About the Island
Harbour Island, or Briland as local residents refer to it, is a quaint historic colonial village of houses stretching from the highest point of the island to the shore. There are pastel coloured houses, white picket fences, narrow hilly streets and friendly local Brilanders. The island is only three miles long by half a mile wide and boasts its world famous pink sand beach.
The history of Harbour Island began in 1650, when a group of clergymen and privateers sailed from England to The Bahamas after fleeing from religious persecution. These people decided to build their own settlement in the islands and became known as the Eleutheran Adventurers.
The Eleutheran Adventures and their descendants made their way as shipbuilders, farmers and fishermen. In 1717 the group surrendered its rights to the British Crown and Eleuthera became a part of the colony of The Bahamas.
When the revolutionary war broke out in the United States, the Loyalist Governor of Virginia fled to The Bahamas where he was awarded with the title of Lord Dunmore, Governor of The Bahamas. He laid out what is today Dunmore Town at the center of Harbour Island and many homes on the island date from that era. In fact Lord Dunmore’s own summer residence sat on the site of the current Commissioners Home on the hill.
By the 1800’s “Dunmore Town”, once the capital of The Bahamas, had become both a noted shipyard and sugar refinement center. The islanders were happy to acquire other valuable skills that contributed to the development and notoriety of their tiny rural island. Upon the advent of prohibition, Harbour Island became very popular indeed!
Today, this fisherman’s paradise is recognized for its intimate resorts, warm Briland hospitality, quaint New England architecture and world-renowned pink sand beach.
