Great Kid-Friendly Rental Home on Harbour Island

We wanted to take a family beach vacation in the winter, but finding a kid-friendly and economical vacation in the Caribbean is difficult. There are so many islands and so many different ways to go. Harbour Island in the Bahamas came highly recommended from our friends with four children. They described it as “Nantucket Bahamian Style” with laid back people and an intimate feel. We decided to take their word for it. It turns out they were right!  Known for its three miles of pink sands, Harbour Island is a terrific place for kids.

Rental Home
After staying in many hotels with the tots, I have learned that rentals can be easier where there is a kitchen to warm milk or make a quick meal. Plus, connecting rooms and suites are expensive and we like a separate room for sleeping.
We rented the Sea Dream House and loved it with our kids. It is stocked with children’s videos, toy and books. The upstairs has three large bedrooms and downstairs has two bedrooms. The house at that time had a membership to the Coral Sands Hotel, so we could go there every day, use the facilities and lounge on one of the prettiest beaches this travel junky has ever seen. When you arrive, you rent a golf cart, the primary means of transport — this was our daughter’s dream come true, she loved cruising around in our “mini car.” We enjoyed using the kitchen and BBQ at our house, plus this kept our dining budget down and it was fun to walk to the dock and buy fresh fish straight from the incoming fishing boats.
Favorite Restaurants
On many Caribbean islands a decent meal can be hard to find. Harbour Island has many delicious dining options. One of our daughter’s favorite morning activities was to ride in the golf cart to Arthur’s Bakery for fresh banana bread. After a morning of sand castles and swimming, we often walked along the beach to Sip Sip for lunch (link to Fodors review). Owned by a Bahamian/American couple, this tropical restaurant has fabulous fresh salads and kid-friendly fare. For a night out, the Landing Inn has a great restaurant with outdoor seating and lovely fresh seafood.