The Bahamas is a famous vacation destination. It boasts white sand beaches and clear blue waters, completed by a tropical climate.
Also, there remains plenty of uninhabited places with the same beauty you will see throughout the Bahamas.
One of these beautiful places is the Abaco Islands Bahamas. It consists of two major islands, the Great Abaco and Little Abaco, with smaller cays on its boundaries.
What do these islands offer?
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Abaco Islands Bahamas
These islands and the smaller cays are sometimes called Out Islands, Friendly Islands, or Family Islands because of their composition.
The islands are mostly made of limestone, while white-sand beaches surround the mangrove-covered cays.
Abaco Islands are in the northern part of Nassau in Providence Island, the Bahamas, with Marsh Harbour as their largest community.
History
The island’s first inhabitants were the Lucayans until the Spaniards captured them as slaves and totally removed them from the island in 1520.
Before the European Loyalists from New York arrived in 1783, the Bahamas has no recorded inhabitants for almost 130 years.
Spain first laid claim on it but did not show much interest. Instead, it focused its attention on Havana.
Claims to the Bahamas alternated between Great Britain and Spain for 150 years.
It ended in 1783 when the British surrendered East Florida to the Spaniards in exchange for the Bahamas through a treaty.
In July 1973, the Bahamas became independent from Great Britain after numerous petitions from various parties.
The Abaco Out Island Now
The Abaco Out Island is working hard to restore its beauty after the damage caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
Several establishments have reopened like hotels, fishing lodges, and beach resorts to welcome guests.
Island Accommodations
There are plenty of accommodations on the island, divided into three locations—North Abaco, Central Abaco, and South Abaco.
Whichever location you decide to go to, there will always be a place for you to stay in on the island.
1. North Abaco
- Cay’s Resort LTD
- Coopers Cove Motel
- Green Turtle Club
- Island Bay Front Hotel
- James Inn
- Joleeka’s Motel
- Josey Cay
- Linton’s Cottages
- Millie’s Guest House
- M & M Motel
- Sassy Cassie Motel
2. Central Abaco
- Abaco Beach Resort
- Abaco Hillside Plaza
- Abaco Inn
- Calypso Hills Hideaways
3. South Abaco
- Abaco Breeze
- Abaco Club on Winding Bay
- Moore’s Island Bonefish Lodge
- Odisha’s Resort
- Pete & Gay’s Guest House
- R & S Motel
- The Blackfly Lodge
- The Delphi Club
- The Sandpiper Inn
Things To Do in Abaco Islands
Abaco is a group of islands and smaller cays famous for sailing, fishing, and coral reef diving. These outdoor activities are the reasons why people go to Abaco Islands.
You will also find uncrowded and unspoiled beaches. They have excellent marine facilities and lovely cruising grounds.
Let’s check some of the popular activities that tourists love to engage in when on the islands.
1. Boat Tours
To enjoy your vacation and have a good time in Abacos, make sure to rent a boat. You can explore the various styles and landmarks of each cay bordering the islands.
There’s a charter company operated by its owner that offers day sails or multiple-days living aboard your rented boat.
They have one charter option called “Captain by day, Bareboat by night,” where the Captain stays with you during the day but will let you have the boat at night after docking.
The Captain returns the next day to continue sailing to another destination for a different adventure.
2. Scuba and Snorkeling
You can snorkel anywhere on the islands, but make sure to bring your snorkeling equipment if you wish to dive on a shipwreck filled with fish life.
The rental boat owner will provide you with a map of the islands and show you how and where to find the reefs.
Dive operation companies offer full services and can make a special package for diving and snorkeling that include accommodations.
3. Disney Island Visit
The Disney Corporation owns Castaway Cay, a Bahamian Out Island that you can only access if you are onboard a Disney cruise ship.
4. Sailing
Explore the beautiful island chain of the Abaco and experience the calm feeling of solitude while on the water.
You can also learn more about the Bahamian culture as you sail the Abaco out islands.
5. Beach and Sandbar Visit
Relax on the beautiful beach of Tahiti Cay and witness a vast expanse of sandbar during low tide.
Treasure Cay is one of Abaco’s most beautiful beaches with its white sand and calm, clear aqua water.
You are sure to be mesmerized by the swaying palm trees that line the beach as you wade in the shallow waters.
6. Outdoor Activities
When in the Abacos, you can enjoy various outdoor activities like fishing, swimming with pigs and sea turtles, playing and feeding stingrays, and other adventures.
7. Nature and Wildlife Tours
If you wish to explore nature’s hidden treasure on the Abaco islands’ southern side, make sure to join the Lucayan Nature Tour.
Know the history of each destination and be informed about the wildlife that you will see as you cruise.
8. Fishing Tours and Water Sports
Another exciting adventure you can do is charter a boat and go on a fishing adventure. You can also island-hop and see the beauty of the smaller islands.
9. Sights and Landmarks Visit
Abaco Islands are home to multiple landmarks and impressive sights.
For a calm and relaxing afternoon, you can choose to learn the history of these landmarks and take remembrance photos.
10. Shopping
Go on a shopping spree from the numerous shops around the islands. You can find certified organic health and beauty products for the whole family, your pet, and even your plants.
There are specialty stores where you can buy gifts, souvenirs, and other essential items you may need while on the island.
11. Nightlife
You will also find a bit of nightlife on the island but not the kind offered in the capital city.
12. Museum Visit
Take some time out and visit the two museums on the island. Check out souvenirs from the founder of Hope Town and the studio of a sculptor.
Places To See
If you wish to explore Abaco Island’s impressive landmarks and tourist spots, below are some of the places to visit.
1. Elbow Cay
The British loyalists first inhabited this eight-mile-long island in 1785.
Its primary village, Hope Town, envelops the protected harbor with the towering red and white lighthouse constructed in 1863.
2. Man-O-War Cay
This small island boasts of great reefs with calm and relaxing clear water. You can rent a golf cart to explore the island better.
3. Green Turtle Cay
This barrier island is just one among many cays positioned outside the mainland of the Abacos. The only way to access this island is through a ferry ride or a boat from the mainland.
Its name was derived from the actual green turtles that were once abundant on the island. The island’s main village is New Plymouth.
4. Sea of Abaco
This saltwater lagoon is long at 100 kilometers. It separates Great Abaco Island from Abaco Cays. Most of the large communities are found along the shores.
Though there are shallow reefs and shoals, boaters still consider the sea a marine highway that provides a covered passage to Great Abaco.
5. Tahiti Beach
Tahiti Beach is a beautiful but isolated beach with white sand beach. It is found in Elbow Cay and a thick cluster of palm trees surrounds it.
6. Hope Town Lighthouse
This Hope Town lighthouse has survived hurricane Dorian and is still standing, serving as a beacon of hope.
7. Hope Town Harbor
Hope Town Harbor has stunning views and is one of the best spots to visit. From here, you can fly to Marsh Harbor or rent a boat for some water fun.
8. Brendal’s Water Spot and Dive Center
Guests can experience an excellent scuba diving adventure with a fun and relaxed ambiance through this dive center.
Visitors can also choose to island-hop or go on a fishing adventure guided by professional services from Brendal.
9. Albert Lowe Museum
The Albert Lowe Museum is another tourist spot you might want to visit.
It is a Victorian house turned into a museum for the visitors to know more about the history of Hope Town.
10. Wyannie Malone Museum
The small museum is named after one of the first settlers in Hope Town. It’s full of historical pieces showing the life of Wyannie Malone.
11. Art Colony
Art Colony is the studio of the American sculptor and educator showcasing his works of art. His son runs the museum while working with lost wax casting using bronze.
12. Abaco National Park
This national park, situated in South Abaco, was founded in 1994, measuring 20,500 acres abundant with pine trees.
This preservation area is under the Bahamas National Trust management as a nesting area for endangered parrots.
They feed on the seeds of the pine trees as it provides protein for their growing chicks.
13. Windward Point
This clean and beautiful beach showcases lots of starfish and sand dollars. You can walk through the shallow azure water and relax on the beach.
14. Pelican Cay Land and Sea Park
This national park, located in Central Abaco, was founded in 1972 and measures 2,100 acres. Its marine environment has a considerable amount of coral reef.
There are an undersea cave habitat and several other spots that provide you with an excuse for underwater diving and snorkeling.
15. Elbow Cay Lighthouse
This red and white striped lighthouse is among the few lighthouses that survived Hurricane Dorian. In fact, to this day, it is still functional and is operated manually.
Places To Dine
It’s good to know where you can find sumptuous food so that you can indulge in some tasty treats after all your adventures. Here are some dining options you will find on the island:
1. The Bae
This restaurant offers moderately-priced food offering a variety of cuisines like:
- Seafood
- Grill
- Bahamian
- American
- Caribbean
- Vegetarian-Friendly
- Vegan
2. Wally’s Restaurant
Wally’s is the number one choice of guests when dining, serving lunch, dinner, and brunch. It offers various cuisines, such as:
- Caribbean
- Seafood
- Bahamian
- Vegetarian-Friendly
- Vegan
- Gluten-Free
3. Back 2 Da Island
One of the budget-friendly restaurants you can find on the island is Back 2 Da Island. It is located near the beach for a more relaxed and casual setting.
This restaurant serves meals for breakfast, lunch, and brunch from different cuisines, like:
- Caribbean
- Bahamian
- Seafood
- Vegetarian
4. Treasure Sands Club
Treasure Sand Club offers a comfortable and casual dining experience and has great cocktails. It only serves Bahamian cuisine but with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
5. Jamie’s Place
This American restaurant provides a comfortable and casual dining experience perfect for kids. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Additionally, they also offer seating, table service, and takeout for its American, Caribbean, and Bahamian dishes.
6. Coco Beach Bar and Grill
Its beautiful setting overlooks Treasure Cay Beach with both outdoor and indoor seating options with a full bar.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night meals, including Caribbean, seafood, and Bahamian dishes with gluten-free options.
Guests can order from the full bar until the restaurant closes for the day.
Other great deals offered include:
- Reservations
- Television
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Indoor seating
- Parking
- Street parking
- Free off-street parking
- Highchairs
- Alcohol
- Accepts credit cards, Visa, and MasterCard
- Free Wi-Fi
- Live music
7. Da Blue Hole
Da Blue Hole serves special diets that are vegetarian-friendly with vegan and gluten-free options.
The restaurant serves drinks and breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night meals of seafood, Bahamian, and international cuisines. It also has other features, like:
- Takeout
- Reservations
- Seating
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Alcoholic beverages
- Full bar
- Table service
8. Cafe La Florence
This cafe and bakery also serve Bahamian cuisines for breakfast, lunch, and brunch with vegan options. Other offerings are takeout, seating, and wheelchair accessibility.
9. Snappas Chill and Grill
The diner is located on the water that overlooks the harbor. It offers a happy hour daily from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM and up to 11:00 PM on Wednesdays.
It has daily food specials in addition to the regular grill menu. There is an entertainment offering every Friday and Saturday nights, too.
This grill serves lunch and dinner meals with vegetarian-friendly options of American, Caribbean, seafood, and Bahamian cuisine.
The bar and pub are also open during business hours.
Conclusion
If you want a more relaxing vacation without too much noise and people, you might want to go to Abaco Islands Bahamas.
Their pristine and tranquil beaches will surely refresh your mind and body.
Learn more about the Out Islands in the Bahamas so that you can begin planning your next trip.
