| Promise not to tell? One of the best kept | | | | Club and Harbour Lounge. For local fare, Ma |
| secrets of the Bahamas is Harbour Island. | | | | Ruby's should not be missed. And there are |
| This romantic little island, known as | | | | more... Part of the pleasure of exploring the |
| "Briland" by its inhabitants, is a short hop | | | | island is checking out the restaurants. When |
| from the States. A one hour flight from | | | | compared to other Bahamian islands, Harbour |
| Florida to North Eleuthera followed by a | | | | Island has one of the best selections of |
| brief cab and water taxi ride gets you to | | | | restaurants -- all within close proximity to |
| this Bahamas gem in a hurry.Harbour Island is | | | | any place you stay.On the ocean side, hotels |
| less than 4 miles long and a 1/2 mile wide. | | | | include Pink Sands Hotel, Coral Sands Hotel |
| Its long wide beach is famous for its | | | | and Dunmore Beach Club. On the bay side, it's |
| hard-packed pale pink sand. The likes of | | | | The Landing Inn and the Rock House. On a |
| Fodors and Conde Nast rate it as one of the | | | | budget? There are other hotels to choose |
| "best Bahamas beaches." The beach, combined | | | | from. Visiting Harbour Island is not cheap, |
| with some great restaurants, hotels and | | | | but if it was, then everybody would be there, |
| vacation home rentals, makes Harbour Island a | | | | right?Harbour Island's vacation home rentals |
| destination of choice amongst Bahamas | | | | and villas are numerous. Location and size |
| enthusiasts. It's no surprise to find a few | | | | come at a price. If you desire "beachfront", |
| "rich and famous" there -- they know they | | | | the better locations are usually on the north |
| won't be hounded.Central to Harbour island is | | | | and south along the east coast. If you want |
| Dunmore Town. This quaint and friendly | | | | to save a little, there are some nice rentals |
| community features old Victorian structures | | | | in Dunmore Town and others located in the |
| adorned with Bahama's colorful pastel paint | | | | interior of the island. The beach is always |
| schemes. No high rise hotels, fast food or | | | | minutes away.Look for home rentals on the |
| traffic jams on this island!Golf cart rentals | | | | internet offering more than a few photos so |
| are the transportation of choice. Swimming, | | | | you know what to expect. A number of rentals |
| snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and just | | | | are handled by rental or real estate agents |
| plain walking the beach are some of the | | | | who may not provide much in the way of |
| popular activities. To be sure, Harbour | | | | details, descriptions, map locations or |
| Island is not known for its shopping and | | | | photos. Owners who care about promoting their |
| night life nor is there any gambling. If you | | | | home rental typically have independent web |
| seek large crowds, wild parties or theme park | | | | sites and accept e-mail inquiries |
| rides, this is not your destination.Harbour | | | | directly.The better house rentals on Harbour |
| Island's weather is delightful; especially | | | | Island are booked nearly a year in advance of |
| during late Winter and Spring when there is | | | | prime season. Those who want the best make |
| little chance of rain. Ocean breezes take any | | | | early reservations -- many are repeat |
| edge off of moderately warm temperatures | | | | customers. You can also take a "standby" |
| ranging from the 70s to 80s during the day | | | | position on a number of rentals in hopes |
| and late 60s at night. Air conditioning | | | | someone cancels. Ask for referrals and double |
| during season is unnecessary -- ceiling fans | | | | check policies for deposits and refunds.If |
| are adequate. Nothing beats falling asleep to | | | | you seek a memorable and relaxed Bahamas |
| the sounds of the ocean through an open | | | | vacation coupled with sun, sea, great food |
| window.Dining out is casual. The better | | | | and a romantic beachfront that will knock |
| restaurants include Pink Sands Hotel, Coral | | | | your eyes out, consider Harbour Island. See |
| Sands, The Landing, Rock House, Romora Bay | | | | you on the beach! |