The 30-second guide
- Two ways in: Bahamas Ferries Bo Hengy III from Nassau (Wed/Fri/Sat, ~3 hrs 10 min, $139 one-way) or fly to North Eleuthera + a 5-minute water taxi (about $5/person).
- The headline beach: a 3-mile pink-sand beach on the Atlantic side, coloured by crushed red Foraminifera shells.
- Small but mighty: about 3.5 miles long and half a mile wide, with 1,861 residents. Golf carts (from ~$55/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 coast of Eleuthera, Bahamas |
| Size & population | About 3.5 × 0.5 miles; 1,861 residents (2022 census) |
| Main settlement | Dunmore Town, named after Lord Dunmore (governor 1786–1798) |
| Famous for | 3-mile Pink Sand Beach (Atlantic side) |
| Ferry from Nassau | Bo Hengy III, Wed/Fri/Sat, 8:00 AM–11:10 AM, $139 adult one-way |
| Water taxi from North Eleuthera | Daily, ~5 min, about $5 per person one-way |
| Currency | Bahamian Dollar (BSD), pegged 1:1 to USD; USD widely accepted |
| Getting around | Golf carts from ~$55/day; dock-to-beach walk is ~10 min |
Travel Time
~3 hrs 10 min from Nassau
~5 minutes from North Eleuthera
Ferry Fares
$139 adult one-way (Bo Hengy III)
Water taxi: about $5
Schedule
Bo Hengy: Wed / Fri / Sat only
Water taxi: daily, ~7 AM–6 PM
Must See
3-mile Pink Sand Beach
Colonial Dunmore Town
Two ways to reach paradise
How to Get to Harbour Island
There is no airport on Harbour Island itself — you arrive by boat. Pick the route that fits your schedule.
Nassau → Harbour Island
Bahamas Ferries — M/V Bo Hengy III (via Spanish Wells)
Departure Schedule
Check-in: 6:45 AM – 7:45 AM at Potter's Cay Dock, Nassau
Departure: 8:00 AM from Potter's Cay
Stop: Spanish Wells 10:10 AM (departs 10:25 AM)
Arrival: Harbour Island 11:10 AM
Return: 3:40 PM from Harbour Island, back in Nassau 6:30 PM
Adult round trip $257; child $103 one-way / $185 round trip. All fares VAT inclusive as published by Bahamas Ferries. Already on Spanish Wells? The short hop across is $47 adult one-way / $77 round trip. Full schedule and route detail: Nassau to Harbour Island ferry guide.
North Eleuthera → Harbour Island
Independent water-taxi operators
Operating Hours
Daily service: roughly 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM; some captains run earlier and later, but do not count on it for a late flight
Frequency: Departs roughly when full — no fixed timetable
Connection: Most travelers arrive via flights to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH); a short land taxi reaches Three Island Dock in about 5 minutes
Cash preferred. The standard $5 fare covers the shared run to Government Dock; ask for a specific marina or private dock and it typically rises to $7–$10 per person. A private charter runs roughly $40–$60. Service may pause in very rough weather — ask your hotel to confirm before heading to the dock.
From a seasoned island hopper
Essential Harbour Island Tips
Arrive Early on Ferry Days
Check-in at Potter's Cay runs 6:45 AM to 7:45 AM for the 8:00 AM sailing — miss that window and you miss the boat. Allow extra time for Nassau traffic.
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, and water-taxi crews load your bags as part of the standard fare. A carry-on plus a beach bag is plenty for a few nights — leave the giant suitcase at home.
Fly via North Eleuthera on Off Days
The Bo Hengy only sails Wednesday, Friday and Saturday — there is no ferry on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. Fly into ELH and water-taxi from Three Island Dock; it is often quicker door-to-door 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 across a handful of properties. December–April fills months out, and golf carts vanish on peak weekends. Book the cart through your hotel — most add it to your bill rather than charging up front.
Reserve Dinner
Sip Sip (lunch), The Pink Mermaid 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. Around 20 acres of tropical grounds on the Atlantic shore, with cottages, villas and private homes, a spa and beachfront dining. The closest "wake-up-on-the-pink-sand" experience on the island. Not all-inclusive — dining and wellness are booked separately.
From ~$700/night (high season)
Check Availability →Coral Sands Hotel
Beachfront on the Atlantic side. Recently renovated boutique property spread over rooms, cottages and private residences, with the Pink Mermaid Italian bistro and a beach bar on site. Named to the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2026. A more relaxed mid-luxury alternative to the Dunmore.
From ~$400/night (high season)
Check Availability →Valentines Resort & Marina
Harbour-side, near Government Dock. 39 suites wrapped around a 51-slip marina — one of the largest in the Out Islands — with a pool and dive operation. Best fit if you arrive by ferry and want to drop bags before exploring; the pink sand is a short golf-cart ride away.
From ~$320/night (high season)
Check Availability →
Romora Bay Resort & Marina
Boutique resort on the harbour side. A 17-room property with its own 40-slip marina and a well-liked waterside bar. Roughly a five-minute stroll 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 roughly 3.5 miles long and half a mile wide, everything is within reach. Golf carts are the island's main transport — rent one at the dock or through your hotel. Local rental guides list about $55 a day for a two-seater, $55–$65 for a four-seater and $80–$150 for six-seaters and newer luxury models; many companies give you the seventh day free on a week-long rental. 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.
Orient Yourself
Government Dock and Bay Street sit on the sheltered western (harbour) side. The pink sand beach runs the length of the eastern, Atlantic-facing shore — a 10-minute walk across.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Bookable Harbour Island Day Trip from Nassau
This bookable boat tour visits Harbour Island, Eleuthera and Current from Nassau — free cancellation up to 2 days before:
Harbour Island FAQ
How do I get to Harbour Island?
Two main routes: the Bahamas Ferries Bo Hengy III from Nassau (Potter's Cay) — Wednesday, Friday and Saturday only, about 3 hours 10 minutes via Spanish Wells, $139 adult one-way; or fly to North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) and take a five-minute water taxi from Three Island Dock to Government Dock for about $5 per person. Water taxis run through the day, roughly 7 AM–6 PM.
How much does the Nassau to Harbour Island ferry cost in 2026?
Bahamas Ferries publishes VAT-inclusive fares of $139 adult one-way and $257 adult round trip. Children pay $103 one-way and $185 round trip. The short Spanish Wells to Harbour Island hop is $47 adult one-way and $77 round trip. 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 11:10 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. Note that it only runs Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. 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. Local rental guides list around $55 per day for a two-seater, $55–$65 for a four-seater and $80–$150 for six-seaters and newer luxury models. The island is small enough that 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.