The 30-second guide
- Two ways in: Bahamas Ferries Bo Hengy III from Nassau (Fri/Sat/Sun, ~3 hrs, from $135 one-way) or fly to North Eleuthera + 10-min water taxi ($10/person, daily 7 AM–6 PM).
- The headline beach: a 3-mile pink-sand beach on the Atlantic side, coloured by crushed red Foraminifera shells.
- Small but mighty: 3.5 miles long, 0.5 miles wide. Golf carts ($50–80/day) are the main transport — book in peak season.
- Where to sleep: Pink Sands Resort (luxury), Coral Sands and Valentines (mid-luxury), Romora Bay (boutique). Most stays cluster in or just outside Dunmore Town.
- Best time to go: Mid-December to April for dry, breezy weather; May, June and November for fewer crowds and better rates.
| Harbour Island at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Off the north-east tip of Eleuthera, Bahamas |
| Size | 3.5 miles long × 0.5 miles wide |
| Main settlement | Dunmore Town (founded 1791) |
| Famous for | 3-mile Pink Sand Beach (Atlantic side) |
| Ferry from Nassau | Bo Hengy III, Fri/Sat/Sun, ~3 hrs, from $135 one-way |
| Water taxi from North Eleuthera | Daily 7 AM–6 PM, ~10 min, $10–15 one-way |
| Currency | Bahamian Dollar (BSD), pegged 1:1 to USD; USD widely accepted |
| Getting around | Golf carts $50–80/day; walking the dock-to-beach is ~10 min |
Travel Time
~3 hours from Nassau
10 minutes from North Eleuthera
Ferry Fares
From $135 one-way (Bo Hengy III)
Water taxi: $10–15
Schedule
Bo Hengy: Fri / Sat / Sun only
Water taxi: daily 7 AM–6 PM
Must See
3-mile Pink Sand Beach
Colonial Dunmore Town
From a seasoned island hopper
Essential Harbour Island Tips
Arrive Super Early on Ferry Days
The 6:30 AM check-in for the Nassau Bo Hengy is non-negotiable — it closes 30 minutes before the 8:00 AM sailing. Allow extra time for Nassau traffic to Potter's Cay.
Bring Motion Sickness Meds
The Nassau crossing runs through open water and can be choppy — especially after a winter front. Take Dramamine or Bonine 30 minutes before boarding.
Pack Light
Bo Hengy includes 2 bags free; water taxis charge ~$5 per extra bag. A carry-on plus a beach bag is plenty for a few nights — leave the giant suitcase at home.
Fly via North Eleuthera if Mid-Week
No Bo Hengy Mon–Thu. Fly into ELH (American, Silver, Bahamasair) and water-taxi from Three Island Dock — often quicker door-to-door than the Nassau ferry anyway.
Carry Cash
Water-taxi captains, golf-cart rentals and some restaurants prefer cash. Hit the ATM in Nassau or at the Royal Bank in Dunmore Town — island ATMs occasionally run dry.
Book Hotels & Carts Early
Harbour Island has only a few hundred rooms. December–April fills 2–3 months out, and golf carts vanish during peak weekends. Book the cart with your hotel.
Reserve Dinner
Sip Sip (lunch only), Latitude 25 at Coral Sands, the Landing and the Dunmore book up — call ahead by a day or two, or your hotel can usually slot you in.
Catch Sunrise on Pink Sand Beach
The pink colour is most visible in soft morning and late-afternoon light. Walk over for sunrise (~6:30 AM in summer) and you'll have the beach almost to yourself.
North Eleuthera Water Taxi at a Glance
The fastest way onto Harbour Island. Small open boats run between Three Island Dock (North Eleuthera) and Government Dock (Harbour Island) all day, every day.
Hotels near Pink Sand Beach
Where to Stay on Harbour Island
Most accommodations cluster between Pink Sand Beach (Atlantic side) and Dunmore Town / Government Dock (harbour side). The map below shows live rates from Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia and Airbnb side by side.
Booking through any of the links below supports BahamasHopping at no extra cost to you — we earn a small commission, you pay the same rate as direct.
Top Hotel Picks on Harbour Island
Pink Sands Resort
Luxury cottages directly on Pink Sand Beach. 25-acre estate with private beach access, spa and beachfront restaurant. The closest "wake-up-on-the-pink-sand" experience on the island.
From ~$700/night (high season)
Check Availability →Coral Sands Hotel
14 acres on Pink Sand Beach. Boutique 33-room property with the popular Latitude 25 restaurant. A more relaxed mid-luxury alternative to the Dunmore.
From ~$450/night (high season)
Check Availability →Valentines Resort & Marina
Harbour-side, opposite Government Dock. 39 suites, marina, pool and the Boathouse restaurant. Best fit if you arrive by ferry and want to drop bags before exploring — beach is a short golf-cart ride.
From ~$320/night (high season)
Check Availability →Romora Bay Resort
Boutique resort on the harbour side. 26 rooms, private dock, and a popular beach bar. Short walk to Bay Street restaurants and shops; bike or cart over to the pink sand.
From ~$280/night (high season)
Check Availability →Disclosure: BahamasHopping earns a commission when you book through these links. This does not affect the price you pay. Learn more.
Plan like a local
Getting Around Harbour Island
Once you arrive at Government Dock, the island is yours to explore. At just 3.5 miles long and half a mile wide, everything is within reach. Golf carts are the island's main transport — rent one right at the dock or through your hotel for about $50–80 per day. Most carts run on petrol; a few are electric.
Walking works too. It is a 10-minute stroll from Government Dock to Pink Sand Beach. Just follow Bay Street through colourful Dunmore Town — past the iconic Loyalist clapboard houses and around the high point of the island — and you will hit the dunes.
Bicycles are an underrated option for solo travellers; many hotels lend them free or for a small fee. Taxis are limited and not metered — agree the fare first.
Hot tip: Book your golf cart in advance during peak season (December–April). Walk-up rentals run out by 10 AM on weekends.
Harbour Island FAQ
How do I get to Harbour Island?
Two main routes: the Bahamas Ferries Bo Hengy III from Nassau (Potter's Cay) — Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, ~3 hours via Spanish Wells, from $135 one-way; or fly to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) and take a 10-minute water taxi from Three Island Dock to Government Dock for about $10 per person. Water taxis run daily 7 AM–6 PM.
How much does the Nassau to Harbour Island ferry cost in 2026?
Adult fares on the Bo Hengy III start at $135 one-way and around $250 round-trip. Children 2–11 pay roughly $100 one-way and $180 round-trip. Prices include taxes and vary by season — confirm the current fare on bahamasferries.com before booking.
Is the Pink Sand Beach really pink?
Yes. The 3-mile beach on the Atlantic side gets its rosy hue from microscopic red Foraminifera shells (Homotrema rubrum) crushed and mixed with white coral sand. The colour is most visible in soft morning and late-afternoon light, and at the water line where the wet sand looks pinker.
Do I need a passport for Harbour Island?
Yes. All US citizens need a valid US passport book to enter the Bahamas. A passport card is accepted at sea checkpoints but not on the return flight, so most travelers carry a passport book for the round trip. Confirm current rules with US Customs and Border Protection before booking.
Can I do Harbour Island as a day trip from Nassau?
Yes, but it is tight. The Bo Hengy III arrives at 11:00 AM and the only return departs at 3:40 PM, leaving about 4.5 hours on the island — enough for the Pink Sand Beach, lunch in Dunmore Town and a quick golf-cart loop. Most visitors find an overnight stay much more rewarding.
What is the best way to get around Harbour Island?
Golf carts are the island's main mode of transport — rent one at Government Dock or through your hotel for roughly $50–$80 per day. The island is only 3.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide, so walking from the dock to Pink Sand Beach takes about 10 minutes through Dunmore Town. Book carts in advance during peak season (December–April).
When is the best time to visit Harbour Island?
Mid-December through April brings the driest, most reliable weather and is also peak season for hotels. May, June and November are excellent shoulder months with fewer crowds and lower rates. Hurricane season runs 1 June–30 November, with peak risk in August, September and early October — consider travel insurance for those months.
Ready for Pink Sand Paradise?
Lock in your Bo Hengy III seat or pre-book a hotel room before peak weekends sell out.