Visit the Bahamas > Abaco

Columbus came looking for gold but the only "treasure" he found was the jasmine-like fragrance in the air. Now divers, snorkelers, and fisherman land on this remote pair of islands to take home nothing more than a one-of-a-kind experience.

Situated on the northeastern tip of The Islands of The Bahamas chain, the Abacos are a cluster of islands stretching roughly 130 miles encompassing tranquil bays, beautiful beaches, secluded inlets, pine forests, corkwood tree thickets, lagoons and pastel New England style villages. Visitors retreat to this peaceful destination for premier snorkeling, a stroll through the Memorial Gardens or the artist colony of Hope Town, or a glance at the brilliantly colored Abaco Parrot. Or, simply, a relaxing day sitting idly by palm fringed seas. 

Abaco Island has naturally protected waters and dozens of offshore cays covering over 130 square miles of aquamarine water. The Abacos are a pleasure to yachtsmen and fishing enthusiasts. It is referred to as the sailing capital of the world. Here you will find excellent marinas like the one at Abaco Beach Resort & Boat Harbour, guides and boats for hire as well as a championship golf course, one of seven in The Bahamas, the others being in Nassau, Freeport, Abaco and Eleuthera. Abaco is the third most populous island in The Bahamas and bears a resemblance to New England from which it attracts so many of its visitors and winter residents. Marsh Harbour is the commercial centre located on Great Abaco. Home to the famous red and white striped lighthouse, Abaco with its numerous offshore cays and reef protected waters, once served as a safe harbor for British loyalists during the American Revolution. The first settlement on Abaco Was Carleton Point, located at the northern end of Treasure Cay a luxury resort development. Carleton was settled in 1783 by 600 Loyalists refugees from New York, fleeing the newly independent United States. Now it serves a more useful purpose as the one of the most favorite destinations among yachtsman the world over. Filled with excellent marinas and boats for hire, not to mention a championship golf course, Abaco truly is a sailor's paradise. Its two major islands, Great Abaco and Little Abaco, have a myriad of small cays flanking the mainland. The sea channel between the islands allows for good cruising. Abaco, located in the northern Bahamas, typically boats pine forests and is frequented by hunters of wild boar and ducks. Its waters abound with fish, including the marlin and sailfish. It also has bonefishing flats. Other settlements include its northern cays, such as Walker’s Cay and the Grand Cays; Crown Haven and Fox Town in Little Abaco, and Cooper’s Town on Great Abaco; Green Turtle Cay, Hope Town, Moore’s Island, the tourist resort of Castaways Cay, Great Guana Cay, Cherokee Sound, Little Harbour, Hole-in-the-Wall, Sandy Point, Crossing Rock, Spring City and Man-O-War Cay.

The Abacos are a group of islands and cays forming a boomerang-shaped chain which stretches nearly 130 miles from Walker's Cay in the north to Hole-In-The-Wall in the south. The configuration creates naturally protected waters referred to commonly as the Sea of Abaco which makes a favorite cruising ground for yachtsmen, many of whom come from great distances. Abaco is widely known as the Sailing Capital of the World and a Sailor's Nirvana.

The Abaco Islands are a sailing and boating universe. The major islands of this small archipelago are Great and Little Abaco, with the off-lying cays of Elbow Cay, Man-O-War Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Guana Cay, Stranger's Cay, Umbrella Cay and Walker's Cay completing the string. Somewhere in this 120-mile necklace of islands and often uninhabited cays and beaches, you're sure to find the ideal private spot for some chilled champagne and a good book. The Abaco Islands' sheltered harbours create a haven for yachtsmen and the slumber-struck alike. Here, colonial towns are gems of New England architecture waiting for those who love to roam secluded villages and taste a bit of history. For the action and adventure prone, surfing, diving, snorkelling and spectacular fishing await, as well as plenty to interest the nature lover, such as the Abaco forest, flora and fauna - even special resorts for the ecotourist. Fishing is excellent throughout The Abaco Islands, with Walker's Cay, Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay and Green Turtle Cay attracting many fishermen for summer tournaments. Record catches of marlin, sailfish and tuna are common here. The shallow, marshy flats west of Great Abaco are a haven to bonefish, while deep-sea fishing is easily accessible a short boat ride from the cays where the drop-off from the reef to the Atlantic is steep.

Sheltered harbors create a haven for yachtsmen. Colonial towns are gems of New England architecture. And the ecosystem provides a rich outdoor experience for nature lovers.