Harbor Island ?? Anyone

Old Jan 4th, 2009, 02:28 PM
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Harbor Island ?? Anyone

I was told by someone that Harbor Island is incredible !! I was bragging about Bermuda and they told me that there was no comparison- that HI was much better. We are leaving out of NJ - I understand that HI is very hard to get to - any help will be appreciated. Any lodging suggestions ??
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Old Jan 4th, 2009, 03:03 PM
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Trip Advisor will probably be very helpful to you on this subject. (May need to check Eleuthra as well.)
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Old Jan 4th, 2009, 03:51 PM
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Thanks POSS - just having a problem finding anything !
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Old Jan 4th, 2009, 06:51 PM
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I have been to HI but not Bermuda so I cannot help you with the comparison. I can tell you that you need to fly into North Eleuthera (Bahamas) airport in order to visit HI- take a very short cab ride then a short water taxi ride to the island. Not many large carriers fly into North Eleuthera so you might end up flying to Nassau then taking a smaller commuter plane to Eleuthera. There are 3 airports on Eleuthera but the one most convenient for a trip to HI is N. Eleuthera. You can fly into Governor's Harbour but then you would be in for a much, much longer cab ride to get to the water taxi location.
There are several nice places to stay on the island- it depends on your budget and what you are looking for. You might try researching Coral Sands, Pink Sands, Dunmore Beach Club, Runaway Hill, Romora Bay Club, Valentines- there are many more- most are relatively small places but some are on the beach side and some the harbour side of the island. There are also nice houses for rent.
The main mode of transportation on this small island is by golf cart or one can rent a bicycle or walk- the cart is the best idea if you really want to see it all.
There are several good restaurants (by Bahamaian standards) on the island and some small shops but the main attraction is the beach.
In searching for information about Harbour Island, look for Eleuthera travel information sites then you can be more specific to find H.I.
Hope that little bit helps.
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Old Jan 4th, 2009, 06:57 PM
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PS For a start, try www.harbourislandguide.com for some basic information and links.
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Old Jan 5th, 2009, 04:02 AM
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Another Harbour Island specific forum:

http://www.briland.com/forum/forummain.php

There is a fast ferry from Nassau as an option.

http://www.bahamasferries.com
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Old Jan 5th, 2009, 07:47 AM
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Thanks ishkribbl and RobertoB - this gives me a start ! My husband and I aren't into much shopping and we both love the beach - sounds like our kind of place ! Thanks for the help !
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Old Jan 5th, 2009, 12:17 PM
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I had been to Bermuda a few times before I went to Harbour Island. My first impression of HI was "this is a tiny, more laid back version of Bermuda". You really can't compare it to Bermuda but it's a sweet spot.
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Old Jan 5th, 2009, 02:19 PM
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I love Harbor Island!

I've been to Bermuda once, Harbor Island 3 times.

Bermuda is nice, but for my tastes I enjoy HI better. It's tiny, you go around in a golf cart. The town is the prettiest town you'll lay eyes on, clapboard houses in pastels with draped flowers over the picket fences.

The beach is stunning, pink sand, bright turquoise water.
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Old Jan 5th, 2009, 03:01 PM
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I love HI . . . we plan on spending our 20th anniversary there, especially now that I've discovered the "easy" way to get there:

Fly to Nassau (many direct flights . . . we'll do Boston to Nassua) then take fast ferry to HI.
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Old Jan 5th, 2009, 05:04 PM
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Thanks guys for the replys - can someone recommend a hotel ??
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Old Jan 5th, 2009, 09:00 PM
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I love HI too! We stayed at Coral Sands a few years ago and loved it! There's a relatively newer section with big light airy rooms that we stayed in. I would highly recommend it. The sand is soft and pale pink, the ocean turquoise/royal blue - stunning. We flew into Ft. Lauderdale, FL and then took a cab to a smaller airport there where we took a small plane to N. Eluethera. I recall the rate to fly from there being fairly reasonable. Bring lots of small bills for tips because by the time you fly to N. Elueth, take a cab, a water taxi and another cab you'll need it!

Hope you get to visit, we have wonderful memories of our relaxing peaceful visit there.
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Old Jan 6th, 2009, 04:52 AM
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Thanks Stephie !! We are trying to pick a date to go - and after looking at a lot of websites we chose Coral Sands. Hope we can get a good rate !
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Old Jan 6th, 2009, 10:10 AM
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Difficult to compare the two. Have been to both. Bermuda is so beautiful,quaint and green. HI we visited on a day trip while staying at eleuthera (which we love - very rustic and littered with tons of isolated empty gorgeous beaches). HI is much smaller - 3 miles long and has one great beach that runs the length of the island. Its not as sophisticated as Bermuda. The vistas will not be as scenic as Bermuda but the beach in my opinion is much better. I would travel to north eleuthera airport from jersey and take the 5 minute ferry over to HI.
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Old Jan 6th, 2009, 04:03 PM
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Jersey Sue,
I hope things work out and that you have a wonderful vacation. If you get restless or need some adventure, take the water taxi over to Eleuthera and rent a car for the day at the airport- arrange ahead- and go exploring some on the big island. HI is a very pretty place fot those who just want to chill! Have fun.
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Old Jan 6th, 2009, 06:23 PM
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Thanks ishkribbl !! Just booked the trip - can't wait ! I'll report when I get back. Coral Sands was booking up already for April/May. Glad we got a room.

Thanks everyone !!
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Old Jan 7th, 2009, 02:19 PM
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We loved Harbour Island. Loved it!! Buzzing around the island in a golf cart added to the charm of the small island.

The sand is so beautiful, especially at sunset when the sand really shows off its beautiful, diamond-pink salmon color.

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Old Jan 10th, 2009, 03:58 PM
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Thanks BEACHGIRL247 !! Can't wait to go - any good restaurant suggestions ? How's the shopping there ?? Can you drive around the island at night on the golf carts ??
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Old Jan 15th, 2009, 09:47 AM
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Hi JerseySue

Yes it is safe to drive or walk around the whole Island anytime of day or night

Here is some information from my house guide on Restaurants & Shopping hope it helps

Restaurants ~ Dinner ~ Excellent
The Landing Bay Street 333.2707 (Our Favorite Dinner Spot)
The Rock House Gaol Street 333.2030 (South Beach Meets Harbour Island)
The Coral Sands(Poseidon)Chapel Street 333.2350 (Recent Colonial Reno)
Runaway Hill Colebrook Street 333.2150 (Mark Messier recently purchased)
Dunmore Beach Club Off Court Rd 333.2200 (Jacket & Tie Required)
Ocean View (Pip's) Court Rd 3332276 (Prix Fix often Full)
Acquapazza (New Italian/Old Hammerheads)

Restaurants ~ Dinner ~ Good
Tingum Village(Ma Ruby) Colebrook St.333.2161(Cheeseburger in Paradise & Local Fare)
Romora Bay Club Colebrook Rd 333.2325(Excellent Sunsets &Casual Dinning)
Valentine's Yacht Club Bay St 333.2142 (Excellent Sunsets and Casual Dinning)
Harbour Lounge Bay St 333.2031 (Local fare good location)
Pink Sands Chapel Street 333.2030
Angela's Starfish Grant St. 333.2253 (Local & Fried Foods, Kid Friendly)
Avery's Colebrook St 333.2093 (Local fare and Casual)
Brian's BBQ Colebrook & Munnings St. (Best BBQ on Island only open Fri/Sat)

Restaurants ~ Lunch ~ Excellent
Blue Bar/Pink Sands Chapel Street 333.2030(Right on the Beach, Doesn't get any better)
Sip Sip Court Rd 333. (Right on the Beach, Excellent Food & Service)
Queen Conch Bay St (Fresh Conch Salads made right in front of you, Food of the Gods)
Dunmore Deli King St. 333.2644 (Excellent sandwiches and gourmet shop)
Acquapazza (New Italian/Old Hammerheads)

Restaurants ~ Lunch ~ Good
Valentine's Yacht Club Bay St 333.2142 (Good Food & fun location)
Acquapazza at Harbour Island Marina 333.2427 (Good Food & Location)
Avery's Colebrook St 333.2093 (Local Fare)
Arthur's Bakery Dunmore Street 333.2285 (Good Sandwiches & Salads)
Harry O's Take Away Bay St by the Fisherman's Dock (Good Local Fare)
Wade's Take Away Bay St by the Fisherman's Dock (Good Local Fare)
Sea View Take Away Bay St at the Government Dock (Good Local Fare)
Coral Sands on the Beach Chapel St 333.2350 (Good Food on the Beach)


Shopping
Sugar Mill Bay St 333.2173 (High End Woman’s Clothing and Accessories)
Bamboo (Home Furnishings & Gifts)
Miss Mae’s Dunmore St 333.2002 (High End Woman’s Clothes and Accessories)
Lemmie’s Secret Nesbitt St. 333. ( Mid Level Woman’s Clothes)
Blue Rooster King Street 333.2240 (High End Woman’s Clothes)
Silver Dollar King St 333.2342 (Mid Level Woman’s Clothes)
Dilly Dally Dunmore St 333.3109 (Excellent Souvenir Shop)
Bahamian Shells & Tings Coconut Grove 333.2839 (Good Souvenir Shop)
Doris Dry Goods Bay St 333.2372 (Good Souvenir Shop)
Bahamian Straw Markets (Located all along Bay St)
Pink Sands Boutique Pink Sands Hotel Chapel St 333.2030 (Resort Shop)
Valentine’s Boutique Valentine’s Yacht Club Bay St 333.2142 (Resort Shop)
Princess Street Gallery Princess St 333.2788
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Old Jan 15th, 2009, 07:41 PM
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Yellow Pages are listed above.
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