Dunmore Town Travel Guide

City Main settlement on Harbour Island, Bahamas

A ribbon of pastel houses and boats, Dunmore Town on Harbour Island is famous for its Pink Sands Beach, intimate guesthouses, and seafood shacks - perfect for barefoot walks, bonefishing outings and evenings at tiny rum bars.

Main image
Costs
Expensive: $200-400/day
Luxury resorts and high-end dining make Harbour Island pricey.
Safety
Generally safe; tourist-focused
Low violent crime; watch petty theft and sea-safety precautions.
Best Time
December-April
Dry season, best time for beach weather and sailing.
Time
Weather
Population
1,523
Infrastructure & Convenience
Golf carts, short taxis, ferries, boutique shops and English signage.
Popularity
Attracts affluent beachgoers, destination weddings and cruise day-trippers.
Known For
Pink Sands Beach, colonial architecture, boutique hotels, luxury tourism, snorkeling, boating, pastel houses, seafood restaurants, secluded beaches
Dunmore Town fronts Pink Sands Beach - the island's famous pink-hued sand comes from crushed coral and shells.

Why Visit Dunmore Town? #

An icon of Harbour Island, Dunmore Town draws visitors with its pastel colonial architecture, narrow streets and easily walkable boutique scene. The island’s famous pink-sand beach and clear turquoise water are magnets for sunbathing and snorkeling, while local shacks and upscale restaurants serve conch salad and fresh seafood. Travelers come for an intimate mix of old Bahamian charm, beach life and small-island hospitality.

Top Things to Do in Dunmore Town

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Pink Sands Beach - Wide, famously pink-hued beach ideal for long walks and relaxed swimming.
  • Dunmore Town Main Street - Charming main street lined with pastel cottages, boutiques, and waterfront cafes.
  • Harbour Island golf cart tours - Rent a golf cart to explore island beaches, landmarks, and hidden coves at leisure.
Hidden Gems
  • Hatchet Bay Cave (nearby) - Limestone cave system reachable on short excursions for adventurous visitors and guides.
  • Glass-bottom snorkel sites - Shallow coral patches off Harbour Island for snorkeling and casual marine viewing.
  • Local rum shops - Small local spots serving island rum cocktails and classic Bahamian snacks.
Day Trips
  • Eleuthera mainland (Governor's Harbour) - Short boat or drive to Eleuthera offering additional beaches, shops, and dining.
  • Spanish Wells - Nearby island town reachable by ferry, known for fishing and narrow streets.

Best Time to Visit Dunmore Town #

Best December-April when trade winds cool the islands and beaches are picture-perfect. Hurricane season (June-November) risks storms and travel disruption.

Dry Season
December - April · 22°C - 28°C (72°F - 82°F)
Blue waters, pastel buildings and steady trade winds-perfect for beach strolling and snorkeling, though prices rise during peak winter holidays.
Wet Season
May - November · 24°C - 29°C (75°F - 84°F)
Warmer, wetter months bring frequent showers and greener landscapes-fewer tourists and better off-season deals but more humidity and sporadic storms.
Hurricane Season
June - November · 24°C - 29°C (75°F - 84°F)
High risk of tropical storms-plans can be disrupted by hurricanes; book flexible travel, monitor warnings, and consider travel insurance during this period.

Best Time to Visit Dunmore Town #

Climate

Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 18°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1010 mm/year), wettest in October.

Best Time to Visit
MarchAprilJanuary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
15°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

88 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
18° 24°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
10.6h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).

88 Excellent

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
18° 24°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

50 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
11.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm).

90 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 26°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm).

90 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
21° 27°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

May

May is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).

82 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 29°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

June

June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (149 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
24° 29°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

149 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
13.6h daylight

July

July is hot, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Regular rainfall (91 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 31°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

August

August is the hottest month, feeling like 32°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (109 mm).

74 Very Good

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 32°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

109 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (133 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
25° 31°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

133 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (161 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 29°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

161 mm
Rainfall
4.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
21° 27°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 25°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.4h daylight

How to Get to Dunmore Town

Dunmore Town (Harbour Island) is reached via North Eleuthera Airport plus a short water taxi; many visitors route through Nassau with a domestic flight. Once on Harbour Island small taxis and golf carts are the principal local transport.

By Air

North Eleuthera Airport (ELH): North Eleuthera is the closest airport to Harbour Island. From ELH a taxi to the water taxi dock in North Eleuthera takes about 10-15 minutes (roughly US$8-15), then a short water taxi to Dunmore Town (about 5-10 minutes; fares typically US$6-10 per person).

Nassau Lynden Pindling International (NAS): Many visitors fly into Nassau and connect to North Eleuthera by domestic carrier (flight ~20-30 minutes) or by ferry/boat transfers; domestic flight fares vary but are commonly US$100+ one-way when booked close to departure.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no train service in The Bahamas.

Bus / taxi / water taxi: Road buses are not used for inter-island travel; on Eleuthera and Harbour Island the standard sequence is taxi from the airport to the dock, then a short water taxi across to Dunmore Town. Taxis and golf carts are the main on-island transport in Dunmore Town.

How to Get Around Dunmore Town #

Dunmore Town on Harbour Island is highly walkable - most visitors get around on foot or by rented golf cart, which is the island’s common short-distance transport. Water taxis connect Harbour Island to nearby islands, and regular boat transfers link to Eleuthera. Car traffic is very limited; if you need a longer transfer, arrange a taxi or boat in advance during high season when rentals and transfers book up.

Where to Stay in Dunmore Town #

Budget
Dunmore Town - $80-200/night
Limited low-cost choices on Harbour Island; most budget stays are small guesthouses or seasonal rooms. Book early in high season to secure a basic place.
Mid-Range
Harbour Island (Dunmore) - $180-400/night
Small boutique hotels and guesthouses dominate. Expect colorful inns near the harbor and easy access to Pink Sands Beach; mid-range rooms rise in season.
Luxury
Pink Sands Beach area - $400+/night
Luxury options are few but real - beachfront resorts and upscale boutique hotels. Prices spike during holidays; book well ahead for seaside suites.

Where to Eat in Dunmore Town #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Dunmore Town's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Fish
Seafood
Local
Fine Dining
Grill
Caribbean
Pasta
Pizza
Sushi
Italian
American
Japanese
Regional
Breakfast
Mediterranean

Nightlife in Dunmore Town #

Nightlife in Dunmore Town is relaxed but pleasant: a handful of bars, restaurants and hotel lounges stay open in the evenings, and beachfront venues come alive in high season. There isn’t a large club scene, but you’ll find lively dinner spots and casual bars along Bay Street.

Shopping in Dunmore Town #

Shopping along Bay Street and the main lanes focuses on resort wear, local crafts and boutique goods aimed at visitors. Expect a mix of clothing shops, galleries and souvenir stores; for larger purchases you’ll need to visit Nassau or order ahead. Many shops are seasonal, so the selection is best during the high tourist season.

Nearby Cities #