Escape the cold at this chic, under-the-radar Bahamian island
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Harbour Island offers pink‑sand beaches, turquoise water and a slow, buggy‑paced retreat.
- Coral Sands Inn reopened late 2025 with renovated cottages, pool, and Beach Bar.
- Visitors book water taxis, private charters, and Conch & Coconut tours for activities.
Pink sand, turquoise water — name a better combination. For a winter escape from the cold or a spring break getaway off the typical tourist trail, consider Harbour Island. Located northeast of Eleuthera, one of the Bahamas’ Out Islands, Harbour Island is defined by fine, whisper-pink sand beaches that glitter in the sunlight and turn an even dreamier shade of pink at sunset — and a laid-back pace that makes you forget what day it is.
Just over three miles long, the island is a place where roosters roam free, conch salad is sliced and diced right from the sea, and the best way to get around is by buggy (golf cart). Getting there means flying into North Eleuthera, and then taking a quick water taxi to Harbour Island.
WHO IT’S FOR: Couples, luxury travelers, those seeking quiet, unhurried moments
BEST TIME TO GO: November–April
STAY: Coral Sands Inn & Cottages
If there ever were an Instagram-worthy hotel, the iconic Coral Sands Inn & Cottages Harbour Island is it. The storied hotel dates to 1968, when it was opened by a former movie star and his wife, and now under new ownership, it reopened in late 2025 with a tropical-glam property transformation and new amenities.
The boutique hotel sits on eight acres fronting a prime sliver of pink-sand beach, with a total of 41 accommodations, including seafront and garden cottages, the main inn, and stand-alone beachside residences, so guests can choose digs that fit their travel vibe. (But those oceanfront cottages with killer views are the flex.)
Even if you’re not a design aficionado, you’ll be giddy at this happy-hued hotel dripping in coral and turquoise colors; seashells cover everything from chandeliers to walls and whimsical touches abound, from seahorse statues to under-the-sea murals, and scalloped bar seats befitting a mermaid.
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Families play in the gentle surf, or zip off on kayaks, while couples find their own quiet rhythm in loungers on the beach or shaded cabanas by the elevated pool. Even the hotel’s pickleball courts are a high-design sight to see, with courts drenched in pink and blue and flanked by swaying palms. Facing the courts is the open-air fitness room, where you’ll also find a serene hot tub hidden away (perfect after a workout).
Start the day on the sun-dappled terrace of The Pink Mermaid — don’t miss the complimentary continental breakfast and the coconut bread — and have a leisurely lunch at the breezy Beach Bar which overlooks the turquoise water.
Settle into a coral-hued chair to order rounds of tropical drinks from rum punch to a boozy, chocolatey mudslide that tastes more like dessert, before digging into conch fritters, a fish sandwich, fish tacos, or even a pizza (if you’re not bikini-conscious). When you’re done, see if you can snag a seat in one of the restaurant’s swings for another round.
DO: Harbour Island is a small island, and most locals and visitors zip around on rented buggies. You can stroll Dunmore Town for a sprinkling of shops like Blue Rooster Boutique, Carousel Briland, and Shine for handmade jewelry and resort wear.
When you’re done shopping, search out an island delicacy: conch salad. There’s much debate about where to find the best, and the contenders are King Conch and Queen Conch. While I only made it to King Conch, the legendary vendor, Marty, made it fresh right in front of us, using conch that had just been lifted from the water. Some of the other island favorites for dinner are The Dunmore and Rock House.
For a deeply personalized island experience, book a tour with Conch & Coconut, a luxury concierge company specializing in island adventures from horseback riding on the beach to deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and diving. To truly experience the beauty of Harbour Island’s clear waters teeming with marine life, book a private boat charter for a full or half day.
A knowledgeable captain will lead you to spots to mingle in the shallows with turtles and stingrays, and even anchor off Meeks Patch, where you can feed the swimming pigs. You’ll cruise by the historic fishing village of Spanish Wells and end the day at the dangling overwater swings for a swim, swing, and social media-worthy photos.
It’s a bucket-list experience on Harbour Island — one that may permanently win you over from the often crowded, rum-fueled parties of other top Bahamian islands. The Out Islands are where it’s at when you want laid-back luxury.
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 5:23 PM.
