Harbour Island Bahamas Travel Guide (2026): Where to Stay, Eat & What to Do
Harbour Island in the Bahamas, best known for its iconic pink sand beaches and laid-back luxury, is one of the most beautiful and effortlessly chic destinations in the Caribbean.
Itβs the kind of place you return to again and again. Slow mornings, long lunches, golf cart rides, and that unmistakable soft pink shoreline.
In this Harbour Island travel guide, Iβm sharing exactly where to stay, what to eat, and the best things to do so you can plan the perfect trip. Now Updated in April 2026.
Is Harbour Island Worth Visiting?
Yes, especially if you love:
boutique hotels over large resorts
understated luxury
beautiful but relaxed destinations
Harbour Island feels exclusive without being overly polished. Itβs stylish, but still has a slightly undone charm that makes it incredibly appealing.
Being Caymanian and in love with our islands, itβs not often that I travel to another island and feel like Iβd want to live there, but the Bahamas and specifically Harbour Island, really really blew me away.
So hereβs my take on what makes this island so special, our stay at the Pinterest famous Ocean View Club and the best places to eat, drink and explore so you can plan a dream vacation just like ours - the only catch is I might come with you!
βA month later and Iβm still speaking about Harbour Island to anyone who will listen and wondering how soon is too soon to pop back!β
Where Is Harbour Island?
Harbour Island, Bahamas, is located just off the northeast coast of Eleuthera, one of the countryβs most scenic Out Islands. Known locally as βBriland,β this small but iconic island is famous for its three-mile pink sand beach, consistently ranked among the best beaches in the Caribbean, and the pastel-colored cottages of Dunmore Town.
Part of the Bahamas archipelago, Harbour Island sits within a vast chain of around 700 islands and more than 2,000 cays spread across over 5,000 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean. Despite this scale, only about 30 islands in the Bahamas are inhabited, giving many destinations like Harbour Island, a very peaceful, uncrowded feel.
Quaint, picturesque and with a down-to-earth charm about it, Harbour Island is a very special island. Itβs no surprise that a roster of celebrities like to call it home (Elle Macpherson, India Hicks to name a few.)
How Many Days Do You Need?
Our week-long trip included Nassau (3 nights) Eleuthera (in transit) and Harbour Island (for 4 nights). If we had more time we would have definitely visited the Exumas too (most famous for Pig Beach - although Eleuthera now has its own!).
How to Get to Harbour Island
Getting to Harbour Island is part of the experience.
Fly into North Eleuthera Airport (ELH)
Take a 5β10 minute taxi to the dock
Jump on a short water taxi to Harbour Island
From there, youβll arrive straight into the heart of the island.
We flew direct with British Airways from Grand Cayman to Nassau and overnighted in the Baha Mar resort. To get to Harbour Island, we flew from Nassau to North Eleuthera with Pineapple Air/Southern Air charter and then jumped on the water taxi from Eleuthera to Harbour Island which runs daily every 15 minutes.
Best Time to Visit Harbour Island
The Bahamas is a wonderful temperature year round.
DecemberβApril: Best weather (dry season)
MayβAugust: Quieter, warmer, fewer crowds
SeptemberβOctober: More active hurricane season (less ideal)
Of course with it being the Caribbean, itβs warm. 70-90 degrees kind of warm! But in the winter months, it is a bit cooler than we were expecting (cooler than Cayman for sure). Itβs warm in the days but thereβs a fresh breeze and itβs definitely cool enough for a jacket or cardigan in the evenings which we loved.
Our Stay At Ocean View Club
After many years of drooling over this gorgeous hotel on Pinterest, with its glamping tent-like structures built around the coconut trees, we finally had the chance to stay at Ocean View Club and it was everything I could have hoped for.
Located on beautiful Pink Sands beach on the eastern coast of the island, this hotel has the dreamiest view high above a pristine white beach with turquoise water and rolling waves. (For those from Cayman, think Seven Mile Beach with a higher vantage point and waves).
Passed through three generations, Ocean View Club is built on family and you do get a sense of that even though the owners now live at their sister property The Other Side.
There are three types of accommodation here: the Beach Shacks (3) which are the most private and secluded beach-front cottages, the Tent Cottages (2) that are freestanding and overlooking the ocean (pictured above) and, the Rooms (3 options) that are either part of the main building or entrance building. We stayed in a Lower Ocean Front Suite #2 and it was perfect for our needs. If we went back again I would splash out on one of the tent cottages or Beach Shacks just for the experience.
Ocean View Club has a really lovely restaurant on site (above the Ocean Front Rooms) which serves fantastic food 3 x day. The fresh produce is unreal - delicate microgreens, scrumptious local tomatoes, fresh sourdough toast and so much more. Benβs Benedict was a personal fav for brekkie!
Included in your stay at OVC:
Daily Breakfast (tea/coffee, juice, toast, oatmeal and fresh fruit)
Yoga mats, paddleboards & snorkel gear
Beach chairs & towels
Access to the sister hotel The Other Side - wish is incredible and highly worth a boat trip over for lunch and a tour of their stunning setting and IG-worthy pool! Be sure to book in your trip over as thereβs limited daily access.
Where to Stay in Harbour Island
This is where Harbour Island really shines.
Boutique Hotels (Best Option)
The island is known for its design-led, boutique properties.
Look for beachfront cottages, charming colonial-style stays and smaller hotels with personality. Here are some of my favourites
Private Rentals
If you want more space and more privacy, an Airbnb or private rental would be ideal, especially if travelling with family or friends. Here are some beautiful options to check out:
Best Restaurants in Harbour Island
The Dunmore: Arguably our favorite place to dine on the island. For lunch, the poke bowl and fried chicken were firm favourites. For dinner, the West Indian fish curry was out of this world. Stefan was jealous he didnβt order it.
Ocean View Club: Popular with non-hotel guests too so make sure you reserve in busy season even if staying at the hotel. The crab claw appetizer is a favourite, and all the salads are delicious! Stefan enjoyed the Rum BBQ Babyback Ribs, Mac N Cheese and 'Creole' Slaw with Jerk Cashews and Mint.
Coral Sands: The perfect lunch spot overlooking the beach with a cold glass of rosΓ© and their popular lobster salad sandwich. For dinner, we enjoyed the steak, seafood pasta and their beautiful wine selection. Touring the grounds is also not to be missed, itβs just beautiful with mature landscaping and a cute little hotel shop.
The Landing: Absolutely incredible food and drink in a more central location. We made friends on the plane and they joined us for an after-dinner drink at the bar. For breakfast we LOVED the ricotta honeycomb banana hotcakes are unreal. We're still talking about them. For dinner, I had one of the best lobster meals of my life. A must-visit.
Romora Bay: A nice place to go for happy hour and watch the sunset behind the yachts.
Things to Do on Harbour Island
Hire A Golf Buggy - The best way to get around the island is with a golf buggy which will set you back about $40 per day. We loved having one and your hotel will either organise one for you or provide them on site.
Boat Day to see the Pigs - We didnβt have enough time to head to the Exumas and see Pig Island but thereβs now a closer option that involves an afternoon excursion to Spanish Wells and the pigs they have there. It was a great day out that weβd highly recommend, although it wasnβt cheap at US$600 for the afternoonβs private boat charter.
Explore Dunmore Town - It sounds obvious but be sure to explore Dunmore Town and all of the historic Bahamian homes that are so beautifully maintained. We loved strolling through the harbour and seeing these charming cottages lining the coast.
Swim with the turtles - On the coast of Eleuthera Island (just down from The Other Side) there are little clusters of shallow clear water where wild sea turtles hang out just waiting for their next feed. Although we have sea turtles in Cayman, Iβve never seen them so tame! It was amazing to be in the water with them as they come up to you for a piece of squid!
Go Horse Riding with Briland Horses - A special moment on Pink Sands beach, was watching the horses go back and every now and again there was someone riding with them (often bare back). It would be a really special experience Iβm sure.
Afternoon At The Other Side - Weβd highly recommend lunch and an afternoon on the beach at The Other Side, Ocean View Clubβs sister hotel located on Eleuthera island. The hotel is comprised of individual tent cottages, a gorgeous infinity pool and restaurant which you can dine at. Make sure you book ahead as it has limited service (for guests/weddings and events only). See photos below.
FAQs About Harbour Island
Is Harbour Island expensive?
Yes - itβs one of the more luxury Caribbean destinations, but worth it for the experience.
How do you get to Harbour Island?
Fly to North Eleuthera, then take a short water taxi. We flew direct to Nassua on British Airways, then took a separate flight to North Eleuthera the next day. There are direct flights from Charlotte and Miami to Eleuthera.
Do you need a car?
No - golf carts are the main way to get around.
Is Harbour Island good for families?
Yes, especially if you enjoy slower, beach-focused travel.
What is Harbour Island known for?
Its pink sand beach, boutique hotels, and relaxed luxury atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Harbour Island is not about ticking boxesβitβs about how it feels to be there.
Itβs slow, beautiful, and quietly luxurious in a way thatβs increasingly rare.
If you love Caribbean islands, youβll also love Botanica Cayman.
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