Discover Dunmore Town: History, Streets and Harbour

Dunmore Town combines a historic townscape with everyday life around its streets, harbour and Bay Street. New England-style architecture shapes the character of the town; at the same time, cultural attractions invite you to learn more about its history. When choosing a vacation rental, it’s worth first considering whether you want to focus mainly on this distinctive town character or on other experiences across Harbour Island during your trip.

Church, Architecture and History

Dunmore Town is one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas. St. John’s Anglican Church is a prominent historic landmark and is considered the oldest religious foundation in the Bahamas. The pink-and-white church building dates back to 1768. Together with the picturesque New England-style architecture, it gives the town a distinctly historic character.

Princess Street Gallery is also part of this town centre: it is located on Princess Street, in the heart of historic Dunmore Town and one block from the harbour. Art lovers will find a specific cultural destination in the centre of town. You can also visit the Harbour Island Historical Society Museum in Dunmore Town.

Narrow Streets and Harbour Orientation

Dunmore Town’s narrow streets can be explored by golf cart. This is a practical way to get around town and experience its streets. Downtown is just a few steps from Bay Street. Locals and visitors meet there, and Bay Street also offers harbour views. The town centre and harbour thus represent two different aspects of getting your bearings: meeting in town and looking out over the water.

Arrivals by water taxi, ferry and supply boat take place at Government Dock in the centre of Dunmore Town. If your plans depend on a particular connection, check the current schedule before your trip.

Harbour Island: Coast and Nature

The wider destination of Harbour Island is home to Pink Sand Beach on the eastern Atlantic side. It stretches for more than three miles and is between 50 and 100 feet wide. Its pale pink colour comes from microscopic coral organisms called foraminifera. The pink hue is more pronounced, especially at the water’s edge where the sand is wet. This landscape is quite different from Dunmore Town’s historic architecture and streets—a distinction that can help when planning your stay.

Activities on Harbour Island

On Harbour Island, you can explore the landscape on foot or by bicycle. For activities on the water, Dex Adventures offers trips along the Harbour Island coast in local fishing boats, as well as snorkelling excursions. Private boat charters from Harbour Island can include snorkelling at colourful reefs and scuba diving at remote dive sites. Valentines Dive Center offers PADI scuba diving and snorkelling on Harbour Island. These options are different from exploring Dunmore Town’s narrow streets: here, the focus is on the coast and water activities.

Dining and Entertainment on Harbour Island

Harbour Island also has its own dining destinations. The Boathouse Restaurant at Valentines Resort serves classic Bahamian dishes with a gourmet touch for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Beyond The Reef has two waterfront bars, one with harbour views. The menu features cracked conch, fried snapper and grilled lobster. On weekends, the restaurant offers live entertainment from the local band 123.

If you’re looking for a vacation rental, these different highlights can help guide your decision: Dunmore Town’s historic townscape and harbour setting, or the coastal, boating and dining experiences that make Harbour Island a rewarding wider destination. You can first decide which experiences you want to define your trip, then use that to guide your search.

For the wider travel overview: Harbour Island.