We are leaving in early November for a romantic getaway on Harbour Island. Will be at Coral Sands for three nights. Plan to eat at a different spot for dinner every evening and to also try different spots for breakfast and lunch, if convenient.

How dressy will we need to be for dinner at the resorts (Coral Sands, Runaway Hill, etc.)? Jacket for my husband (who HATES to dress up)? Can he wear nice shorts? Any thoughts would be welcomed. Also daytime wear off the beach. O.k. for shorts?

Thanks for any and all help.

Shorts are fine anywhere on island during the day and some of the more casual spots for the evening and of course the bars.

For dinner on season, some of the resorts ask for Jackets for gentlemen for dinner like Runaway. Ladies usually wear a nice sun dress or dressier top and pants. Pink Sands is probably the nicest spot on island, but we think the best food is at Runaway Hill (Miss Rica is an amazing cook) and Romora Bay.

Coral Sands was recently redone and I understand the new chef has gotten rave reviews.

For breakfast, try Arthur's cafe and for lunch try Miss Mae's Tea House.

The Landing and Harbour Lounge are also great spots for lunch or dinner and everyone gathers there around sunset for a drink.

For a very casual lunch try Angela's Starfish and get the conch salad and cracked conch, the best on island.

Have a GREAT time and if you need any other info, please let me know.

Thanks, Wantsomesun. You are incredibly helpful always.

Here's a question for fun: if you were us and spending three evenings on Harbour Island, where would you dine each evening?

That's easy,
1. Runaway Hill
2. Runaway Hill
3. Runaway Hill

Ok so you want to see more of the island, so here's a better list for you.

1. Runaway Hill (yes the food is that good)
2. Romora Bay
3. Harbour Lounge or The Landing

Angela's Starfish for lunch and Arthur's for breakfast.

Also Tingum Village for the BEST and I mean THE BEST hamburgers.

The Harbour Island Deli is also good for lunch. Probably the prettiest spot for a nice lunch is Pink Sands, the beach bar overlooks the water.

For a fun lunch, you also might try the conch burgers at Coral Sands. Oh and tell Big Red, HI for me!!

Also Reggie and Jenna the cab drivers on island. Ask Reg for a tour when he picks you up at the dock. That way you will get a great overview of the island and know your way around quickly.

Have a GREAT time and again, let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! All sound like good advice (especially the island tour!).

I'll say hi to folks for you and will post more questions as they come.

Where are you staying on island?

We're staying at Coral Sands in an oceanview room. Decided that we liked a bit bigger than Runaway Hill (although I was tempted by your reviews). Also, could not see Runaway rates online and that was inconvenient!

Yes I noticed that as well. Runaway was sold last year and is now owned by Mark Messier (spelling?) recently retired New York Ranger. I can't think of a better place to retire to.

I had heard the rates were raised and the resort redone, so I would guess it is even nicer than years past, and it was wonderful so guess it is wonderful better, lol.

Miss Rica decided to stay on as the chef, and she is probably the best on island. My favorite daydream is to sit on the porch for breakfast eating Miss Rica's french toast and looking out at the ocean, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Coral Sands is VERY nice as well, a bit larger, 36 rooms I think so still not that big. There is a lovely pool, restaurant, lounge and porch. The beach bar is fun and was redone last year after yet another hurricane.

When are you heading down?

wantsomesun,

My apologies for interjecting into your conversation, but it is a topic of interest for me as I am going to Harbour Island next year myself.

I am renting a home on the Beach (Six Shillings).

A few more questions for you:

1). Should we rent a golf cart for getting around or just use cabs and/or walk?

2). Who is the better dive outfit on the island, Valentines or Ocean Fox?

3). Do you reccomend anyone for Charter boat fishing?

4). Do you recomend anyone for a bonefishing outing?

5). I'm a fan of Graycliff cigars, is there a shop around town?

6). What is your favorite thing to do on Harbour Island?


Thank you again, your posts have been most informative and we will be following your dining advice!

ricku

The island is so small you really don't need a golf cart to get around, but you might want one for a day or so, to see the whole island. Reggie, has golf carts for rent so you might check with him, when you arrive on the dock.

Valentine's or Ocean Fox, is pretty much a toss up, both have dive masters and do at least 2 dives a day.

There are a few people on island that do charters and if you just want to go around the island for a little tour most of the water taxis will do that for a reasonable fee.

Bone Fishing is Bone Fishing Joe, ask anyone on island. There are a few spots on Harbour Island and some of the surrounding cays for Bone Fishing. Also since you are renting a house, and might cook some evenings, you can come down to the town dock when the fishermen come in for very fresh fish. The guys will even clean it for you.

My favorite thing on island is to walk the beach or sit on the porch at Runaway and watch the clouds roll by.

At the end of the day lots of folks, locals and tourists head over to The Landing and Harbour Lounge to watch the sun go down, it's really beautiful.

Let me know if you have any other questions.