Chic and mainly uncrowded Harbour Island – a tiny 5km-long, 1km-wide island that lies just off the northeast coast of Eleuthera – is home to Pink Sand Beach, one of the world’s most famous beaches.
The beach stretches for the entire length of the eastern side of Harbour Island. An outlying coral reef provides calm waters for safe swimming, snorkelling and diving.
The beach is scattered with beachfront resorts, including the exclusive Dunmore Beach Club and aptly named Pink Sands, a classy resort often frequent by celebrities and royalty.
Pick a spot to sunbathe on the stunning pink-hued sands and spot movie stars, celebrities and European royalty from your sun lounger or from beneath shady casuarina trees.
Besides its renowned beach, Harbour Island is also known for picture-perfect Dunmore Town; dating back to the 18th century, it is one of the earliest settlements in the Bahamas.
Stroll the narrow tree-lined streets of pastel-painted clapboard houses surrounded by white fences and colourful bougainvillea flowers.
Admire the two oldest churches on the island: St John’s Anglican church, built in 1768; and the impressive Wesley Methodist Church, built in 1846.
Visit Loyalist Cottage, an early settler’s home dating to 1797, and don’t miss the much-photographed Lone Tree.
Explore the island on foot and rental bike or potter around on electric golf carts, which are easily hired from most resorts. Alternatively, do some touring on the water by hiring a kayak or arranging a cruise.
Known locally by its original name, Briland, Harbour Island is dotted with a choice of upmarket resorts and chic small inns to suit a range of honeymoon budgets.
Coral Sands Hotel
Location: Harbour Island
Rating: 3-star
Prices: from AUD700 per room
Description: Located on 5 km of beach, this Bahamas hotel offers snorkeling and lounge chairs at the beach. Rooms include a cable TV. The bright, airy rooms at the Coral Sands Hotel feature large windows and light colors. The rooms have tile or wood floors and include a mini-safe. Guests can swim in the outdoor pool or play a game of billiards in the game room. The hotel also has a tennis court. The Terrace Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner. The Beach Bar & Lounge serves local Caribbean cuisine for lunch. Free continental breakfast is included in the room rate. The Coral Sands is 5.7 km from the North Eleuthera Airport. The Spanish Wells Museum is within a 20-minute drive of the property.
Anytime of the year is good for a Harbour Island honeymoon. Temperatures average a balmy 24°C (75°F) in winter (September to May) with refreshing gentle trade winds.
The temperature averages 28°C (82°F) during the rest of the year. You can typically swim and enjoy water sports year round, with water temperatures rarely dipping below 22°C (71°F).
The rainy season (May through November) brings short tropical rainstorms.
More climate info: Harbour Island Weather Guide…
Harbour Island lies a short distance off the northeast coast of Eleuthera in the Out Islands, Bahamas, around 96km (59mi) east of Nassau and 320km (199mi) southeast of Florida.
The most convenient route to Harbour Island is by air to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH), which receives daily flights from Atlanta, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Nassau. Typically, hotels and resorts provide transport by prior-arrangement.
From the airport, it's a quick 10 minute taxi ride to the boat dock, followed by a 10 minute 'water taxi" ride to Dunmore Town. Land and water taxis are available throughout during the day.
Alternatively, a once-daily ferry service taking 2 hours 40 minutes operates from Nassau to Harbour Island via Spanish Wells, Eleuthera.
Read more about how to get to Harbour Island…
Latest update: Harbour Island: 7 May, 2022
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