Transportation
- Regional Travel
- Bohengia Fast Ferry to Nassau ($160 round trip, 2.5 hours)
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; Call 'Fine Threads' Taxi or use VHF Channel 16
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Conch & Coconut Golf Cart Rentals ($50-$80/day); primary mode of island transport
- Best Beach Nearby
- Pink Sands Beach (East side of the island)
- Top Regional Airline
- Southern Air or Pineapple Air flying into North Eleuthera (ELH)
- Top International Airline
- Silver Airways or American Eagle (direct from Miami/Fort Lauderdale)
- Highway Access
- None; the island is only 3.5 miles long and accessible by water taxi from North Eleuthera
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Government Dock (Water taxi hub connecting to Eleuthera mainland, $5 per person)
- Public Transport Passes
- N/A; walk or use golf carts
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Harbour Island Community Clinic (Dunmore St); serious cases evacuated to Nassau
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Bask Yoga (seasonal pop-ups at Pink Sands Resort, $30/class)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Gym at Valentines Resort (Access for $25/day or $150/month)
- Laundry Services
- Briland Laundry & Dry Cleaning (Nesbitt St)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; call restaurants directly for 'takeaway'
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Conch Salad from Queen Conch (approx. $18.00 made fresh)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Cocoa Coffee House (Bowl options for $15-$22)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Arthur's Bakery (Famous Jalapeño Cheese bread and donuts)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Pigly Wigly or Captain Nemo's (Grocery prices are 2x-3x US prices)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None local; items must be shipped via MailBoat from Nassau/Miami
- Grocery Delivery
- Conch & Coconut Concierge Services (Delivery fee $50+)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Daddy D's Nightclub (Dunmore St) and Gusty's Bar
- Local Brewery
- Kalik and Sands (Bahamian beers found at Bristol Wines & Spirits)
- Wine Bars
- The Landing (High-end wine list and historic atmosphere)
- Street Food Stalls
- Ma Ruby’s (Famous for Jimmy Buffett's Cheeseburger in Paradise inspiration)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sip Sip (Mediterranean-Bahamian fusion, famous Lobster Quesadillas $45)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Lone Pine Tree and the Pink Sand Dunes
- Museums & Art Venues
- Princess Street Gallery (Local Bahamian art and photography)
- Historical Sites
- Loyalist Cottage (One of the oldest homes, dated 1797)
- Religious Sites
- St. John's Anglican Church (Built in 1768)
- Annual Events
- Junkanoo (Boxing Day/New Year's Day) and North Eleuthera Regatta (October)
- Cultural Districts
- Dunmore Town Historic District
- Theater Venues
- None; local entertainment at Valentines Marina
- Local Markets
- Straw Market at the Government Dock for handmade baskets
- Music Scene
- Live Rake 'n' Scrape music at various hotel bars on weekends
- Street Art
- Painted cottage shutters throughout Dunmore Town
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions available through local chefs like Chef Shaq
- Art Galleries
- Briland Art (Bay Street)
- Historic Buildings
- The Commissioner's Office and Residence
- Local Heritage
- Rich history as the former capital of the Bahamas
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Preacher's Cave (Short boat trip and drive on Eleuthera)
- National Parks Nearby
- Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve (on Eleuthera mainland)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Pink Sands Beach trail (Running on the hard-packed sand at low tide)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The hill by Gusty's for sunset views over the harbour
- Birdwatching Locations
- The salt ponds on the southern end of the island
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Only permitted with resort supervision at Pink Sands Beach
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (via G&G Shipping) or The MailBoat (weekly from Nassau)
- Tech Repair Services
- None; must go to Nassau for specialized repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Valentines Resort & Marina (Game area)
- Language Classes
- N/A (English is the official language)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Sir George Roberts Memorial Library (Dunmore St)
- Community Centers
- Briland Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- None
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (nearest in Nassau)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $12,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $480,000 for a small historic cottage)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $9,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $360,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $15,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $900,000 branded residences)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $10,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $600,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $18,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,440,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $13,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $1,080,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% (The Bahamas is a tax-neutral jurisdiction)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- No income, capital gains, or inheritance tax for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0%
- VAT
- 10% on most goods and services
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on market value (typically 0.75% to 2% depending on residency status and value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- VAT on Property Fund Transfers (sliding scale 2.5% to 10%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- BEATS (Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay) program allows 1-year residency with 0% local income tax
Essentials
- City
- Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Bahamas
- Population
- Approximately 1,762 (Brilanders)
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-70 Mbps via ALIV or REV; fiber optic available in select luxury rentals
- Currency & Banking
- 1 BSD = 1 USD; US Dollars accepted everywhere interchangeably
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 5-gallon bottled water for $10.00 at Pigly Wigly
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (US standard)
- SIM Card
- ALIV (The Sugar Apple Mall) or BTC; data plans approx. $30 for 15GB
- Banking for Expats
- RBC Royal Bank (Dunmore St); major credit cards accepted, but 5% surcharges are common
- Accommodation
- Luxury villas and boutique hotels; average $400-$1,200/night
- Cashless Friendly
- Mainly yes, but street vendors and small boat taxis require cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, and Dunmore Rentals for private cottages
- Budget Accommodation
- Tingum Village Hotel (approx. $220/night); limited budget options available
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Dunmore Town for proximity to shops and restaurants
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- South Bar or Narrows for quiet, reliable power and stable Wi-Fi
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None officially; most nomads work from The Landing Hotel lobby or private villas
- Best Cafe for Work
- Coffee Taylor (Dunmore St) - excellent coffee and reliable Wi-Fi, $6 for a latte
- Networking Events
- Informal gatherings at Government Dock during sunset; no formal tech meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Harbour Island Community Facebook Group; trivia nights at Vic-Hum Club