What to do in Abaco
Very Charming and quaint, The Abacos boast of the famous candy-striped lighthouse right here in our own homeport of Hope Town, incredible sailing, and one of the best beaches in the world.
Located at the top of the Bahamian archiepelago 106 miles north of Nassau, the Abacos stretch for 130 miles from Walker's Cay in the north to Hole-in-the-Wall in the south. For years sailors have flocked to this boomerang-shaped cluster of islands and cays (pronounced "keys"), making it the undisputed sailing capital of The Islands of The Bahamas, and possibly the world. Yachtsmen from all over arrive in July for the Regatta and all it's festivities.
Deep Sea fishing is also popular here, along with bone fishing on the shallow marshy flats. Visitors will feel like they stepped back in time with quaint New England-style villages and pastel-colored-houses that date back to the first settlers, who arrivbed from South Carolina in 1783 after the American War for Independence.
The main islands are Great Abaco and Little Abaco and it's on the former where you will find the capital, Marsh Harbour. Marsh Harbour is the third-largest town in The Bahamas and the commercial hub of the Abacos with hotels, shops, and restaurants. A great place to strike up an acquaintance with fellow sailors. It also has the Out Islands' first and only set of traffic lights. Surrounding the main islands are beautiful islets including Spanish Cay, Man-O-War, Great Guana Cay and Green Turtle Cay.
A short ferry ride from Marsh Harbour is Hope Town, not only Abaco Bahamas Charters home port, but also the largest settlement on Elbow Cay. With a 350-strong population and several local families who have lived there for generations. A cluster of pretty clapboard houses with flowr-filled gardens surrounded by white picket fences, gives a settlement a picture-postcard feel. You can catch a glimpse of early life here through the fascinating collection of old furniture and artifacts at the Wyannie Malone Historical Museum in old Hope Town house on Bay Street.
Undoubtedly, Hope Town's most famous attraction has to be its 120-foot high candy-striped lighthouse, which is probably the most photographed lighthouse in The Bahamas. It is open to visitors who don't mind climbing the 100 steps to the top, and the beautiful views across the cay and out to sea are worth the trek.
Just a few minutes sail away is Man-O-War, with excellent snorkeling at Sandy Cay. There is more good swimming and snorkeling off the empty beaches and grassy sand dunes of Great Guana Cay, which has a population of only 100. Man-O-War has the famous boat building industry and sail shop and here you will see boats being built by hand as they have for generations. Visit the sailmaking loft and watch as dittybags, jackets, hats, and more are skillfully sewn.
Guana Cay has a gorgeous 9 mile beach and several beach bars. Enjoy the small town charm and natural beauty in Guana Cay. Spend the day sightseeing, beach combing, and shopping in the quaint and interesting gift shops. Relax and may I suggest visiting Nippers Bar and Grill. Their famous Sunday pig roast has already become a tradition.
Little Harbour is a very pretty small anchorage and is well known for the world famous bronze artist, Randolph Johnson. This quaint hideaway sits snugly in a harbor surrounded by cliffs. The walls of its lovely cove are dotted by caves and interesting rock formations that are fun to explore.
On Great Abaco, Treasure Cay sits on a peninsula thirety miles northeast of Marsh Harbour overlooking a three-mile stretch of beach. Guests can enjoy a round of golf at a Dick Wilson-designed golf course, while boaters flock to the marina.
A short sail away is the popular Green Turtle Cay, a tiny island two miles by four, which is home to the quaint sleepy fishing village of New Plymouth. Her you can visit the Albert Lowe Museum, dating from the oldest historical museum in The Bahamas. Further north is Spanish Cay and Walker's Cay, known for game fishing and shark diving.
See ya soon!