Locals call it Briland, and once you arrive you’ll understand the devotion. Just off the northern tip of Eleuthera, Harbour Island is roughly three and a half miles long, with no sprawling resorts and no rush. Pastel cottages line the lanes of Dunmore Town, golf carts stand in for cars, and nearly three miles of pink sand run the length of the Atlantic shore.
Born from a decade of local hospitality and more than 2,000 five-star guest experiences, the Reverie Collection knows this island from the inside. This guide shares what we tell our own guests: how to get here, where to eat, what to do and when to come.
The first thing most visitors notice is the sand. Harbour Island’s eastern shore is lined by Pink Sand Beach, nearly three miles of soft, blush-toned beach facing the Atlantic. The color comes from foraminifera, tiny marine organisms with rosy-red shells that wash ashore and mix with the white sand. An offshore reef keeps the water calm and clear enough for an early-morning wade.
The island’s history runs just as deep. The Eleutheran Adventurers, Puritan settlers seeking religious freedom, arrived in 1648. When the first Bahamian parliament met in Nassau in 1729, four of its members represented Harbour Island, and in 1791 the governor, Lord Dunmore, laid out the town that still bears his name. Shipbuilding, citrus and pineapples once powered the island’s economy before tourism took their place.
That rare blend of beauty and privacy has made Briland a quiet favorite of celebrities, designers and creatives for decades. Yet it has never lost its small-town warmth: neighbors still wave from their porches, and the best evening plans often begin with a conversation on the dock.
North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) is your gateway. Nonstop flights operate from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, Charlotte and Nassau, with private charters and seaplane services also available. Many routes are seasonal, so confirm schedules with your airline.
A short taxi ride takes you from the airport to the North Eleuthera dock. From there, water taxis cross to Harbour Island in about five to ten minutes, with an inexpensive per-person fare.
Golf carts are how the island gets around. Pick one up for your stay, or let our team have yours waiting at the dock, then follow the harbor road straight to your front door.
Bahamas Fast Ferries runs between Nassau and Harbour Island, a scenic option if you’re connecting through the capital or island-hopping.
Our VIP Transport service meets you at the airport, guides you through Customs, and has a private boat and your golf cart waiting. Explore concierge services →
Life here moves at the pace of a golf cart. Cars are few, carts are everywhere, and a sunset drive along Bay Street, the harbor-front road, quickly becomes a nightly ritual.
Dunmore Town is the heart of it all: narrow lanes of clapboard cottages in shades of pink, yellow and blue, picket fences spilling with bougainvillea, and historic churches. Boutiques, bakeries and roadside stands selling fresh conch salad are all a short ride from the beach.
What you won’t find is a mega-resort. Harbour Island’s character comes from its boutique hotels, private homes and local businesses, many run by families who have called Briland home for generations. Staying in a private residence lets you live like a local, with a little help from people who know the island best.
Rock House
Seafood and handcrafted cocktails, with sunset seating overlooking the harbor.
The Landing
Caribbean-inspired cuisine in a contemporary boutique-hotel setting on Bay Street.
Malcolm 51
Refined dining at Pink Sands Resort, built on the authentic flavors of the island.
Runaway Hill
Elegant oceanfront dining at one of the island’s most charming inns.
Sip Sip
A beloved lunch spot for fresh, inventive island fare.
Acquapazza
Traditional Italian and fresh seafood. Don’t miss the lobster pizza.
The Pink Mermaid
An Italian bistro with a Bahamian twist at Coral Sands.
The Dunmore
Island-inspired and contemporary Mediterranean dishes.
Queen Conch
The island’s go-to for conch salad, made fresh to order by the harbor.
Ma Ruby’s
Home of the famous “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”
Arthur’s Bakery
Morning coffee and fresh-baked treats on Dunmore Street.
Harry O’s
Hearty native cooking just north of Fishermen’s Dock.
Gusty’s
A classic island nightspot on Coconut Grove.
Daddy D’s
A lively local hangout on Dunmore Street.
Bar 480
A waterfront bar at the Briland Club Marina, by day or by night.
The most popular tables book up quickly in high season, and hours change with the seasons. Let our concierge secure your reservations →
Walk, swim and lounge along nearly three miles of pink sand. Early mornings and late afternoons bring the softest light and the fewest footprints.
Snorkel the reefs just offshore, dive the legendary Devil’s Backbone and its shipwrecks, or stalk bonefish across the shallow flats with a local guide.
A weathered driftwood tree standing alone in the harbor shallows, and one of the most photographed spots in the Bahamas. Visit by boat or at low tide.
Wander the colorful lanes, browse boutiques and galleries, and visit St. John’s Anglican Church, among the oldest churches in the Bahamas.
Spend a day on the water visiting sandbars, beach swings, sea turtles and the famous swimming pigs of the nearby cays.
Cross to the mainland for the Glass Window Bridge, where the deep-blue Atlantic meets the turquoise Bight of Eleuthera, and Preacher’s Cave, where the Eleutheran Adventurers took shelter in 1648.
“The best place on the island — pure luxury and genuine warmth rolled into one unforgettable stay. The beach is just a two-minute walk away and absolutely breathtaking. A true 11/10 experience.”
Rye L. · At Ease Guest
Sunny skies, gentle trade winds and temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s°F. It’s the island at its liveliest, with Junkanoo celebrations around Christmas and New Year and a busy Valentine’s weekend. Book homes and dinner reservations well ahead.
Warm water, fewer visitors and plenty of sunshine, with a little more humidity and the occasional passing shower. A favorite for a quieter, easier escape.
The warmest months, with highs near 88°F and the calmest crowds, plus summer regattas and festivals across Eleuthera. It’s also hurricane season (June 1 to November 30, most active in August and September), so flexible plans and travel insurance are wise.
Quick answers to the questions our guests ask most. For anything else, our concierge team is happy to help.
A designer-owned retreat steps from Pink Sand Beach, featured in HGTV and Coastal Living, with a private pool, outdoor bar, daily housekeeping and included concierge service.
A 7,200 sq ft villa a few steps from the pink sand, reimagined in 2025, with six bedrooms, a dedicated manager, two housekeepers, a private gym and a daily beach setup.
A Reverie Resorts Group (RRG) Brand