Secret Stash- Portland Jamaica- Off the beaten path travel guide

Harbour Island Bahamas

Harbour Island’s activities can go from extreme to laid-back. Besides swimming in the beach, water lovers will never run out of things to do, such as scuba diving for reefs and wrecks or reef running on underwater scooters – at Valentines Dive Center, they can make it happen for you. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy kite boarding, waterskiing or jet skiing too. Boat or kayak rentals are everywhere and boatmen are willing to guide and tour you around the island. You can even take pride in catching a bonefish, which is common in Harbour Island’s clear waters.

If you don’t want to get wet, lie under an umbrella, read a book or nap on the pink sand. Done sleeping? Take a leisurely stroll on the island. You can also rent a bike or even better, do what Brilanders do – ride a golf cart! Head to the docks such as Bottom Harbour and watch the turtles in their natural habitat. At Government Dock, you can sit and sip a cocktail while you watch the sunset and then stargaze. Observe locals play hardcore dominoes, which they consider a national sport in The Bahamas. You may get lost but that’s part of the fun of island exploring.

Where to stay

There are several excellent hotels to choose from on Harbour Island, depending on your every whim and budget. If you want to be a stone’s throw away from the island’s clear blue waters, our favorite hotels on the beach are Coral Sands, Pink Sands, and The Dunmore. You can walk a short distance between hotels so checking out the accommodation best for you is fun and easy.

Just three miles long and a half-mile wide, Harbour Island in the The Bahamas is a stretch of pristine beach heaven. With its powder-fine pink sand, turquoise waters, and subtropical climate, stepping on the island promises that you’ll be drunk from its breathtaking scenery, easy-breezy lifestyle and friendly people – all while there’s sand and salt in your hair.

Harbour Island is called Briland by locals. Located in the northern coast of Eleuthera Island, it is an administrative district of The Bahamas. There are 2,500 Brilanders who live in their British-colonial pastel clapboard houses with white picket fences, side-by-side chic hotels and cottages owned by business moguls and super-famous celebrities.

Fashion-ally Speaking

A favorite of fashion editors and photographers alike, Harbour Island has been the location for fashion spreads in various magazines. Supermodel Elle MacPherson may seem to be there for a fashion shoot but really, she is a Briland homeowner. Designer Diane von Furstenberg and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece have properties on the island as well.

Take a piece of the island back home by going shopping! Harbour Island has Bahamian hand-made crafts such as straw bags, jewelry and decor on display. India Hicks' The Sugar Mill Trading Co. boutique offers high-end items personally picked from her many travels. Go to the top of Gustie’s Hill to buy bottles of pink sand from The Sand Dollar Shop as souvenirs. Skip Sundays and hit the beach (or attend church services) since it’s when most shops close. From affordable to expensive, fabulous finds and one-of-a-kind fashion are all readily available for you.

“Conch”-ed

Harbour Island cuisine is delicious and eclectic. Fresh seafood is a shoo-in but conch (pronounced as “conk”) is king. A local favorite, this squid-like seafood can be eaten steamed or as fritters with hot tomato, onion salad or rice. Take a bite on a conch burger at Seaview Takeaway. The key lime tart at Arthur’s Bakery is an awesome pastry to have. At Sip-Sip (how locals say “gossip”), gulp the Gombay Smash drink. Stop by Patricia’s for their homemade jams and breads.

How to get there

To get to Harbour Island by air, take a commercial or chartered plane to North Eleuthera Airport. From there, take a cab for $5 per person ($10 for single passenger) for an estimated 10-minute ride to the dock. Another 10-minute water taxi ride that costs $5 per person, and you’ll be on Harbour Island.

You can also take a ferry from Nassau to Eleuthera, then on to Harbour Island.

Time to go

Harbour Island is wonderful in the summer from March to May. Spend the holidays with less humidity from November to December. These are peak seasons so save up for your travel expenses. Don’t worry - it’s worth it.