Harbour Island in the Bahamas offers a quieter alternative to the more popular islands. Known for its pink sand beaches and relaxed atmosphere, it provides a charming and authentic Bahamian experience. Read more to explore the allure of this under-the-radar escape.
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The vibe isΒ muchΒ calmer.Β Though savvy travelersΒ mayΒ knowΒ Exuma andΒ Eleuthera,β―Β Harbourβ―IslandΒ remainsΒ even moreΒ blissfullyΒ secret.Β Travelers can only get to theΒ walkable,Β five-square-mileβ―islandΒ βΒ called Briland by locals (say βHarbour Islandβ three times fast,Β andΒ itβllΒ make sense) βΒ by boat,Β aΒ ten-minute ride from Eleuthera.Β ButΒ donβtΒ confuseΒ remoteΒ forΒ rudimentary: Harbour Island is a favorite escape forΒ celebritiesΒ such asΒ Taylor Swift, George Clooney, and Mick Jagger,Β whoΒ have been spotted onΒ itsΒ gorgeous beaches and in itsΒ chicΒ restaurantsΒ andΒ boutiques.
What to Do
Three-mile-long Pink Sand Beach is the islandβs most beautiful attraction β its blush hue comes from microscopic coral insects whose pink shells get crushed into the soft sand. Calm waves from the Atlantic roll up on its quiet shores β only three boutique hotels line the beach.
Beyond the rose-colored beach sessions, travelers spend time popping into art galleries in Dunmore Town (the islandβs only town) or chartering boats to explore the surrounding snorkeler-friendly waters filled with sea turtles, sand dollars, and colorful fish. Many British loyalists fled the U.S. for the Bahamas during the Revolutionary War, and several of their eighteenth-century, gingerbread-style cottages remain β one of the oldest, the white-and-turquoise Loyalist Cottage, has been carefully restored and is open to visitors.
Where to Eat and ShopΒ
The action revolves around Dunmore Town, where the lineup of stylish boutiques and restaurants rivals those ofΒ Saint Bartβs. Former modelβ―India Hicks, who spent time in the Bahamas as a child and now lives on Harbour Island, ownsΒ The Sugar Mill,Β an intimate space thatβs filled with beachy home goods, accessories, and clothing from around the world. A five-minute walk down Bay Street toward the fishing dock leads toΒ Shine, whose two outlets sit across the street from each other, showcasing locally made jewelry, clothing, pottery, and furniture. AtΒ A and A Hidden Treasures, visitors can have one of the shopβsΒ handmade straw bagsβ―embroidered, and it will be ready for pickup before they leave the island.
Mornings begin atΒ Cocoa Coffee House, with its tree-house-like ambience, orΒ Bluwatur Bakery, whose organic pecan sticky buns could compete with any of-the-moment NYC bakery (note that itβs closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). For lunch, Queen Conch, which overlooks the bay, has the islandβs must-try conch salad, while the more upscaleΒ Rock House, inside a former British colonial home, serves excellent cocktails (try the rum-forward Goombay Smash) and locally sourced seafood dishes such as stone crab claws and blackened grouper.Β The Landing, the islandβs oldest restaurant,Β makes a killer spicy crab capellini and grilled lobster, which pairs well with a crisp white from its 800-bottle wine cellar.
Where to StayΒ
The 40-roomΒ Coral SandsΒ recently underwent a major renovation by its new owners that saw a splashy redesign of all 14 cottages, plus fresh looks for its lobby, boutique, and two restaurants and bars. The pink-and-turquoise palette complements the resortβs perch on Pink Sand Beach, and the mermaid, rooster, seashell, and seahorse motifs throughout help give the place a playful feel. Conch fritters and Pink Mermaid cocktails (gin, Lillet, pink grapefruit juice, and ginger beer) from the Coral Sands Beach Bar await at the multilevel pool, while The Pink Mermaid restaurant focuses on Italian food with a Bahamian influence in dishes such as a spicy seafood pizza with lobster sauce. The resort will open a new wellness center later this year.Β Virtuoso travelers receive breakfast daily and a $100 resort credit.
Escape the ordinary. Discover the serene beauty and authentic charm of Harbour Island. We offer exclusive discounts and cashback offers on your hotel bookings. Check our IG for more.
Reference: [https://www.virtuoso.com/travel/articles/our-guide-to-harbour-island-the-bahamas-under-the-radar-escape]