Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve in Governor’s Harbour [Bahamas]

We left Hatchet Bay to make our way to Governor’s Harbour in time for their Friday Fish Fry and new scenery for a while. There are several restaurants and plenty of activities to keep you busy there. Also a great stop for stocking up on groceries, water, etc. Anchoring out near Laughing Bird Cay, we stayed for a couple days and enjoyed all of the amenities this town has to offer. Instead of going on about all the details in this area in Eleuthera, I’m instead going to focus on my favorite part, the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve. 

Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve

Only a mile or two away from the main part of Governor’s Harbour, is the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve. This is a must-see while visiting Eleuthera for it’s complete identification of flora and fauna. I’m always appreciative of nature and believe EVERYONE will get something out of visiting this preserve. If you like hiking, that’s a plus too. The preserve is a National Park on Eleuthera operated by the Bahama National Trust and funded by the Leon Levy Foundation. 

What to Expect

It costs $10 or less to visit the preserve and is worth every penny (in my opinion). They provide a map with a quick description of the best route and give you an idea of what you’ll see along the way. There are spiders and snakes along the path but neither are dangerous unless you mess with them. Any time of year is a good time to visit and each season provides a different look at the plants. The trails are relatively easy but will cover a few miles if you decide to hike them all. Bathrooms are located along the trails for convenience. We took just over two hours to walk through all the trails but can vary between one hour and three depending on how slow you walk or how long you decide to relax along the way. There’s lots to see at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve so take your time and enjoy!

Hiking Highlights

Our favorite parts of hiking this trail was the dedication to detail along the paths. They label most every plant so that you’re aware of what the common name is and what the scientific name is. They provide boardwalks in some areas and have also lined the trails well with white rocks. It would be difficult to get lost because of their decent signage too. Another highlight was identifying the plants and learning more about what they are specifically used for. Finally, we really enjoyed seeing all the wildlife along the trails. Here’s a look at our visit!

Cheers and thanks for reading!

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