We just finished our 2nd trip to these 2 islands and we just love it there so much! Have you ever wanted to get away to the Bahamas, but didn’t know where to go or how to get there?

Let me help….it’s a few steps to get there and can be intimidating to figure out, but actually not difficult once you know. And, I believe, that because it’s a few steps to get there…that is the reason that it isn’t over crowded which makes it so much more enjoyable.

It’s absolutely insanely beautiful water, and such friendly laid back people. 

We did 3 days on Spanish Wells, then moved over to Harbour Island. We like to experience the different feel of the two islands. Spanish Wells is very laid back, no fluff, 3 great restaurants, beautiful beaches, amazing sandbars you can walk out onto in the ocean. Harbour Island is a bit more upscale…nicer restaurants, more amenities, etc. You rent a golf cart of both islands as your means of transportation.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Generally you’ll need to take 2 flights to get there. We flew into Miami, then on to the island of North Eleuthera. It is a tiny airport, in fact looks more like a small house. From there you’ll take a short taxi ride ($10) to ferry Dock. (There will be taxi guys waiting outside airport or can arrange ahead of time, we have done both). The dock is very unassuming, in fact you’ll wonder if you are in the correct spot. But the workers will guide you to the small ferry boat, and load your luggage for you. You’ll need to have some cash to tip these guys and the ferry ride is about 8 minutes and costs approx $10.

We arranged our golf cart ahead of time through Harbourside Rentals and they had it waiting at the Spanish Wells dock for us. You can also just walk up to the rental store once you arrive.

WHERE WE STAYED SPANISH WELLS:

It’s very small & no cars to rent, only golf carts.

Spanish Wells: only short term rentals, no hotels. We rented a lovely Airbnb home, with beach access and it was just fantastic. We had a sandbar to explore right in front of our home…just a short waist high trek through the water to the sandbar. Very close to the Spanish Wells grocery store which made it easy to grab groceries, ice etc. But again, the island is small, so everything is a short cart ride.

Where to eat: there are only 3 (bigger) restaurants on the island Wreckers, Sandbar & The Shipyard. All great, and must-dos.

This is a very low key island – that’s part of the charm….laid back, beautiful water, sandbars to walk out to, softest sand ever. 

WHAT WE DID ON SPANISH WELLS:

Enjoyed nature! Walks on the beach, explored the sandbar right outside our home, golf cart explored the island, floated in the water, visited all 3 restaurants and even found a great food truck for breakfast (across street from grocery store) and got take-out lunch from Eagle’s Landing to bring back to the beach to eat. This is a wonderful, low-key place to bring your family, let the kids roam the beach almost all to yourselves, no crowds!

TRANSFERRING OVER TO HARBOUR ISLAND:

Golf cart back to ferry dock, turn golf cart in, hop on short ferry ride over to Eleuthera, taxi to other side of island for the ferry ride over to Harbour Island. I know this sounds like a lot, but isn’t. Easy actually.

This time, however, we chose to explore Eleuthera because we have always heard how beautiful it was. So we found a connection to an awesome taxi driver/guide for the day! His name is Matthew with Matthew Taxi Service. Everyone knows everyone on Spanish Wells and N. Eleuthera, ask around and you can find him. He was so knowledgable and happy to guide us around. Great guy to spend the day with! He told us how it was mango season and that they were dropping on his taxi the day before, so he stopped and picked us up some on side of road…amazing! He asked what we were hoping to see and that’s where he took us …..to the Blue Hole, Terry and Audrey jumped in…beautiful spot, over to Preacher’s Cave, he told us the history there, to the Glass Wall Bridge where you see 2 oceans meet – spectacular! To Queens Bath, even just the rock formations here were a sight to see. Then he took us to a great lunch spot called Daddy Joe’s (get the fish tacos!!) Really happy we added this N. Eleuthera trip onto our day!

WHERE WE STAYED ON HARBOUR ISLAND, BAHAMAS

GOLF CART RENTAL

Once on Harbour Island, we had arranged ahead of time, to have a golf cart rental ready through Dunmore Rentals. They were very easy to work with and super responsive when we had to contact them once during our trip! Highly recommend. They are just at the end of the dock once you get off the ferry in Harbour Island.

Harbour Island: The Rock House Bahamas – our 2nd stay with them. It’s a boutique hotel with 10 lovely guest rooms, and since our last visit…they have added The Villa (a 4 bedroom villa next door, with access to hotel amenities) which is where we stayed and it is MAGNIFICENT! When staying at the Villa, you have access to all the amenities of the resort…the pool, the continental breakfast (or regular breakfast) but you have your own space, with kitchen, living room…..so impeccably decorated…just spectacular in every way! They also have 6 other homes under their umbrella…some harbor side, some beach side…some with up to 8 bedrooms! Large enough for family and friends! Truly spectacular in every way…. you must check these homes out! Decorated impeccably!

While The Rock House is not directly on the Pink Sands Beach, they DO have their own private access and beach chairs, umbrellas, and cabana guy for you! It’s beautiful with the blue/white striped umbrellas, they provide you with a logo beach bag and chair towel cover (for the chair) as well as cute beach towels. They have a bag for each bedroom, each day!! While at the Pink Sands Beach, there is a cute little hut called Ms. V’s that has burgers, chicken burgers, snacks, drinks and you can pay cash or charge to your Rockhouse Bahamas room.

Also, important to note… when searching the best restaurants on Harbour Island… The Rockhouse Bahamas is consistently listed as one of the very top! We dined there and agree….top notch…and the view, glassed in dining room with view of the water!

WHAT WE DID ON HARBOUR ISLAND:

The Pink Sands Beach – truly a pink hue and the SOFTEST sand we have ever been on. Felt like baby powder. Enjoyed the beach and the amazing turquoise water!

Tyman Charters – We all agree this was our favorite day! Charter a boat! And I highly recommend Tyman Charters! You always hope for a captain that is personable, knowledgable and easy to be around. We had Captain Kayson and can’t say enough good things about him, his knowledge, the boat….just the BEST day! And they provide lobster rolls on the beach for lunch – out of this world good!! His mother-in-law makes the lobster salad and wow, so good! It was mango season, and he cut open fresh chilled mango and gave to us…wow! It is a family run business, very knowledgable of the marine life etc. You can opt for a 1/2 day charter or full day. They will ask you what you’d like to see…we chose swimming with the turtles (always my fave), the stingrays, visited the swings on the sandbar in the middle of the ocean with stingrays swimming underneath you, we saw starfish, dolphins. And we were on a 30ft NauticStar, beautiful boat. They also have a photography package that you can add on if you’d like which is GoPro photos/videos partially under water. Cannot say enough great things about Tyman Charters!

WHERE WE ATE:

As with anywhere in the islands, food & drinks are pricey, since they have to ship in everything. But wanted to note.

Cocoa Coffee House – Juices, smoothies, avocado toast, some gluten free options. I had the pancakes one morning, and delicious! It’s upstairs in the cutest yellow house.

The Rockhouse Bahamas – Serving breakfast and dinner. Breakfast, I had the coconut french toast and was fantastic! Dinner is full of great seafood options, appetizers, desserts. I recommend a reservation as this is a dinner hotspot. They also have live music on patio some nights. They also have a grab-and-go breakfast of fruit, pastries, yogurts that is complimentary for you if headed out, and are a guest there.

The Ocean View Club – our second time dining here, the views are amazing. It’s open air and the decor is nothing short of spectacular. It’s not a very busy place, which confuses me honestly, but the natural textures of the decor mixed with the open air wonderful views of the Pink Sands Beach and the cabana, villas they offer when staying there….are beautiful, and the food was great. Some of us had the filet and was great! They are under the umbrella of The Other Side, The Farm both amazing remote, boutique hotel locations.

The Briland Club – we had drinks prior to dinner here. I keep saying this….but the bar/restaurant are stunning, the design, the way the sun hits the bar….they eventually opened up the accordion doors to make it an open air bar which is also on a small marina. Drinks are a bit pricey here, so beware of that, but a stunning spot!

Malcolm 51 – We had cocktails here prior to dinner, found a favorite cocktail here. Was a little dark inside and I prefer bright, airy or waterside. But we enjoyed.

Rooster Tail Bar & Grill – had pre dinner cocktails here as well. Great place that is truly laid back vibe. Open air marina bar. Many were in there swim trunks, just-came-in-off-the-boat attire. Overlooks Valentine’s Marina which is great.

Upstairs at Romora Bay – open air, on a marina, beautiful. They had live music this night. Food was great! There are changes and updates happening here and so all food has been moved to Upstairs at Romora Bay until completion. Formerly Sunsets at Romora Bay.

Coral Sands Resort – We had lunch at Coral Sands Beach Bar – GREAT spot to overlook the Pink Sands beach for lunch! I had the fish tacos (fabulous!) and have previously had their pizza – also great. They did have gluten free menu items.

The Dunmore – is a high end resort, with the famous teal stripe cabana on the Pink Sands Beach. A beautiful property! We had dinner here and LOVED. All open air, lots of vibey black and white photography on the walls, very busy…the place was buzzing with fun. Dinner was delicious. Highly recommend. The photos online don’t really do it justice. The restaurant was beautiful and fantastic, we will be going back!

Arthur’s Bakery – we visited last time. Well known for their pastries, etc. Popular place

Bluwatur Bakery – Great coffee shop, great pastries, get the quiche!!

Sweet Spot Cafe – great for my gluten free daughter. Plant based juice bar/eaterie…smoothies etc.

Dunmore Deli – great place for grab-and-go to take to the beach! I had avocado toast there one morning for breakfast and it was out of this world, probably the best avocado toast I’ve had!

Shopping

There is shopping, we didn’t do much of it. But, you can refer to my blog post here of some ideas of where to go.

What to Pack

Spanish Wells is very laid back, you’ll only need swim suits, cover ups, shorts, maybe a casual dress or 2.

Harbour Island – during the day …all those things above, but at night people do tend to dress up (island style) dresses, and there are a few restaurants where the guys will need to wear pants/collared shirt (The Dunmore)

You can find links to all the outfits I packed and wore, here.

Additional Info

• You’ll want to rent a golf cart – Harbour Island – we used Dunmore Rentals. So close to the ferry dock and easy. Spanish Wells – Harbourside Rentals so easy as well
• Bring cash – for tipping, charter boat payments etc. You’ll be tipping the luggage guys, paying cash for ferries etc.
• There are grocery stores, places you can grab drinks/spirits/ice for your cooler if you’d like.

I hope you find this all helpful. Spanish Wells and Harbour Island are truly one of the most beautiful, and wonderful spots we’ve visited.