They offer a variety of water and land based tour options including a Lighthouse beach tour, snorkeling, fishing, conch diving, etc.
Fishbone Tours (Savannah Sound): 242-332-6524(h) 242-464-0039 (c) fishbonetours@live.com. Water based tours, including snorkeling, fishing, conch diving, turtle chasing, etc.
Bahamas Out-Island Adventures: Offers a variety of land and water based island tours including, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, exploring caves and ruins, etc.

Fishing Guides:

North Eleuthera, Spanish Wells and Harbor Island:

Woody Perry (Spanish Wells): 242-333-4433. Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or bonefishing guide (by boat).
Tweedie Sands (Spanish Wells): 242-333-4926 or 242-359-7516 (cell). Raquel-sands@yahoo.com. Offers it all, Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or bonefishing.
Sterling Moss (Harbor Island): 242-333-3418 or 242-470-8340. Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or bonefishing guide (by boat).
Stuart Cleare (bonefish Stuart) (Harbor Island): 242-333-2072. Bonefishing guide (by boat).
Vincent Cleare (Harbor Island): 242-333-2154. Bonefishing guide (by boat).
Jermain Johnson (Harbor Island): 242-333-3597. Deep sea Fishing charter and bonefishing guide (wading or by boat).
Bahamabones:. 888-847-0305. Offers bonefishing vacation packages and is a good source for Bahamas bonefishing information.

North Central Eleuthera:

Captain Z (Gregory Town): 242-551-0641 or barry@captzeleuthera.com. Offers Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters, plus snorkeling and surfing equipment rentals.
Captain Sean Morgan (Gregory Town): 242-551-0641. Offers it all, Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or bonefishing guide (by boat or land).
Naaman Rolle (James Cistern): 242-359-7166. Reef fishing charter.
Gershom Pinder (Hatchet Bay/Alicetown): 242-464-0754. Bonefish guide, wading or by boat.

Central and South Central Eleuthera:

Paul Petty (Governors Harbor): Call his wife at 242-332-2963 to schedule a trip, for other questions his cell is 243-557-7269. He offers it all, reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or guided bonefishing trips (by boat or land).
Addison Cooper (Palmetto Point): 242-332-1288 or 242-332-1830. Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or guided bonefishing (by boat).
Denny Rankin (Savannah Sound): 242-332-6035.or 242-332-6166. Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters.
Kelsey Rankin (Savannah Sound): Guided trips for bonefish or tarpon (by boat).
Lorenzo Hunt (Tarpum Bay): 242-334-4289. Reef or deep sea charter.
Fishbone tours: Julius Rankine (Savannah Sound): 242-332-6524(h) 242-464-0039 (c) or emailfishbonetours@live.com. Reef fishing and snorkeling

South Eleuthera:

Eleuthera Tours (Deep Creek./Cape Eleuthera): 242-225-4408, or in the U.S. 407-442-6297 or email info@eleutheratours.com. They offer a variety of water and land based tour options including a Lighthouse beach tour, snorkeling, fishing, conch diving, etc.

A WEDDING & A SWIM