Information
City: Harbour IslandCountry: Bahamas
Continent: North America
Harbour Island, Bahamas, North America
Overview
Harbour Island sits just off Eleuthera’s northeast coast in the Bahamas, a small, postcard-perfect place where soft pink sand meets clear turquoise water.Harbour Island, with its blush-colored sand that glows at sunset, pastel colonial cottages, and easygoing charm, draws travelers looking for a luxurious escape.Known for its calm turquoise waters, luxurious resorts, and lively traditions, the island has become one of the most coveted spots in the Bahamas.Harbour Island-locals call it Briland-is a peaceful slip of land, only about 3.5 miles from tip to tip and a mile and a half across, where the ocean breeze carries the scent of salt.Though it’s small, the place brims with charm-soft white beaches, cozy boutique hotels, and the mouthwatering scent of fresh-grilled seafood drifting through the air.You can reach the island with a quick boat ride from North Eleuthera Airport (ELH), just across the blue-green bay from Harbour Island.The island’s claim to fame is its Pink Sand Beach-soft blush-colored grains that squeak underfoot-along with warm-hearted locals and an easygoing pace.Top spots to see on Harbour Island include its pink-sand beach and lively waterfront.On Harbour Island, the real showstopper is Pink Sand Beach, its rosy shoreline often named among the most beautiful in the world.The beach runs for nearly three miles, its fine, powdery sand blushing pink from crushed coral and tiny shell fragments that crunch softly underfoot.With calm turquoise waters and sunsets that blaze orange and gold, the beach is ideal for swimming, stretching out in the sun, strolling the shore, or snapping photos.Tucked away from the noise, it’s a calm place where you can stretch out in the warm breeze and take in the island’s unspoiled beauty.Number two.Dunmore Town, the island’s main hub, is famous for its bright Bahamian colonial buildings-turquoise shutters, white trim, and all.The town feels easygoing and steeped in history, with pastel facades, winding lanes, and cottages where flower boxes spill over the windowsills.Shops with painted shutters, cozy cafés, and bright little galleries line the streets, giving you a peek into the island’s lively blend of culture and art.Visitors can wander the town’s narrow streets, soaking in the lively buzz and warm smiles from shopkeepers.Dunmore Town also hosts the island’s main harbor, where fishing boats bump gently against the wooden pier and visitors can set out easily for snorkeling or sailing.Three.Harbour Island Marina draws yachts and boats passing between Eleuthera and Harbour Island, their hulls rocking gently against the sun-warmed docks.Just a short stroll from the heart of Dunmore Town, the marina gives you easy access to boat rentals, fishing charters, and day trips to the sunlit cays nearby.It’s the perfect place to watch the harbor unfold-boats gliding in, gulls calling overhead-and map out your next adventure on the water.Number four.The Landing is a boutique hotel in Dunmore Town, and by night its candlelit dining room ranks among the island’s finest.Housed in a beautifully restored colonial building, the hotel serves up Bahamian and international dishes in its restaurant, with many plates built from just-picked local ingredients.The Landing’s perfect for a cozy dinner by candlelight or a laid-back lunch, and from its outdoor tables you can watch sunlight glint off the harbor.Five.At the Eleuthera and Harbour Island Historical Society Museum, you can step inside and explore the island’s history, culture, and heritage-right down to faded photographs that smell faintly of salt and sun.The museum displays artifacts, old photographs, and colorful exhibits that bring Harbour Island’s history to life-from its colonial days to the rise of tourism and the island’s distinct customs, like the lively Junkanoo parade.History buffs and curious visitors alike will love it here, especially if they want to dig into the island’s roots and hear how it all began.Number six sat alone on the page, sharp and steady like a hook waiting to catch your eye.While Pink Sand Beach steals most of the spotlight on Harbour Island, Gaulding Cay Beach offers its own quiet charm-a soft, golden shoreline where the waves lap gently at your feet.On the island’s west side, this beach has calm, glassy water-perfect for swimming, picnicking under the palms, or just stretching out in the sun.Tall palms and low, wind-shaped shrubs ring the beach, where the quiet air carries the scent of salt and the view stretches over the blue ocean and scattered cays.Seven.At Harbour Island Ocean View, you can take in sweeping sights of the Atlantic, the scattered cays, and quiet beaches where the waves leave a soft hiss on the sand.Sunset is the magic hour here, when the island glows in warm gold and every photo looks like it belongs on a postcard.For many guests in oceanfront villas or resorts, the real highlight is the ocean view, with waves flashing silver in the sun and the island’s beauty etched in memory.It was the number eight, drawn in thick black ink like a looped ribbon.On Harbour Island, you can dive into all kinds of water adventures-snorkel over bright coral reefs, glide across the water on a paddleboard, or paddle a kayak through the calm, clear shallows.The waters around the island are so clear you can see sunlight dancing on the sand, making them ideal for exploring bright coral reefs, darting tropical fish, and vivid underwater scenery.You can hop on a boat to explore nearby cays, head out for deep-sea fishing, or catch the wind in your sails for an afternoon of nautical adventures.Calm, glassy waters make the island perfect for kayaking or snorkeling, and local guides run trips for every taste.Nine.Pink Sands Resort sits right on the island’s legendary Pink Sand Beach, offering some of the most luxurious rooms you’ll find-steps from the soft, rose-colored shore.The resort has elegant villas, cozy cottages, and sleek suites, each tucked among palm trees and fragrant tropical blooms.Guests can indulge in soothing spa treatments, savor a candlelit dinner, and spend their days diving into water sports, stretching in a breezy yoga class, or wandering quiet forest trails.With its easygoing vibe and polished comforts, the resort is ideal for travelers craving both lazy afternoons by the pool and heart‑pounding adventures in a breathtaking landscape.Ten.At the southern tip of Harbour Island, Lighthouse Beach offers a quieter escape than Pink Sand Beach, with soft waves lapping at its empty shoreline.The beach takes its name from the Harbour Island Lighthouse, a weathered brick tower that’s stood watch since 1837.You can climb the lighthouse, stroll along the soft white sand, and gaze out at turquoise waters dotted with tiny nearby cays.It’s the perfect place to slip away from the crowd and take in the quiet curve of a sunlit hillside.Number eleven, sharp and simple, sat printed in bold black ink.Crane Beach, over on Eleuthera rather than Harbour Island, is just a short boat ride away and well worth the trip for its soft pink sand.With powdery white sand underfoot and cliffs rising high above, it’s easily one of the most breathtaking beaches in the Bahamas.From Harbour Island, you can hop on a quick boat ride to Eleuthera, where soft pink sand meets the sea and the day’s yours for swimming or a lazy picnic in the sun.Number twelve.Several local guides run island tours-some on foot along sandy lanes, others by golf cart or drifting quietly across the bay in a small boat.On these tours, you’ll uncover Harbour Island’s layered history, lively culture, and even spot bright green lizards basking in the sun.Visitors can dive into the island’s colonial history, then wander through lush trails where the scent of salt and wildflowers lingers in the breeze.
Landmarks in harbour-island
