Just north of the tip of Eleuthera are two smaller islands...Spanish Wells and Harbour Island. Spanish Wells is the 'jumping off' point if you are taking your own vessel further east to Harbour Island. However, because the route from Spanish Wells to Harbour Island is treacherous, with numerous shoals and coral heads - boaters are advised to hire a pilot, at a cost of $160 each way, to guide their boat safely to Harbour Island. When we were in Spanish Wells 3 years ago, we were tempted to go to Harbour Island, but Prudence refused to go without a pilot! Jack & Diane told us they were planning to hire a pilot and take their boat "Valentine" to Harbour Island, and stay at 'Valentine's Marina'. So...since it was only 12:30 and we were all getting hungry, we decided to have lunch at Harbour Island! It was only a further 15 minute drive to the water taxi dock, and with a quick stop to check out the airport, we arrived at the water taxis, where the 15 minute ride across the mile and a half wide harbour cost $5. The dock area was quite busy with tourists who had just arrived by plane and needed transportation to their hotels on Harbour Island. We all piled aboard a 40ft power boat with a couple of large outboards and only a long wooden bench to sit on along each side. The water taxi soon rocketed away from the dock out into the rough water. Well, it was the wildest boat ride we've had in a long time, hanging on for dear life with the boat bashing and bucking through the waves like a mechanical bull ride..whoo-hoo!!

The water taxi dropped us off at the Dunmore Town dock, a busy area crowded with golf carts, and we started our exploration of Harbour Island. We were surprised there wasn't a concentration of shops and restaurants in the town centre...it seems most eating is done at small 'take away' spots or folks eat in the dining rooms of the hotels and marinas. After poking around the main part of town, we chose the dockside grill for a tasty seafood lunch on the patio.