Is Harbour Island Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On November 7, 2023
Harbour Island, The Bahamas
Safety Index:
68
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
93
* Rated 93 / 100 based on 6 user reviews.

Harbour Island is a Carribean island that was once the capital of the Bahamas.

Harbour Island is set off the northeast coast of Eleuthera Island.

There is only one town on the island is Dunmore Town.

Harbor Island is famous for the turquoise waters and pink sand beaches that are located along the eastern part of the island.

The island’s harbor is a popular holiday destination for Americans.

Harbor Island, known locally as Briland, is colorful in New Zealand-style construction and flowered streets.

The island is suitable for those who seek a secluded and chic vacation with the incredible beauty of the beaches.

Warnings & Dangers in Harbour Island

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Even though Harbor Island is a little safer than other parts of the Bahamas, you still need to monitor your surroundings, not leave things unattended, lock your car if you travel on it, and not be on the beaches late at night.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

There is no public transportation on Harbor Island. Taxis and rented cars are available. Make sure that you use only a licensed taxi service, and your driver rides with a taximeter.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

There are quite a few pickpockets on the island, and they will try to grab your wallet whenever possible. Always watch your personal belongings, do not leave things in the car when you leave it.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

The Bahamas are highly prone to natural disasters, especially hurricanes. Over the past 50 years, 18 hurricanes have hit its territory. Before you travel to Freeport, you should study the weather conditions and tourist recommendations.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Armed robberies occur less frequently in harbor islands than in other parts of the bugs. However, they also happen. Most often, this is due to the dismantling of drug dealers. But if you find yourself in such a situation, immediately give the criminals everything they require and then contact the police.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Although the recent history of terrorism in the Bahamas does not exist, the possibility of attacks cannot be ruled out. Avoid political demonstrations and large gatherings of people. Explore the island’s political environment before you travel here.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

The main types of fraud on Harbour Island are all tourists scams. For example, nonexistent excursions when they take money from you in advance, but they don’t have anywhere to go. Overpriced prices for souvenirs, magnets, jewels, and other garbage. Do not buy it. Unlicensed taxi services can also cheat on the cost of the trip. Also, sometimes scammers may demand money from you for entering the beach, which is free. Be careful with these types of scams.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women can be safely on Harbor Island if they comply with safety rules: do not walk on the beaches at night, do not get drunk in bars, wear modest clothes, and do not attract attention to themselves with expensive jewelry and devices.

So... How Safe Is Harbour Island Really?

As with all Bahamas, Harbor Island is not entirely safe.

However, this remote island is safer than the Grand Bahama.

The main crimes here are petty and major thefts, attacks on tourists, fraud, and pickpockets.

Walking around the island at night is entirely unsafe, and tourists should avoid walking Harbour Island after sunset.

Don’t keep your valuables all in one place.

Snatch-and-grab crimes involving travelers’ bags, jewelry, smartphones, or cash are some of the most popular petty crimes that happen to visitors in The Bahamas.

The scammers are attracted by wealthy tourists who come to Harbor Island.

Locals are sure that people who come here are sure to have the money.

So you will not be left alone, and locals will offer you various services, trinkets, souvenirs, and more. Moreover, the price of it will all be overestimated significantly.

On the island, you can relax in safety if you take measures to avoid risks.

For example, do not walk along the beaches after sunset.

At night bars, it’s also better not to get drunk and make sure that you don’t get drugs.

It is also necessary to protect yourself from the relentless sun that shines here all year and carry drinking water with you to avoid overheating of the body.

How Does Harbour Island Compare?

CitySafety Index
Harbour Island68
Nassau47
Freeport62
Grand Bahama64
Belize City (Belize)37
La Paz (Bolivia)52
Sao Paulo (Brazil)45
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)43
Sofia (Bulgaria)73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)63

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

Visitors to The Bahamas must obtain a visa from one of the Bahamian diplomatic missions or British diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries. A valid passport is a must.

Currency

Currency

The Bahamian dollar is the official currency of The Bahamas. It has a sign: $ and a code: BSD. It is usually abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or B$, to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents.

Weather

Weather

The best time to visit the Bahamas is from mid-December to mid-April, the country's peak season. Hurricanes may be on the island between June and December (the Atlantic hurricane season).

Airports

Airports

North Eleuthera Airport is an airport in North Eleuthera on Eleuthera in the Bahamas. It serves the outlying islands of Harbour Island and Spanish Wells as well as the northernmost third of Eleuthera Island.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Harbour Island Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 21° C
Feb 21° C
Mar 22° C
Apr 24° C
May 21° C
Jun 28° C
Jul 28° C
Aug 28° C
Sep 28° C
Oct 26° C
Nov 24° C
Dec 22° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
252525283031323232302726
Low
°C
161718191224242424222018
High
°F
777777828688909090868179
Low
°F
616364665475757575726864

The Bahamas - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Freeport62
Grand Bahama64
Harbour Island68
Nassau47

Where to Next?

6 Reviews on Harbour Island

  1. This site is deceptive.

    You’ve never visited the Bahamas. Have you?

  2. Safest Island

    Awful review I grew up on the Island… nicest people in the world and if you know anything about The Bahamas you’d understand this is the safest island that is populated by people and not a private island. Whoever wrote this article is on the right path, just needs to be a bit more accurate.

  3. v
    vcowhey1 says:

    Harbour Island Is Very SAFE

    This is an awful, uninformed review. We’ve stayed on Harbour Island many times and never experienced what is advised in this terrible review.
    In fact, we were there a month ago and we left our place at 6 am on our golf cart to the Marina to catch the boat to North Eleuthera airport. Unbeknownst to us our backpack..filled with our passports, cash and Covid info fell off the cart. As we were waiting for the boat, a young man rode up ..and handed us our backpack. He had been following us for almost a mile. My husband and I offered a reward for his decency and kindness..but he just turned around and left. I will never forget this young man. Harbour Island is amazingly beautiful with beautiful people living there!

  4. v
    vcowhey1 says:

    Harbour Island Is VERY Safe!

    We have stayed on Harbour Island many times.
    It is a beautiful , safe place to visit. My husband and I were there a month ago. When we left at 6am for the Marina to catch the boat to North Eleuthera Airport our backpack fell off of our cart unbeknownst to us. As we sat waiting for the boat a young man rode up and handed us our backpack. He had been following us for almost a mile. We thanked him for his decency and honesty and offered him a reward but he turned around and left. I will never forget him. Harbour Island is not only an incredibly beautiful place but it’s residents are just as beautiful!!

  5. This review is unfortunate; Harbour Island is one of the safest island communities in the world, have been traveling here since I was a kid and never came close to having an issue. The locals are incredible people and they will always help a tourist and you can safely walk around any of the island at night.

  6. Just got back

    Just got back this morning…seamless and fabulous.
    We have been coming for 16 years. The only issues we ever had was an expensive hat disappearing off the beach..could have been anyone and a cocktail bag left by a slightly tipsy me in the golf cart at Gusty’s

Harbour Island Rated 4.67 / 5 based on 6 user reviews.

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