Valentine's Day Happy Valentine's Day(2008) From 101lifeStyle.com Valentine's Day Romantic Destinations: Valentine's Day Romantic Beach Escapes: 3.Pink Sands Beach - Bahamas: The Pink Sands Beach is located on Harbour Island in the Bahamas, just 50 miles east of Nassau, close to mainland USA. Harbour Island is a tiny speck, only 3 1/2 miles long. The beach is pink because of the red coral in the area, broken shells, minute rocks and calcium carbonate from tiny marine invertebrates. The pink colour comes from tiny microscopic shelled animals known as Foraminifera. This animal has a bright pink or red shell full of holes through which it extends a footing which it uses to attach itself and feed. The unique color of Pink Beach would be stunning even without the warm and welcoming turquoise-blue ocean lapping at its edge, but the combination of pink sand, azure-blue sky, turquoise water, and green palm trees is so delightful, particularly at sunset, that you almost won't believe your eyes. In fact, Pink Beach is consistently voted one of the most romantic beaches in the entire Caribbean! Spend a day at this romantic beach and we bet you'll decide to come back for your first anniversary -- and maybe your second and third. Things To Do / See: A.Walk Along The Pink Sands Beach: Walk along the beach barefoot and enjoy the unique pink sand on your feet. The Pink Sands Beach of Harbour Island is as much a mystery as it is a haven for seclusion and serenity. Have a romantic dinner at the restaurants along the beach. B.Beach Activities: The ocean around this island is as clear as a swimming pool and is excellent for diving and fishing Local dive shops, Ocean Fox and Valentine's offer dive instruction and certification, a wide variety of dives and dive sites and night and two-tank night dives for the experienced. There is also a pretty good reef a couple hundred yards from the beach that both protects the beach from rough waters and provides pretty good snorkeling. You can go deep sea and bone fishing, scuba dive. You can also go horse riding on the beach. C.Visit The Dunmore Town: Dunmore Town, located on Harbour Island, is an ideal setting for a Bahamas vacation. The oldest settlement in all of the Bahamian Islands, Dunmore Town is picturesque with pastel-colored clapboard houses, white picket fences, narrow streets, quaint shops, and tropical flowers. Harbour Island is just off of Eleuthera, but it feels like you are worlds away from anywhere as you enjoy the quiet beauty of this island. A day's itinerary can include snorkeling, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, parasailing, sailing, or lounging on one of the many beaches. D.Romantic Dinner: If you are looking for a romantic dinner or an exotic lunch, Harbour Island restaurants have a lot to offer. Choices are plentiful and menus range from fine cuisine at The Rock House and The Landing to delicious local fare at Ma Ruby’s. Most offer a casual Bahamian atmosphere and unforgettable views of the island and its tropical surroundings. E.Visit Nearby Beaches: The beaches on neighboring Eleuthera can range form crowded to remote, depending on the visitor's mood. For some active beach time, head to Surfers Beach. The area is renowned for its winter waves that rival those of Hawaii. Some more great snorkeling can be found at Seaside Beach, located in Rainbow Bay near Governor's Harbour. Governor's Beach was once the site of a Club Med on Eleuthera. Although the resort is long gone, the beach has become known as a place for total relaxation. F.Take A Walking Tour Of Harbour Island: You can also explore hand in hand for a walking tour with your sweetheart. Remember to plan it out and keep a map handy. North end, bayside (45 minutes: historic homes, a lovely bay, a steep walk to a grand vista) South end, bayside (30 minutes: historic homes, the library, and town center) North end, oceanside (1 hour 15 minutes: churches, beach, some cool resorts, public buildings) South end, oceanside (1 hour: serious beach walking) South end, interior (1 hour: Ma Ruby's, Romora, Harbour Island Marina, and farmer Anthony) Village of Dunmoretown.
How To Get To Pink Sands Beach: By Air: North Eleuthera Airport: Repairs completed have provided this airport with a landing strip of 6,000 feet and new new lights that permit night landings. If you're coming to Harbour Island from Europe, you can fly to Nassau from London or Paris. From the United States, fly into Nassau, Miami, or Fort Lauderdale. From any of these three cities make sure you are booked into the tiny airport at North Eleuthera (ELH); other airports on Eleuthera will require a very long taxi ride. By Boat: Those who arrive by boat will sail into the protected bay between Harbour Island and Eleuthera where they can choose from two marinas. Harbour Island Club and Marina: This is the newer marina located on the southern end of the island. It offers modern power centers at each slip with 115/220 power and water and automatic dock lights that turn on at dusk, off at dawn. Showers, a freshwater pool, and laundry services are available. A very pleasant bar overlooking the dock is a great spot for lunch or watching the sun go down. There's no grocery store or dinner service, but a taxi or rented golf cart can take you the mile and a half into town. Valentine's Resort and Marina: Right in the center of town, Valentine's offers 39 slips accommodating boats up to 160' with 12' draft. Hotel rooms and a bar and restaurant rim a swimming pool just steps from the dock. Plans are in formation for replacing the popular dockside bar and restaurant that were destroyed in the fire of 1998. Arriving by Ferry from Nassau: The Bo Hengy ferry will bring you from Nassau in the morning and return you in the afternoon. The 2-hour trip can sometimes be faster that making airport connections with fares just over $100 for a round trip.www.bahamasferries.com Getting Around: Walking is best, followed by a nice ride on a golf cart. Golf cart rentals are readily available. Bicycle rides are also a common way of getting around. The hotels also arrange for golf carts and bicycles. Pink Sands Beach Hotels: A.Coral Sands Beach Hotel: Perched on a bluff overlooking the turquoise Atlantic Ocean in the Bahamas; Coral Sands Hotel is a divine luxury resort situated oceanfront in the heart of serene Harbour Island, just off of North Eleuthera. Famous for its pink sand Caribbean beach, sunny days, balmy nights and soothing breezes, Coral Sands Hotel in Harbour Island allows you to immerse yourself under the swaying palms the unforgettable hibiscus, bougainvilleas and jasmine. Relax, rejuvenate, re-energize yourself among the natural beauty….or you can snorkel, go deep sea and bone fishing, scuba dive, play tennis or go make new friends at the island’s only beachside bar & lounge, or hop on a bicycle and discover the pleasures of historic Dunmore Town, where shopping and sightseeing is a must. It’s all here and so close…just 175 miles southeast of Miami. It’s your dream vacation for romance, honeymoons and always special for families. It’s all at Coral Sands Hotel - Harbour Island’s premier luxury resort. B.Pink Sands Resort: This intimate resort consists of a cluster of pastel cottages scattered throughout 20 acres of tropical forest; just below is Harbour Island’s long, gorgeous, and uncrowded beach of pale-pink sand. Travelers come here to get away from it all, and the resort provides a tranquil setting with a romantic restaurant, tropical pool, and library; use of kayaks and snorkel gear is complimentary. Terraces with teak furniture offer views of the ocean or surrounding gardens. C.Valentine’s Resort, Harbour Island: Valentines Resort Harbour Island is an upscale resort that attracts people of true taste and a love for life from all over the world. Boat enthusiasts, yacht owners, even families with a flair for the finer things in life all find their way to Valentines. And no matter your age you will fall in love with the powder-soft beaches - tinted pink by crushed coral and sea shells. The Packages at Valentine’s are very romantic and include massage , fresh flowers, Champagne, gourmet breakfasts and many more. D.Dunmore Beach Club: Old world, low key elegance. Attracts mostly an old money crowd and high level corporate types who return year after year for the privacy and quiet intimacy of bungalows hidden in the tropical garden. Recently renovated to high elegance and all up-to-date facilities. Coats required for men for dinner. E.Runaway Hill Club: Cozy, charming, and full of character, this lovely converted manor house offers English charm in a tropical setting. Two new bungalows offer additional privacy. The small size and house-centered feel makes it the most conducive to mingling with other guests, mostly a mature and well-traveled crowd. Renvations after ownership change in 2004.  Back To Travel Index Valentine's Day Romantic Beach Escapes - Amalfi Coast, Italy |