Harbour Island, The Bahamas
As the song goes, Nassau may be funky but the Out
Islands are the real gems in The Bahamas. Strung like a necklace archipelago,
the tiny specks of serenity are wooing the romance market and targeting your clients who may prefer
a quieter wedding vibe nowhere near busy cruise ship ports, glitzy casinos or high-rise mega-resorts.
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| (credit: Mark Da Cunha) |
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| Bright blooms ( credit: Abaca Tourism ) |
Appealing to true connoisseurs of Caribbean
island life, the Out Islands are for magical weddings, happy honeymoons or
discreet trysts under the starry skies.
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| (credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| Blu Bungalow ( credit: Trip Adviser) |
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| Blu Bungalow ( credit: Firestonesisters.com) |
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| (credit: M. Reffes ) |
Quite the Pair
Two of the most exquisite, Harbour Island and
Eleuthera are sold as one destination by agents and marketed as one by the Out
Islands Promotion Board. A 45-minute flight from Fort Lauderdale and 25 minutes in the air from Nassau , Harbour Island
, off the northern tip of Eleuthera, is quaint and cute with 2,000 residents,
1500 golf carts, umpteen chickens crossing the road and delectable delicacies
like conch fritters and hummingbird cake .
Dubbed “Briland” by the locals, the island is coveted for its pink sandy beaches, friendly locals and charming hotels reminiscent of New England architecture.
Dubbed “Briland” by the locals, the island is coveted for its pink sandy beaches, friendly locals and charming hotels reminiscent of New England architecture.
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| Pink Beach perfection Harbour Island ( credit : M. Reffes ) |
With a name like Valentine's Resort , you know
this is one resort ripe for romance.
Seaside in Harbour Island, romance is big business at the 41-suite
resort with stellar service, fabulous food and an enthusiastic staff who loves
to organize weddings. On the edge of
Dunmore Town with its array of little
stores and delightful restaurants , the resort is pretty with thirty-eight
suites in four low-rise buildings each named for one of the Out Islands. En suite dining with specialties delivered
from the Boathouse restaurant or cooking in the mini-kitchen is the big draw
for couples. “ The best part of my job is working with folks looking forward to
their wedding,” said Alexis Ross, front desk manager, “After talking with them
and knowing what they may want, I then set them up with a golf game, big bottle
of champagne, transportation to the resort from the airport or just letting
them enjoy the privacy of the resort. “
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| Valentine's Resort ( credit: M. Reffes ) Tempting couples who like to explore, the resort also has its own marina and offers a slew of activities on the water. “We encourage couples to try their hand at deep-sea fishing, “adds Alexi Ross, “and if they’re lucky enough to land a tuna, our Chef will prepare it in the privacy of their own suite or at the Bathhouse restaurant. “ www.valentinesresort.com |
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| Fishing for tuna at Valentine's ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
Loving Lutra
From
the Greek word for freedom, Eleuthera or Lutra in the local slang caters to those who prefer frolicking in the
sea to putting down another bet at a poker table in Nassau. Fifty miles east of Nassau and a quick water
taxi from Harbour Island, the island is without a single traffic light,
high-rise building or casino.
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| Serenity Rules ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
With
just eight thousand full-time residents,
Eleuthera is all about lobsters, pineapples, taking a dip in the
crystalline waters so shallow you can wade in more than a hundred yards without
getting your shoulders wet , taking five on a sun lounger and for legions of
travelers from around the world, it’s about
saying I Do on the beach .
For
the adventurous in the crowd or those looking for unbridled tropical privacy,
Surfer’s Beach, about two miles from Gregory Town, is a hot wave-riding beach
and one of the island’s best kept secrets. “This
is a very happy island, “smiles Jackie Gibson, senior manager, Eleuthera
Tourist Office,” the reason we’re so popular for weddings is because we’re
always in a good mood and that rubs off on our guests.”
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| (credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| (credit: M. Reffes ) |
Leading the pack
of wedding-friendly resorts, Sky Beach Club is the only hotel facing the sea
and very popular with couples from all over the world who come for a no-frills
barefoot ceremony on the beach. “ We've had wedding
parties book the entire property from our four bedroom villas to our one
bedroom bungalows with the trendy glass-enclosed rain shower , “ said Stephen Kappler, general manager ,”
weddings are our biggest niche market and we make sure each and every one of them is unique and memorable .
“ Picture-perfect, the beach is carpeted in pink sand, the Bistro grills the tastiest Hog Fish Snapper this side of anywhere and on-site concierges cater to every whim from stocking the villas with fine wine to arranging an island tour to the legendary Glass Window Bridge. www.skybeachclub.com
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| Sky Beach Club wedding ( credit all photos : Sky Beach Club ) |
Make a Date
For the $300.00
airline credit to Nassau/Paradise Island and the Out Islands
Promo Code BAH300WSAUS for travel through to March
6
Promo Code BAH300WSBUS for travel through June
19
