All beaches in the Bahamas are public by law to the high-tide mark, meaning visitors can legally access, walk, and swim at any beach.

Beach Etiquette: Tiki Hut Protocol

When visiting Pink Sands Beach, you’ll notice tiki huts (thatched-roof structures) built at the base of the dunes along certain sections of the beach. These structures represent an important aspect of Harbour Island beach culture and property customs that visitors should understand and respect.

Homeowner Tiki Huts: Homeowners whose properties sit on the dunes directly abutting the beach customarily use approximately the first 30 feet from the dune base to build their tiki huts. These structures provide shade and beachfront gathering spaces for property owners and their guests, representing a long-standing island tradition that balances private property ownership with public beach access rights.

Hotel Tiki Huts: Similarly, beachfront hotels and resorts construct tiki huts throughout the length of their beachfront property, creating shaded lounging areas for hotel guests. You’ll observe these structures spaced along the beach in front of properties like Coral Sands, Pink Sands Resort, The Dunmore, and other beachfront accommodations, typically extending about 30 feet from the dune line toward the water.

Proper Beach Setup Etiquette

Respect the 15-Foot Buffer Zone: It is considered good etiquette and respectful beach behavior for visitors to avoid setting up towels, beach chairs, umbrellas, or other beach gear within approximately 15 feet of the extremities (edges) of these tiki huts. This buffer zone serves several important purposes:

• Privacy: Respects the space of property owners and hotel guests using the tiki huts
• Courtesy: Prevents crowding of structures that serve as extensions of private property or hotel amenities
• Community Harmony: Maintains the peaceful, respectful atmosphere that characterizes Harbour Island
• Practical Access: Allows property owners and hotel guests to move freely between their tiki huts and the water without navigating around other beachgoers.

Visitors should never use hotel or private lounge chairs unless they are paying guests of that property, never set up under tiki huts as these structures serve as private property extensions for homeowners and hotel guests only, never place towels on or immediately adjacent to lounge chairs belonging to hotels or private homes, and never occupy the shaded areas under tiki huts even if they appear unoccupied at the moment, as proper beach etiquette requires respecting these private amenities while enjoying the abundant public beach space available throughout the three-mile shoreline.

Where to Set Up Your Beach Spot

Despite the tiki hut buffer zones, the three-mile Pink Sands Beach offers abundant space for public beach use. The beach width ranges from 50 to 100 feet, and the vast majority of this pristine shoreline remains completely open for visitor enjoyment.

Look for sections of beach without tiki huts, or get closer to the Ocean which is where you will want to set up your towels anyways.

These areas clearly indicate public beach space where you can set up comfortably without concerns about encroaching on customary private use zones. We suggest that you do not set up towels either on private property such as on lounge chairs or under tikki huts this would not be proper.

Main Public Beach Access in Harbour Island

According to travelers and local information, there are approximately 10 public beach access paths on Harbour Island, with most public roads that end at or near the beach providing access points.

Parking and Beach Access Points in Harbour Island

There are a few designated access points that visitors can use to reach Pink Sands Beach from the streets of Dunmore Town. These access points provide the primary routes for day visitors and those staying away from the beachfront to enjoy the famous pink sand beaches.

Parking Guidelines

Golf Carts Recommended: If you plan to park at beach access points, use a golf cart rather than a car. Golf carts are the preferred and most practical mode of transportation on Harbour Island for several important reasons:

• Golf carts are appropriately sized for the island’s narrow streets
• They can be parked more easily in limited space without blocking access
• They align with the island’s low-impact, pedestrian-friendly transportation culture
• Most visitors rent golf carts as their primary transportation during their stay

Street Parking Only: There are no formal parking areas, lots, or designated parking spaces at beach access points. All parking is street parking along the small roads leading to beach access paths. When parking:

• Park carefully on the narrow streets near access points
• Ensure you do not block the access pathway itself
• Leave adequate room for other golf carts or pedestrians to pass
• Do not obstruct driveways or property entrances
• Be considerate of residents who live on these streets

No Car Parking: Cars are not recommended for beach access parking due to the narrow street widths and limited space. The island’s infrastructure is designed around golf cart transportation, and attempting to park a car at beach access points may create access problems for others or result in blocking the roadway.

Most commonly used Primary Access Points

1. Between Coral Sands and Pink Sands Resort

• Location: Main pathway between these two major hotels
• Description: The most popular public access point, located between Pink Sands and Coral Sands hotels
• Features: Beach chair and umbrella rentals available ($10/day for 2 chairs + umbrella)
• Note: The hill next to Coral Sands to the beach is very steep – easier going down than coming back up
• Best for: Day visitors, those staying in town

2. Opposite Romora Bay Marina

reaching the Atlantic beach is straightforward and direct:

Directions: From Romora Bay, take the road at its full width and drive directly in the opposite direction toward the east, heading straight across the island to the beach. This east-west route takes you:

• Distance: Approximately half a mile (0.5 miles) from bay to ocean
• Drive time: 2 minutes by golf cart

Since Harbour Island does not use clear street addresses or formal numbering systems like mainland destinations, locating specific beach access points can be challenging for first-time visitors unfamiliar with the island’s layout and informal navigation methods. Ask Your Hotel or Vacation Rental Manager: The single best and most reliable way to find the nearest and most convenient beach access point is to ask your hotel staff or vacation rental property manager