One of the oldest settlements in The Bahamas, founded before the United States was a nation, Harbour Island lies off the northern end of Eleuthera, some 322km (200 miles) from Miami. It is 5km (3 miles) long and 1km (2/3 mile) wide. The media have hailed this pink-sand island as the new St. Bart's, a reference to how chic it has become. If you're jogging along the beach, you might trip over a movie star.
Affectionately called by its original name, "Briland," Harbour Island is studded with good resorts. The spectacular Pink Sands Beach runs the whole length of the island on its eastern side. The famous beach is protected from the ocean breakers by an outlying coral reef, which makes for some of the safest swimming in The Bahamas. Except for unseasonably cold days, you can swim and enjoy watersports year-round. The climate averages 72°F (22°C) in winter, 77°F (25°C) in spring and fall, and 82°F (28°C) in summer. Occasionally, evenings are cool, with a low of about 65°F (18°C) from November to February.
