Peachy Hot Spots: Harbour Island with India Hicks

Welcome to our exciting new feature, Peachy Hot Spots! We are eager to share the “inside scoop” on some of the most intriguing vacation hot spots around the world. And first up…Harbour Island, Bahamas.

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Introducing our first Peachy Hot Spot is the extraordinary India Hicks. India is a photographer, model, author, and founder of India Hicks, a namesake collection of well-crafted gifts, fragrances and accessories. Her latest book, Island Style, is a beautifully illustrated guide to achieving her famously undone, gloriously bohemian decorating style.

Along with her husband and five children, India has made Harbour Island her home. She shares some insider tips to help make the most of your time on this amazing little Bahamian island. Enjoy!

STAY

All of the lovely plantation-style homes at HIBISCUS HILL come with a daily housekeeper to look after you and have been decorated in the romantic notion of an Ernest Hemmingway novel.

EAT

Wander into ‘town’ for a traditional breakfast at THE DUNMORE DELI, where you could also get a local Kalik Beer if you needed it after a late night dancing at DADDY D’s. Or try SYBIL’s BAKERY for local Bahamian breakfast of grits and stewed fish.

THE LANDING Indulge in a Sunday brunch featuring ricotta pancakes and fresh baked coconut bread. Or if you’re daring, AVERY’s offers the local dish of ‘souse’ in all of these delightful flavors: chicken feet, pig feet, chicken and sheep tongue!

After a morning on the pink sand beach, SIP SIP is the place for lunch. Sip Sip is the local word for gossip and at SIP SIP you will hear all the gossip…local and otherwise. What would India order? A Goombay Smash and the Lobster Quesadilla.

For a late afternoon snack head down to the PLP dock where you can watch the fisherman bring in the day’s catch and witness an aggressive game of dominoes (considered a national sport in the Bahamas) on your way to THE QUEEN CONCH shack next door. Try the local conch salad made of chopped conch, local tomatoes, onions and green peppers mixed with the lime and sour orange juice. Beware…ask for tourist strength, anything else might blow your bikini off! If you are feeling adventurous ask for the conch’s pistols, local men say “it puts lead in your pencil.”

Wrap up your day with dinner at the DUNMORE BEACH CLUB on the terrace, under the stars, overlooking the ocean.

PLAY

What is island life without water? You can rent a boat from DUKE DAVIS, snorkel for sand dollars and sea biscuits. Then head down to Bottom Harbour to watch the turtles darting about and keep a look out for the family of dolphins who live here.

CAPTAIN BOB who lives on the neighboring island of Current will take you out on his boat to dive for conch or spearfish. He’ll also introduce you to a few friendly sharks along the way.

For a little more adventure, go scuba diving with VALENTINE’S DIVE CENTER. They offer a resort course in the morning that will have you 30 feet beneath the surface by the afternoon.

SHOP

Above the surface, head up GUSTIE’S HILL at the top of which you will find THE SAND DOLLAR SHOP. Here you can find many locally made treasures including little bottles of pink sand which you might want to take home to prove that it really does exist.

Down the bay past the LOYALIST COTTAGE built in 1800, you’ll find THE SUGAR MILL. Explore an eclectic mix of treasures found from travels round the world…everything from a $1,000 embellished evening kaftan to a child’s bucket and spade.

STYLE

And what to wear while you explore this little piece of paradise? Our style experts have put together looks that will take you from beach to lunch to dinner and dancing…all in fabulous island style.