Planning your travel to Harbour Island starts with understanding one key detail. There are no direct commercial flights to Harbour Island because the island does not have an airport. All flights land at North Eleuthera Airport (ELH), which serves as the main gateway to this exclusive destination. From there, visitors continue the final short journey by taxi and water taxi.

Understanding the full process helps set the right expectations. The trip is simple and well organized, but it includes several steps that combine air, land, and sea transportation. Most travelers complete the full journey in just a few hours from South Florida.

Your complete journey timeline

The full trip from South Florida to Harbour Island usually takes about four and a half hours door to door. This includes driving to the airport, check in, the flight, customs processing, and the short transfer across the water.

Ground transportation to the airport

Your journey begins with transportation from your residence or hotel in South Florida to the airport.

• Departure: Your residence or hotel in South Florida
• Destination: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) or Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Duration: About 30 minutes depending on traffic and location
• Cost: Parking, rideshare, or taxi fees

Airport check in and security

Travelers should plan to arrive at the airport about two hours before departure. This follows standard TSA recommendations for domestic flights leaving the United States.

• Arrival time: 2 hours before scheduled departure
• Activities: Check in, baggage drop, TSA screening, and gate arrival
• Duration: About 2 hours
• Experience: Standard commercial airport procedures

Commercial flight to North Eleuthera

Flights from South Florida to North Eleuthera are short and direct. Aircraft used on this route are smaller and designed for regional travel.

• Airlines: American Airlines from Miami
• Flight time: About 1 hour
• Aircraft: Regional jets or turboprops
• Seating: Economy class only

Customs and immigration at North Eleuthera

After landing at North Eleuthera Airport, all passengers must clear Bahamas immigration and customs before continuing the journey.

• Location: North Eleuthera Airport (ELH)
• Duration: About 40 minutes depending on passenger volume
• Process: Immigration control, customs declaration, and baggage claim
• Note: Processing times vary by flight volume

Taxi to Three Island Dock

Once outside the airport, a short taxi ride takes you to the nearby dock where boats depart to Harbour Island.

• Transportation: Local taxi service
• Duration: About 5 minutes
• Distance: Very short drive from the airport
• Cost: Around 5 to 10 dollars per person

Water taxi to Harbour Island

From the dock, travelers take a water taxi across the channel to Harbour Island. This final step is quick and simple.

• Transportation: Shared public water taxi or private charter
• Duration: About 15 minutes total, including brief waiting time
• Crossing time: Around 5 minutes on the water
• Cost: About 5 dollars per person shared or 50 to 60 dollars private
• Frequency: Boats run continuously from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Total door to door travel time

The complete one way journey from South Florida to Harbour Island usually takes about four hours and thirty minutes. This estimate includes each step from your starting point to your final arrival on the island.

Typical time breakdown includes the following:

• Ground transportation to FLL or MIA: About 30 minutes
• Airport arrival, check in, and security: About 2 hours
• Flight to North Eleuthera (ELH): About 1 hour
• Customs and immigration at ELH: About 40 minutes
• Taxi to Three Island Dock: About 5 minutes
• Water taxi to Harbour Island: About 15 minutes

TOTAL ONE WAY TRAVEL TIME: About 4 hours 30 minutes

Even though the journey includes several steps, the process moves smoothly and feels well organized. The final short boat ride creates a memorable entrance to Harbour Island and marks the beginning of a relaxed island experience.