Planning a trip to the Bahamas and curious about visiting Harbour Island? Lucky you!! In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know including all the best things to do in Harbour Island!
Ahhh Harbour Island… What a dreamy little slice of paradise! I was lucky enough to visit on my first time to the Bahamas for a wedding in Nassau. Some friends invited us to Harbour Island for the week before the wedding and to be totally honest, I had never even heard of it. Once I started doing some research though, I knew we had to go… and I’m so glad we did!
Here’s the ultimate guide to Harbour Island in the Bahamas!
About Harbour Island
Harbour Island is a small island located in the Bahamas. And when I say small island, I mean small… The entire island is only three miles long and half a mile wide!
This little blip of an island is situated just off the northern coast of Eleuthera Island and is only accessible by boat.
Harbour Island — or Briland, as its called by the locals — is known for its stunning pink sand beaches, charming colonial architecture, and very relaxed atmosphere. This makes it an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and tranquility away from the bustling crowds often found at larger tourist destinations. Hint: you won’t find any cruise ships here!
The island blends natural beauty, luxury, and a peaceful retreat amidst stunning surroundings. All these qualities attract visitors from around the world, including celebrities and discerning travelers looking for an exclusive and idyllic getaway.
It truly feels like a hidden gem but those “in the know” seem to visit often or even have a vacation home on the island…. I guess, IYKYK!
How to Get to Harbour Island
The best way to get to Harbour Island typically involves a combination of flights and boat transfers, as the island does not have its own airport. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to reach Harbour Island:
Fly to Nassau, Bahamas: Most travelers start their journey by flying into Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. Many major airlines operate regular flights to Nassau from various cities in the United States and other international locations.
Connect to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH): From Nassau, you’ll need to take a short connecting flight to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH). Several local airlines, such as Bahamasair and Southern Air Charter, offer daily flights from Nassau to North Eleuthera.
Many visitors come from the east coast of the US and if you’re flying from Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami or Fort Lauderdale, then you can fly directly to North Eleuthera (ELH) and just take a boat to Harbour Island from there. A pretty smooth travel day overall!
Catch a Taxi to the Dock: Once you arrive at North Eleuthera Airport, the next step is to take a short taxi ride (5-10 minutes) from the airport to the nearby docks at North Eleuthera. From there, you’ll catch a water taxi or a ferry to Harbour Island.
Boat Transfer to Harbour Island: There are ferry services available from North Eleuthera to Harbour Island. The ride takes around 5-10 minutes and drops you off at Government Dock in Dunmore Town on Harbour Island.
It’s important to note that schedules for flights and boat transfers may vary depending on the season and weather conditions. It’s advisable to check the flight and ferry schedules in advance and make reservations for local flights, especially during peak travel times, to ensure availability and a smoother journey.
Once you arrive on Harbour Island, most accommodations are within walking distance or a short golf cart ride from the ferry or water taxi drop-off point in Dunmore Town.
My Travel Experience
Since we were coming all the way from southern California, we flew from Los Angeles to Miami and then on to North Eleuthera. Arriving to the North Eleuthera airport, I was charmed by how small it was… perhaps the smallest airport I’ve ever been to?!
After queuing and going through customs, we went outside and waited in the line of taxis to take us to the boat dock. From there, we asked for a ferry over to Harbour Island and were directed onto a boat with about 15 others. We didn’t book anything in advance and it was pretty straightforward!
When departing Harbour Island, we followed the same route back to North Eleuthera airport and checked in for our Southern Air flight to Nassau. It was a very laid-back experience with everything running on “island time”!
How to Get Around Harbour Island
Getting around Harbour Island is easy, as the island is teeny tiny and has limited vehicle traffic! The primary modes of transportation on the island are:
Walking: Harbour Island is compact and walkable, especially in the main settlement of Dunmore Town. Most attractions, restaurants, shops, and accommodations are within walking distance of each other. Plus, walking allows you to explore the picturesque streets lined with colorful colonial buildings and enjoy the island’s charm at a leisurely pace.
Golf Carts: Golf carts are the most popular mode of transportation on the island. Many hotels and rental properties provide golf carts to their guests for getting around the island. Visitors can also rent golf carts from various rental agencies on the island (expect to pay around $50 / day for golf cart rentals). It’s a convenient way to explore beyond Dunmore Town and access all the best things to do in Harbour Island!
Bicycles: Some accommodations offer bicycles for guests to use, providing another eco-friendly and pleasant way to explore Harbour Island.
Best Time to Visit Harbour Island
The best time to visit Harbour Island in the Bahamas, typically falls during the drier and more temperate months of the year, which of course coincide with the island’s peak tourist season! So, the ideal time to visit depends on personal preferences regarding weather, activities, and crowd levels. Here are some factors to consider for different times of the year:
High Season (Late November to Mid-April):
The peak season period experiences lovely temperatures, usually ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s. It’s drier with minimal rainfall with excellent beach-going weather! Of course, the island sees more visitors during this time, especially around the holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter. Accommodations will likely be pricier, and reservations for flights and accommodations should be made in advance.
Shoulder Seasons (Mid-April to May and October to Early November):
The shoulder seasons offer comfortable temperatures with slightly warmer weather transitioning into the warmer summer months or cooling down from the summer heat. And, the crowds are generally thinner compared to the high season, making it a good time to visit for those seeking quieter surroundings. Accommodation rates might be more affordable during these months as well!
Low Season (June to September):
This period experiences warmer temperatures and higher humidity, with occasional rainfall and a higher chance of tropical storms or hurricanes, especially in late summer.
As such, the low season sees fewer tourists due to the higher heat and humidity and the potential risk of hurricanes. However, this time might offer better deals on accommodations if you don’t mind being flexible (in case of bad weather!).
I visited Harbour Island in early December and really enjoyed everything about my experience. The weather was mostly perfect except for a light rain shower one day — which luckily gave us a beautiful rainbow over the beach! As for the crowds, I didn’t feel like anywhere was too crowded but we did make restaurant reservations in advance. We were able to make a boat excursion reservation with just 48 hours notice which was lucky as well!
Things to do in Harbour Island
From relaxing on the beach and enjoying the crystal clear waters to shopping in Dunmore Town or exploring the area by boat, there’s no shortage of things to do in Harbour Island!
Explore Dunmore Town
The main settlement on Harbour Island is Dunmore Town, known for its picturesque streets lined with pastel-colored colonial buildings, historic homes, boutique shops, art galleries, and charming cafes. This quaint and colorful town retains a laid-back and authentic Bahamian vibe and is one of the top things to do in Harbour Island!
Did you know Dunmore Town is one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas? It was known for its ship building and sugar refinement work in the late 1800s!
And if you love shopping, don’t miss stopping by: Shine, known for its handmade jewelry and clothes, or The Sugar Mill Trading Co. a women’s clothing boutique owned by one of the islands most well-known residents, India Hicks.
Visit Pink Sands Beach
The island is perhaps most famous for its breathtaking pink sand beaches, particularly Pink Sands Beach, which stretches along the eastern shore for about three miles.
The pink hue of the sand comes from microscopic coral particles mixed with the white sand, creating a unique and beautiful shoreline!
We were lucky enough to stay on Pink Sands Beach and it truly is spectacular! While I wouldn’t say it’s a bright pink color, there are definitely some gorgeous pink hues — which reminded me of the pink sands at Elafonissi Beach in Greece!
Water Activities
Visitors can indulge in various water sports and activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, deep sea fishing, and boat excursions. The crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life make it an ideal destination for underwater exploration.
Boat Tour Excursion
This is definitely one of my favorite things to do in Harbour Island! Seeing Briland and the surrounding islands by boat ride is one of the best ways to enjoy its scenic beauty.
We started the day off by visiting a gorgeous sand bar in the middle of the ocean for a photo op on the rope swings. Probably the coolest location for swings I’ve ever seen!
Next up, we went to the famous pig beach on Spanish Wells island to see the swimming pigs. There’s a large family of pigs who love to swim in the water, take naps on the sand, and eat snacks fed to them by tourists. Yep, if you bring some cash, you can buy some snacks to feed the pigs.
I loved playing with all the little baby pigs… One even fell asleep in my arms!
And finally, we spent the rest of the day exploring the islands, spotting some incredible homes, and even swimming with sea turtles and colorful fish. It was a great day on the water!
Enjoy Local Cuisine
You can’t come to Harbour Island without trying conch! The island offers a variety of dining options serving fresh seafood (including lots of conch) and other Bahamian specialties.
Dance at Daddy D’s
This little nightclub on the island is the perfect place to dance the night away with your friends! We had a blast at Daddy D’s and loved the music. It’s open at 9pm – 1am most nights and often has live music.
Best Restaurants in Harbour Island
One of the best things to do in Harbour Island is definitely to eat. The island has plenty of restaurant offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Rock House: We went for dinner at the Rock House and it was an upscale and lively restaurant with lots of fresh seafood offerings and excellent cocktails. It’s located in Dunmore Town so it’s easy to get to!
Da Vine Sushi Bar: If you’re a sushi fan like me, you won’t want to miss dining at Da Vine Sushi Bar! The sushi chef is an alum from Nobu and the menu features sushi, sashimi, wagyu, and even ramen.
The Landing: Both a hotel and restaurant, The Landing is located in Dunmore Town and overlooks the harbor. The plantation style building is home to a buzzy restaurant that serves elevated dishes and fresh seafood.
Arthur’s Bakery: This bakery is the spot to get fresh baked pastries and breakfast. You can grab coffee and a pastry to go or sit down for a full breakfast or lunch. They serve omelettes, salads, sandwiches and more.
Coral Sands Beach Bar: You can’t beat the views of Pink Sands Beach at this beach bar! Coral Sands Beach bar has a beautiful outdoor terrace, and lots of food options like conch fritters, burgers, salads, seafood and more.
The Dunmore: Perhaps one of the most well-known establishments on the island, The Dunmore is both a hotel and restaurant. Go for lunch, dinner or even just drinks… the ambience, decor, and views are incredible!
Ocean View Club: Another hotel and restaurant nearby, the Ocean View Club has incredible decor and vibes with delicious food offerings as well. We went for lunch and had a lovely time out on the patio with incredible views of Pinks Sands Beach!
The Other Side: From the owners of the Ocean View Club comes The Other Side. Another beautifully appointed hotel and restaurant. Technically it’s not on Harbour Island but on nearby North Eleuthera island… But if you plan to do a boat excursion, this could be a fun place to stop for lunch or drinks!
Aquapazza: Located at the top of the hill at Romora Bay Resort and Marina, Aquapazza is Briland’s only Italian restaurant. They serve pastas, fresh seafood, and other Italian dishes… All with a Caribbean flair!
Ma Ruby’s Restaurant: Ma Ruby’s is known for its traditional Bahamian food and… cheeseburgers! Yep, you can have a cheeseburger in paradise. It’s a pretty casual restaurant with a relaxed ambiance, and the place to go if you want to try some local food
Queen Conch: This is the spot to get conch on Briland. Queen Conch is a super casual eatery in Dunmore Town that overlooks the water. One of the most popular items is the fresh Conch Salad and make sure to ask for hot sauce if you like it spicy!
Valentine’s Rooster Tail Bar & Grill: This bar and grill is located right on the marina so it’s a great place to stop before or after a boat excursion. It has nice views of the water, and sports TVs if you’re trying to catch a game!
The Sweet Spot Cafe: Looking for healthy, vegan or vegetarian food on the island? The Sweet Spot Cafe is the perfect place for you! Stop by for cold-pressed juices, smoothies, salads, and açaí bowls.
Piggly Wiggly: We stocked up on some groceries and snacks at this mini-market located on King St, between Princess St and Crown St. And, next door is Bristol Wine and Spirits which had an impressive selection of wine and liquor options. Definitely handy if you have a kitchen or are staying on Harbour Island for an extended period of time!
Best Hotels in Harbour Island
Harbour Island offers a range of accommodations, including boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and private villas. Many of these establishments offer high-end amenities, fine dining experiences, and beachfront locations.
Pink Sands Resort: We stayed at the beautiful Pink Sands Resort located right on Pink Sands Beach… and we loved its gorgeous location! We chose to stay here as we were traveling with a group and they offer two, three, and four-bedroom houses which was perfect for us. We were in the two-bedroom house which had panoramic views of the beach and water!
Coral Sands Hotel: Another great hotel option on Pink Sands Beach! The hotel is home to a large swimming pool, billiards game room, and beach bar.
Valentine’s Resort & Marina: Located in the marina of Dunmore Town, Valentine’s has a great walkable location with modern and comfortable rooms.
Eleven Bahama House: An 11-room boutique hotel that feels more like a home, with a large swimming pool and chic style. It’s also a quick walk to the beach!
The Dunmore Hotel: One of the most iconic hotels on the island, the Dunmore is a great choice for luxury travelers looking to be right on Pinks Sands Beach.
Bahamas Style Inspiration
Ready to visit this island paradise? Now you know all the best things to do in Harbour Island so you’re reay to get your trip to the Bahamas started and relax on the pink-sand beaches!
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