Our Guide to Harbour Island, the Bahamas’ Under-the-Radar Escape
Left: Pastel vibes on Pink Sand Beach. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation
Middle: Statement pieces at Shine.
Right: Coral Sands’ pink paradise. Boz Gagovski for Coral Sands Inn & Cottages
Come for the pink-sand beaches, stay for the car-free charm.
The Bahamas’ buzziest destinations attract their rightful share of beach lovers and spring breakers, but in the Out Islands – about 100 miles east of Nassau – the vibe is much calmer. Though savvy travelers may know Exuma and Eleuthera, Harbour Island remains even more blissfully secret. Travelers can only get to the walkable, five-square-mile island – called Briland by locals (say “Harbour Island” three times fast, and it’ll make sense) – by boat, a ten-minute ride from Eleuthera. But don’t confuse remote for rudimentary: Harbour Island is a favorite escape for celebrities such as Taylor Swift, George Clooney, and Mick Jagger, who have been spotted on its gorgeous beaches and in its chic restaurants and boutiques.
The light color of Pink Sand Beach’s crushed shells keeps bare feet cool. The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation
What to Do
Three-mile-long Pink Sand Beach is the island’s most beautiful attraction – 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 – only three boutique hotels line the beach.
Beyond the rose-colored beach sessions, travelers spend time popping into art galleries in Dunmore Town (the island’s 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 – one of the oldest, the white-and-turquoise Loyalist Cottage, has been carefully restored and is open to visitors.
Where to Eat and Shop
The action revolves around Dunmore Town, where the lineup of stylish boutiques and restaurants rivals those of Saint Bart’s. Former model India Hicks, who spent time in the Bahamas as a child and now lives on Harbour Island, owns The Sugar Mill, an intimate space that’s filled with beachy home goods, accessories, and clothing from around the world. A five-minute walk down Bay Street toward the fishing dock leads to Shine, whose two outlets sit across the street from each other, showcasing locally made jewelry, clothing, pottery, and furniture. At A and A Hidden Treasures, visitors can have one of the shop’s handmade straw bags embroidered, and it will be ready for pickup before they leave the island.
Mornings begin at Cocoa Coffee House, with its tree-house-like ambience, or Bluwatur Bakery, whose organic pecan sticky buns could compete with any of-the-moment NYC bakery (note that it’s closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). For lunch, Queen Conch, which overlooks the bay, has the island’s must-try conch salad, while the more upscale 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. The Landing, the island’s oldest restaurant, makes a killer spicy crab capellini and grilled lobster, which pairs well with a crisp white from its 800-bottle wine cellar.
Coral Sands’ Sea Cottages combine beach views with breezy, tropical charm. Coral Sands Inn & Cottages
Where to Stay
The 40-room Coral Sands 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 resort’s 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. AH Travels travelers receive breakfast daily and a $100 resort credit.
