Final month we took a 5-day journey to an out island of the Bahamas referred to as Harbour Island. It was our first time visiting the Bahamas so I wasn’t fairly certain what to anticipate nevertheless it turned out to be an unimaginable journey that I’ll always remember.
I grew up on the seashores of Florida, have traveled to multiple Hawaiian islands, Thailand, and the South of France, however Pink Sand Seaside on Harbour Island simply competes for one of the vital lovely I’ve ever seen. The water is a crystal clear, turquoise blue with smooth powdery sand that’s sprinkled with tiny hints of pink. It’s quiet, not overcrowded, and stored in pristine situation.
Whereas I anticipated the seashore to be lovely, what I didn’t anticipate was how a lot I’d recognize the authenticity of the island. Spanning a complete of three.5-miles in size and a couple of half-mile vast, Harbour Island is considerably distant and could be tough to get to. For us it seemed like a direct 1.5hr flight from Atlanta to North Eleuthera Airport, a 5-minute taxi journey to a ferry boat, a 10-minute ferry boat journey to the island, and eventually a 3-minute taxi journey to our lodge. Seems like quite a bit nevertheless it was really a seamless course of!
Due to it’s distant location, large builders have but to inhabit the land which implies there are solely small boutique accommodations and impartial trip leases to select from. The entire outlets and eating places are domestically owned and most of them shut down for nearly 3-months through the low season. General it’s an attention-grabbing mixture of understated Bahamian design and slow-paced, native rustic island life.
Though there have been some indicators of native poverty and run down buildings (seemingly from hurricane injury that had by no means been repaired), general the island felt clear, secure and household pleasant.
In reality, Brandon and I each agreed that we felt safer on Harbour Island than we did returning house in Atlanta. As an American that feels unhappy to say however sadly it’s true. That stated, I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest it as an amazing place to take your kiddos!
Coral Sands Hotel. I’ve to confess that I used to be a bit nervous reserving this lodge, largely primarily based on the combined opinions, nevertheless it far exceeded my expectations. The ocean entrance cottage we booked was tremendous clear, snug, felt very non-public and the view was to-die-for. Waking as much as the dawn and with the ability to sit on the again deck whereas Grant napped for 2-3hrs day-after-day was priceless. The opposite rooms on the lodge seemed very good however the oceanfront cottages are positively the place it’s at.
we beloved seeing rooster associates stroll across the cottages 🙂
lovely dawn from the ocean entrance cottage
Explored the Island by Golf Cart. Although the island is small, it’s nonetheless value renting a golf cart to get out and discover. There are such a lot of colourful houses, little boutique present outlets and scrumptious eating places to find. Plus, if in case you have a bit one, they’ll love driving within the golf cart. Each morning Grant would ask once we have been going get to again on the golf cart, haha! We rented ours from Conch and Coconut which isn’t the most cost effective place to hire from however they felt essentially the most belief worthy to me primarily based on my analysis.
Disclaimer: Brandon let Grant sit in his lap to faux like he was driving however apparently it’s unlawful to drive with a baby in your lap. It isn’t unlawful for the passenger to have the kid of their lap although. :/
Took a Boat Tour. To go to this a part of the Bahamas and never get out on the water can be a crying disgrace. We determined to ebook a half day tour with Paulie’s Charters and despite the fact that the day didn’t go precisely as deliberate because of the climate, it nonetheless turned out to be an superior day. We swam with turtles and sting rays, snorkeled, noticed a dolphin and several other starfish, and explored a abandoned island that we had all to ourselves.
Paulie grew up on Spanish Wells (an island proper subsequent to Harbour Island) so he’s tremendous educated and has a enjoyable native accent too. His boat is on the smaller aspect which makes it excellent for a household of three nevertheless it does restrict how far you possibly can go in uneven waters which is why our plans modified a bit. Subsequent time I’d take a ferry to satisfy him in Spanish Wells in order that we discover that space extra.
Take A Land Tour. We didn’t do that as a result of we have been solely there for five days however I’d positively take into account it on a return journey!
Hung out at the pool. One other perk of Coral Sands is their recent water infinity pool. We really had it to ourselves each time we hung on the market which was superior. G beloved splashing within the kid-friendly part on the backside and I used to be thrilled to have the ability to sunbathe in a lounge chair whereas him and daddy performed within the water. 😉
Loved the Seaside. Pink Sands Seaside is by far the spotlight of the island so that you’ll wish to plan to spend loads of time there. The lodge supplies chair service in addition to seashore toys and boogie boards. Happening throughout sundown and seeing the pink sky towards the turquoise water is an absolute should.
G up previous bedtime dwelling his greatest life
Relaxed. You possibly can see the place that is going, huh? My plan for this journey was to not have many plans apart from hanging out on the lodge and that is the proper location to do this. We spent nap time sipping cocktails and having fun with the view together with the native wildlife that may often method us. It was the proper deal with for folks of a bit man who by no means stops speaking or transferring.
Latitude 25. That is the principle restaurant at Coral Sands Lodge and it’s actually the explanation I ended up deciding to remain right here. They’ve three vegan choices on their dinner menu and so they all are well-rounded, inventive meals, not simply an assortment of aspect gadgets. We tried all three entrees whereas we have been there, along with the vegetable empanadas, yucca, fries and sorbet trio. All the things was unimaginable!
The lodge additionally has a continental breakfast that is much better than most accommodations, nevertheless, it isn’t as vegan pleasant as I would love. You possibly can nonetheless get by on the granola and bread however I’d like to see a dairy-free yogurt (an area vegan restaurant really makes their very own coconut yogurt) and some vegan pastries.
Beach Bar at Coral Sands. That is the place the lodge serves lunch and drinks amongst an impressive open-air view. The plant-based choices embody hummus and pita, falafel, and a miso caesar salad with cashew parmesan.
Cocoa Coffee House. This cute espresso store is on the marina aspect of the island so should you’re staying on Pink Sands Seaside you’ll need to drive your golf cart to get right here nevertheless it solely took us a couple of minutes. We beloved coming right here for his or her açaí bowls, avocado toast and smoothies, in addition to their vegan vegetable wrap for lunch.
The meals right here was additionally a few of the most reasonably priced on the island which isn’t saying an excessive amount of as a result of it’s nonetheless costly. In reality, we felt just like the meals on Harbour Island was even pricier than Hawaii so simply pay attention to that earlier than you go!
Da Vine Sushi and Wine Bar. It is a particular should for dinner as they’ve a plethora of plant-based choices on their menu. Sushi, vegetable gyoza, edamame, ramen, and scrumptious drinks to0!
Sweet Spot Cafe. This all vegan cafe is a superb place to cease for breakfast or lunch. Whereas I wasn’t blown away by the meals that we had, every little thing was nonetheless tasty and thoughtfully ready. I feel I simply my expectations a bit too excessive because it’s totally plant-based. That stated, it’s positively value a go to!
The Dunmore. A visit to Harbour Island with out visiting the Dunmore can be amiss as a result of it’s such a particular place. Whereas the views at Coral Sands are equally as lovely, this property is unquestionably extra polished. The design and decor is gorgeous, as is the presentation of the meals.
You received’t discover something vegan on the menu however they’ll modify issues to make them appropriate to your weight loss program. We went for lunch and had a quinoa salad with chickpeas that was tasty, albeit overpriced, however the expertise was definitely worth the go to. Hopefully they work on including extra plant-based choices quickly!
