ABACOS

Resting in the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast of Florida the Bahamas have become a sought-after destination for travelers seeking an intimate paradise. The chain of more than 700 sprawling and shallow islands rises from the sea and greets visitors with cays surrounded by barrier reefs and delightful island culture.

Cruise to Great Abaco Island, circled by a number of smaller islands and home to picturesque colonial towns. Billowing sails dot the Sea of Abaco where under the water walls of coral and schools of tropical fish provide divers an excellent opportunity to experience the vibrant sea life at its best. Trade winds dance across the sheltered waters lending to the region’s popularity as a vacation destination. Countless activities, from visiting historic sites to snorkeling to tasting local dishes, will fill your days with unforgettable memories. Look around, what you’re searching for may be closer than you think.


ABACOS ITINERARY:

A Bahamas cruising itinerary will take you north and south of bustling Marsh Harbour to explore the nearby islands and cays on an adventure ideal for the entire family in the sheltered Sea of Abaco. One day you’ll be anchored off an uninhabited cay to snorkel on coral reefs in crystal clear water with excellent visibility, and the next you’ll be strolling the quiet streets of towns that were first settled hundreds of years ago.

 

Day 1: Elbow Cay is the most well-known of the small colonial townships on the outer cays and its famous 130-year-old lighthouse is visible for miles. Moorings can be reserved from Hope Town Maina and great bars and restaurants, such as Cap’n Jacks and Harbor’s Edge. You can also come alongside Hope Town Marina or Lighthouse Marina to find fuel and water. Ice and marina services. There are food markets, boutiques, and the local dive shop. You can visit the small museum and then eat at one of the many restaurants surrounding the harbor. If you’re having lunch at the Hope Town Harbor Lodge beachside pool and restaurant, you can snorkel off their beach before or after your meal.

Day 2: About three miles south from the entrance to Hope Town in the white Sound, the Abaco Inn sits with its small stern-to-docks – it is one of your best bets for dining out in Abaco. If the docks are full, try the nearby Sea Spray Marina where you can also find fuel, ice water, and a small restaurant at the marina. The navigable waters of White Sound are dredged and narrow, so there are no moorings available, and anchoring is not possible.

Day 3: Tahiti Beach is a pleasant little lagoon anchorage with a white sand beach and coconut palm trees, which is protected from most winds except northerners. Anchor in the lee to Tilloo Cay, just north of the Tilloo Bank, a deserted island with wild shores on the east side. It’s an open roadstead anchorage that is exposed to all winds, especially westerlies. From Tilloo Cay, you can dinghy over to Cracker P’s restaurant & bar, where they serve lunch and dinner.

Day 4: For a daytime anchorage, head for the west side of Sandy Cay. From here you’ll have dingy access to the reefs on the east side, which form part of the Pelican cays Sea Paark with its protected coral and sea life. There are some small moorings for you to tie the dinghy to when diving or snorkeling in this beautiful underwater area. Be aware it can be exposed to Atlantic weather and crosscurrents from the nearby North Bar Channel.

Day 5: Sail to Little Harbor, Great Abaco Island, where moorings are available from Pete’s Pub, or you can anchor. At mean low water, there is only 3.5ft across the bar, so if you arrive too early to carry your draft, you can anchor on the west side to Tom Curry’s Point and await the rise of the tide. If you need to, you can spend the night at anchor here and be sheltered from most winds.

Day 6: Make your way to the historical township at Man-O-war Cay, which offers marina berths, moorings as well and anchorage sites. Man-O-War Marina’s berths and moorings are right on the town harbor, but they can also be reserved for you in the eastern Harbor (sometimes known as American Harbor). You can’t anchor in the main harbor due to the amount of congestion and private moorings already there.

Day 7: Sail to Great Guana Cay, which has docking facilities in the bay facing southwest at the Grabbers Resort’s small marina. With north and easterly winds, you can anchor in the bay, but use two anchors as the holding is soft and grassy. A better anchorage can be found just to the north of the resort anchoring behind Delia’ Cay. This cay also has a famous white sand beach that stretches for seven miles.

Day 8: Sail back to base.