Harbour Island, Bahamas
Dont be afraid of the roosters.
- More about your Oliver Guide: Peter Wooster
- Trip type: Family, Beach
- Activity level: easy
- Ideal length of trip: YOU HAVE TO GO FOR A WEEK (MOST HOUSES WILL NOT LET YOU BOOK FOR LESS TIME).
to & from
From the West Coast, fly direct to Ft Lauderdale and grab a flight to Eleuthera (under an hour long). You can fly American, or a few other major carriers. If you have enough people (two families) believe it or not, chartering a plane for the Ft Lauderdale to Eleuthera leg is cost effective. Don’t expect a G5, these are prop planes. Once in Eleuthera. take a taxi to the boat which takes you to Harbour Island. Don’t worry, it only takes 30 minutes in total. Bring cash for this part. For a family of 4 it will cost $100 or so each way. Once on the island, you need a Golf Cart. Michael’s Cycle is a good option. He takes credit cards.
Where to Stay
Rent a house and share it will another family. The range of options and price points is wide. The real decision, is Ocean or Bayside. The “Narrows” is the most isolated part of the island and also the most exclusive. You can very easily break the bank on a house there, but it’s also cool to stay next to the King of Spain. I don’t like staying in town, it can be very noisy and the island is so small, everything is a 5 minute golf cart ride so you don’t need to stay in “town”. Vrbo or Island Real Estate are good bets.
If you want a hotel or want to come for less than a week here are the best:
- The Dunmore- Right on the beach, has a small gym (if you care). Feels like a private club.
- The Pink Sand-Beachside
- The Landing-Is on the harbor, India Hicks and Ralph Lauren are loosely involved, can be loud so I would not recommend with kids or for light sleepers.
- Eleven Bahama House- this is on the Harbor side of the island so away from the beach and very close to restaurants and shopping. They set up a beach area for their guests.
- Ocean View Club- On Harbour Island, would be a great place to take over with a few families.
- The Other Side- Across the bay in Eleuthera (7 minute boat ride) and offers 24 hour boat service. Owned by the same people as Ocean View Club.