Spring arrives late in New Hampshire, so each year we make a point of traveling to a warm destination or two to get through those last few chilly months at home. This year, we had to plan around a newborn so when our friend Gina recommended Harbour Island as a great spot for family travel we were eager to test it out! (And thank you Gina for all the amazing recommendations!)
This was our first time on Harbour Island and it is truly a special place. It really was so family friendly, there were kids everywhere and Campbell was welcome at every restaurant. From the beauty of the local architecture to the incredible food to unique warmth of strangers (both locals and other visitors), our first visit to Harbour Island was so incredible we’re tempted to make it an annual spring break tradition.
TO STAY
We stayed at Eleven Experience’s Bahama House. The charming 1800s property is centered on a lush courtyard and pool, with a range of accommodations from small hotel rooms to standalone cottages for larger groups. The rooms are beautifully appointed with a Bahamas chic style reminiscent of Amanda Lindroth’s island designs. Most common areas are outdoors, including their breakfast terrace, but you’ll want to spend all your time outdoors anyway. Should you have a rainy day during your stay they have a beautiful living room space and clubby rum bar for hotel guests in the main building. The staff was so incredibly kind, with a special mention of June and Shun who absolutely lit up whenever they saw baby Campbell.
Bahama House is centrally located in Dunmore Town and just a 4 minute walk from Governor’s Dock where the airport water taxis drop you off, and no more than a 15 minute walk from anywhere we wanted to visit on the island. The property is on the bay side of the island, just steps from the Landing and Rock House, and they have their own little area with umbrellas and loungers on Pink Sand Beach (though it’s a 12+ minute walk from the hotel). We could walk directly to the beach next to the Ocean View Club in 7 minutes and usually brought the stroller, parking it next to the Ocean View Club. Most people rent golf carts but we skipped it since everything we wanted to do was so close, and we’d often rock Cam in his stroller if he fell asleep at a restaurant. We loved staying here and would definitely recommend it!
TO EAT
The Landing: Just down the hill from our hotel, The Landing exudes old world charm. For an unforgettable evening, request a table on the terrace for bayside sunset views. (You have to email them for a reservation.) We were told it was booked solid for dinners the week we were there, but popped by on our first night and were able to snag a table in the dining room due to a last minute cancellation. I love the old-world elegance of the interiors (designed by Bahamas darling India Hicks), especially the clubby, back room bar that feels like you’d find Hemmingway sitting at the bar, already a few drinks deep. Dinner guests really get dressed for a night out here, adding to the wonderful ambiance that permeates The Landing. Our favorite dishes were the goat cheese ravioli and spicy crab capellini. As we were walking out of the restaurant at the end, we were stopped by guests at a few other tables who commented how quiet Campbell was throughout the night, and it was fun to run into some of those same families at other points throughout our stay. Harbour Island is so small and friendly you’re guaranteed to bump into the same people a couple times throughout your stay. If you plan ahead The Landing also has some of the most affordable rooms on the island, with India’s signature British meets the tropics decor.
Rock House: On the same street as Bahama House, Rock House has a charming laid-back atmosphere, perfect for unwinding over sunset drinks. Their bartender made the best Manhattan on Harbour Island and we loved sitting in their entry courtyard overlooking the bay side sunset.
Ocean View Club: My favorite dining spot on the island, Ocean View Club is a bohemian outpost right on the beach and the restaurant offers gorgeous views of the water through the palm trees. (As seen in this Instagram reel.) We came here multiple times and the food was the best we had on the island, with the lobster lunch standing out as a particular favorite, but definitely recommend the goat cheese and onion tart and steak frites as well. It’s the prefect spot to enjoy a leisurely lunch after a morning on the beach, and the rooms are surprisingly affordable by island standards. I’m tempted to stay here on a future trip! (They also have a sister property that offers glamping accommodations on a neighboring island – too fun!)
The Dunmore: Sprawling across several coastal acres, The Dunmore is the most luxurious hotel on Harbour Island. Their iconic restaurant full of black and white photography and coral accents is best on Saturday nights when they have live music but dinner reservations for any night of the week book out months in advance. Thankfully, there are no reservations required for lunch, and it’s a beautiful spot to enjoy a meal after a day at the beach. I was surprised that you can’t see the water from most tables, but the ambiance and food are still well worth it. Guests are incredibly friendly and if you want to dress to the nines this is the place.
Tom’s Bar: For a laid-back dining experience, Tom’s Bar at the Coral Sands Hotel is a fun, casual spot for lunch or a leisurely drink overlooking Pink Sand Beach. (One of the best and most uninterrupted views of the water on the ocean side of the island!)
Arthur’s Bakery: An island institution in its own right, Arthur’s Bakery is a must-do for breakfast or lunch. Whether you’re starting your day with a hearty breakfast or indulging in a midday treat, Arthur’s Bakery is a must!
Queen Conch: Nestled by the bay, Queen Conch is a casual outpost with tables on a bay side pier perfect for sunset drinks. The conch fritters were delicious but I’d recommend just doing aperitivo here and dinner elsewhere as the blackened fish was just so so and once the sun sets it empties out fast (and seems to close earlier than their posted timings.)
TO DO
Shopping: This was a rare trip where I did very little shopping, but there also aren’t many of boutiques on the island. We stopped by A&A Hidden Treasures, which is a charming spot for straw accessories. If you’d like one customized with your name or initials it’s best to order early on during your trip as it takes a few days to complete. Global tastemaker India Hicks has a boutique on island called The Sugar Mill which features brands from around the world, and there are two little shops at the Dunmore, one with women’s clothing and accessories in a thatch roofed hut and one with a small children’s collection at the entrance to the resort.
Beach time: Perhaps the thing to do on Harbour Island, Pink Sand Beach is beautiful and so so soft underfoot! If your hotel doesn’t offer umbrellas and loungers you can rent a spot at Mrs. V’s which was right at the entrance to the beach at the end of Court St.
Boating: We skipped taking a boat out since Cam is so young and we didn’t want him to get too much sun but hope to do this next time! Seeing “the pigs” is a popular excursion but multiple friends have mentioned there’s a lot of poop in the water (no thank you) so seeing the sea turtles would be more my speed. David also loves fishing so we may try to plan a fishing excursion on a future trip! Our friend Gina recommends reaching out to Tyman Charters if you want to get out on the water.
TRAVEL TIPS
You fly into North Eleuthrea and the airport is quite the experience. The terminal is a string of little buildings next to the runway, and they only have two agents checking passports when you land. It seems most flights to this airport land at the same time so it’s about an hour or so wait standing in a line outside after you land. If you’re lucky, you’ll be under the awning, but if the line is long, be prepared to stand in the sun (or in the rain) with little shade while you wait. We had fine weather when we landed, but even though we gate checked our stroller we didn’t get it back until after “passport control” so I was holding Cam in my arms while standing for over an hour. (Thankfully he was sound asleep and didn’t want to nurse while we waited, as there’s nowhere to sit except the ground.) Once you’re through the airport there are plenty of taxis and drivers that will offer to take you to the dock, to catch a boat to Harbour Island. Taxi and boat fees are $5-10 per person (cash only) and the boats have varying levels of polish – our boat to the island had me worriedly scanning the deck for lifejackets, but our boat on the return trip was beautiful. We’re pretty easygoing but wanted to give you a heads up that getting to the island is an experience but once you’re on Harbour Island it’s a dream! (Similarly, when you leave its best to arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight. If you get to the airport closer to 2 hours before your flight the check-in area will be a zoo and people regularly don’t make it on the plane due to slow processing!)
Find my full packing list for Harbour Island here!
I loved wearing this stunning orange ASHA caftan for an afternoon at The Dunmore! I bought my caftan before the trip but coincidentally, Ashley, the founder of ASHA was on island the same week we were for a popup at the Dunmore Hotel! The Dunmore’s charming bar and dining room are done in cheery coral colors and were a perfect match for this happy dress. (Some of the images are from the living room of Bahama House as well.)
Pamela Munson white straw tote
Haverhill Earrings and Bracelet c/o (15% off with “Stacie15”)
It’s a bit hard to see in photos, but the sand here really is pink! It’s also incredibly soft. I wore this bandeau swimsuit and pareo on our first morning, and they are two favorite pieces I picked up on St Tropez last summer (seen here). The swimsuit is surprisingly stretchy and the “U” neckline is such a flattering, classic shape.
The photo above is one of my favorites of the trip. Cam fell asleep for a loooong nap while we had lunch at the Ocean View Club. They have a new chef who is PHENOMENAL and the lobster with a microgreen salad at lunch was a favorite. We came back for dinner and were similarly impressed – highly recommend ordering the goat cheese and onion tart and the steak! (They also know how to mix a proper drink here.) During the day OVC had my favorite views of the water from the restaurant, and at night I loved the ambiance as well. Everyone is friendly on Harbour Island but we had a great time chatting with the other guests, one of which owned Donelan Winery and gave us a gorgeous bottle of his wine to enjoy with dinner. (Thank you Joe!) Its always the warmth of connection that makes a place extra memorable and Harbour Island had this in spades, from the staff at our hotel to the random couples we met during our time on the island.
Fleur Sauvage pink toile de jouy scarf c/o (20% off with “Stacie20”)
Pamela Munson white straw tote
Haverhill Earrings and Bracelet c/o (15% off with “Stacie15”)
I love that people really dress for dinner on Harbour Island and this fabulous turquoise floral dress was so fun to wear to dinner at The Landing. (I created a roundup of 15 floral dresses for spring here.)
Misa turquoise floral dress (obsessed!!)
Sarah Flint gold perfect block heels
So glad we got one shot as a family of three on Cam’s first international trip! Never underestimate a self timer photo!
This darling pineapple picket fence is adjacent to Arthur’s Bakery – a Harbour Island institution! (Everything we tried here was amazing.) I love that the photo above feels like it could have been taken any time in the last 60 years – so many of you asked if this floral shift dress was vintage Lilly Pulitzer – it’s not but I take that as the highest compliment!
The Hermoza floral shift dress c/o
Pamela Munson white straw tote
Haverhill warren pendant in garnet c/o
I love this lavender caftan for an easy yet elevated look – you can throw it on over a bathing suit for a day spent poolside, or dress it up with fun earrings for a dinner out! The embroidery is beautiful and the color looks great on sun-kissed skin.
I loved wearing this vintage inspired column dress for an evening at Rock House. Their bartender is fabulous and we started off with taking our drinks from the bar the the courtyard at the hotel entrance for lovely views of the sunset.
Sarah Flint Gold Block Heel Sandals
Vintage Celine Pearl Earrings (similar here)
Sarah Flint gold perfect block heels
I wore this sunny mini dress for a casual lunch at Tom’s Bar at the Coral Sands Hotel. Ask for a table right at the edge of the terrace for beautiful, uninterrupted views of the water. Food is casual (think sandwiches and fries) and the unfussy atmosphere is perfect for wandering in straight off the beach!
Pamela Munson white straw tote c/o
Sarah Flint white celeste sandals c/o
Tuckernuck Earrings (old, similar here)
J.Crew linen short sleeve top (size down)
Fleur Sauvage lily of the valley (20% off with “Stacie20”)
Sarah Flint gold perfect block heels
Amazing post. We wanted to go to Harbour Island for my birthday this past March but work got in the way. Maybe next year… and now I have all the info I need to plan a perfect vacation. Thank you, Stacie!
Stacie, you are such an incredibly pretty (and classy!) woman! Please do the world a great favor and keep having beautiful children to pass along your gorgeous genes!