Destinations Report Abacos

2210 So. Peninsula Dr.
Daytona Beach, FL 32118
800-444-9194

The Abacos

Just a 50-minute flight from West Palm Beach, Florida, Great Abaco and the surrounding keys are some of the more populated Out Islands of the Bahamas. The cays (pronounced key) stretch from Walkers Cay in the North to Hole-in-the-Wall on the south end of Marsh Harbour. Included in this chain are such names as Man-0-War, Great Guana, Elbow, Treasure, Lubbers, Green Turtle, and others that give islandgoers a wonderful choice of island experiences.

It is nearly impossible to write a short article describing all that the Abacos have to offer. Because of their easy access by both land and sea, and foreigner friendly investment laws, the Abacos have become the second home location for many North Americans. The world class cruising grounds and well-appointed marinas make the Abacos a destination for many sailors. The annual Regatta and sportfishing tournaments can change otherwise quiet marines to small floating cities on certain weekends. Having grown up in Florida and watched as all the quiet little beaches have become condo-lined and over-developed, I now make the quick trip to Marsh Harbour for a little quality beach time with the family. On any given fair weather day, you will find a number of sportfishers making the crossing from marinas in South Florida to Walkers Cay, the gateway to the Abacos.

American, Delta, and other major carriers provide scheduled flights into Marsh Harbour from several Florida airports. There are a number of smaller and very reliable charter services with regular flights into MH. From the airport it is a short taxi ride to any number of jumping off points to the outer cays. For visitors staying on the numerous smaller cays, Albury's Ferry is the next step in getting to your out island hide-away. Albury's runs scheduled service between the cays. They are very reliable and on time. If you should miss the scheduled service and can't wait for the next scheduled ferry, charters can be arranged. If you're traveling with a larger party the cost can be comparable. I don't mean to disregard the city of Marsh Harbour itself. There are a number of very nicely, appointed accommodations on Marsh Harbour. There are wonderfully equipped full service marinas restaurants, and lodging available, but if you were to visit the Abacos and never leave Marsh Harbour you would be missing some of the most picturesque and naturally beautiful scenery in the Bahamas.

Now with the obligatory travel brochure introduction out of the way, let me get to the real reason we go to the Abacos. We pitch it to our three sons like this. "Would you rather spend your vacation standing in a hot line with crowds of people trying to get on a ride that last just a few minutes or would you rather spend it swimming and searching for shells, fishing off a dock in front of our own house, helping dad search for pirates in our own boat, and staying up late counting stars from the end of the dock. OK, it's not a fair comparison, and our boys still have not been to the D World, but Mom and Dad really need our trips to the islands and we'll do what it takes to avoid painful childhood memories of our parents thinking the long lines, crowds of people, and Mom and Dad worn out from chasing my brothers and I around a theme park was our idea of quality time. I love them for the effort they put into giving us memories to last a life time and maybe it was those memories that pushed me to locate places where time stood still and no colored-coded parking lots exist. My wife and I discovered the Abacos some time back before we had our own tax deductions, and we continue to visit from time to time to stand atop the Hope Town Lighthouse and take it all in.

The Abacos have always been a haven for those wanting the island experience without the cruise ship crowds of Freeport and Nassau and that charm still exists in the cays of the Abacos. You won't find large corporate-owned resort chains, no casinos, and even the big mouse couldn't take the quiet beauty of the cays. So what does that leave you with? Beautifully appointed private homes to rent, a casual and friendly atmosphere and a local population that welcomes you to share their piece of paradise that they work very hard at preserving.

We have always had good luck renting fully furnished 1,2, and 3 bedroom homes located on the surrounding cays. Rates can range from $750.00-$3000.00/ week US. For our family of five we have found we will spend approximately $1400.00/week on a rental home. That includes plenty of room, AC, a dock, and a great view. There are many vacation rental brokers in the area to arrange your accommodations.

Since the cays are located relatively close to one another, visiting the different cays is an easy assignment. With some boating experience, though not required, you can rent a reliable boat for about $700.00/ week. Go ahead and spend the $3.00 on the boater's guide that will be offered when you rent your boat. It is full of great information and tips for getting around the cays safely. If weather is good, you'll probably spend more on fuel than the cost of the rental. Outboards are not the most efficient and a gallon of gasoline runs about $3.35/ gal. But there really is no better way to see all that the Abacos have to offer. Make your plans early because during the season, even though there are several well run boat rental operations, they do run out of rentals. It is hard to find a rental last minute.

One of the biggest attractions (literally) is the Hope Town Lighthouse located on Elbow Cay in the settlement of Hope Town--it is one of the last existing manually operated lighthouses. From the top of the lighthouse you can get a great panoramic view of Hope Town Harbour and the Sea of Abaco. In Hope Town you can find grocery stores and bakeries, restaurants and dive shops. Museums and gift shops and marine stores all within walking distance of everything else. Good thing too, because there are no cars allowed on the narrow alleys of Hope Town. The streets in Hope Town are just wide enough for a golf cart but they don't allow those either. The people are very friendly as are most Abaconians.

On the southern end of Elbow Cay you'll find a wonderful beach called Tahiti Beach. Actually it is more a sand spit at the very tip of the island but you'll find on a good day a number of boats anchored there and people wading ashore to relax and enjoys this photo opportunity. One visit we arrived along with a local summer day camp. Our oldest fell right in with the other children of the Abacos chasing, running, and sifting the sand for treasures.

We always make sure to boat to Little Harbour at the south end of Marsh Harbour. This well protected lagoon is the location of Pete's Pub and the Johnston's Studio. Randolph Johnston was an artist who built a bronze foundry and studio and a life for his family beginning in the 1950's only few in this world ever come to realize. Some time ago I was lucky enough to have met Randolph himself and walked with him around his property. He and Pete Johnston have inspired me to follow my dreams. Go there, buy the book called "Artist on His Island, A Study on Self-Reliance," have a drink and you'll understand.

One of my favorite stops on those less than perfect water days is Man-O-War Cay, just north of Elbow Cay. There you'll find many wonderful craft shops boat builders and local artwork as well as one of the prettiest and quietest beaches. I now score beaches based on the reaction of our kids and this one ranks up there with the best in our boys' book. It used to be based on the privacy factor. You childless couples know what I'm talking about. And as long as our tribe isn't there you might just find you have the whole place to yourself. You can find homemade breads and pies you can purchase yourself right in the home where they were baked.

Another stop farther north is Great Guana Cay. The biggest attraction right now is the Sunday Pig Roast at Nippers. This beachside restaurant/pool bar/ live music make for a fun day in the sun. Located on a wonderful beach, Nippers is a great place to loosen up a bit and kick back. As the day wears on you might want to drop the kids off with your niece or someone and come back as the sun starts to set. Some say it gets pretty wild and it is all relative. There are a number of small resorts and rental villas located on Great Guana. Pick your style and price range and you can find it on Great Guana. This is true for all the cays of the Abacos.

The Abacos offer some of the finest water sports in all the Bahamas. Sport fishing is world class and guides are easily arranged. Diving and snorkeling experiences abound in the Abacos. The Government of the Bahamas and locals themselves have gone to great lengths to protect the local reefs and marine life. There are several designated sea preserves that offer great diving and snorkeling. As well, there are a number of very professional and reliable dive operators in the Abacos. Treasure Cay is another point of entry into the Abacos and with what is considered one of the best beaches in the world, and if you get out of the water long enough you'll find great golfing there as well.

As I said, it is hard to write a short article describing all the Abacos have to offer. There are so many other points of interest that are a must -- to do it justice you really need to plan a couple of trips to the Abacos. Just go ahead and plan it because if you go once, you'll go twice.

Best Place for... List. (Remember we have kids!)

Best Lunch - Sea Spray Resort. Great food, good service, nice pool
Best Place to drink, dream and reminisce without the kids - Pete's Pub.
Best Place Cay for House Rentals - They're all good but Lubbers Quarters is quiet and private.
Best place to wait out a storm - Abaco Inn. Great rum runners and chess set.
Best Diving- Fowl Cay Preserve has good moorings and easily accessible
Best Full Moon Party - Cracker P's. They will actually pick you up and take you home in their boat.
Best Place to anchor and hang out- Bakers Bay off Guana on a quiet day. Tilloo Bank is a close second.
Best Place to hook up with the people you met on the plane - Eventually everyone hits the happy hour at Hope Town Harbour Lodge. Beautiful beach with snorkeling right off the sand and a pool.

Some helpful links for this destination:
	Bahamas / Abacos - Good information on things to do and local color. Your Guide to Abaco in the Bahamas - Post questions and get quick responses from a very informed group of Abaco regulars Bahamas - Out Islands - Info on where they are and how to get there. Bahama Travel Net - A resource guide to travel and tourism in the Bahamas

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