The first inhabitants of Elbow Cay and The Abacos arrived in the 1700's and the Wyannie Malone Museum in Hope Town is very informative about the early development of the town. Today's islanders are descendants of British Loyalists who fled the United States after England lost the revolutionary war. Their accents still ring of England and are pleasant to listen to.

A magnificent barrier reef protects several miles of beautiful white sand beach and the unbelievably clear, turquoise water that are filled with fish and dolphin. To the west is the superb Hope town Harbour dominated by the famous candy striped lighthouse, built by the British Imperial Lighthouse Service in 1863.

The village, located between a beautiful beach and the harbor, has perhaps 300 permanent residents and is reminiscent of a New England fishing village set in the tropics. Its main street, the Queen's Highway, is 8 foot wide and no cars are allowed in the village. There are two town docks for your use and a marina where gas can be purchased. There are three grocery stores (one with its own dock), a liquor store, a bank, a hardware store, and a small drug store, as well as several gift shops and artist studios.

You will love fresh baked Bahamian bread as well as key lime pie and other good stuff. Vernon Malone at Vernon's Grocery in town presides over Vernon's Upper Crust Bakery. Everything he makes is wonderful and you will be entertained by his signs. Fresh fish and crawfish can be purchased at the fish market across the street from Capt. Jacks.

Nearby Man-O-War Cay (named after the bird) has always depended on shipbuilding for its livelihood. Some boats are still handmade-without-plans in a tradition that has been passed down for centuries.

The town here resembles a New England sea-side village, save for the palm trees and tropical breezes.

In town, the meeting place is the Harbour's Edge Restaurant and Bar. They have their own dock and you can pull your boat up next to your table. They serve lunch and dinner outside under their awning as well as inside. On Saturday nights they have a calypso band and everybody turns out for dancing.

There is also Captain Jacks in their new building on the waterfront also serving lunch and dinner. Wednesday and Friday nights they have live music and dancing.

Known as the ‘sailing capital of the world’ Abaco consists of Great Abaco, Little Abaco, & many surrounding cays spread out over 120 miles. Abaco is located on the Northern most part of The Bahamas and is the country’s second largest island.

Abaco with its numerous offshore cays and reef protected waters, once served as a safe harbor for British loyalists during the American Revolution.

Visit the Pelican Cay National Park, an underwater preserve; or, the Abaco National Park, a 20,000 acre site in southern Abaco encompassing the nesting area and habitat of the Abaco Parrot. Or spend a quiet afternoon at the Albert Lowe Museum, a restored 150-year-old mansion that now houses exhibits on local history. In the Memorial Sculpture Gardens, busts of some 30 Bahamians, representing different Bahamian islands, stand in an elegant, tranquil garden setting.

Good roads allow you to explore the 100-mile-long mainland by rental car. Along the way, you can see villages with lots of history, photograph island architecture and take a hike in a forest preserve with a population of protected wild parrots.

You can also count dolphins swimming the Sea of Abaco, climb the steps of the historic lighthouse in Hope Town, and collect shells on the beaches. Oh yes, the beaches -- wide, deserted, palm-fringed, soft, warm, non-commercial, unlimited and unbelievable. No peddlers or hawkers. Safe for swimming and snorkeling.

The five inhabited cays are Walker’s Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Man-O-War Cay & Elbow Cay. Abaco’s ‘city’ – Marsh Harbor has all modern facilities!

If you want to fly to Abaco to experience what many consider the best sailing in the world, there are numerous options. American, Continental, and US Airways all offer service from the US to Marsh Harbour (airport code MHH) and Treasure Cay (airport code TCB). This list changes from time to time.

Three airports are found in the Abacos: Marsh Harbour (the major one, on Great Abaco Island), Treasure Cay, and Walker's Cay. The official points of entry are Marsh Harbour, Treasure Cay, Walker's Cay, and Green Turtle Cay (New Plymouth). Green Turtle Cay doesn't have an airstrip, but many members of the yachting crowd clear Customs and Immigration there.

Optionally, you can fly to Fort Lauderdale (airport code FLL) on almost any carrier and then fly to Abaco with Air Sunshine, Gulfstream, or Island Express. Surprisingly, this option is frequently less expensive than routing yourself all the way through on a single ticket.

If you elect this option, consider getting to Fort Lauderdale, staying a night, and then flying to Abaco early the next day. This approach eliminates the pitfalls of delayed flights and missed connections. You'll arrive in Abaco without stress and anxiety, and rested.

By Boat -- The mail boat MV Legacy sails on Tuesday from Nassau to Hope Town, Marsh Harbour, Turtle Cay, and Green Turtle Cay. It returns to Nassau on Friday. Trip time is 12 hours. The MV Legacy leaves Nassau on Tuesday, with stops at Green Turtle Cay, Hope Town, Marsh Harbour, and Turtle Cay, going back to Nassau on Thursday. Each trip takes 12 hours. For details on sailings (subject to change) and costs, contact the dockmaster at Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau (tel. 242/393-1064).

Bahamas Ferries now operates a direct service from Nassau aboard the Sea Wind. A one-way fare costs $40 per adult and $20 for children (ages 2 and under free). There is no reduction in purchasing a round trip. For more information and for bookings, call tel. 242/323-2166. The trip from Nassau to Sandy Point in the Abacos takes 1 hour and 50 minutes.
 

Treasure Cay Hotel Resort & Marina
Treasure Cay Road, Treasure Cay 99999 BS   Treasure Cay Hotel Resort and Marina Consists of a Variety of Room Types Including Marina or Garden-View Rooms, Marina-View Suites and Luxurious Beachfront ......

Abaco Beach Restaurant & Boat Harbour
PO Box AB-20669, Marsh Harbour BS At Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour, we've blended the relaxed, laid back attitude of the Out Islands with the most breathtaking waterfront location ......