Spring
SBH Insider
I just got home from a visit to Harbor Island last night. We've been regular visitors to St Barth for years, but this trip was a pleasant change of pace, if only for its convenient access.
Our flight from Atlanta to Eleuthera was under 2 hours, and from there you have about a 5 minute boat ride to Harbor Island. Lots of things seem to cost $5/person (taxis, boats, luggage handlers). It was simply very easy.
There are a variety of similarities and distinct differences in the two destinations. The similarities would include the series of wonderful restaurant options you have on the island. Similar to SBH, you find yourself making day to day decisions about where to go, though the need for a reservation at Harbor Island during this time of year seemed even higher than our high season trips to SBH. The convenience of the island to Florida has it loaded up with the finest yachts and fishing boats; many that were there dwarf the ones you'll see in Gustavia.
As for the differences, some were good, some not. As for the good, the fishing on Harbor Island is vastly superior to SBH. The option to go bone fishing is a treat for many anglers, and the top guides get booked up up like rock stars during the spring and Christmas seasons. In addition, while only going 2-3 miles off shore, you hit the deep water of the Atlantic. Off the Gulf coast, you must travel 30+ miles to hit 300+ feet of water depth. At Harbor Island, you hit 660 at about 2 miles and 2,000 just a bit out from that. This creates very convenient opportunities for families that are looking for some sort of adventure to add to a beach getaway. And speaking of beaches, the sand is much softer than SBH, and the pink tint it has creates quite a show.
A big difference on the downside vs SBH remains the permanent underclass of locals that you see throughout the bulk of the Caribbean. Of course that underclass is largely missing at SBH, but it is pervasive throughout the Bahamas and elsewhere in the Caribbean. You do not have to endure the pan handlers and such that you hear about in Jamaica, but the difference vs SBH is there.
Getting around is easy and we had 2 golf carts for our family. The island is smaller than SBH and you figure it all out fast.
On balance, we loved our trip to Harbor Island, enjoyed renting a villa similar to what we get at SBH, had some good fishing and great meals (which included a chef coming to our house to cook the fish we had caught that day), enjoyed time on the beach, and got back in the States post haste.
Overall, a great destination.
Our flight from Atlanta to Eleuthera was under 2 hours, and from there you have about a 5 minute boat ride to Harbor Island. Lots of things seem to cost $5/person (taxis, boats, luggage handlers). It was simply very easy.
There are a variety of similarities and distinct differences in the two destinations. The similarities would include the series of wonderful restaurant options you have on the island. Similar to SBH, you find yourself making day to day decisions about where to go, though the need for a reservation at Harbor Island during this time of year seemed even higher than our high season trips to SBH. The convenience of the island to Florida has it loaded up with the finest yachts and fishing boats; many that were there dwarf the ones you'll see in Gustavia.
As for the differences, some were good, some not. As for the good, the fishing on Harbor Island is vastly superior to SBH. The option to go bone fishing is a treat for many anglers, and the top guides get booked up up like rock stars during the spring and Christmas seasons. In addition, while only going 2-3 miles off shore, you hit the deep water of the Atlantic. Off the Gulf coast, you must travel 30+ miles to hit 300+ feet of water depth. At Harbor Island, you hit 660 at about 2 miles and 2,000 just a bit out from that. This creates very convenient opportunities for families that are looking for some sort of adventure to add to a beach getaway. And speaking of beaches, the sand is much softer than SBH, and the pink tint it has creates quite a show.
A big difference on the downside vs SBH remains the permanent underclass of locals that you see throughout the bulk of the Caribbean. Of course that underclass is largely missing at SBH, but it is pervasive throughout the Bahamas and elsewhere in the Caribbean. You do not have to endure the pan handlers and such that you hear about in Jamaica, but the difference vs SBH is there.
Getting around is easy and we had 2 golf carts for our family. The island is smaller than SBH and you figure it all out fast.
On balance, we loved our trip to Harbor Island, enjoyed renting a villa similar to what we get at SBH, had some good fishing and great meals (which included a chef coming to our house to cook the fish we had caught that day), enjoyed time on the beach, and got back in the States post haste.
Overall, a great destination.