Harbour Island has long been on my list of places to visit. The island has received a lot of press over the last decade because of its most famous resident, India Hicks and her eponymous lifestyle brand, much of which centers around island life. (As you may know, she served as one of Princess Diana's bridesmaids in 1980 when she was 13, she is the granddaughter of the last Viceroy to India and the daughter of designer David Hicks). She lives on Harbour Island in her house, Hibiscus Hill, with her husband and five children. Her lifestyle brand of books and lifestyle goods continues to contribute to the popularity of the tiny island.
This little "out island", known as "Briland" to the locals, is located just north east of Eleuthera Island. Only 3 miles long and half a mile wide, it provides a quiet escape from hectic daily life with a spectacular pink sand beach. It's native population is just under 2,000 people.
I have a few friends who are either regular vacationers there or are property owners. I had a good group to advise me on where to go and what to do. There area number of boutique hotels on the island: The Dunmore Beach, The Coral Sands, The Pink Sands, Runaway Hill Inn, the Ocean View Club, The Valentine's Resort & Marina and others. We stayed at the Coral Sands, which was central to everything we needed on this tiny island. We flew from NYC to Ft. Lauderdale and connected to Eleuthera Airport. Once we arrived, we hopped into a taxi which took us on a five minute drive over to the docks, there we caught a water taxi across the harbor - that's about a ten minute boat ride. Once we arrived to the docks on the other side, we took another five minute taxi up to the hotel. We rented golf carts to have while on the island- it's what you need to get around. The island is simple and cute and the locals are very friendly. It's very easy to get around via golf cart and truly an escape...
While there we ate at the restaurant at Coral Sands, we went for cocktails one night at the Dunmore and then to The Landing for dinner (we loved the food, ask to sit outside). Another night we enjoyed delicious food at Runaway Hill. The Beach Bar at the Coral Sands offers picturesque views and good beach-side lunch options and fabulous cocktails. Sip Sip is a recommended breakfast and lunch spot as well. You can pop from hotel to hotel beach side for lunch as they are all short walks from each other. From Harbour Island we continued on to Nassau for a week at the Rosewood Baha Mar - I'll post about that soon, so stay tuned. Here are some photos to inspire you if you are considering Harbor Island. The island's pink sand beaches are *gorgeous*. While you won't necessarily get the big resort feel at any of these hotels (or the pampering you may be accustomed to), if you are looking to get away from it all with a good book or some great conversation with family and friends, this is a great option
Here are some of my photos of Coral Sands. Photos Copyright Melissa Hawks:
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