Abaco, Bahamas - The most visited of the Out Islands
The Abacos are a cluster of islands and islets east of Grand Bahama. Abaco offers crystal clear waters with superb fishing, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. There are many lovely, uncrowded beaches and cays to choose from.
Abaco is a group of islands where time seems to have stood still. There are no crowds, high rises, or casinos to be found. The pace is relaxing and the dress code is casual. These islands are a prime choice for weekend getaways or extended vacations.
The Abacos are definitely a world apart from the glitzy pleasures of Freeport, Nassau, or Paradise Island but its hotels, restaurants and beach bars are among the nicest in the Bahamas' out islands.
Known as "The Sailing Capital of the World," The Abacos’ number one activity is boating and sailing.
Unlike the other islands in the Bahamas, which are busiest from December through April, the peak months for the Abacos are June, July and August. That's the best months for sailing, boating, swimming and the time of the most popular regatta and fishing tournaments.
The "mainland" is Great Abaco the largest island in the Abacos, extending 130 miles long and rarely more than 4 miles wide. The best beaches on Great Abaco Island are Ocean Beach and Sandy Point.
Marsh Harbour, in the center of Great Abaco Island, is the heart of the Abacos. The town has a large harbor, the “marina district”, which is lined with sparkling marinas, waterfront restaurants, boutiques, and high-end shops. Marsh Harbor makes a good base for trips to the Abacos Cays, most of the are no more than 30 minutes offshore.
Marsh Harbour is the largest settlement in Abaco, with a population of around 4,000. They have four grocery stores, straw market, a variety of gift shops, liquor stores, movie theater, video rentals, jewelry stores, bakeries, bookstores, beauty salons, fishing guides, dive operators, restaurants and art galleries and Marsh Harbour is also the site of the Out Islands' one and only stop light!
Elbow Cay, southeast of Marsh Harbour, is the most popular, and its capital, Hope Town, is one of the most charming spots in the Bahamas. Yachts anchor the nearly circular harbor beneath a candy-striped lighthouse.
Hope Town Lighthouse, rising 120 ft above sea level, can be seen from a distance of 17 miles. Built in 1864 it is one of only three manual lighthouses in the Bahamas. Climb the 101 steps to the top for fantastic views of Elbow Cay.
Great Guana Cay is a seven mile long island with incredibly unspoiled long, lonely beaches with ocean waters radiating every shade of blue and turquoise. Perfect for swimming, snorkeling and beachcombing. Golf carts are the primary mode of transportation. Daily ferry service is available from Marsh Harbour.
Treasure Cay has been developed into one of the largest resort areas outside the two main islands with a large marina and 18-hole golf course. Treasure Beach, one of the best beaches in the whole Caribbean, is a 3.5 mile arc of powdery white soft sand that was for many years a Bahamian secret.
Green Turtle Cay is a little island 3 miles long and more lush than many of the other Bahamas islands. It has an uneven coastline with deep bays, sounds and wonderful beaches. The island is a secluded paradise, reachable by a 15 minute ferry ride from mainland Abaco. Shelling on the beaches and offshore sandbars is among the finest in the Bahamas. A breezy two mile commute in rented golf carts puts you in the charming island village of New Plymouth.
The Abacos Hotels, Cottages, Villas & Resorts
Most accommodations in the Abacos are small, intimate resorts, beachside condos, cottages, or small hotels. There are a few exceptions that are full-scale resorts, with multiple restaurants, bars, pools, and features like tennis courts and swimming pools.
Most resorts, hotels, apartments, inns and villas - ranging from six rooms to 100 rooms - offer comfortable quarters at rates very competitive with similar accommodations on most Caribbean islands. Over 500 private houses, villas, apartments, condos and townhouses can be rented by the week or longer. Some have a dock, and even a small boat. They can be luxuriously appointed, or just cozy getaways.
It is highly recommended that you make your reservation six to nine months prior to arriving. This allows you to book the accommodation which best suits your needs and allows you to obtain the lowest airfare.
Hope Town Hideaways (Elbow Cay) - Set in lush gardens on the lighthouse end of Hope Town these pretty family-sized cottages have fully fitted kitchens and accommodate 4 to 6 people. Swimming pool and laundry facilities. A small boat is provided with each rental so guests can get around the harbor. The proprietors also act as agents for the rental of private houses. www.hopetown.com
Dolphin Club Resort and Marina (Great Guana Cay) - Colorful free-standing cottages and a lodge house along 800 feet of pristine beach protected by sand dunes. Cottages have fully equipped kitchens and such unusual features as swinging queen-size beds and loft rooms with splendid views of the sea and harbor. www.dolphinbeachresort.com
Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour (Marsh Harbour) - Upscale 82-unit oceanfront resort, with its own private beach and the finest restaurant in the Out Islands. Spacious rooms, suites and villas set on 52 acres alongside a full-service marina. Two fresh-water pools, watersports center and dive shop, two tennis courts and fitness room are some of the amentities offered at this resort. Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine's 2007 Readers Choice Awards Winner for Best mid-size Caribbean Hotel. (www.abacoresort.com)
Bluff House (Green Turtle Cay) - Bluff House is located on a bluff that affords excellent views of the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and set within 12 acres of palms, pines, and beach. The Bluff House boasts the newest full service, 40 slip marina in the Abacos. The accommodations at the Bluff House Beach Hotel & Yacht Club include Suites, Villas, and Yachtsman's Cottages, all with air-conditioning and either balconies or decks with magnificent views. These accommodations are either beachfront or on the hillside facing the sheltered harbor. Hammocks are slung between palm trees, offering an ideal spot for afternoon naps.
Green Turtle Club & Marina (Green Turtle Cay) - Green Turtle Club and Marina sits on a picturesque harbor surrounded by some of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Guestrooms provide harbor and marina views. Club Rooms feature hardwood floors, large beds and upholstered rattan furnishings.
Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina - Set around the Treasure Cay marina, only a few minutes' walk from the five-mile beach, this 1,500 acre beach resort is one of the biggest of the Out Island resorts. Golf Digest has frequently rated its 18-hole golf course as the Bahamas' number one course. Fishing, boat rentals, scuba diving, snorkeling and a wide variety of water-sports are available. Accommodations include standard rooms, deluxe rooms and 1, 2 or 3 bedroom suites.
What to Do in Abaco
1. You can lay in a hammock and read a book.
2. You can rent a boat and with a bit of orientation and instruction, head off on your own on a calm, protected sea for reefs, deserted beaches, island settlements or fishing grounds.
3. You can lunch on a grouper burger in a harbourfront restaurant.
4. You can snorkel on a coral reef.
5. You can browse through shops and galleries in a picturesque village.
6. You can swim in a deserted cove.
7. You can explore the 100-mile-long mainland by rental car.
8. You can count dolphins swimming the Sea of Abaco.
9. You can climb the steps of the historic 1863 lighthouse in Hope Town.
10. You can collect shells on the beaches.
Getting to Abaco
You actually have a few options when it comes to getting to Abaco. If you are going to fly into Abaco plan to arrive in Marsh Harbour which is the starting point of most vacations. Several airlines service Marsh Harbour from various cities in Florida including: West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami.
For those who are visiting Treasure Cay or Green Turtle Cay, you will need to fly into Treasure Cay Airport. Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour are linked on the main island of Great Abaco via a road. It is an easy drive, 35 minutes, from Marsh Harbour to Treasure Cay.
The following airlines service Marsh Harbour:
BahamasAir
USAir
Continental Connection
Those who are weary of flying may try taking to the seas to reach Abaco. Whether you are sailing your own vessel or planning a boat charter, plan on extra time for the trip to and from the islands.
Ferry Service Information:
Ferries are a great way to experience the islands and offer scenic views. Albury's Ferry Service is the key to efficient inter-island transportation. They now have a fleet of 10 vessels that make numerous runs between various points on Abaco including: Marsh Harbour, Man-O-War, Hope Town (Elbow Cay), Scotland Cay, and Guana Cay. For more information visit www.alburysferry.com.
