Where to start? I have so many photos and so many unforgettable memories from this trip—cliff diving, swimming with pigs, snorkeling, and more.
Last month Jeff and I visited Harbour Island (North Eleuthera) for the first time with our friends Ashley and Jared and Ashley’s dad, Mike. It was our July trip for the “12 trips in 12 months” challenge. Now that I’ve sorted through all the photos, here are the highlights.
When I started the 12-trips challenge, I promised myself I’d be more adventurous this year—on the road and in life—even when something scared me. Cliff jumping definitely scared me, but I did it and it felt amazing.
It took a long time to get my legs to push off the edge—this looked lower than it felt—and I’m pretty sure I bruised my tailbone on impact, but I jumped. I was proud and exhilarated. Have you ever done something like that while traveling—felt braver because you were on vacation and more relaxed? I’d love to hear.
The beach and water nearby were unbelievably beautiful. I could have stayed there all day; it was such a fun spot.
North Eleuthera is easy to reach from the Southeast U.S. We flew nonstop from Orlando because it was cheaper and offered better connections than Atlanta, then took a short taxi to the water and a 10–15 minute water taxi to Harbour Island. It sounds complicated, but it’s straightforward: locals are used to getting visitors from the airport to their accommodations and are extremely friendly.
Once you arrive, you’ll find several resorts and many private villas around the island. We stayed in a beautiful house with a private pool thanks to Ashley and Jared—King’s Treat. Other popular options include The Dunmore and Coral Sand/Pink Sands. If you need more hotel or rental recommendations, there are several Harbour Island travel guides with curated suggestions.
The best way to get around the island is by golf cart—it’s the most common transport—but the island is small enough to walk or bike if you prefer.
Beyond cliff jumping, our most memorable day included snorkeling, swimming with pigs, and an encounter with a large lobster. I briefly held the lobster while snorkeling—he was surprisingly strong and a little creepy—then we released him back into the water. It was one of those days that felt dedicated to being adventurous.
Not many pigs were interested in swimming that day, even with snacks—chips and popcorn—to tempt them. A few did come out and hang with us; my favorite was a little black pig with a white stripe called Oreo.
Have you ever been to North Eleuthera? What trips—tropical or otherwise—are you planning or dreaming about next?